This 16-acre farm along the Kittatinny Ridge in Union Township has been in the Minnich family for more than 100 years.
Now the property will be conserved by The Lebanon Valley Conservancy (TLVC) so that this land, located on Suedberg Road alongside Swatara State Park, remains in an undeveloped and wooded state.
“This property has a mature wooded area that provides habitat for wildlife like deer and owls,” said Courtney Reimann, land protection director for TLVC, in a press release.
“The farm is important for conservation in Lebanon County as it falls within the Kittatinny Ridge, a vital corridor for both wildlife and people.”
Through the press release, Albert Minnich relayed memories of his time living on the farm.
“I remember when the area was mostly undeveloped and I would walk over the mountain with my friends to spend the day at Boxcar Rocks,” said Minnich.
Read More: At the top of the county, the magnificent Boxcar Rocks are one of Lebanon’s best hiking spots
After seeing a surge of development in Union Township, he felt a desire to ensure the farm remained undeveloped.
“As a land trust, we were able to protect this land and provide Mr. Minnich with peace of mind that the land would be preserved into the future,” said Reimann.
In addition to the Minnich’s partnership with TLVC, the conservancy also received a $10,000 donation from the TLVC received a $10,000 donation from the Katherine J. Bishop Fund #2, a charitable fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.
“This generous gift will make it possible for us to better meet the needs of landowners seeking conservation, like Mr. Minnich,” said Reimann.
Long-term costs associated with the preservation of a property can include stewardship fees and legal defense of conservation easements.
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