Cove Mountain Preserve

In 2017, The Nature Conservancy acquired the property comprising its Cove Mountain Preserve, located just outside of Harrisburg, with a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant and funds raised from generous donors. TNC used the funds to permanently protect land along part of the Kittatinny Ridge (also known as Blue Mountain or First Mountain). Long recognized as one of the Commonwealth’s most treasured landscapes, the Kittatinny’s forested ridgetops serve as one of the most important wildlife corridors within the northeastern U.S.—stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the south and the Catskill Mountains to the north. TNC is managing the Cove Mountain Preserve to support native forest and wildlife, including migrating raptors and songbirds. 

Threats

Although Central Pennsylvania boasts plentiful natural areas, these places—especially along our ridgetops—remain relatively unprotected. As development extends outward from Harrisburg, nearby mountain slopes are faced with increased conversion pressure. Other threats include over browsing by deer, non-native invasive plants and pests, and unsustainable logging.

Milestones

Cove Mountain represents TNC’s first nature preserve in Central Pennsylvania along the state’s Kittatinny Ridge. In addition to protecting and connecting critical wildlife habitat, it also showcases efforts by the Kittatinny Ridge Coalition to safeguard the surrounding landscape. The Conservancy is also partnering with a local church to provide parking, picnic and outdoor classroom areas for visitors seeking to spend time outdoors connecting with nature.