Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects 20,000 acres of private forestland

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently announced the donation of a conservation easement from The Conservation Fund on more than 19,800 acres of forestland along the Clarion River in Elk County and Kinzua Creek in McKean County, Pennsylvania.

This conservation project, called the Clarion Junction Conservation Easement, will provide long-term protection of forested lands while keeping them in private ownership and allowing public access. These lands include sweeping ridges and scenic hardwood forests of red and sugar maple, black cherry, yellow and black birch, red oak and eastern hemlock. There are forested riparian areas along the West Branch Clarion River, East Branch Clarion River and the main branch of the Clarion River, and many high-quality tributaries that support wild trout.

The easement also protects an important connection between state forest lands, state game lands and the Allegheny National Forest. Along with the nearby public lands­­, these lands offer residents and visitors opportunities for fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife watching in this natural and picturesque PA Wilds region that attracts thousands of tourists annually.

The conservancy’s conservation easement will provide public access to this privately owned working forest, while restricting future development and ensuring the property’s conservation values are protected in perpetuity. The easement permits the continuation of sustainable forestry operations on the property. This forest provides a steady source of wood for the local forest product industry, including a papermill in downtown Johnsonburg. The conservancy’s stewardship staff will be responsible for monitoring the property and ensuring it remains in accordance with the easement provisions.

Protecting large acreage and providing connectivity to other nearby, large protected public lands is important for wildlife species’ survival, said conservancy president and CEO Thomas Saunders.

“We appreciate The Conservation Fund’s donation of this important conservation easement that further protects open space and this large working forest, beautiful natural area and important habitat,” said Saunders. “We are glad to steward these streamside forestlands to ensure they remain thriving ecosystems for generations to come.”

Matt Marusiak, the conservancy’s land protection manager in its Allegheny regional office is very familiar with this forest. He lives and works near the lands in Elk County and has frequently fished the local mountain streams.

“This forestland has long been managed well and provides great opportunities for hunting, fishing and hiking,” said Marusiak. "The conservancy’s role will ensure this community treasure will continue being open for public recreation and contributing to the local economy and quality of life.

This post originally appeared on the WeConservePA blog.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Land Trust Alliance, its staff, its board of directors or any other individuals associated with the organization.

About the Clarion River, from the National Wildlife and Scenic River System:

The Clarion River is a tributary to the Allegheny River, itself a wild and scenic river, joining it in Clarion County just south of the town of Emlenton. In the early 1800's, the Clarion was used to transport timber to the Allegheny River. The steeply forested hillsides of almost continuous mature deciduous and coniferous vegetation contribute to a feeling of remoteness in many places along the river.

Although regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers, streamflow is sufficient to accommodate recreation uses such as canoeing, fishing, and swimming in the Clarion River year-round downstream from Ridgway to the backwater of Piney Dam.

The Clarion River via National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.