Lancaster County Conservancy

THE MISSION OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVANCY IS "PROVIDING WILD AND FORESTED LANDS AND CLEAN WATERWAYS FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOREVER". THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVANCY INCLUDE PRESERVATION OF NATURAL LANDS, ECOSYSTEMS, LANDSCAPES AND WATERWAYS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. CONSERVANCY PRESERVES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 365 DAYS A YEAR, SUN UP TO SUN DOWN. OUR WORK RESULTS IN PROTECTION OF CRITICAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS, RECREATION LANDS, WATER RESOURCES, AND PRESERVES MATURE FORESTS THAT CLEAN OUR AIR AND WATER. WE WORK WITH NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO PROTECT THE SPECIAL PLACES WITHIN LANCASTER COUNTY AND ALONG ITS STREAMS AND RIVERS. THIS EFFORT ALSO TAKES US INTO YORK, CHESTER AND DAUPHIN COUNTIES WITH A FOCUS ON LAND, WATER AND COMMUNITY.

PROGRAM 1 - LAND PROTECTION AND ACQUISITIONPROTECTTHIS IS IT. IT IS NOW, OR NEVER, TO PROTECT OUR REMAINING NATURAL LANDS. THE CONSERVANCY'S BOARD AND SUPPORTERS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO TAKE THE LONG VIEW IN A TIME OF RISING REAL ESTATE PRICES AND INCREASING SALES OF FORESTED LANDS. ONCE IN A LIFETIME PROPERTY HAVE COME ON THE MARKET, SOME WITH REALTORS AND AUCTIONS, AND ALL WITH A SHORT TURNAROUND TIME REQUIRED TO COMPETE IN THIS HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET. IF WE WAITED, THESE INCREDIBLE FORESTS AND STREAMS WOULD BE LOST FOREVER TO DEVELOPMENT. REIST NATURE PRESERVE270 ACRE ADDITIONREIST NATURE PRESERVE, LOCATED WITHIN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN LOWER CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP. THIS PRESERVE PROTECTS THE VIEWSHED FROM TUCQUAN & PYFER, PINNACLE, AND CLARK NATURE PRESERVES. IT INCLUDES STEEP SLOPES AND ALMOST A MILE OF COUNSELMAN RUN - A HEADWATERS FIRST ORDER STREAM - AND OVER HALF A MILE OF SUSQUEHANNA WATERFRONT. THE PROPERTY ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO REROUTE THE MASON-DIXON TRAIL OFF THE ROAD.FUNDERS: PA DCNR, YORK COUNTY OPEN SPACE GRANT, THE REIST FAMILY, AND PRIVATE DONORS. THESE LANDS ARE BEING CONSERVED IN PART, BY THE CONSERVATION FUND GRANT FROM WILLIAMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE COMPANY'S ATLANTIC SUNRISE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT.MILL CREEK FALLS NATURE PRESERVE98 ACRE ADDITIONTHE NATURE PRESERVE AT MILL CREEK FALLS IS LOCATED WITHIN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN LOWER CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP DOWNRIVER FROM THE MCCALLS FERRY PRESERVE AND UPRIVER FROM CONOWINGO POND NATURE PRESERVES. IT BORDERS TWO PRESERVED FARMS AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE BROOKFIELD LAND. THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY IS LOCATED BETWEEN TWO TRIBUTARIES TO THE SUSQUEHANNA AND SITS WITHIN SEVERAL AREAS DESIGNATED FOR HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE.FUNDERS: PA DCNR GRANT MATCHED BY A BROOKFIELD RENEWABLE LAND DONATION, PRIVATE DONORS. THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER FAIN SLFRP0252 AWARDED TO YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.CONEWAGO CREEK NATURE PRESERVE155 ACRE ADDITIONLOCATED WITHIN THE PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS REGION IN MOUNT JOY TOWNSHIP, THE CONEWAGO CREEK NATURE PRESERVE INCLUDES 65 TILLABLE ACRES, 90 ACRES OF WOODLANDS, AND WETLANDS WITHIN THE CONEWAGO CREEK NATURAL HERITAGE AREA. THIS PRESERVE PRESENTS TWO NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CONSERVANCY. THE FARMLANDS, AT THIS TIME, WILL PRODUCE ONGOING FARMING INCOME FOR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PRESERVE. THE CONEWAGO CREEK AREA PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AT LONDONDERRY AND MOUNT JOY TOWNSHIPS ON A JOINT MS4 RESTORATION PROJECT. FUNDERS: PA DCNR WITH MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER AND PRIVATE DONORS. ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING SOUGHT. NATURE PRESERVE AT SPEEDWELL FORGE 89 ACRE ADDITIONLOCATED IN ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP WITHIN THE PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLAND REGION AND DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE LANCASTER COUNTY SPEEDWELL COUNTY PARK, THIS PROPERTY IS COMPLETELY WOODED WITH INTERIOR FOREST HABITAT. IT INCLUDES WATER RESOURCES THAT FEED SPEEDWELL LAKE. FUNDERS: A PA DCNR GRANT APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED WITH MATCHING FUNDS COMING FROM PRIVATE DONORS. ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING SOUGHT. PEQUEA NATURE PRESERVE ADDITION34 ACRE ADDITIONTHIS PROPERTY, WITHIN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLAND CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN CONESTOGA TOWNSHIP, INCLUDES IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL HERPS, AND IS ADJACENT TO THE PEQUEA CREEK, A WARM WATER MIGRATORY FISHERY. IT IS A CRITICAL HABITAT ADDITION TO THE PEQUEA NATURE PRESERVE. FUNDERS: PA DCNR MATCHED BY A BROOKFIELD RENEWABLE LAND DONATION AND PRIVATE DONORS.TUCQUAN GLEN & PYFER NATURE PRESERVES ADDITION4 ACRE ADDITIONTHIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN MARTIC TOWNSHIP ALONG 137 FEET OF TUCQUAN CREEK AND ACROSS THE ROAD FROM CONSERVANCY PARKING. THIS UNIQUE ADDITION TO THE TUCQUAN GLEN & PYFER PRESERVES INCLUDES A SMALL PARKING AREA, EMPLOYEE HOUSING RESULTING IN MORE OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH OUR TUCQUAN NEIGHBORS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LINK WITH THE MAIN PRESERVE.FUNDERS: PRIVATE DONORS.RAYS WOODS NATURE PRESERVE ADDITION4.5 ACRE ADDITIONLOCATED JUST OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, THIS PROPERTY CONTAINS IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL HERPS AND PRESERVES CRITICAL HABITAT WHICH BUFFERS NEARBY TROUT RUN AND STEINMAN RUN.FUNDERS: PRIVATE DONORS.

PROGRAM 2 LAND STEWARDSHIPRESTOREIT'S IMPERATIVE WE LET NATURE GUIDE US IN HOW WE CARE FOR OUR LANDS. NATURE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE WHERE ONE COUNTY OR PROPERTY LINE STOPS AND ANOTHER BEGINS - SO WE MUST MANAGE OUR LANDS WHOLISTICALLY AS A LANDSCAPE AND AS ECOSYSTEMS. THE CONSERVANCY STRIVES TO BALANCE PASSIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES WITH HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND PROTECTION ACROSS THE REGIONS IN WHICH WE SERVE FROM THE RIVER HILLS TO HELLAM HILLS AND ALL THE WAY TO WELSH MOUNTAIN AND OCTORARO CONSERVATION AREAS. IN 2021 WE BEGAN BUILDING-OUT A REGIONAL APPROACH TO OUR STEWARDSHIP TEAM'S STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION BASED ON THE INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 2020. IN 2021, THE CONSERVANCY BOARD SOLIDIFIED THIS APPROACH WITHIN A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN THAT EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO MANAGE OUR PRESERVES WITHIN REGIONS AND CONSERVATION AREAS AND NOT JUST WITHIN THE CONFINES OF INDIVIDUAL PRESERVE BOUNDARIES. THIS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WAS FIRST EMPLOYED WITH THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE HELLAM HILLS CONSERVATION AREA .HELLAM HILLS CONSERVATION AREA MASTER PLANTHE HELLAM HILLS CONSERVATION AREA CONSISTS OF 1,041-ACRES BETWEEN