The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is pleased to announce that Conservation Easements have been placed on 325 acres of our core property (the land between Spring Lane, Hagy's Mill Road, Port Royal Avenue, and the Schuylkill Bike Trail). The easements will be held by Natural Lands Trust and will preserve our land in perpetuity.

Conservation easements are one of the most powerful, effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands in the United States. The use of conservation easements has successfully protected millions of acres of wildlife habitat and open space, keeping land in private hands and generating significant public benefits. The Schuylkill Center's Conservation Easements protect the majority of the property from future development while permitting the continuation of educational, recreational and agricultural activities.

Our Partners

The Schuylkill Center's valued partners in this endeavor have been Natural Lands Trust (NLT), an non-profit land conservation organization serving eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which maintains Pennsylvania's 117 state parks and manages its 2.2 million acres of state forest land.

"It is difficult to overstate the significance of preserving 325 acres of open space in Philadelphia, noted Molly Morrison, president of the Natural Lands Trust. "This really is an historic moment for the city. We are grateful to The Schuylkill Center's Board of Trustees for having the foresight to ensure that this wonderful resource is preserved for future generations."

"This easement to protect The Schuylkill Center's land is critical for the conservation and enhancement of the broader Schuylkill River Trail," added DCNR Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn said. "DCNR also supports this project because it ensures that children will always have access and a connection to nature in this special place."

The placement of conservation easements was a detailed process over two years in the making. "This is a very historic moment for The Schuylkill Center, and for our community, said SCEE Board Member Anne Bower, Associate Professor of Environmental and Conservation biology at Philadelphia University. "The placement of Conservation Easements ensures that The Center's mission to preserve and improve our natural environment by fostering appreciation, understanding, and responsible use of the ecosystem will be recognized in perpetuity. It is our hope that the community will embrace The Schuylkill Center's mission, and foster conservation and stewardship by participating in the many exciting activities that will be planned to celebrate this momentous occasion."

"I am thrilled to see the culmination of this landmark partnership project with DCNR and Natural Lands Trust. added Michael DiBerardinis, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. "The Schuylkill Center's Conservation Easements expand, for public use and education, the natural resources of the City of Philadelphia's Fairmont Park system."

Benefits to our neighbors

With the placement of conservation easements, The Schuylkill Center firmly establishes itself as a neighbor committed to stewardship and conservation of land. Our neighbors can enjoy the land and rest assured that it is protected by a conservation easement held by the regions leading conservation organization.

Trails will remain open to the public at no charge.

 

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