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We are grateful to The Hershey Nursery for sponsoring this web site
The Manada Conservancy is a land trust--a local, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural, historic,agricultural and scenic resources of the Manada and Swatara Creek basins in Pennsylvania's Dauphin and Lebanon Counties.
The watersheds of the Manada and Swatara Creeks in Dauphin and Lebanon Counties contain precious natural, historic, agricultural and scenic resources that have helped to define the character of this region. Their continued existence holds the hope of a sustainable balance between the short term needs of the people who live here, long term needs of the generations to come, and the health of the ecosystem. These resources are being fragmented, destroyed and utilized in an unplanned fashion, with little or no vision of future consequences. There are numerous organizations that have made heartening inroads toward the solutions to these problems elsewhere. The Manada Conservancy focuses on our local area and its members are familiar with the specific needs and pressures on land in our local regions.
Our primary focus is on East, West and South Hanover Townships, Derry, Conewago and Londonderry Townships in Dauphin County, and East Hanover Township in Lebanon County.
It is difficult for government to move quickly enough to protect important resources. A Land Trust is an organizaiton with preservation as its central purpose. Land Trusts can work with landowners to voluntarily protect their land through acquisition of easements, acceptance of land donations or by outright purchase. The Conservancy can also cooperate with government agencies and private organizations to protect land.
Local conservation organizations can serve as a source for easily accessible information and programs geared to local preservation projects.
There are over 900 land trusts in the U.S. and they have protected more than 2 million acres. This includes farms, wetlands, wildlife habitat, urban gardens and parks, forests, coastlines, river corridors and trails. New land trusts are springing up and more land is being protected every day.
Work with existing involved agencies to assist in the acquisition of easements or land along the proposed Swatara Creek Greenway.
Work with area farmers to help them take advantage of the State Agricultural Preservation program, or other compensation programs.
Acquaint landowners with alternative preservation techniques such as conservation easement donations.
Work with local historical societies to assist in the identification and preservation of important historical and archaeological sites.
Purchase or protect high priority environmentally sensitive land when possible.
Strive to establish an endowment to attempt to meet growing demands.
The Conservancy relies on memberships and donations for its operating budget and on time donated by members and friends for its day to day operations. We apply for grants from government and private foundations for both land protection and educational projects. Grants that we have received to date have provided valuable resources to advance a number of our programs. The level of local financial support is the main determinant of how much can be accomplished.
Donate a Conservation Easement - Protecting the conservation value of your land is a gift to the future. The value of the easement is often tax deductible. Click here for more information, or call 717 566-4122.
Donate Land - Land with conservation value will be protected according to your wishes. You may also donate land which we can use as an asset. The market value of the land is often tax deductible. Click here for more information or call us.
Donate Funds - Your financial support keeps us working. Visit our donation page here.
©The Manada Conservancy 1998-2008; All Rights Reserved.
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