P.O. Box 215
Kemblesville, Pennsylvania 19347-0215
Phone:
610-255-0388 Fax: 610-255-3542
MISSION
The London Britain
Township Land Trust
is incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania exclusively for charitable and eductaional purposes as
defined
and limited by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The
Trust's mission is to:
1. Serve the needs of London Britain Township (LBT) in the preservation, conservation, and stewardship of historic sites and open space, including important agriculturally productive lands and natural areas;
2. Assist the LBT Board of Supervisors and the LBT Planning Commission in decisions regarding open space planning and land acquisition;
3. Assist landowners in London Britain Township who wish to pursue conservation objectives in their plans for their properties;
4. Establish an endowment fund to provide operating revenue for acquisition of land and interest in land, and for stewardship and planning activities;
5. Provide liaison with environmental, agricultural, conservation and historic preservation organizations and promote the services each organization offers;
6. Acquire land in fee, purchase development rights, and accept lands and conservation easements from donors, including developers, that are required to set aside lands by subdivision or land development regulations;
7. Establish management procedures with homeowners associations;
8. Work with LBT staff in efforts to better manage and improve existing open space areas and greenways.
1. Serve the needs of London Britain Township (LBT) in the preservation, conservation, and stewardship of historic sites and open space, including important agriculturally productive lands and natural areas;
2. Assist the LBT Board of Supervisors and the LBT Planning Commission in decisions regarding open space planning and land acquisition;
3. Assist landowners in London Britain Township who wish to pursue conservation objectives in their plans for their properties;
4. Establish an endowment fund to provide operating revenue for acquisition of land and interest in land, and for stewardship and planning activities;
5. Provide liaison with environmental, agricultural, conservation and historic preservation organizations and promote the services each organization offers;
6. Acquire land in fee, purchase development rights, and accept lands and conservation easements from donors, including developers, that are required to set aside lands by subdivision or land development regulations;
7. Establish management procedures with homeowners associations;
8. Work with LBT staff in efforts to better manage and improve existing open space areas and greenways.
“No
Park is an Island”
Public
lands and the community mutually benefit each other. The land
choices which we make today will have a long-term impact on the
aesthetics and ecology of the land which we leave to future
generations. These decisions must be made to protect natural
resources, educational and recreational opportunities, land value,
historic character, and economic stability. This stewardship is
the responsibility of every citizen.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) owns 2.4 million of the 29 million acres in the state. The Department has established models for long term sustainability and use of the land, but local communities and citizens must actively participate. Private land owners control more than 90% of land in the state and can immeasurably enhance the benefit of public land. Wildlife corridors and habitat, view sheds, woodlands, wetlands, groundwater, and other natural resources are all affected by the choices of individual land owners and municipalities. Since William Penn’s arrival in Pennsylvania, we have lost 56% of our wetlands, which remove pollutants and protect biological diversity. Invasive plants and over grazing/browsing, and new plant diseases are three of the reasons that half of Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres of woodlands are not regenerating. 156 plant and animal species have been lost, including the passenger pigeon, woods bison, blue pike, and white lady’s slipper. It is encouraging, however, that one 50-year-old urban tree can provide about $250/yr in economic benefits: erosion and pollution control, cooling, wildlife shelter, and enhanced property value.
Open space initiatives are not anti-development. They aim to “creatively accommodate growth while preserving the interconnectedness of open space” (Growing Greener). Developers will benefit from enhanced property value in more sustainable landscapes.
Our Land Trust exists to educate landowners so that they are able to make informed land choices. We recognize that local land use impacts the natural resources of adjacent and far reaching populations of plants, animals, and people. As a community, we are the stewards of them all.
Source: Pennsylvania Land Choices, an Educational Guide, produced by DCNR in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, March 2009.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) owns 2.4 million of the 29 million acres in the state. The Department has established models for long term sustainability and use of the land, but local communities and citizens must actively participate. Private land owners control more than 90% of land in the state and can immeasurably enhance the benefit of public land. Wildlife corridors and habitat, view sheds, woodlands, wetlands, groundwater, and other natural resources are all affected by the choices of individual land owners and municipalities. Since William Penn’s arrival in Pennsylvania, we have lost 56% of our wetlands, which remove pollutants and protect biological diversity. Invasive plants and over grazing/browsing, and new plant diseases are three of the reasons that half of Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres of woodlands are not regenerating. 156 plant and animal species have been lost, including the passenger pigeon, woods bison, blue pike, and white lady’s slipper. It is encouraging, however, that one 50-year-old urban tree can provide about $250/yr in economic benefits: erosion and pollution control, cooling, wildlife shelter, and enhanced property value.
Open space initiatives are not anti-development. They aim to “creatively accommodate growth while preserving the interconnectedness of open space” (Growing Greener). Developers will benefit from enhanced property value in more sustainable landscapes.
Our Land Trust exists to educate landowners so that they are able to make informed land choices. We recognize that local land use impacts the natural resources of adjacent and far reaching populations of plants, animals, and people. As a community, we are the stewards of them all.
Source: Pennsylvania Land Choices, an Educational Guide, produced by DCNR in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, March 2009.