Pure Lands Protects Extra Than 250 Acres of Pristine Forestland – Melissas Meals Freedom

Press launch shared by Pure Lands, July 25, 2024.  Pictures courtesy of the photographer, Michael Kaczenski.

Pure Lands introduced immediately the everlasting preservation of a 252-acre forested property in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County. Along with its scenic magnificence, these woodlands assist cool and clear the air, filter water provides, retailer carbon, and provide habitat to songbirds and different wildlife. Because of a voluntary, legally binding settlement often called a conservation easement, the property will stay this manner without end.

Over the previous half a decade, landowner Michael Kaczenski acquired two adjoining parcels of land with the intention of conserving this vital pure space, one thing he’s dreamed of doing for a few years. In November 2021, Mr. Kaczenski bought 192 acres, the majority of the now 252-acre property, which was as soon as slated for growth. As an alternative, the conservation easement ensures it is going to stay a forest without end.

“Pure Lands has been working with Michael since 2018 to understand this dream,” mentioned Kate RamanPure Lands’ conservation challenge supervisor. “It’s been extremely rewarding to develop and defend this beloved property.”

About 7,380 toes of streams traverse the property, together with Mud Run, Wolf Run, and Dilldown Creek, all of which circulate to the Lehigh River. The waterways are shaded by timber, which retains the water chilly and clear. Native tree species, together with Jap hemlock and white pine, create a dense cover overhead with understory timber like purple maple, hawthorn, American beech, and black cherry reaching for the daylight. The shrub layer contains serviceberry, lowbush and highbush blueberry, rhododendron, and steeplebush. The forest ground is thick with ferns and different native perennials.

“The land is remarkably freed from invasive plant species,” added Ms. Raman. “It’s wealthy habitat for wildlife, together with fisher, mink, porcupine, river otter, and flying squirrel, to not point out the just about 100 species of birds that depend on the land for meals, shelter, and breeding.”

“My dream is that, 100 years from now, this forest is thick with centuries-old timber,” mentioned Mr. Kaczenski. “I hope that future generations will get pleasure from this place and recognize its magnificence and repair to the pure world. That they’ll see the wildlife and listen to the myriad birds that frequent this particular place and be reminded that somebody identical to them walked on this forest a few years in the past and dreamed a daring dream to make a distinction that may final forever.”

The challenge was supported by means of the Open House Institute’s (OSI) Delaware River Watershed Safety Fund, which is made attainable with funding from the William Penn Basis for its Delaware River Watershed Initiative that seeks to guard water high quality within the Delaware River Basin. The Delaware River Watershed Safety Program seeks to make sure considerable, clear water throughout the 13,000 sq. mile drainage of the Delaware River.”

“Serving to to guard this distinctive property was fascinating and rewarding,” mentioned OSI’s Senior Mid Atlantic Program Supervisor Invoice Rawlyk. “From a watershed perspective, streams on the property are clear and loaded with life, supporting native trout and a various group of delicate stream bugs and invertebrates that can’t tolerate even low ranges of air pollution. Initiatives like this validate the aim of OSI’s Delaware Watershed Fund, which seeks to guard forested headwaters that ship clear ingesting water to residents within the watershed downstream.”

Mr. Kaczenski additionally contributed considerably by donating nearly all of the worth of the easement.

Pure Lands is devoted to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders whereas creating alternatives for pleasure and discovery within the outside for everybody.  Because the Larger Philadelphia area’s oldest and largest land conservation group, Pure Lands—which is member supported—has preserved greater than 135,000 acres, together with 40+ nature preserves and one public backyard totaling greater than 23,000 acres. Almost 5 million individuals stay inside 5 miles of land underneath the group’s safety. Land for all times, nature for all. natlands.org.

Media Inquiries: Equipment Werner, Senior Director of Communications, [email protected] or at 610-353-5587 ext. 267