Saving Land to Protect Chesapeake Bay
53-acre Silver Spring Township Farm Preserved
MEDIA, Pa., September 1, 2023 – KB Kidz Farm, LLC, a group of close-knit siblings and their spouses, believes in conservation and acts upon that conviction. In 2015, they placed 80 acres of land under permanent restriction with Natural Lands so it would remain undeveloped. Earlier this week, they deepened their commitment to the environment by placing an additional 53 acres of farmland under conservation easement with Natural Lands.
Photo: Robyn Jeney
“The land has been farmed by many generations of our family. Preserving it was an easy decision for us,” said Jay Zeigler, speaking on behalf of his extended family. “We cherish this land that has provided both food and memories throughout all the generations. We inherited the land from our parents, and their wish was to keep it farmland instead of another housing development. Silver Spring Township’s Natural Land Preservation Program gave us the opportunity to keep the beautiful land open for generations to enjoy.”
The farm is located in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County. The 53-acre property is almost entirely in agricultural use, consisting of a rotation of corn, soybeans, and hay. The property includes about 1,110 feet of a first-order tributary of Hogestown Run, a tributary of the Conodoguinet Creek. Conodoguinet Creek, whose Native American name means “a long way with many bends,” flows to the Susquehanna River, which eventually empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
“Preservation of this farm means protecting water quality, both locally and all the way downstream,” said Robyn Jeney, land protection project manager for Natural Lands. “More than 18 million people and 3,600 species of plants and animals call the Chesapeake Bay watershed home. Land conservation within the watershed is one of the best ways to protect this remarkable ecological treasure. We are so grateful to the KB Kidz Farm family for doing just that, and to Silver Spring Township for supporting them through funding.”
“Silver Spring Township is so grateful to conservation-minded landowners like the KB Kidz Farm family, who have now protected their second farm through the township’s voluntary Land Preservation Program,” said Laura Brown, Silver Spring Township supervisor. “The township is deeply committed to preservation of our rural, agricultural heritage as we also experience the growth driven by the quality of life we offer our residents.”
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 42 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
kwerner@natlands.org