WIZARD RANCH AND HELLAM HILLS NATURE PRESERVES. THE MASTER PLAN WAS A THOROUGH STUDY OF THE TWO PRESERVES INCLUDING FLORA AND FAUNA INVENTORIES, STREAM HEALTH ASSESSMENT, RESTORATION NEEDS, PASSIVE RECREATION, AND PUBLIC INTEREST. THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF MUNICIPAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS AS WELL AS KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC, TO ESTABLISH VETTED DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR THE CONSERVANCY TO IMPLEMENT OVER TIME. THE PUBLIC WILL START TO SEE ACCESS TO THESE PRESERVES INCREASE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.PARTNERS: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, THE CONSERVATION FUND, PA DCNR, BUREAU OF FORESTRY, PA GAME COMMISSION, PA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, MASON-DIXON TRAIL SYSTEM, YORK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, YORK COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION, HELLAM TOWNSHIP, WRIGHTSVILLE BOROUGH, HALLAM BOROUGH, EASTERN YORK EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCY, SOUTH CENTRAL PA SEARCH & RESCUE, SIMONE COLLINS, RES, RE:VISION, FORESTED, AND A.D. MARBLE.LLOYD CLARK TRAILA 1.2-MILE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TRAIL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE LLOYD CLARK TRAIL, HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO TRAVERSE THE CLARK PRESERVE'S ENHANCED NATIVE MEADOW OF WILDFLOWERS AND WARM SEASON GRASSES, WHICH SERVE AS HABITAT FOR GROUND BIRDS INCLUDING TURKEY, SONGBIRDS SUCH AS AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, AND BIRDS-OF-PREY SUCH AS RED-TAILED HAWK AND AMERICAN KESTRELS. THE TRAIL PROVIDES BROAD WINTER VIEWS ACROSS THE MEADOWS AND SUSQUEHANNA RIVER IN THE DISTANCE AND TIES INTO THE GOODNO TRAIL, THE CONESTOGA TRAIL, AND WIND CAVE. THE TRAIL IS ALREADY MOWED INTO THE MEADOWS WHILE FINAL PERMITTING AND CONSTRUCTION IS BEING FUNDED. LATER STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT MAY INCLUDE WILDLIFE BLINDS AND UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES.PARTNERS: CLARK ASSOCIATES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, PENN TRAILS, C.S DAVIDSON, PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION, PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT.SAFE HARBOR RESTORATION1,100 TREES WERE PLANTED AS THE FIRST PHASE OF A 27-ACRE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT AT THE 213-ACRES SAFE HARBOR NATURE PRESERVE. AFTER 11 YEARS OF HAY CUTTING, WHICH PROVIDED POOR HABITAT, 2.5 -ACRES WERE PLANTED IN WHITE PINES, CEDARS, BLACK LOCUSTS, RED MAPLES, YELLOW POPLARS, NINEBARKS, AND VIBURNUMS LAST FALL WITH AN ADDITIONAL 5 ACRES TO BE PLANTED WITH TREES IN SPRING 2022. SITE PREPARATION FOR THE REMAINING 20 ACRES OF WARM SEASON GRASS AND POLLINATOR MEADOWS WILL BEGIN IN FALL 2022. ONCE COMPLETE, THE RESTORATION PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A HIKING TRAIL AND HOST THE CLOSEST PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ENOLA LOW GRADE TRESTLE BRIDGE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE CONESTOGA AND SUSQUEHANNA RIVERS.PARTNERS: NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION SERVICES, PHEASANTS FOREVER, CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION, PPL, AND VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS.TUCQUAN GLEN & PYFER TRAIL RESTORATIONA TRAIL RE-DESIGN FOR THE TUCQUAN GLEN & PYFER NATURE PRESERVES TRAIL SYSTEM, INCLUDING AN EXTENDED SECTION OF THE CONESTOGA TRAIL, WAS DESIGNED IN 2021 AND THE FIRST PHASE IMPLEMENTED. THE NEW TRAIL SYSTEM CREATES A 'DRY LOOP' OPTION FOR HIKERS WITH NO STREAM CROSSINGS, REDUCES