Lamont McClure announces that, on May 10, 2021, Heritage Conservancy, Williams Township, and Northampton County signed a Conservation Easement with the owners Walter and Ligaya Russell to preserve their Williams Township property. A Conservation Easement was placed on their 29.244 acres to conserve the headwaters to the Frys Run Watershed, forested riparian buffers, woodlands, fields, native grassland meadows, and an organic fruit tree orchard.

The holder of the conservation easement is the Doylestown based Heritage Conservancy, the co-holder is Williams Township, and the beneficiary is Northampton County. The holders of the easement will conduct annual monitoring to uphold the conservation goals of the easement.

The Conservation Easement supports the goals of William Township’s Open Space Program due to the increased threat of development, conserving contiguous woodlands, and connecting important natural areas of wildlife habitat, water quality, vernal pools, and scenic view-scapes. It preserves the rural character of Williams Township and the PA Highlands within the Delaware River Watershed.

Williams Township, on behalf of Heritage Conservancy, was awarded a Livable Landscape Grant to assist with the conservation easement as matching funds to their open space program to purchase the development rights to conserve the land in perpetuity.

“The future of Northampton County is green,” says Lamont McClure. “Easements like this help ensure that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same access to nature as the current generation. It is a wonderful partnership to work with the landowners in support of open space and conservation.”

Sherry Acevedo, Conservation Coordinator stated “The Russell property conservation easement supports the goals of the County’s Livable Landscapes Plan by protecting the high conservation valued natural resources. Thank you to the Russells for advancing conservation goals on their property as a legacy to retain the rural character of Williams Township.”

“For nearly 15 years, Heritage Conservancy has worked with Williams Township to preserve some of the township’s most ecologically diverse and scenic agricultural properties. The partnership we have formed over the years is greatly valued,” said Laura Baird-Bower, Senior Land Conservationist for Heritage Conservancy. “With the added opportunities of Northampton County Open Space funding, we will have the ability to protect more beautiful open spaces like the Russell Property.”

 
 
Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

---