Nat. Lands Trust Gets $1.5M To Conserve 500 Chester County Acres

The Natural Lands Trust has received more than $1.5 million in state grants for the acquisition of two properties which will conserve a massive swath of land in Chester County.

The properties include 442 acres in West Vincent and West Pikeland, and another 57 acres in Wallace Township, according to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The grants were a part of Gov. Tom Wolf's announcement last week that $44 million would be invested in 266 recreation and community revitalization projects statewide.

“Communities go from good to great when they provide residents and visitors with parks and trails, access to waterways, and opportunities for healthy outdoor activity,” Governor Wolf said in a statement. “This $44 million in grants will support communities throughout Pennsylvania working to protect and improve natural amenities for our citizens.”

The Natural Lands Trust, a major environmental nonprofit and land agency in southeastern Pennsylvania, will receive $1 million to acquire 442 acres along Saint Matthews Road in both West Vincent and West Pikeland. The land will create the new Bryn Coed Preserve.

The Trust also received $594,500 to purchase 57 acres on Chalfont Road in Wallace Township, to add on to Marsh Creek State Park. The property will used for "passive" recreation like hiking, biking, and canoeing.

All told, 49 trail projects, 14 river conservation projects, and more than 100 park facility projects were funded. The new funding protects 8,000 additional acres of open space statewide, the governor's office said.

Photo courtesy of MD Environmental Trust