Land Conservation
ClearWater Conservancy's Land Conservation Program seeks to balance the rapid growth of central Pennsylvania with the conservation of important ecological, cultural, and historic places. We work with landowners and managers to determine appropriate conservation methods, including land management recommendations, conservation easements, and land acquisition.
This cooperative project protects the water, habitat, and agricultural resources on the property. The Potters granted a conservation easement to ClearWater Conservancy in September 2003, protecting water and habitat resources on 81 acres of the property. The property's agricultural resources are protected through an agricultural easement with the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The project was a three-year collaboration among the landowners, ClearWater Conservancy, Centre County government, PA Fish and Boat Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The 197-acre property contains the Potter Brook tributary of Cedar Run, a cold water fishery that converges with Spring Creek, and six wetland areas. Three of the wetlands are associated with spring seeps in the wooded northern portion of the site. The other three springs form an interconnected wetland and stream complex along a section adjacent to the Potter home and farm buildings. The wetlands provide for wildlife habitat and sediment/toxicant retention and nutrient removal.
The
forested, undeveloped slopes of the property exemplify the local character of
central Pennsylvania, which is characterized by wooded slopes and open valleys.
The Spring Creek Rivers Conservation Plan states that “forested mountain
slopes are among the most important scenic resources of the watershed”. It
describes the route between Oak Hall and Centre Hall along Brush Valley Road as
”charming and delightful. Views of historic farms and streamside pastures, with
forested Mount Nittany in the background, illustrate the agricultural landscape
that once dominated our region” . The property is visible from Route 192 (Brush
Valley Road).
Read our Stories of Land, Water, & People... Preserving Potter Farm
Read the PA Land Trust Association's "In Their Own Words"... A Gift to the Community by Taylor Potter