About Us

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a nonprofit, member-supported charitable organization with a mission to acquire, preserve, and protect local land and natural resources in South-Central Pennsylvania. The organization serves as the local land trust for a 6-county region (Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, Juniata, and northern York County).  View our interactive map!

Over 40 years, CPC has acquired, protected, and preserved over 5,000 acres in the region, expanding and connecting natural areas, while increasing public recreation opportunities. To date, CPC has transferred over 2,000 acres to the public, through land transfers to state parks, forests, and game lands.

But, we’re not done!

Our vision is to create a local network of permanently protected and preserved lands, through partnerships and by fostering a community committed to conservation and acquiring key lands and easements. Join us in conserving south central Pennsylvania by volunteering or participating in our public programs.

How did our organization get started?

It’s a good story, and we’re proud to say it reflects our values even today!

CPC started as a grassroots coalition of concerned citizens, sportsmen, and naturalists who mobilized a recycling program to raise money to save Stony Creek Valley. Originally named the Stony Creek Valley Coalition, the group was successful in opposing PPL’s efforts to construct a hydroelectric facility that would flood the valley and destroy important habitat and recreation areas just 10 miles north of Harrisburg. It took several years, but the effort stopped the plans as well as pressed for the designation of Stony Creek as the first protected waterway in the Pennsylvania Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Stony Creek Valley, also referred to as St. Anthony’s Wilderness, is now managed by the PA Game Commission and consists of 18,000 acres.

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a member & donor supported nonprofit. We are also grateful to our business and community sponsors!