Every Square Foot MATTERS
Wildlands Conservancy is in the business of protecting our lands—forever.
When it comes to our forests, mountains, and streams, we are losing our regional open spaces at an alarming rate of 2000 acres a year. When we lose these lands, we lose QUALITY of life as the water we drink and the air we breathe is linked directly to these greenspaces. We also lose countless MEMORIES as we lose the opportunity to step outside and hike, bike, fish, explore, and relax.
Land protection is a living return on investment. Wildlands Conservancy is PROUD to have preserved more than 60,000 acres of land on and in proximity to South Mountain, the Lehigh River Corridor, the Kittatinny Ridge (Blue Mountain), and the Pocono portion of the Lehigh River watershed. Every square foot of this land is a meaningful LEGACY to the people who call these regions home, and we are honored to protect each of them.
Paying it FORWARD
We are indebted to the landowners we work with each year. We share their commitment to conservation and their desire to “pay it forward” as we keep in mind all the moments to come as the people of our region continue to make new memories in the beautiful outdoors of Pennsylvania.
How can we help you conserve your land?
Wildlands Conservancy can help you protect your land through a conservation easement. Contact us today to see how we can help you maintain the legacy and beauty of the land you call home.
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
The green space around us is layered with meaningful HISTORY and holds the key to a FUTURE we can all be proud of. Through conservation easements, Wildlands Conservancy works with regional landowners to forever protect the CHARACTER, natural resources, and ownership of their land.
What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that outlines the property’s conservation values and restricts future use of the property that would interfere with those values. A conservation easement may also reserve rights of property enjoyment to the landowner.
As a land trust, Wildlands Conservancy holds and SAFEGUARDS the conservation easement and regularly monitors the easement property to ensure that its conservation VALUES are being maintained. In this role, we play a vital part in helping landowners protect and conserve open green spaces.
LAND ACQUISITIONS & TRANSFERS
Wildlands Conservancy works with state and federal agencies to acquire and permanently protect high-conservation-value lands. Our land acquisition and transfer work also significantly expands public lands for outdoor recreation and critical wildlife habitat.
Wildlands Conservancy has transferred more than 30,000 acres of land to state and federal agencies as public lands. Our acquisitions and transfers help sustain clean, healthy water for drinking, fishing, and recreation; protect and support crucial ecosystems; and expand activities that can be enjoyed in perpetuity by outdoor enthusiasts.
NATURE PRESERVES
Wildlands Conservancy owns and manages 14 nature preserves spanning Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carbon, and Lackawanna Counties. These preserves are open to the public and total more than 2800 total acres.
All of our preserves offer a different way to experience the natural beauty of Eastern Pennsylvania. Some include beginner trails, ample parking, and public restrooms while others offer more rugged terrain or can only be reached by watercraft. Outdoor activities vary by preserve and include hiking, running, biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, rafting, and more.
totaling 2,800 acres
transferred for public lands