The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently protected 119 forested acres in Southampton Township, Bedford County that were transferred today to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry to become a new addition to the now 71,802-acre Buchanan State Forest.

A variety of oak, black birch, hickory, blackgum and white pine trees make up this newly conserved property located in the headwaters of Town Creek, which the PA Department of Environmental Protection has designated a High Quality Coldwater Fishery that provides anglers opportunities to fish wild trout.

Located within a vast and scenic forested landscape and adjacent to Buchanan State Forest, the property borders Mt. Zion Road and improves public access to the forest for hiking, mountain biking, hunting and other forms recreation, and enhances access for forest management activities.

Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy, says the Conservancy is fortunate to continue working with state and private partners to help expand state forestland and safeguard pristine waters.

“We are so glad to protect this forestland and add it to the state forest system. There are many benefits when we protect land and this property protects sensitive streams and creeks, extends connected forestland and expands recreation in one of Central Pennsylvania’s most natural and wild areas,” he adds.

This project was made possible by a grant from the family of B. Kenneth Simon.

The Conservancy has added more than 2,300 acres to Buchanan State Forest since 2007. Of the Conservancy’s total protected acreage, more than 200,000 acres have been protected and conveyed to DCNR for state parks, forests and game lands.