Adams County
Narrows (Adams County) The Narrows' 3,000 acres of mossy seeps, older hemlocks, and white pines are also the center of the county's forestry industry.
Buchanan Valley (Adams County) The Conewago Creek, which flows from Buchanan Valley to Bridgeport, offers whitewater recreation.
The Fruit Belt (Adams County) Encompassing 20,000 acres in a crescent from the southwest to the north-central part of Adams County, Pa., lies the historical Fruit Belt, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the state. Save Our Rural Heritage has been working to protect this scenic area from development.
Berks County
Birdsboro Waters (Berks County) The 1,800-acre Birdsboro Waters property will receive just under $2 million from the state for conservation efforts. The area contains forest, wetlands, Hay Creek, drinking water, and areas for hiking and rock climbing.
Glen Morgan Lake (Berks County) Surrounded by marsh wetlands, grasses, and forests, the site provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds including the bald eagle, osprey, least bittern, pied-billed grebe, and American coot.
Hay Creek Watershed
Mount Penn (Berks County) The two mountains, Mount Penn and Neversink Mountain, provide a scenic backdrop for the city of Reading. Long considered a natural and recreational area for the local region, both mountains have been facing development pressures in recent years.
Neversink Mountain The two mountains, Mount Penn and Neversink Mountain, provide a scenic backdrop for the city of Reading. Long considered a natural and recreational area for the local region, both mountains have been facing development pressures in recent years.
North Branch French Creek Watershed (Berks and Chester counties) and Hay Creek Watershed (Berks County) Its 12,000 acres make the Hopewell Big Woods project area the largest block of unfragmented forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. Within the boundaries of these conservation sites, a constellation of ecologically significant but unprotected lands remains in a fairly natural condition.
Oley Hills (Berks County) This undisturbed forested area is not protected by zoning or municipal ownership; its conservation lies in the hands of private landowners, nonprofits, and support from local and state governments. Protecting this region will yield long-term environmental, economic, recreational, and aesthetic benefits, such as furnishing habitat for native species and ensuring the health of its springs and water.
Pine Creek Watershed (Berks County) Nestled among gently rolling hills are the watershed's wetland seeps, which feed numerous streams and create an environment for diverse communities of plants, animals, and fish such as the rock bass. However, its proximity to urban areas makes it potentially attractive for development.
Saucony Creek Watershed (Berks County) The 17.5-mile Saucony Creek provides drinking water for neighboring boroughs. The watershed's fertile soil makes it prime agricultural land. It’s also home to a strong Mennonite community.
Schuylkill River Watershed (Berks and Montgomery counties) The main stem of the Schuylkill River is a critical greenway element in the Schuylkill Watershed. It's a major component of the natural lands network that functions to support life, facilitate wildlife and migrations, and maximize and sustain native biodiversity across the region.
Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed (Lehigh, Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks counties) The watershed is predominantly rolling countryside, mostly rural and agricultural, with scattered development. More than half the area is deciduous forest, evergreen forest, or woody wetland, but is subject to development pressures.
Bucks County
Cooks Creek Watershed (Bucks County) Cooks Creek has been designated an "exceptional value stream” (or having outstanding water quality) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and supports a native brown trout population. Most of the land along the creek is agricultural, although industry borders the creek near its mouth.
Durham Mine/Mine Hill/Rattlesnake Hill (Bucks County) North-facing forested slopes and rare bird species make this area a must-visit—and a priority area in the Bucks County Natural Areas Inventory.
Haycock Mountain (Bucks County) The state game lands on Haycock and Nockamixon State Park comprise the largest expanse of public open space in the county (7,000 acres). Rare bird and plant species, such as Allegheny vine and butternut, make their home in the mountain's outcrops and forests. Photo: Courtesy of Scenic Bucks County (www.scenicbuckscounty.com)
Quakertown Swamp (Bucks County) The 400-acre swamp is the largest inland wetland in Bucks County. It harbors the only known great blue heron rookery in the county and also provides habitat for more than 90 bird species, including 14 rare breeders.
Rapp Creek Watershed (Bucks County) Forests dotted with the Pineland pimpernel, a state-endangered plant, flank the watershed, where visitors can spot red-bellied turtles and, sometimes, playful river otters.
Ridge Valley Creek
Roaring Rocks Watershed (Bucks County) The Landowner Incentive Program is providing more than $300,000 to protect the Roaring Rocks area, which is teeming with biodiversity and is home to 10 avian species of concern.
Rock Hill (Bucks County) Rock Hill is identified as a significant natural area in the Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County (June 1999). The area is an integral part of the continuous forested band that stretches across upper Bucks and Montgomery counties that should be protected from deforestation or fragmentation.
Tohickon Creek Watershed (Bucks County) Periodic releases of water from Lake Nockamixon flush Tohickon Creek and provide paddlers with some whitewater fun. The valley's steep slopes are also home to diverse plant and animal habitats; more than 80 bird species nest there.
Unami Hills and Ridge Valley Creek (Montgomery and Bucks counties) The rocky, wooded ridges of the hills form a conspicuous band of forest 2 to 3 miles wide. This area also provides important habitat for birds, such as pileated woodpeckers and songbirds.
Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed (Lehigh, Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks counties) The watershed is predominantly rolling countryside, mostly rural and agricultural, with scattered development. More than half the area is deciduous forest, evergreen forest, or woody wetland, but is subject to development pressures.
Tinicum Creek Watershed (Bucks County) Besides awe-invoking scenery, Tinicum Creek offers an array of diverse plant communities, creek-inhabiting amphibians, and more than 70 bird species—13 of which are rare or of special concern.
Chester County
Great Marsh (Chester County) This area is the largest, most biologically rich inland freshwater marsh in eastern Pennsylvania. It's also home to 155 bird species, and more than 30 warbler species pass through. There are also opportunities for hiking, canoeing, biking, birding, and hunting. Suburban sprawl is a threat to the area.
North Branch French Creek Watershed (Berks and Chester counties) and Hay Creek Watershed (Berks County) Its 12,000 acres make the Hopewell Big Woods project area the largest block of unfragmented forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. Within the boundaries of these conservation sites, a constellation of ecologically significant but unprotected lands remains in a fairly natural condition.
Lehigh County
Hosensack Swamp (Lehigh County) This 100-acre wetland in the Hosensack Valley contains established populations of rare and endangered animals potentially threatened by nearby industrial development.
Lehigh Canal & Corridor Greenway
Little Lehigh Creek Watershed (Lehigh County) The creek meanders through mostly agricultural lands, which are rapidly being converted to residential development. Since the creek is the sole source of Allentown's drinking water, increased development in the area could bring severe consequences.
Lower Lehigh Valley Reach of the Lehigh River (Northampton & Lehigh counties.), formerly named Lehigh Canal & Corridor Greenway This wild corridor was the cradle of America’s Industrial Revolution, and the historic transportation system it allowed is recognized as a nationally significant landscape story. Although surrounding areas are urban, conservation efforts to preserve the valley’s beauty have been under way for years.
Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed (Lehigh, Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks counties) The watershed is predominantly rolling countryside, mostly rural and agricultural, with scattered development. More than half the area is deciduous forest, evergreen forest, or woody wetland, but is subject to development pressures.
Lancaster County
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (Lancaster and Lebanon counties) Migrating waterfowl, most notably snow geese and tundra swans, use Middle Creek as a critical refuge. Bald eagles, osprey, American bittern, long-eared owls, short-eared owls, barn owls, glossy ibis, and sora are also found here.
Furnace Hills (Lancaster County) About 13,000 of the 31,000 acres in Furnace Hills are protected. The area is home to more than 280 bird and animal species and the historic Horse-Shoe Trail. Its proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike makes it vulnerable to development pressures.
Welsh Mountain (Lancaster County) The long ridge rises about 1,000 feet above Amish farmland and is the home base for several creeks, including Pequea Creek, a stream deemed high quality by the state. Money Rocks, a new county park in the Welsh Mountains, is rich with area history, hiking trails, natural areas, and scenic views.
Schuylkill River Watershed (Berks and Montgomery counties) The main stem of the Schuylkill River is a critical greenway element in the Schuylkill Watershed. It's a major component of the natural lands network that functions to support life, facilitate wildlife and migrations, and maximize and sustain native biodiversity across the region.
Lebanon County
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
Montgomery County
Spring Mountain (Montgomery County) The Spring Mountain Woods has high scenic value and provides a good buffer for the Perkiomen Creek. It is also the documented breeding site for animal species of special concern.
Stone Hill (Montgomery County) Stone Hill is the beginning of a wooded landscape that densely covers townships in Montgomery County and a portion of Bucks County. Several priority sites were identified here by the Montgomery County Natural Areas Inventory.
Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed (Lehigh, Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks counties) The watershed is predominantly rolling countryside, mostly rural and agricultural, with scattered development. More than half the area is deciduous forest, evergreen forest, or woody wetland, but is subject to development pressures.
Unami Hills and Ridge Valley Creek (Montgomery and Bucks counties) The rocky, wooded ridges of the hills form a conspicuous band of forest 2 to 3 miles wide. This area also provides important habitat for birds, such as pileated woodpeckers and songbirds.
Northampton Country
Bougher Hill (Northampton County) Meadows, forested rocky ridges, woodlands, and springs make up the site of the Mariton Wildlife Preserve, home to woodland birds and amphibian breeding areas. The preserve also features a nature center and a spectacular view of the Delaware River.
Lehigh Canal & Corridor Greenway
Stouts Valley (Northampton County) Stouts Valley, approximately 5 miles long by 2 miles wide, is with fertile soil and rolling agricultural landscapes of Pennsylvania German farms, but is struggling to maintain its splendor due to development pressure.
South Mountain Preserve (Northampton County) The 45 miles of beautiful hills the locals dub "South Mountain" are wooded and rolling, with some cleared areas used for farming and increasing residential development. Photo courtesy of Tom Gettings
Lower Lehigh Valley Reach of the Lehigh River (Northampton & Lehigh counties.), formerly named Lehigh Canal & Corridor Greenway This wild corridor was the cradle of America’s Industrial Revolution, and the historic transportation system it allowed is recognized as a nationally significant landscape story. Although surrounding areas are urban, conservation efforts to preserve the valley’s beauty have been under way for years.
