land conservation

Agood day in nature for Ray Stroud, Jr. of Pittsburgh is off-the-beaten-path fishing and camping. “But, my secret places aren’t so secret anymore,” says Ray, who shares he’s not the only one enjoying the Clarion River’s secluded forested banks.

His favorite spots along the river to relax and cast his rod are within the Allegheny National Forest. When there, he regularly sees eagles soaring, relaxes to the peaceful sounds and observes incredible scenic beauty. “Nature is truly for everyone to learn from, experience and respect, so it’s cool that there are many places in Western Pennsylvania to do that.”

Thanks to the Conservancy’s permanent protection of 140 acres along the Clarion River in 2022, there’s now even more land for Ray and others to enjoy for birding, fishing, kayaking, hiking, hunting and more. Those newly protected acres also provide one-half mile of forested riparian buffer along the 2019 River of the Year, and expand the Conservancy’s now 630-acre Dutch Hill Forest in Jefferson County.

Dutch Hill Forest offers scenic views of the river, off-trail hiking and steep slopes with extensive thickets of rhododendron and mountain laurel. Since the 1970s, the Conservancy has protected nearly 13,000 acres along the Clarion River, starting with more than 3,500 acres in the southern section of the river.

Ray is planning a camping trip soon to ANF and looks forward to also exploring Dutch Hill Forest to see some of the preserve’s unique features, including the hemlock wetland forest. “I also might find my new, less crowded, fishing spot there, too,” he says hopefully.

The protected acres for the forest are among the more than 1,400 total acres in Bedford, Erie, Jefferson and Westmoreland counties that the Conservancy protected in 2022.

Thanks to a donation of 33 acres from Regis and Jamie McHugh to the Conservancy in 2022, land that was once home to the historic Oakford Park in Jeannette, Westmoreland County, will once again be used as a local public greenspace.

Oakford Park opened in 1896 and thousands flocked to the grounds for decades to enjoy the outdoors and amusement park attractions. Although the park closed in 1938, its swimming pool, constructed in 1921, remained open until the 1980s.

“The property sat vacant for years, but we always believed it had so much potential for the greater good to help the community, environment and nature thrive,” Regis says, explaining why they acquired the property in 2020. “We had many good times there and didn’t want to see this important local history vanish.”

Their land donation included a half-mile of forested frontage along Brush Creek and some regenerating woodlands that include oaks, tulip trees and hickories.

The donation has inspired a community effort to help reimagine the public space. Michael Knoop, the Conservancy’s senior director of special projects, is leading the effort.

“We are using our land protection and restoration experience to help advance a community-led process,” says Michael. “With the help of local partners, we want to explore how this future greenspace can best benefit the community and nature. We’re extremely grateful to the McHughs for their donation of nature to benefit the Jeannette, Penn Township and Hempfield Township communities, and the entire region.”

We continued efforts in 2022 to protect critical land in the French Creek watershed in Erie County. French Creek is the most biologically diverse stream of its size in Pennsylvania or any state in the Northeastern United States. That’s why its protection is essential.

To date, the Conservancy has protected more than 5,600 acres within the 1,250-square-mile French Creek watershed, starting with the Wattsburg Fen Natural Area in 1969. The protection of the two properties in 2022 expands outdoor recreation opportunities on two different Conservancy-owned preserves. These protections also keep forestland and habitats in the watershed intact.

We added a 70-acre property to the West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, bringing it to more than 1,000 acres of contiguous forests, wetlands and streams. In Union Township, 40 acres were protected and added to the now 233-acre South Branch French Creek Conservation Area. The protected land includes a 635-foot forested stream buffer that filters pollutants and sediments. The conservation area, which opened to the public in 2018, features a diverse mix of habitats including forests, creek frontage, wetlands, vernal pools and former agricultural fields. A trail leads to a healthy old-growth hemlock stand.

A new conservation easement protects this 289-acre forested property in Cook Township, Westmoreland County. The property provides more than a half mile of frontage along two tributary streams and falls within the Campbelle Run Natural Heritage Area.

Three Conservancy-owned preserves expand by 285 acres in 2022 to offer more land for all to explore for fishing, hiking, boating, walking, hunting and more.

We protected 46o acres in 2022 within the French Creek watershed. To date, the Conservancy has protected more than 6,ooo acres within the biologically diverse river system.

Our longstanding history of expanding state public lands continued in 2022 with the protection of 15o forested acres in Bedford County for State Game Lands 48.