Land Conservancy of Adams County meets to recognize preservation-minded landowners

(3/19) On March 13, the membership of the Land Conservancy of Adams County met for its 18th annual dinner at the Historic Gettysburg Hotel to honor the Adams County landowners who entered into conservation easements over the previous year.

The LCAC recognized the Lower family, owners of Boyer Nursery and Orchards in Biglerville, which last year preserved more than 390 acres of their Franklin Township farm and uplands forest, land that contains some of the headwaters of the Marsh Creek, a significant water source for Adams County. The LCAC is working with the Lower family to complete two more easements in 2014, for a total of more than 900 acres preserved.

Also honored at the dinner were Susan Yingling and Sally Helm, sisters who preserved more than 100 acres of forestland in Hamiltonban Township that have been in their family for generations. This land also contains headwaters of Middle Creek.

In addition, the LCAC recognized Philip and Elsie Morey, founding members of the LCAC who initially preserved their Mount Joy Township farm in 2004. In subsequent years they purchased an adjacent parcel of more than five acres, which they placed into a conservation easement last year.

Dean Shultz, another founding member and first president of the LCAC, was acclaimed for completing a second easement on his land, preserving nearly 23 acres in Mount Joy Township. In 2007, he protected 73 acres with a conservation easement.

The Adams County Commissioners have proclaimed the period between the Land Conservancy’s Annual Dinner on March 13 and its Art Auction on April 27 as Land Conservancy Month.

Other events marking Land Conservancy Month this year include an artists’ reception on First Friday, April 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Blue Parrot Bistro, 35 Chambersburg Street, Gettysburg. The reception will showcase a wide variety of original art created by local and regional artists and donated to the LCAC’s annual Art Auction, to be held at the Blue Parrot from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.

Also falling within Land Conservancy Month is the Gettysburg Green Gathering, to be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resource Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg. The Green Gathering will feature food vendors, information booths, live bands, and more, with proceeds benefitting the LCAC.

The LCAC is a member-supported nonprofit land trust that works to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. For more information about the LCAC and the events surrounding Land Conservancy Month, visit LCACnet.org, email LCAC@adamscounty.us, or call the LCAC office at (717) 334-2828.