Jefferson Township, Pa. – June 30, 2017 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy today purchased a 30-acre property located in the headwaters of Laurel Hill Creek in Jefferson Township, Somerset County, that has now become a new addition to Laurel Ridge State Park.
This property, which is adjacent to the park, provides significant water quality protection and features 2,500 feet of frontage on Shaffer Run, a major tributary to Laurel Hill Creek. An average of approximately 1.4 million gallons of water per day flow from four natural artesian groundwater springs located on the property. The property also includes forested wetlands adjacent to the springs.
The permanent conservation of the forests, wetlands and springs on this property will play an important role in protecting water quality and quantity in Laurel Hill Creek, a significant ecological and recreational asset for the Laurel Highlands region.
The Conservancy immediately conveyed this land to Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks to become part of Laurel Ridge State Park.
“DCNR prides itself in strong partnerships with conservation-based organizations, and for decades there have been few stronger than that with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This latest addition to Laurel Ridge State Park is to be applauded, and surely will be appreciated by the almost 70,000 who visit the park each year.”
The Conservancy recently protected one other property totaling approximately 184 acres that was also conveyed to DCNR to become part of Laurel Hill State Park. WPC President and CEO Tom Saunders said Laurel Hill Creek has been identified by the Conservancy as a priority stream for protection, so conserving properties within its watershed is a priority.
“We are pleased to continue partnering with DCNR to help protect the region’s water quality and the natural and recreational value of this important creek,” Saunders added. “This is another wonderful addition to the protection of lands in the Laurel Hill Creek watershed.”
Conservation of this land was made possible through the generosity of the Family of B. Kenneth Simon and through funding from DCNR.
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Photos are available courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
High-res photo: http://bit.ly/2tidDBI
Photo for web use: http://bit.ly/2tisX1d
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