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history

• 1994 – A group of citizens, with the backing of the Adams County Commissioners, agreed to organize for the purpose of establishing a land conservancy.

• 1995 – The LCAC was incorporated and began to function actively by the beginning of 1996. All three commissioners became founding members of the organization, as did some 137 citizens, each donating at least $250 to establish the organization. The County budgeted $9000 to support the fledgling group.

• 1996 – The Conservancy received its first gift of land and negotiated its first easement.

• Today– The Conservancy holds 87 easements covering more than 5,250 acres.
  

 mission statement

The Land Conservancy of Adams County is a member-supported nonprofit land trust whose mission is to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. 

     Purpose

• To preserve open space and areas of scenic, natural, agricultural, geological, biological, or historic value;

• To establish and aid in the establishment of nature reserves, parks, or other protected areas for recreational, educational, or scientific purposes;

• To encourage planning and development that preserves open space, protects natural resources, and respects the rural character of Adams County;

• To accept, hold, monitor, and enforce easements on land, water, and other natural resources;

• To promote and support public policies and initiatives that preserve open space, protect natural resources, and respect the rural character of Adams County;

• To provide information and services to county and municipal officials, real estate developers, community groups, and citizens about land use, land preservation, and Adams County’s unique agrarian and cultural heritage;

• To foster alliances with individuals, community groups, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and offices, and foundations with shared missions.

     Values  

Open Space:  First and foremost, the Conservancy values open, undeveloped acreage.  In addition to sustaining the connection between Adams County’s unique heritage and distinctive geography, open space enhances air and water quality, reduces traffic congestion and air pollution, provides zones for aquifer recharge, requires fewer public services, sustains the economy, and contributes to a better quality of life for all residents and visitors.

Conservation Easements:  The Conservancy believes that conservation easements complement zoning, planning, and other forms of governmental regulation and provide the best protection for natural resources and a viable alternative to development.

Unique Heritage:  The Conservancy values the special history of Adams County, including its native peoples and early settlers, its centuries-old heritage in agriculture and industry, and its unique place in national, military, and presidential history. 

Distinctive Ecosystem:  The Conservancy values the diverse and distinctive natural resources of Adams County – from the summits of South Mountain to the cool clear native trout waters of the Narrows, from the rich rolling hills of the Fruit Belt to the pitch pine-scrub of the Big Flat Barren, from the amphibian-filled seeps and wetlands of Marsh Creek to the bird-breeding southern grasslands, from the richly cultivated croplands of the east with their interspersed woodland tracts harboring whitetail deer, from the scenic mid-nineteenth century agricultural landscapes of the East Berlin area to the green foal-filled pastures of the Hanover Shoe Farms, from the prized vistas of High Rock and Little Round Top to the boulder-strewn hillside at Devil’s Den.

Community:  The Conservancy values the people of Adams County and the admirable qualities they instill in our community – hard work, determination, self-reliance, fearlessness, honesty, helpfulness, volunteering, respect for diversity, tolerance, independence and interdependence, connection to the earth and sky, and appreciation of family, fellowship, and farming.

Small Towns:  The Conservancy believes that a vital component of Adams County’s rural character is the vibrant, thriving marketplace towns surrounded with open fields and natural spaces that separate the towns like the day divides the night.  Served by public water and sewer, these towns hold most of the county’s population and provide easy access to stores and doctors, churches and social clubs.

     Vision  

In the future, Adams County will be a diverse, self-sustaining rural county, an interdependent network of thriving towns and vibrant farmlands.  Residents will enjoy an abundance of clean air and water, fresh and local produce, and scenic vistas.  No one will ever be far from nature, because residential and commercial developments incorporate greenways and open space.  Parks will abound – from the large, historically-significant Gettysburg National Military Park to small, comfortable, quiet, local parks for walking, bird-watching, and enjoying nature – and will be connected by a network of greenways along stream corridors and ridge tops. Trails will make it possible to traverse from one side of the county to the other solely within the natural areas. Agriculture will be a thriving industry, supporting family farms with a great variety of animal and plant operations.  The county’s population will be clustered in and around the historic towns, making services easily accessible and leaving two-thirds of the landscape untouched.  Residents will understand complex land use issues and appreciate their good fortune to live in such an oasis.  The timeless qualities of family, fellowship, and farmland will be preserved as a way of life. 

In the future, the Land Conservancy of Adams County will be a strong, successful organization with permanent, sustainable funding sources.  The Conservancy will work in partnership with landowners, citizens, community groups, businesses and government officials to preserve and protect the pristine waterways, abundant farmland, rolling hills, and lush woodland of Adams County. The Conservancy will promote cooperation between government, business, and citizens as they shape the future of Adams County, facilitating outcomes not possible by any one sector alone. The organization will work on the most critical issues and areas in the county, using resources wisely and strategically.  It will be prepared to monitor and defend conservation easements in perpetuity, a trusted steward honoring the commitment of Conservation Benefactors. d of Directors

 Officers 

Dick Mountfort, President

Biglerville, PA

Mark Clowney, Vice President

New Oxford, PA

Mary Margaret Kuhn, Secretary

Orrtanna, PA

Ken Collins, Treasurer

Hanover, PA

  Board Members

Bob Bein

Littlestown, PA

Fran Koch

York Springs, PA

Maria Levenstein

Biglerville, PA

Pat Naugle

Gettysburg, PA

Glenn Snyder

Gettysburg, PA

Susan Sterner

Biglerville, PA

Ellie Vranich

Biglerville, PA

 Staff

Sidney Kuhn

Land Conservation Coordinator

Marti Shaw

Office Manager

funding
The Land Conservancy is funded by private donations, grants, easement partners, fund raisers, and by its 600 members.

The Land Conservancy of Adams County, Inc. • 670 Old Harrisburg Road • Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

717-334-2828 • lcac@lcacnet.org