Lancaster County Conservancy

Filing Period

Jan 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010

Signed

Aug 3, 2011

Return Version

2010v3.4

Gross Receipts

$9,975,361

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Land stewardship-lands owned by the conservancy are managed and maintained in accordance with the wishes of the donor or based upon best management practices as defined through the comprehensive management plan prepared for each preserve. Conservancy preserves are open to the public free of charge for compatible activities including hiking, nature walks, passive recreation, and educational activities. Many preserves are open for hunting under an agreement with the pa game commission. The conservancy is able to provide safe and enjoyable opportunities to the public while ensuring the protection of the natural resources for which the property is protected. Conservancy staff monitors conservation easements annually and prepares reports, updates natural resource inventories for the parcels and enforces the terms of the conservation easement as necessary. This involves communication with the underlying landowners and making recommendations for improved property and habitat management as appropriate. A large group of volunteers assists the staff with work activities and monitoring. The organization raises funds and hires a summer crew of high school and college students who work under the direction of stewardship staff and hired crew chiefs. The students work hard but also learn about working in nature, preparing natural resource inventories, learn about gps mapping and other subjects that will help gain experience for future career work in the field of natural resource management and protection.

Activity 3

Education- the conservancy's education program components including publications/web site, general programs and events, and school-based programs. Publications include a quarterly newsletter, e-newsletter and annual report, and preserve guide. The organization maintains and updates its web site regularly to provide information on the preserves and activities. The conservancy operates an education program to assist school districts in meeting the state department of education standards for environment and ecology. Using the conservancy's preserves as outdoor classrooms, classes from six different school districts are using the preserves to engage students and teachers in the study of natural sciences and ecology. In 2008, the conservancy initiated the development of project footprint, a web-based program to be used in schools to teach students about global climate change and ways that students, families and schools can reduce their carbon footprint and improve environmental quality in their neighborhoods.

Filer

EIN

23-7046908