Richard King Mellon Foundation Gives $2 Million to Preserve Tree Farm #1 Property in Adams County, Pa

To date nearly half of the funds have been raised for the property’s permanent protection

June 18, 2008

Contact:
Vanessa Vaughan, The Conservation Fund, 703.908.5809

Harrisburg, PA – The Conservation Fund announced today that it received a grant for $2 million from the Pittsburgh-based Richard King Mellon Foundation. The grant will go toward the preservation of the Tree Farm #1 property in Hamiltonban Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania.

In March, the Fund provided critical “bridge” financing for the $12.5 million purchase from the Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company. The Fund has agreed to hold the property until other public and private funding can be raised to transfer the land to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an addition to the Michaux State Forest. Governor Edward G. Rendell announced last month that the state will invest $4 million, bringing the total funds raised to $6 million.

“This $2 million grant represents another milestone in our effort to fund the purchase of Tree Farm #1,” said Todd McNew, Pennsylvania representative for The Conservation Fund. “Thanks to the Richard King Mellon Foundation, we are a lot closer today than we were yesterday. We look forward to working with the citizens of Adams County and other partners to help us get across the finish line.”

The Fund is now part of a coalition including federal partners, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Adams County, townships and boroughs throughout the region, nonprofits such as the Land Conservancy of Adams County and The Nature Conservancy, and local citizens that are working to raise the rest of the purchase price and project costs by the end of 2008.

The 2,500-acre property abuts Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, serves as a buffer to the popular Appalachian Trail corridor and lies within the viewshed of Gettysburg National Park. It is at the headwaters of Adams County’s water supply and its protection will help provide clean air and water to county residents.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is the nation's foremost environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting America's land and water legacy for current and future generations. Seeking innovative conservation solutions for the 21st century, the Fund works to integrate economic and environmental goals. Since its founding in 1985, the Fund has helped its partners safeguard wildlife habitat, working landscapes, community “greenspace” and historic sites totaling more than 6 million acres. With 1% fundraising costs and 97% program allocation, The Conservation Fund is recognized as the nation's top-rated environmental nonprofit by both the American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator.

http://www.conservationfund.org

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