Conservancy ranks among Pa.'s top 20
N.Y. office now open HAWLEY Our region’s local land trustthe Delaware Highlands Conservancyconsistently ranks as one of our state’s top 20 land protection organizations, according to results of a Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) survey published in the Spring 2008 issue of ConserveLand. The Conservancy, which serves Wayne and Pike counties, in Pa., and Sullivan and Delaware counties, in N.Y., was founded in 1994 to conserve the forests, farms and waters of the Upper Delaware River region. PALTA’s survey results include only Pennsylvania land trust transactions completed as of the end of 2007. The Conservancy considered a small land trust according to PALTA ranks alongside large national organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust. PALTA’s survey ranks the Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Eighth for Total Acreage Under Easement in PA, with 5,334 acres 12th for Total Acreage Transferred to Government for Conservation in PA, with 1,191 acres 15th for Total Number of Easements Held in PA, with 40 easements 16th for Total Number of Easement Transactions in 2007, with 6 easements “Although there is much more work yet to do, these accomplishments illustrate the excellent progress the Conservancy is making, not only toward protecting land in one of our state’s fastest growing regions, but also in comparison to large national organizations,” says Board President Grant Genzlinger. In addition to its high ranking within the PALTA survey results, the Conservancy recently achieved its goal of protecting a total of 10,000 acres in Pa. and N.Y. by 2007, and has set a new goal of protecting 10,000 more by 2012. “At the core of our work are individual landowners seeking to protect the land they own and love, says Executive Director Sue Currier. “In 2007 more than 70 such landowners expressed their interest in conservation options in addition to the hundreds who have previously sought information about our work.” The Conservancy, based in Hawley, currently employs two fulltime staff an Executive Director and a Land Protection Specialist. The Conservancy’s N.Y. office, in Monticello, opened in March to better serve Sullivan and Delaware counties. A N.Y. Land Protection Specialist will be welcomed to the Conservancy’s staff this spring. For more information about the Conservancy visit www.delawarehighlands.org or call 570-226-3164.