OVERALL STREAM CROSSINGS, REROUTES UNSUSTAINABLE SECTIONS OF TRAIL OUT OF THE FLOODWAY, AND IMPROVES OVERALL SAFETY FOR VISITORS AND EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS. THE EXTENSION OF THE CONESTOGA TRAIL FURTHER INTO THE PRESERVES SETS TUCQUAN GLEN INTO THE BROADER CONTEXT OF THE RIVER HILLS CONSERVATION AREA, THE STRING OF PRESERVED LANDS FROM PEQUEA TO HOLTWOOD NATURE PRESERVES THAT IS TRAVERSED BY ABOUT 10 MILES OF THE SCENIC CONESTOGA TRAIL. EARLY IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDED OVER 1,000 HOURS OF LABOR PROVIDED BY THE PA OUTDOOR CORPS.PARTNERS: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, PA OUTDOOR CORPS (DCNR AND THE STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION), LANCASTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, PENN TRAILS, LLC., MARTIC TOWNSHIP, VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS, AND CAROL AND JOHN F. PYFER, JR.FALMOUTH FOREST GARDENTHE LAST 2-ACRES OF THE 5.3-ACRE FALMOUTH FOREST GARDEN WERE PLANTED WITH PATCHES OF ELDERBERRY, HAZELNUT, PAWPAW, SERVICEBERRY, AND ARONIA AS WELL AS OVERSTORY PLANTINGS OF AMERICAN PERSIMMON, RED MULBERRY, AND BLACK WALNUT. NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE LARGEST FOREST GARDEN ON PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE LAND IN PENNSYLVANIA, THE FALMOUTH FOREST GARDEN AT CONOY WETLANDS IS A DESTINATION ALONG THE NORTHWEST RIVER TRAIL. THE FOCUS ON RESTORING THE FLOODPLAIN WITH PLANT SPECIES OF CONCERN AND QUALITY HABITAT HAVE ALREADY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED BY THE LANCASTER COUNTY BIRD CLUB, WHICH FUNDED THIS LATEST PHASE. AN OVERSEEDING OF WILDFLOWER SPECIES WILL TAKE PLACE THROUGH 2022 AS GROUND CLOTH THAT WAS USED TO COMBAT AGGRESSIVE INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IS REMOVED FROM THE PROJECT SITE. FURTHER DOWN THE RIVER TRAIL, THE CONSERVANCY WORKED WITH CONOY TOWNSHIP TO INSTALL A WILDLIFE BLIND WITH VIEWS INTO THE MITIGATED WETLANDS.PARTNERS: LANCASTER COUNTY BIRD CLUB, ROTARY CLUB OF LANCASTER, CONOY TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDSRESTORING FISHING CREEKTHE CONSERVANCY IS DETERMINED TO DEFEAT ILLEGAL OFF-ROADING AT FISHING CREEK NATURE PRESERVE THROUGH STREAMSIDE RESTORATION AND NATURAL BARRIERS. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY BLOCKING NUMEROUS VEHICLES FROM ENTERING THE STREAM'S FLOODPLAINS, THE CONSERVANCY IS NOW REPLANTING THOSE AREAS TO AID STREAMSIDE REFORESTATION ACROSS 4 PLANTING SITES THAT TOTAL 550 TREES PLANTED OVER 6.5-ACRES. PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE TO BEAUTIFY THE PRESERVE WITH IMPROVED SIGNAGE AND KIOSKS TO WELCOME FAMILIES, ANGLERS, HORSEBACK, AND BIKE RIDERS TO THIS STUNNING PRESERVE.PARTNERS: CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION, PA GAME COMMISSION, PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION, PA STATE POLICE, DRUMORE TOWNSHIP, AND VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDSBLACK LOCUST COPPICING: WILTON MEADOWS AGROFORESTRYREBRANDING THE CONSERVANCY NATURE PRESERVES WITH NEW PRESERVE SIGNS UNFORTUNATELY COINCIDED WITH COVID AND INFLATED LUMBER PRICES. FORTUNATELY, THE CONSERVANCY FIRST ESTABLISHED BLACK LOCUST COPPICE GROVES AT WILTON MEADOWS NATURE PRESERVE IN 2016. BLACK LOCUST IS NATURALLY ROT RESISTANT UP TO 75 YEARS EVEN WITH DIRECT SOIL CONTACT. THE CONSERVANCY UTILIZED THE WILTON MEADOWS' GROVES TO OFFSET ITS COSTS. THE CUTTING OF THE LOCUST GROVES INCREASES BIODIVERSITY OF THE PRESERVE THROUGH A ROTATIONAL AND CONTROLLED DISTURBANCE. THE COPPICED LOCUST REGROWS FROM ITS PERMANENT ROOT STRUCTURE WHILE CREATING A STAGGERED OVERALL CANOPY LAYER ALONG PRODUCTIVE EDGES OF THE MEADOWS.

