Izaak Walton League and Lebanon Valley Conservancy celebrate permanent protection of land within the Kittatinny Corridor

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Members of the Izaak Walton League, Lebanon Valley Conservancy and the Kittatinny Coalition as well as elected officials and various landowners within the Kittatinny Corridor gathered last evening to celebrate the permanent protection of the forested 39.96-acre Izaak Walton League property.  Now under conservation easement through the work of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, this parcel at the base of the Kittatinny Ridge within a few miles of the Appalachian Trail crossing at Swatara Gap includes significant ecological and recreational resources: wildlife habitat, riparian area, vernal ponds, serves as a buffer to canoe recreational access to the Swatara Creek and facilitates protection of the planned Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Corridor through to Swatara State Park.

Audubon PA presents Galen Kleinfelter of Izaak Walton League 
with Kittatinny Ridge print

See article in the Lebanon Daily News here: Environmental groups preserve land in Union Township and more photos of the celebration here on Facebook.  About 50 invited attendees learned more about the history and conservation values of the property, conservation efforts in Lebanon County and within the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor.  Audubon PA and Appalachian Trail Conservancy reps made a brief presentation about the conservation values of the Kittatinny and its significance to the Appalachian Trail experience.  Multiple landowners signed up with the Kittatinny Ridge land registry, a program by Audubon PA to increase awareness of conservation options amongst landowners with high conservation-value properties. 

Elk Chili from nearby Woods Creek Grill was enjoyed by all.  Congratulations to the Lebanon Valley Conservancy and the Izaak Walton League for their continued efforts to preserve the Kittatinny Ridge landscape in Lebanon County!

The celebration took place under IWL's pavilion next to Swatara Creek.

Regal Fritillary Grassland Tours coming up at Fort Indiantown Gap

Source: milvet.state.pa.us/DMVA/

You have probably heard of Fort Indiantown Gap’s famous “butterfly”…now is your chance to see it up close and personal. The public is invited to tour Regal Fritillary habitat in an area normally closed to the public and learn how the conservation efforts for this species of concern are balanced with military training.  2012 Regal Fritillary Habitat Tours are being held on June 30, July 1, July 6 and July 7.  Tours start at 10am.  For more information, visit Fort Indiantown Gap's Regal Fritillary web site.

“The Regal Fritillary butterfly colony at Fort Indiantown Gap continues to thrive alongside military training equipment thanks to our dedicated wildlife staff,” said Col. Samuel Hayes, commander of the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Site. “These tours are popular for visitors of all ages because participants are able to see and learn about the butterfly in its natural habitat.”  View a Regal Fritillary fact sheet.