In 1989, a group of forward-thinking citizens formed the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy. The NPC founding members recognized the need for a permanent, stable organization that could combine the conservation efforts of many individuals to provide an efficient organization capable of acting quickly.
With seed money provided by the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation, NPC was incorporated in 1990. By 1991, NPC’s work had grown enough that the organization hired its first full-time staff member.
The Townsend Acquisition was NPC’s first project. We purchased this parcel in 1991 and sold it to the Bureau of Forestry. Situated along the banks of Pine Creek in Lycoming County, the 117 acre parcel is now part of the Tiadaghton State Forest.
Two years later, in 1993, NPC completed its first conservation easement. The Johnson Easement is one of NPC’s smallest at only 2.72 acres. 
It is also one of only a handful of conservation easements that require public access. Mr. Johnson was a avid fisherman who had seen many streams become posted. He wanted his conservation easement to allow walk-in access for fishermen for generations to come.
NPC currently holds 47 conservation easements and 1 facade easement on over 4,735 acres. Another 6,400 acres were protected through ownership. These acres are now owned by the Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Game Commission, local government, or other conservation organizations.
The organization’s staff and board are continuing to work with landowners and conservation groups to conserve this region’s working farms and working forests.