PROGRAM 3 COMMUNITY IMPACTEDUCATEIT ISN'T A CHOICE BETWEEN NATURE OR PEOPLE. WE'VE FORGOTTEN THAT WE ARE NATURE. IT'S TIME TO RESTORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EARTH.THE CONSERVANCY'S GOAL IS TO EMPOWER GENERATIONS OF LEARNERS TO HIKE BESIDE US AS WE EXPLORE AND PROTECT THE MANY WONDERS OF OUR NATURAL WORLD. THE MIX OF PROGRAMMING IN 2021 REFLECTS OUR DESIRE TO ENGAGE ALL AGE GROUPS WITH EXPERIENCES THAT ARE FUN, IMMERSIVE, AND IMPACTFUL. THE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF OUR VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARD AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS DEMONSTRATES THE INCREDIBLE CAPACITY THIS COMMUNITY HAS FOR LEARNING ABOUT AND CARING FOR NATURE. INTERPRETIVE HIKES & LECTURESTHE CONSERVANCY CONDUCTED MULTIPLE, OFTEN SOLD OUT, INTERPRETIVE EVENTS ACROSS OUR NATURE PRESERVES TO ENGAGE EACH OF THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE WORK TO PROTECT LAND. FROM OBSERVING INSECTS AND BATS AFTER DARK TO UNCOVERING THE HISTORY PRESERVED ON OUR PROTECTED NATURAL LANDS, EACH SEASON OFFERED NEW WAYS TO DEEPEN OUR CONNECTION TO NATURE AND A COMMUNITY OF NATURE LOVERS. OUR NATURE HOUR VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES TO BE POPULAR AND GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH A WIDE AUDIENCE WITH PRESENTATIONS BY REGIONAL AND NATIONAL EXPERTS. AS WE MOVE INTO 2022, THE CONSERVANCY WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY FOR INTERPRETIVE EVENTS BY ADDING SEASONAL INTERPRETIVE STAFF AND WORKING WITH FELLOW PARTNERS. ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS44 PUBLIC INTERPRETIVE EVENTS4,330 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN PERSON 2,351 NATURE HOUR ONLINE LECTURE ATTENDEESVOLUNTEERSVOLUNTEERS GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE WORK OF THE CONSERVANCY. WATER QUALITY MONITORING VOLUNTEERS ASSESSED STREAM HEALTH AT 20 LOCATIONS IN THE RIVERLANDS REGION, MANY ON CONSERVANCY PRESERVES. OUR VOLUNTEER LED COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT PROGRAM ASSESSED 99 PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND PROVIDED GUIDANCE ON WHAT THOSE LANDOWNERS CAN DO TO RESTORE THEIR LAND. OUR VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS, WHO ADOPT A PRESERVE TO STEWARD, ALONG WITH ORGANIZED GROUPS SUCH AS SCHOOLS AND CORPORATIONS, GREATLY ASSISTED US WITH PRESERVE MANAGEMENT. A FEW PROJECTS WHERE THEIR WORK IS MOST VISIBLE INCLUDE INVASIVE REMOVAL FROM THE PERIMETER OF A 5-ACRE FIELD AT KELLYS RUN THAT WILL BE RESTORED TO WARM SEASON GRASS AND POLLINATOR MEADOW, AND INVASIVE SHRUB REMOVAL FROM THE WOODS AT CLARK PRESERVE.VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS17 CORPORATE VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS145 ACTIVE VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS (VLS)46 VLS WORKDAY EVENTS2,989 PRESERVE VISITORS WERE ENGAGED BY VLS1,606 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATEDWATER QUALITY VOLUNTEER COALITION22 STREAM SAMPLING SITESOVER 60 VOLUNTEERS2 MACROINVERTEBRATE WORKSHOPS688 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATEDCOMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT99 PROPERTIES ASSESSED FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT365 NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS GIVEN AWAY336 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATEDTHE NEXT GENERATIONTHE CONSERVANCY SERVED A NUMBERS OF SCOUT GROUPS, CHURCH YOUTH GROUPS, AND SCHOOL GROUPS IN AUTHENTIC INVESTIGATIONS OF BIODIVERSITY ON CONSERVANCY NATURE PRESERVES, AND, IN CASES WHERE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO TRAVEL, ON THEIR OWN CAMPUSES. TRANSPORTATION REMAINED A BARRIER FOR A NUMBER OF GROUPS IN ACCESSING OUR PROGRAMMING, AND SO WE ACQUIRED A MINI-BUS, DONATED BY LCSWMA, THAT CAN BE USED TO HELP ENSURE MORE STUDENTS CAN BE FULLY IMMERSED IN NATURE. EACH YOUTH FOCUSED PROGRAM WE RUN EXPLORES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTED LAND WHILE MEETING RELEVANT CURRICULAR OUTCOMES.LANCASTER WATER WEEKIN 2021, LANCASTER WATER WEEK CELEBRATED ITS 5TH YEAR OF EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT ISSUES FACING OUR WATERWAYS AND ACTIVATING THEM TO PROTECT THE INCREDIBLE STREAMS AND RIVERS OF LANCASTER COUNTY. NEARLY 1,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED WATER WEEK EVENTS THAT RANGED FROM ONLINE LECTURES ABOUT THE FOOD, FARMING AND WATER CONNECTION TO TOURS OF HEADWATERS, STREAM RESTORATION SITES, AND WETLANDS! WATER WEEK GAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES A CHANCE TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE CRICKS IN THEIR OWN BACK YARDS AND GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE AT EVENTS LIKE STREAMSIDE CARE DAY.