Miles Township, Pa. – June 1, 2017 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced today the purchase of a conservation easement to protect a 120-acre property along Brush Valley Road in Miles Township, Centre County.
Conservation easements are permanent deed-restriction agreements used by conservation-minded landowners to limit a property’s future development and detrimental uses in order to help the land stay protected in perpetuity even if sold. This easement was tailored to meet the private landowners’ needs and conservation goals, including ensuring the property’s 60-acre forest remains intact. It also includes specific provisions permitting WPC and its partners to conduct ecological restoration and management activities, such as riparian forest restoration and invasive species removal projects.
The conservation easement also provides protection for a forested riparian buffer along the 3,000-foot section of Elk Creek that crosses through the property. Elk Creek is approximately 19 miles long, a tributary to Penns Creek and located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The creek is designated as a high-quality, cold-water fishery by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and classified as Class A Wild Trout Waters by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for its naturally reproducing population of native brook trout.
Anglers are permitted to use the property to access Elk Creek for fishing on a walk-in basis from nearby public roads and adjacent Bald Eagle State Forest. There are no public amenities available on the property, such as signage, restrooms or parking. More specific information for public access to the creek will be available in the near future at WaterLandLife.org.
“Through this conservation easement, we are able to protect forestland and riparian buffers along this spectacular section of Elk Creek in Centre County,” said Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy.
This project was made possible through grant funding from the Hamer Foundation, DEP and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as well as donations from individuals supporting fishing access on coldwater streams.
The Conservancy currently holds 196 conservation easements on approximately 36,000 acres of land in Western Pennsylvania. For inquires or more information about conservation easements or other conservation options, please contact WPC at 412-288-2777 or info@paconserve.org.
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Photos are available courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
High-res photo: http://bit.ly/2rBp5aC
Photo for web use: http://bit.ly/2rBdF75
About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish 10 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.
Media Contact:
Kristen Blevins
Communications Specialist
412-586-2328 (office)
kblevins@paconserve.org