Land conservation is a hot topic in our region as we continue to see heavy development pressure throughout Chester County. When we hear discussions about protecting open space, we often think and hear primarily about large parcels such as those being turned into townhouse communities and warehouse space. These spaces make up those scenic viewsheds of woods and farmland that we drive by on a regular basis. What is equally important though are the small to medium sized parcels that still exist throughout our township.
Preserving a smaller parcel can lead to preserving the neighboring parcel and so on down a line to create a conservation corridor. Conservation corridors may take years to cobble together, but often result in several hundred acres of protected land despite being done over the course of five to ten projects rather than one to two large ones. Regardless, they still result in a conserved landscape providing the same benefits as a larger preservation project. A stretch of woodland, stream corridor, riparian buffer can be protected whether it is done in one or more projects.
One of the key things to remember is that the amount of development a parcel can have is determined by township zoning ordinances. If you own a 10-acre parcel of woodland, you may expect that no one would ever look at it and think it could be developed. But then you realize that you are in one-acre zoning. This means that by right, someone could create up to 10 one-acre lots. The amount of space needed for drives and homes would lead to fragmentation of that beautiful woodland that you enjoy from your back deck or out your kitchen windows. That woodland provides homes and food for countless living things and helps keep our temperatures lower than in urban areas and ensures we have clean air and water. Then when you consider that the woodland spans your neighbor’s eight acres and the next landowner’s twelve acres, you start to see the benefits of protecting them as part of a larger conservation corridor. If you and your neighbors all protect your properties, that would be a thirty-acre conservation corridor where the woodland would be protected in perpetuity!
Conservation easements allow landowners to continue to use their property as they do now while placing restrictions on activities that may impact those critical natural resources such as woodlands, wetlands, and stream corridors. Conservation easements do allow agricultural activities so if you have the acreage for a horse or an open meadow that you have hayed twice a year, these practices could continue.
If you think you have a property worth conserving, feel free to reach out to the Township or a local land trust organization:
- Brandywine Conservancy – 610-388-2700
- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance - 610-793-1090
- Natural Lands - 610-353-5587
You can also come to a Land Preservation and Sustainability committee meeting. We meet on the first Monday of the month at 7 pm and guests are welcome!
