The Nature Conservancy Helps Preserve Central Appalachians

2,600-acre parcel valued for size, diversity

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — April 24, 2008 — The Nature Conservancy is assisting the fund-raising effort to complete the transfer of about 2,600 acres of wild, Central Appalachian forest in Adams County from private to public ownership and stewardship.

Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company recently sold Tree Farm No. 1 in Hamiltonban Township for $12.5 million to The Conservation Fund, which provided the critical “bridge” financing for the $12.5 million purchase and will hold the property until other public and private funding can be raised to transfer the land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The tract lies adjacent to Michaux State Forest and Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. It’s just 10 miles west of and within the viewshed of Gettysburg National Park, and serves as a buffer for the Appalachian Trail corridor.

“This is exactly the type of project that interests The Nature Conservancy,” explained Bill Kunze, Pennsylvania state director for the Conservancy. “This is a large parcel with high conservation value due to its diversity of species and its proximity to the Central Appalachian mountains, a region that is one of our top global conservation priorities.

“It is also an opportunity for local organizations to join together to buy land from a willing seller for the benefit of the community and long-term conservation.”

When Glatfelter marketed the property, with zoning that would allow for the construction of about 500 homes on it, potential buyers quickly demonstrated strong interest. That concerned local residents, who worried about the threat to the site’s value as a watershed, as plant and animal habitat, and for its recreational value.

Tree Farm No. 1 is southern Pennsylvania’s largest remaining, wild tracts of high-quality Central Appalachian forest, which is some of the best temperate forest on the planet.

“This property has high conservation value, and many people in Adams County want to see it conserved for hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor recreation,” said Todd McNew, Pennsylvania representative for the Fund. “Folks expressed interest in purchasing the property for conservation; however, they were unable to quickly raise sufficient funds to submit a bid for the property. We felt compelled to act.

Dick Mountfort, president of the Land Conservancy of Adams County, said, “We support conservation of the (site) and plan to provide assistance where able. In our 11 years, we have never heard more concern from citizens about the protection of a specific property than we have for these acres.”

County Commissioner George Weikert echoed that concern: “The Glatfelter tract is a valuable resource to all the residents of Adams County. It is at the headwaters of Adams County’s pristine water supply and it helps provide clean air and outdoor recreation resources to many county residents.”

The Fund will own the property until money can be raised for its transfer to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as an addition to Michaux State Forest.

“This acquisition will help us enhance what we treasure in Pennsylvania – our beautiful forests, streams and natural areas,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “Adding this piece of Pennsylvania’s great outdoors to our state forest system will mean we are able to conserve the headwaters of two high quality coldwater streams, and permanently secure the site for the public in a region of the state facing high growth pressure from the south.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.