Watershed Land Protection

Dive into a captivating journey through the heart of the Schuylkill Highlands, along the banks and within the tributaries of the majestic Schuylkill River. This curated series of videos highlights the transformative power of collective action and the importance of preserving open spaces in our watershed for a myriad of benefits to wildlife and our communities. Join us on this journey through the Schuylkill Highlands and discover how you can play a pivotal role in safeguarding the natural wonders of the Schuylkill Highlands and beyond.

One of the greatest threats to the Schuylkill River Watershed is the loss of open space. When undeveloped land is converted to hardscapes such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, water quality is impacted by both the introduction of new pollutants and a loss of the watershed's filtering capacity. Natural lands serve as a filter, removing pollutants before they enter waterways. Based on some projections, development is expected to increase by 40% in the Schuylkill River Watershed. The Watershed Land Collaborative Workgroup works with key stakeholders to implement conservation projects on high quality lands. By preserving high quality lands throughout the watershed, the workgroup is protecting water quality.

To learn about the economic benefits of protecting open space in Southeastern Pennsylvania, click here.

Interested in learning how to preserve land? Check out the resources below and connect with a land trust near you:

Chester County Planning Commission "Return on Environment"

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC): Open Space Planning

Montgomery County Open Space Program

Schuylkill County Agricultural Land Preservation Program

Berks Nature "Protect Your Land" Conservation Easements

French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

Natural Lands: Saving Open Space 

Case studies of collaborative models for protecting conservation landscapes in Pennsylvania can be found by reading 2019 Pennsylvania Conservation Landscapes: Models for Collaboration.