The 53-acre Zeigafuse property located in Upper Mount Bethel, Northampton County has been in the family since 1812 – nearly 210 years. The farm features cultivated fields, forested wetlands, and critical wildlife habitat for rare and endangered species.

The land is bordered to the south by the East Branch of Martin’s Creek and to the west by the 251-acre Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex. The property is also part of Bear Swamp County Natural Area and the Minsi Lake Corridor Greenway, which are both high priorities for preservation for Northampton County. Additionally, the Zeigafuse property is located within the Kittatinny Ridge Important Bird Area, a corridor that provides a conduit for raptors and interior forest species to migrate each year.

Fourth-generation owners Roger and Darlene Zeigafuse recently made the decision to keep the property a permanent feature of the local landscape by granting a conservation easement to Heritage Conservancy, Upper Mt. Bethel Township, and Northampton County.

When asked why Roger made the decision, he responded, “Preserving the property was important to me because I know it will never be developed and future generations can enjoy the property as I did.”

The project was funded in part by the Northampton County Open Space Program and Upper Mount Bethel Township’s Open Space Fund, which was approved by voter referendum in May 2007. The Open Space Advisory Board meets at 7:00pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Township Building.