Delaware Highlands Conservancy receives federal grant

HAWLEY — Pike County landowners stand to receive $3 million in federal aid to help conserve the natural forests in the Upper Delaware Valley region.
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced earlier in the year that their annual application to the federal Forest Legacy Program on behalf of three local hunting and fishing clubs was selected among entries from all over the country to receive the conservation grant. Steven Schwartz, who worked as a consultant for the Conservancy on the application said only 18 were selected out of all applicants in the whole country, and out of those, only one in Pennsylvania.
The monies will be used to create an easement across three separate hunting and fishing clubs in what’s known the Little Bushkill Creek area, while all the ownership and use right remain the same. Mink Pond, Mashknozha, and Lahman Lake clubs form a contiguous forest area, but club members are now guaranteed to preserve for “their children and children’s children” the same opportunities to enjoy the forest land the same way they do, Schwartz explained.
The grant will unify and conserve ‘in perpetuity’ over 5000 acres of forest and wild habitat for many species, while protecting the natural habitat from future development, Schwartz added.
The Conservancy has a long standing, over 10-year relationship with the three hunting clubs. It helped the clubs prepare the submission to DCNR who’s “in forever business,” Schwartz emphasized.
“In return for the money, the clubs will continue with their wildlife habitat improvements for birds, game, and amphibians. They do stream improvements, where banks are inspected and any possible erosion is taken care of. They have maintenance costs,” he continued.
Schwartz indicated the clubs are all very community minded, and collaborate with each other and with other hunting and fishing clubs as well. “I’m sure they provide opportunities for others to enjoy the forests as well,” he explained.
How many acres the money will actually purchase out of the projected 4700 acres will depend on the independent assessor’s evaluation, but Schwarz was hopeful it would cover most of it. The Conservancy already purchased 500 acres previously in the same Little Bushkill Creek location.
Pat Calpin of Lehman Lake indicated the club’s goal is to be “virtuous stewards of our forest and valuable and diverse natural resources, to benefit current and future generations.The project funding will also assist to offset the costs of maintaining our infrastructure, especially required upgrades to the Lehman Lake dam.”
SIDE BAR:
Protected forestlands provide clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, and sustainable local jobs in the Upper Delaware River region.
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy works in partnership with landowners and communities to protect the lands and waters, eagles and eagle habitat, sustainable local economies, and quality of life in the Upper Delaware River region. For more information on the Conservancy and how it connects people to the lands where they live, work, and play, visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.
ANYA TIKKA