Buchanon State Forest

A broad-based coalition of private and public partners announced today the protection of more than 3,500 acres of forestland across Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, Cumberland and York counties.

The Conservation Fund, a national non-profit land and water conservation organization, purchased the properties for $9 million from Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company. The company is in the process of selling more than 20,000 acres of land throughout southern Pennsylvania.

TCF worked with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the counties and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to identify parcels that were the highest conservation priorities.

The nine tracts identified make up the 3,500-acre land purchase package. Many of these parcels lie within Pennsylvania's ridge and valley system and are adjacent to existing public lands.

"This acquisition will help us enhance what we treasure in Pennsylvania - our beautiful forests, streams and natural areas," State Forester Dan Devlin said. "Adding this piece of Pennsylvania's great outdoors to four state forest tracts will mean we are able to protect wildlife habitat, and that future generations will be able to enjoy the land for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing and hiking."

All but one parcel will be transferred to DCNR's Bureau of Forestry as additions to existing state forests. The remaining parcel, consisting of 150-plus acres along the lower Susquehanna River, will by owned by York County to expand Apollo County Park.

"This acquisition protects some of the most important [formerly] privately held conservation lands along the southern tier of Pennsylvania," said Todd McNew, Pennsylvania representative for TCF. "Glatfelter's cooperation and commitment to working with this partnership was key to ensuring that these lands have permanent conservation status and will be forever open to the public."

"Cumberland County is pleased to be part of this public-private partnership," said Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger. "Preservation of our forested ridgetops is essential to the quality of life in our region, particularly for clean drinking water for generations to come."

Funding for the acquisition was supported by a mix of private and public sources. TCF raised more than $3 million in private funds, more than half of which came from the Pittsburgh-based Richard King Mellon Foundation. DCNR contributed more than $5.5 million. Additional funding came from York County, Cumberland County and WPC.

"The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is pleased to partner with TCF in this great conservation effort," said Greg Socha, senior director of forest conservation for Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. "The acquisition of the Glatfelter tracts provides protection of a larger conservation landscape in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We are particularly excited that one of the Glatfelter tracts is adjacent to land previously protected by WPC, which is also planned to become an addition to Buchanan State Forest. We look forward to partnering with TCF and DCNR to continue to protect Pennsylvania's natural heritage."

"In today's world, one must truly work at preservation in order to pass treasures on to future generations," said Lori O. Mitrick, president of York County Board of Commissioners.

NewsClip: 3,500 Acres of Forest Acquired for PA

12/28/2007