Wildlands Conservancy recently secured 172 acres of land in East Penn Township for the purpose of protecting the habitat and scenic beauty of the Blue Mountain (Kittatinny Ridge).

Noted for its unique grassland and woodland habitat, the property is home to several insect species of statewide concern as well as recovering stands of oak, birch and chestnut trees."This acquisition continues our legacy involvement in protecting land and natural habitat along the Kittatinny Ridge," said Christopher M. Kocher, president of the Wildlands Conservancy. "Adjacent to the Appalachian Trail, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and State Game Land 217, this property will protect an important wildlife corridor and migratory path for raptors."Millions of Pennsylvanians and hundreds of communities value the Kittatinny Ridge for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, water supplies, and wildlife habitat.The Ridge has national importance as a critical habitat link in the Appalachian Forest that stretches the length of the Eastern United States and as a corridor for the world famous Appalachian Trail.Wildlands Conservancy has entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to transfer the property so that this parcel can be managed as part of the overall state game lands network for betterment of wildlife.Since the organization's beginning in 1973, Wildlands Conservancy has protected more than 48,000 acres of land in 18 counties in eastern Pennsylvania.For more information on this property and the organization's land conservation efforts, contact Kent Baird, director of land conservation and planning, at (610) 965-4397, ext. 119 or email

kbaird@wildlandspa.org.About WildlandsConservancyWildlands Conservancy's mission is to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.The Conservancy has created more than 90 miles of terrestrial aquatic trails, and has educated more than 500,000 individuals on responsible environmental stewardship and management.