Year in Review
December brings the Winter Solstice, and the celebrations of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve. I especially enjoy the warmth and togetherness of December. I don’t particularly care for the beginning of winter. So, I’ll distract myself from the lower temperatures and shorter days by focusing on gathering with family and friends, indulging in desserts, and celebrating this year’s achievements.
December also marks the end of the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s 30th year. We’ve acknowledged this milestone by posting montages of notable events from the past three decades on our social media pages. The latest was posted on December 15 – noting the preservation of the Scott Farm and an environmental clean-up win. Our next and final post of 2025 will be on December 30 acknowledging the anniversary of our very first easement – a great way to close out the year!
In case you missed them, here are a few highlights from the past 30 years of our land preservation mission:
On April 3, 2003, we closed on our first easement purchased with National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funds through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. It was also the first project for which we received support from the Civil War Trust (now the American Battlefield Trust). Currently, we have 42 easements supported by federal NRCS grants, which have generated over $8.5 million for Adams County. This money goes directly to farmers and landowners as compensation for opting for preservation rather than development.
On May 17, 2008, The Conservation Fund (TCF) transferred 2,568 acres to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for inclusion in Michaux State Forest. Two years earlier, TCF bought Tree Farm #1 from Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company for $12.5 million. They acted quickly after the property was listed for sale, allowing local partners time to gather funds and prevent the land from being sold for development.
On June 18, 2014, we closed on the fourth easement with Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, completing the protection of 950 acres of their “Home Farm” stretching the length of Boyer Nursery Road. Last year the family placed conservation easements on another 160 acres, giving the Boyer family the distinction of being our only Conservation Benefactor to preserve over 1,000 acres.
On July 7, 2007, the Land Conservancy closed on an easement with Penn Forestry Company, protecting 347 acres in the Narrows. The property connects to lands later preserved by Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, creating a large swath of forest habitat for deer, black bear, wild turkey, and even bobcat!
On August 21, 2005, the Land Conservancy hosted its first annual Summer Picnic at the Ag Center in Gettysburg to celebrate 10 years of preservation successes in Adams County. This event celebrated the impressive milestone of 3,000 acres preserved. That land, and every acre preserved since, will remain protected for all time.
On October 31, 2008, we preserved 260 acres with Nancy Bushey, becoming the first property preserved using funds from the Adams County Green Space Grant Program. The next year, the same property owner protected the remaining 143 acres of her farm in Freedom Township.
On November 19, 1997, founding member and past president, Gary Sterner, donated the first of several easements to protect over 600 acres near Fox Hill, Franklin Township. The last easement was completed ten years later, marking the largest single-owner land preservation through donated easements.
We now protect 13,823 acres across 198 easements in Adams County. If all scheduled closings proceed as planned by the end of the year we will reach 200 easements in 30 years, averaging 1.25 acres preserved per day since our founding in 1995.
And we can’t forget one of the biggest achievements of this 30th anniversary year – the 2025 Giving Spree. This year’s Giving Spree raised over $4.3 million for 111 Adams County non-profits. I am grateful that the Land Conservancy of Adams County received $146,474 in donations. On behalf of my fellow board members and staff, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who chose to support us during this special day of giving. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Land Conservancy of Adams County!
Andy Lawrence proudly serves on the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s Board of Directors. The Land Conservancy is a fully accredited, member-supported, non-profit land trust. For more information about the Land Conservancy visit PreserveAdams.org. If you’re not already a member, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. While you’re at it, please also consider volunteering with a wonderful group of committed neighbors helping to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County.
photo by Nikki Shreve