The Nature Conservancy-PA and six land trust organizations are celebrating the transition into fall by announcing a joint effort to increase protection of this region’s most vital, and well-known landscape: the Kittatinny Ridge.

The initiative is being funded by a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and by the partners, who are providing matching funds.

The Kittatinny Ridge is known by many names throughout its 185-mile stretch across the Keystone State: Blue Mountain, North Mountain, Endless Hill, Tuscarora, and Great Mountain – to name a few.

And for those who may not recognize any of these names, popular fall migration birding spots like Hawk Mountain, Waggoner’s Gap, and the Delaware Water Gap are all located along the Kittatinny Ridge.

“The Kittatinny Ridge is a globally important flyway between north and south for migrating birds of prey and songbirds,” said Mari-Beth DeLucia, Land Conservation Manager for the Conservancy. “This mosaic of forests and rivers also provides habitat for many species including black bear and brook trout and ensures safe drinking water and clean air for tens of millions of people.”

Through the grant from DCNR, the Conservancy and partners - Berks Nature, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Manada Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, and Wildlands Conservancy - will be reaching out to ridgetop landowners in their communities about the overall relevance of the Kittatinny and, the importance of protecting specific places along the Ridge, and providing landowners with a suite of opportunities to enhance and protect their properties.

In Pennsylvania there are approximately 300,000 acres of unprotected properties along the Ridge. The Conservancy has identified the “highest-priority parcels” for protection efforts.

“Protection of these properties is critical,” said DeLucia. “Development threats are especially significant, suggesting the need for accelerated, coordinated habitat-conservation efforts.

Partners will be kicking-off the effort in a variety of ways including public events planned for the fall and early next spring, extending invitations for one-on-one land conservation consultations, and more.

The project is part of a much broader effort by The Nature Conservancy to protect the entire Central Appalachians mountain range. The Central Appalachians form the backbone of eastern North America, stretching 50,000 square miles across six states from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. 

To learn more about the Kittatinny Ridge initiative and keep track of progress, visit the TNC’s Kittatinny Ridge webpage.

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10/12/2015