More than 250 Acres of Pristine Forest Preserved Forever

MEDIA, Pa., July 25, 2024 – Natural Lands announced today the permanent preservation of a 252-acre forested property in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County. In addition to its scenic beauty, these woodlands help cool and clean the air, filter water supplies, store carbon, and offer habitat to songbirds and other wildlife. Thanks to a voluntary, legally binding agreement known as a conservation easement, the property will remain this way forever.

Over the past half a decade, landowner Michael Kaczenski acquired two adjacent parcels of land with the intention of conserving this significant natural area, something he’s dreamed of doing for many years. In November 2021, Mr. Kaczenski purchased 192 acres, the bulk of the now 252-acre property, which was once slated for development. Instead, the conservation easement ensures it will remain a forest forever.

Photo: Michael Kaczenski

“Natural Lands has been working with Michael since 2018 to realize this dream,” said Kate Raman, Natural Lands’ conservation project manager. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to expand and protect this beloved property.”

About 7,380 feet of streams traverse the property, including Mud Run, Wolf Run, and Dilldown Creek, all of which flow to the Lehigh River. The waterways are shaded by trees, which keeps the water cold and clear. Native tree species, including Eastern hemlock and white pine, create a dense canopy overhead with understory trees like red maple, hawthorn, American beech, and black cherry reaching for the sunlight. The shrub layer includes serviceberry, lowbush and highbush blueberry, rhododendron, and steeplebush. The forest floor is thick with ferns and other native perennials.

“The land is remarkably free of invasive plant species,” added Ms. Raman. “It’s rich habitat for wildlife, including fisher, mink, porcupine, river otter, and flying squirrel, not to mention the almost 100 species of birds that rely on the land for food, shelter, and breeding.”

“My dream is that, 100 years from now, this forest is thick with centuries-old trees,” said Mr. Kaczenski. “I hope that future generations will enjoy this place and appreciate its beauty and service to the natural world. That they’ll see the wildlife and hear the myriad birds that frequent this special place and be reminded that someone just like them walked in this forest many years ago and dreamed a bold dream to make a difference that would last for all time.”

The project was supported through the Open Space Institute’s (OSI) Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund, which is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation for its Delaware River Watershed Initiative that seeks to protect water quality in the Delaware River Basin. The Delaware River Watershed Protection Program seeks to ensure abundant, clean water within the 13,000 square mile drainage of the Delaware River.”

“Helping to protect this exceptional property was interesting and rewarding,” said OSI’s Senior Mid Atlantic Program Manager Bill Rawlyk. “From a watershed perspective, streams on the property are clear and loaded with life, supporting native trout and a diverse community of sensitive stream insects and invertebrates that cannot tolerate even low levels of pollution. Projects like this validate the purpose of OSI’s Delaware Watershed Fund, which seeks to protect forested headwaters that deliver clean drinking water to residents in the watershed downstream.”

Mr. Kaczenski also contributed substantially by donating the majority of the value of the easement.

Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone.  As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands—which is member supported—has preserved more than 135,000 acres, including 40+ nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres. Nearly five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.

Please note: “Natural Lands” is the organization’s official operating name and should be used instead of its legal designation (Natural Lands Trust, Inc.).

Media Inquiries:

Kit Werner, Senior Director of Communications
610-353-5587 ext. 267

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