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Conservancy Uses Multiples Methods to Conserve Over 350 Acres in December
Diverse Preservation Methods Used by Conservancy Experts to Preserve Three Significant Properties
Preserved Fisher Farm in Centre County
In a flurry of activity the last ten days of December 2007, Heritage Conservancy's staff used multiple conservation techniques to preserve 366 acres of open space.
On December 21st, Heritage Conservancy accepted the donation of a conservation easement on almost 30 acres of woodlands along the Neshaminy Creek in Warwick Township from Mr. and Mrs. Eric Rieders. Donation to a land trust is just one method a property owner can use to preserve his or her property. The Rieders started the preservation process in November 2005 when they completed a conservation easement with Warwick Township and Heritage Conservancy on 42 acres of their property. The property is a critical link in our Forks of the Neshaminy Lasting Landscape. It contains agriculture fields and a wooded riparian corridor along the Neshaminy Creek.
139 AcreYates Farm in Upper Makefield Township
In a second project, Heritage Conservancy worked with Upper Makefield Township and property owner, Sidney Yates, to facilitate the preservation of his 139-acre farm. On December 27, 2007, a conservation easement was placed on Mr. Yates's farm. Upper Makefield Township, who contributed to the purchase of the development rights, will hold the conservation easement on the Yates property with Heritage Conservancy serving as the Land Trust Beneficiary. As the designated Land Trust Beneficiary, Heritage Conservancy shares the rights and responsibilities to uphold the provisions of the conservation agreement and helps guarantee the farm will be preserved in perpetuity. The Yates property is part of 367 acres of contiguous open space maintaining beautiful scenic vistas along Wrightstown and Eagle roads.
Rieders Property in Warwick Township
The last conservation project the Conservancy completed in 2007 was the preservation of the Fisher Farm located in Patton Township, Centre County, on December 27th. In a cooperative effort, Heritage Conservancy and ClearWater Conservancy signed a conservation easement with Barbara and John Fisher, permanently protecting their property's scenic and environmentally important resources, including exceptional-value wetlands and a portion of the riparian corridor of Buffalo Run, a High Quality Cold-water Fishery stream. The property contains 197 acres of farmland and meadow.
In recognition of their expertise, the staff from Heritage Conservancy was requested to take the lead role in completing the easement. ClearWater Conservancy assisted with the project by reviewing documents and helping the Fishers with determining the conservation values of the property.
Fishers (center) signing easement with Jeff Marshall of Heritage Conservancy (far right) and ClearWater Conservancy staff
"This was an unusual situation," said Jeffrey Marshall, Heritage Conservancy Vice President of Resource Protection. "The property had complex title issues, mineral rights issues, and several archaeological sites on it. Added to the complexity was the fact that Mrs. Fisher is a board member of ClearWater Conservancy and wanted to ensure that the easement will be enforced without any appearance of conflict of interest."
The joint effort between Heritage Conservancy and ClearWater Conservancy to conserve the Fisher property with a conservation easement is an example of how two land trusts can combine expertise to work toward a common goal. As co-holders of the easement the two land trusts will ensure protection of this important property.
