PA Land Trust Association member, Merrill Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy, successfully protected Meadow Lane Farm in Snyder County, preserving the farm forever. Here’s their story in their own words.

In 2018, representatives of the Merrill Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy in Lewisburg were invited by a landowner to have a look at her property for easement consideration. 

At the conclusion of that visit, this owner introduced our representatives to a farm property owned by a dear, elderly, widowed friend who she knew wanted so much to protect her property.

Our representatives were quite taken by the beauty and diversity of the property; however, they judged the woman, due to her age and health, unlikely to be able to manage working through the complexities of easement development. 

With no immediate family and her only relatives living far away, the owner did not know how to assure in her estate planning that her beloved family farm would be protected according to her wishes.

In the summer of 2019, the Linn Conservancy was contacted by a nephew (a Chicago resident) of the owner, who on behalf of his aunt, was seeking ways, now with power of attorney, to fulfill his aunt’s wishes for the farm. 

While we were delighted to be contacted about the property, we suggested that he also look into the county’s agricultural land preservation program as another possible avenue for protection.

In doing so, he learned that sites under agricultural preservation cannot be restricted from having industrial size operations such as chicken or hog farms. He knew that allowance for such structures on the property would not please his aunt. 

Turning then to the Linn Conservancy, easement negotiations to protect and conserve this beautiful site forever began in earnest.  A larger representation of the Conservancy visited the 56-acre property with the nephew; all were immediately struck by its qualities. 

After much back and forth, a conservation easement on Meadow Lane Farm in Snyder County near Richfield, PA, was completed in late December 2019.

While Richfield expands and nearby properties have been developed, this easement guarantees the preservation of open space, wetlands, ponds, riparian buffer and prime farmland in the vicinity.

The majority of Meadow Lane Farm contains soils of the highest quality that will be preserved for agriculture. As a bonus, the eastern and southern peripheries of the property consist of wetlands that have historically contained vegetation of special concern.

Termed “Richfield Marsh” by the PA Natural Heritage Program, this marsh is said to be of “notable significance” due to the record of a Pennsylvania endangered plant, hard-stemmed bulrush, that was recorded at the site in recent years.

The Natural Heritage Inventory reports that the shrubs—brookside alder, poison sumac, and Atlantic ninebark—dominate the site. Poison sumac, rare for the area, was discovered on a recent visit.

The property’s water resources include Mahantango Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The Mahantango passes through the property for nearly half a mile as it flows just south of the well-preserved farmhouse.

Thanks to a friend, the devotion and cooperation of the owner’s nephew, now the trustee of the estate, the Linn Conservancy was able to craft a conservation agreement that will preserve valuable habitats and a scenic, rural component of the region. 

The owner’s wishes will be honored and a unique landscape will be protected forever.

For more information on land conservation and other initiatives, visit the Merrill Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy website.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Land Trust Association website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PLTA, Like them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter.  Click Here to support their work.

The 2020 PA Land Conservation Conference will be held in Gettysburg April 1-3.

The 2020 Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference will be held on May 2 in King of Prussia, Montgomery County.

(Reprinted from the PA Land Trust Association News webpage.)

NewsClips:

Click Here To Catch Up On All PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Related Articles - Land Conservation - Forests - Recreation:

Growing Greener Coalition: Tremendous Backlog Of Environmental Infrastructure Needs Demand Much Higher Levels Of Investment By State

DCNR Good Natured Blog: Recreation That's Accessible For All

All Tobacco, Vaping, E-Cigarettes Now Banned At Playgrounds In State Parks

New Visit PA Happy Traveler Guide Includes Special Earth Day 50 PA Feature Story

South Mountain Partnership Announces Spirit Of South Mountain Award Winner, Mini-Grant Recipients

Wooden Shipping Pallets Slightly More Sustainable Than Plastic

Feb. 5 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

Feb. 7 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

Western PA Conservancy Preserves Forested Area, Scenic Views In Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland County

Colcom Revolving Fund For Local Land Trusts By Western PA Conservancy

PALTA: Authorities, Conservation Groups Eligible For Conservation Easement Assistance Grants

National Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Awards 2 Grants For Pennsylvania Projects

Still Time To Sign Up For PA Master Naturalist Spring Training In Delaware, Montour Counties

Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Host Winter Backpack Trip On March 7-8 In Warren County

Trout Unlimited Delaware River Fly Tri, A Test Of Fitness And Fishing At The Delaware Water Gap May 16

Register Now: June 14 French Creek Iron Tour - Cycling For Open Space & Trails In Chester County

Interns Wanted: Western PA Conservancy - Last Call To Apply For Summer Internship Positions

Interns Wanted: Allegheny Land Trust Hamm Conservation & Stewardship Intern Positions

[Posted: February 6, 2020]

2/10/2020