WeConservePA released the 2023 Conserved Land Census which shows 187,626 acres of land have been conserved in Pennsylvania between 2014 to 2023-- an average of 51 acres a day.

76,402 acres were transferred to government agencies for parks, game lands and other public spaces.

42,936 acres were conserved through land acquisition and 68,228 acres conserved through 920 easements.

There has been a 29% gain in the number of acres conserved in the past decade, according to the report.

“For decades, land trusts have innovated and led in the fundamental work of acquiring lands and easements for conservation,” said Andy Loza, Executive Director of WeConservePA.  “The past decade continues an extraordinary run of success with land trusts conserving on average 51 acres per day.”

“The squares reserved by Williams Penn for colonial Philadelphia followed by the myriad parks and other public spaces established over time in communities across the Commonwealth deliver continuing benefits to generation after generation,” said Loza.

In 1682, Pennsylvania’s founder William Penn became one of our first conservationists when he made a move to conserve woodlands.

Penn ruled that those who took titles to portions of the Pennsylvania land grant had to leave one acre wooded for every five they cleared.  Read more here.

“The assembly of today’s State Forests-- begun in the 1890s out of lands devastated by unbridled logging-- has delivered a sustainably managed timber and wood products supply, outstanding wildlife habitat, clean water and more,” said Loza.

“The establishment of Game Lands-- the first in 1905-- has helped restore game and other species largely lost to Pennsylvania.

“The creation of State Parks, rail-trails, greenways, and conservation easements have all contributed to a better Pennsylvania.”

“Endless are the stories of disappointment in communities from the loss of lands to the bulldozer and pavement.

“In contrast, there seem to be remarkably few regrets concerning lands that are now conserved.

“As changes in technology, climate, energy use, transportation, culture, and ecosystem reshape our world, the fruits of our past efforts become more precious and the continuation of our work becomes ever more critical.

“History gives me confidence in saying that our descendants will celebrate thc conservation work of today,” said Loza.

Click Here to read the 2023 Conserved Land Census.

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

The 2025 PA Land Conservation Conference will be held April 2-4 in State College.

More than 114,800 Pennsylvanians contribute to local land trusts.

Related Articles:

-- Latest Conserved Land Census Reports 187,626 Acres Of Land Conserved In PA From 2014 To 2023-- 51 Acres A Day  [PaEN]

-- Call For Presentations! WeConservePA Is Accepting Presentation Proposals For The April 2-4 PA Land Conservation Conference In State College  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Williamsport Sun: State Game Lands System To Grow By Nearly 5,300 Acres

-- Beaver County Times: Native Tree Nursery & Forest Education Center Groundbreaking In Brady’s Run Park [Supported By Shell Petrochemical Plant Penalty Mitigation Fund]

[Posted: August 7, 2024]

8/12/2024