The History of the Land Conservancy of Adams County - 30 Years of Preservation!
The idea of a conservancy or land trust in Adams County began with John Corris, the original Director of the Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, and Hal Greenlee, one of its original board members. They laid the initial groundwork by visiting other land trusts, pulling together information, examples of bylaws and policies, easements, etc. with the idea of creating a land trust in Adams County to compliment the County’s farmland preservation program.
When I became Director of the county program in 1992, I enjoyed talking preservation with Dean Shultz during lunch at Hartzell’s Luncheonette on Baltimore Street. He made the mistake of saying one day, “You know, Ellen, what we need in Adams County is a land trust.” Dean didn’t know what that one statement would mean!
It took the passion of a local landowner to thrust the conservancy from the idea stage into reality. Gary Sterner desperately wanted to donate an easement on his property in Franklin Township to a nonprofit organization and was frustrated that there wasn’t such an organization in Adams County. Now that landowners themselves felt the need, it was time to put ideas into action.
The first written notes regarding the formation of the Conservancy are from a small group of like-minded individuals: Hal and Vicki Greenlee, Dean Shultz, Dick Schmoyer, County Commissioners Harry Stokes, Dick Waybright, and Tom Weaver, County Solicitor John White, Bicky Redman and Ellen Dayhoff, who met February 1, 1994, to discuss how to go about creating such an organization. In September 1995, Attorney John Wolfe assisted with the creation of the bylaws and filing all the appropriate forms to become a 501(c)(3) organization.
The first board of directors meeting was held on June 25, 1996, with the election of officers: President, Dean Shultz; Vice President, Gary Sterner; Secretary, Jim Paddock; and Treasurer, Allen Haar. Soon afterwards, the remainder of the first board was elected.
The County Commissioners have been supportive of the Conservancy since its inception and continue their support to this day through in-kind services and grant funding for projects. In 1996, they funded the hiring of Alan Musselman as a consultant to the Conservancy. Alan suggested a “Founding Member Campaign,” which started with a Founding Member Kick-off reception on December 10, 1996 held in the G.A.R. Hall. By the end of the campaign in 1997, 137 businesses and individuals had donated a minimum of $250 each to become Founding Members. A plaque commemorating these special people is now located in the Ag Center. The very first Annual Membership Dinner was held at the Cashtown Inn in March 1997 with 35 members in attendance. We were most definitely up and running!
Our growth over the years can only be attributed to the special people who keep us going. Number one are the Conservation Benefactors, without whom there would be no purpose to exist! Our volunteers, staff and members are the lifeblood of the organization, and I am constantly in awe of the work they do to keep the Land Conservancy moving forward. I will forever have a special place in my heart for this organization and am so very proud to have been a small part of its creation.
Everyone is invited to the Land Conservancy’s annual summer picnic where all who are interested in our mission can meet, chat and socialize in a relaxed setting. This free potluck picnic will take place on Sunday, September 7, 4 pm at Boyer Nurseries and Orchards in Biglerville. RSVP online at PreserveAdams.org/Summer-Picnic.
Ellen Dayhoff is manager of the Rural Resource Division, Adams County Office of Planning and Development. She also is a pivotal founding member and consistent supporter of the Land Conservancy of Adams County. The Land Conservancy is a fully accredited, member-supported, non-profit land trust with the mission to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. For more information, to explore upcoming events, or to make a gift visit PreserveAdams.org or call 717-334-2828.
The Land Conservancy is participating in the Adams County Community Foundation’s 2025 Giving Spree. Join us in person on Thursday, November 6 at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel to learn more about the good work being done by 100+ amazing nonprofits supporting Adams County.
