Acquisition, On the Blog, Public Access

NPC Members Add Frontage Along Pine Creek to Tiadaghton State Forest

The 11.3-acre property along Pine Creek that NPC members helped conserve last year has now been officially added to the Tiadaghton State Forest! The land was transferred to the Bureau of Forestry and is now part of the state forest system. 

Thanks to the ongoing support of NPC members, this beautiful stretch of Pine Creek—with about 1,500 feet of creek frontage and surrounded by state forest land will be open for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are paddling by, fishing along the bank, or just taking in the view, this spot is now part of what makes the Pine Creek Valley so special. 

This addition also plays an important role in forest management. Now that the Bureau of Forestry owns the land, staff can more easily access and care for this section of the forest.  

“Adding this property improves our ability to manage invasive species, monitor forest health, and maintain access to a large block of public land. We’re grateful to NPC and its members for helping expand the Tiadaghton State Forest in a way that supports both conservation and recreation.”
-Tom Casilio, Forest District Manager, Tiadaghton State Forest

We are thankful to everyone who helped make this project happen. That includes NPC members, partners, and especially George Durrwachter, whose support and connections helped move this forward. 

Because of you, another piece of Pine Creek’s natural beauty has been conserved for people to enjoy today and in the future. 

To learn more about the property, visit the Fitzgerald Project page.

Acquisition, Conservation Project, On the Blog

NPC Members Help Conserve Pine Creek Frontage

It’s a calm, summer afternoon on Pine Creek in Lycoming County. As paddlers drift along the Creek’s gentle current, they spot a stretch of smooth, flat bedrock—an ideal place to pull over, stretch their legs, and soak in the beauty of the surrounding forest. Nearby, an angler casts a line from the shore, taking advantage of the solid footing along the bank, hopeful for a bite in the cool waters. Thanks to the steadfast support of Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) members, the stage for this tranquil scene is conserved and opened for all to enjoy. 

The shores of the conserved land provide the perfect resting point for paddlers along Pine Creek.

This summer, NPC supporters helped purchase this deeded 11.3-acres, which features approximately 1,500 feet of Pine Creek frontage. Surrounded by forest on almost all sides, this land is not just a scenic addition; it ensures that one mile on the western side of Pine Creek will remain forested. The Bureau of Forestry (BOF) also owns the island just offshore, contributing to the area’s natural beauty. 

For paddlers and anglers, this stretch of Pine Creek is a haven. The large flat bedrock along the creek’s edge is a welcome sight—a place to rest, snack, or fish without worrying about slipping. Securing access to this land ensures that people can continue to enjoy spots like this while conserving the land for future generations. 

Improving Management Access

This land is also important for forest management. Once the property is transferred to the BOF and added to the Tiadaghton State Forest, it will make marking boundaries and accessing the area for forest management much easier. Owning this land will allow the BOF to better control invasive plants, manage pests, and maintain the health of the forest. 

Dubbed the ‘Fitzgerald’ acquisition, this conserved land will be incorporated into the Tiadaghton State Forest.

NPC Members Made it Happen

This acquisition would not have been possible without the dedicated support of NPC members. Their contributions have not only helped conserve this section of Pine Creek but also ensured that the community and visitors can keep enjoying the beauty and peace of the Pine Creek Valley. A special thanks goes to George Durrwachter, whose friendships and connections along Pine Creek helped make this vision a reality. 

With the ongoing support of NPC members and partners, we can continue to conserve places like this, providing even more opportunities for people to connect with nature. 

Support this work by donating today!

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Acquisition, On the Blog

102 Acres Conserved in Plunketts Creek Township, Lycoming County

Conservation happens at varying speeds. Some projects take years, if not decades to navigate and complete, and other projects happen in weeks. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy’s members invest in both slow and fast conservation. Providing the support to build trust over time and work through questions and contemplations as well as supplying the resources to act when an opportunity presents itself.

Back in March 2023 there was a need for fast conservation. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy was contacted about 2 parcels adjacent to State Game Lands 134 being sold by auction about 3 weeks later. The parcels lay side by side. One shares its western boundary with existing State Game Lands and they both share their northern boundary with existing State Game Lands.

It didn’t take long to find out the Pennsylvania Game Commission was interested in the parcels. The parcels would provide management access into an area of the existing State Game Lands that doesn’t have that access now. Access for management allows projects to improve habitat for wildlife and support and improve the ecosystem services the property provides.

Within a matter of days of finding out about the auction, we looked at maps and plans to understand how these parcels fit into the bigger conservation picture.

In addition to being adjacent to the existing State Game Lands, the property is also close to a block of the Loyalsock State Forest and near an existing conservation easement held by NPC.

The property includes a seasonal stream that flows into a tributary of Plunketts Creek. This is just upstream from where NPC facilitated work in 2020 and 2021 (the project where the Army Reserve Unit removed the earthen berm). Keeping these properties forested and improving the health of the forest through management will help improve the water quality in Plunketts Creek, building on work we’ve done in the past.

We scheduled a site visit and walked the parcels to understand the habitat on site and understand what we would be bidding on. NPC’s Conservation Committee recommended the Board agree to purchase the properties with the intent to work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to transfer the properties into the State Game Land system. The Board voted to bid on the properties.

The day of the auction came. While it was a damp, overcast April day NPC was the high bidder!!!

We closed on the properties in late June and now own just over 102 acres in Plunketts Creek Township, Lycoming County!

The acquisition was acted on by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Commissioners at their July 7, 2023 meeting. They voted to approve the acquisition and we are now working on the paperwork for that phase of the project.

Thank you to all of our members and donors who make it possible to be ready when an opportunity presents itself!! We never know when that might be.

The properties were enrolled in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Hunter Access Program. Anyone who wishes to hunt the properties during archery or firearms season should contact the NPC office with your name and phone number 570-323-6222; office@npcweb.org).