Conservation Priorities

While natural lands in all forms are important to preserving the quality of our environment, these high priority sites and resources – where we focus our conservation efforts – are especially susceptible to development, subdivision, and impairment, which could permanently prevent public benefits and access.

Forested Mountain Ridges

• Kittatinny Ridge and South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative
• Appalachian/Darlington/Tuscarora Trails
• State Game Lands/State Forests/State Parks

Water Resource Protection

• High quality streams, springs, headwaters, and forested riparian buffers
• Limestone and coldwater streams
• Large tracts of land that have riparian frontage

Agricultural Protection

• Soil resources, water resources, scenic quality, and location in relation to other protected lands

The places we protect often preserve or realize several of the below characteristics:

• Green spaces near urban areas
• Priority conservation areas for plant and animal species
• Forests and forestry
• Working farms and sustainable agriculture
• Community character and scenic views
• Karst resources and caves
• Public access for outdoor recreation
• Coldwater resources and access for anglers
• Trails like the Appalachian Trail and Tuscarora
• Landscapes adjacent to protected properties
• Historical and archaeological resources
• Environmentally sensitive or rare areas like wetlands, streams, barrens, vernal pools, caves
• Family legacies
• Parks, preserves, and nature centers