There is now more land in Cameron County for hikers to explore and wildlife to thrive, thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s permanent protection of 414 acres of forestland in Gibson Township.

The property was immediately conveyed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to become a new addition to Elk State Forest, one of several popular state forests in the PA Wilds that safeguards water quality, large forests and wildlife habitat for many species including deer, black bear and elk.

This newly conserved forested land protects more than 6,500 feet of frontage along Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Creek and contains mountain streams, small wetland areas, old agricultural fields and mature timber stands.

These natural features, along with the land’s low-elevation riparian zones, provide a high level of resiliency to climate change because of its varied topography and forest habitats.

Grindstone Hollow Run, a wild brook trout stream, flows through the property. These tributary streams are within the West Branch Susquehanna River watershed, a priority area for the Conservancy’s land conservation and watershed protection programs.

This property is now a part of Elk State Forest’s Bucktail State Park Natural Area, a wild expanse of northern hardwood forest, steep mountains, beautiful hills and deep valleys that provide important habitat for many species.

Nature lovers frequent this area, especially in the fall, via a 75-mile scenic stretch of PA 120 along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Sinnemahoning Creek.

Located directly north of the Bucktail Overlook (also known as Top of the World), the property provides a panoramic view of the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed and is a popular place for elk viewing.

“Protecting this beautiful land helps water quality, saves and connects forestland, provides critical habitat for species at risk and offers public recreation opportunities, so it achieves many of our crucial land protection criteria,” says Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “We’re pleased to continue our longstanding efforts to add lands to the state forest system for all to enjoy.”

Conservation of this forestland was made possible thanks to funding from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

(Reprinted from Western PA Conservancy Water Land Life newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: 633 Acres Of Drake's Creek Watershed In Carbon County Preserved By Lehigh Valley's Wildlands Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- 414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]

10/9/2023