Thirty Years! Oh My!!
Thirty years ago a couple of fellows had the wonderful idea of starting a land conservancy in Adams County. With over 135 founding members, the Land Conservancy of Adams County (LCAC) was born. Now, in 2025, with 194 conservation easements established, there are 13,652 acres protecting the natural beauty and rural character of our county.
All of us are very fortunate to live in Adams County where farmland, forests and meadows still exist in abundance. Maintaining and expanding these landscapes takes foresight, planning, and financial assistance.
Why is preserving our lands so important? One reason is the pressure that unplanned development places on the rural character of Adams County. Landscapes are easy things to take for granted, until they’re gone. Quoting our LCAC president, Dave Salisbury: “Our rural character, so well-amplified by open space, undeveloped views, and massive hillside forests … is at risk, lest we work to be its protector. What a shame to think the beauty of winter’s leaf-free trees could expose the view of a poorly planned, sprawling development project. We must plan to protect, then do it.”
Another reason to preserve our land is to help protect and repair nature. Many of our preservation projects include conservation plans that help landowners improve the health of the streams and creeks that pass through their land. These improvements increase the quality of water for aquatic life as far afield as the Chesapeake Bay and improve our drinking water while decreasing the cost of water treatment for county residents. Preserving land also protects vital habitat for insects, birds, animals, and plants, all of which provide crucial pollination and biological control services to our farmers.
Think of this, thirty years ago there were less than 25 Bald Eagle, our official National Bird, nests in Pennsylvania. Today there are well over 300 including several in Adams County! Much of the reason for this increase was the banning of DDT, an insecticide, but these birds need clean water and lots of habitat. Preserved properties can provide both if properly managed.
The best way to learn about the past, present and future of land preservation in Adams County is by attending the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s Annual Meeting. This meeting of the Land Conservancy is scheduled for Thursday, March 13 at 6pm at the Adams County Historical Society. Space is limited so you must register for this event by Thursday, February 27. If you have not received an invitation or misplaced yours, please call (717) 334-2828. Everyone is welcome to tour the museum at 5:30. Social time with hors d’oeuvres is at 6:00 with dinner beginning at 6:30. Throughout the evening raffle tickets will be available for purchase. The prizes include a gorgeous cake donated by Cake by Jason Hisley, a homemade pie by Mary Margaret Kuhn, a round of miniature golf for four donated by Nathan & Laura Mares, a piece of pottery from Polish Pottery, and a Hollabaugh fruit basket. But the main reason to attend the meeting is to hear the good news about the properties preserved during 2024. At the meeting you’ll also hear that LCAC had a strong financial year. You’ll hear about the success of our annual events, and the generosity of Adams Countians at the Giving Spree and throughout the year. Best of all, you’ll hear about plans for making the best use of our strong finances to continue our mission of preserving the rural lands and character of Adams County.
So, please join us the evening of March 13 to experience all of this good news.
Deb Siefken is a member of the Land Conservancy of Adams County board of directors and its Annual Meeting Planning Committee.
Photo by Jayne Shord