Preserving 154 Acres of Forest Along the Kittatinny Ridge

A man walks along a trail into a green woodland at Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Protective Association, Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County

MEDIA, Pa., October 6, 2025 – Natural Lands announced today the permanent protection of a 154-acre wooded property in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County. The land is owned by the Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Protective Association (MSPA) and is now under conservation easement, in partnership with Silver Spring Township, ensuring the beauty and ecological value of the forests remain forever.

The MSPA property lies about one-quarter mile south of Blue Mountain and is part of the Kittatinny Ridge complex. Kittatinny means “endless mountain” in Lenape, the tribe of Native people who once inhabited the region. The Kittatinny Ridge is a Globally Important Bird Area and a migration corridor for tens-of-thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons each spring and fall. Other species migrate through, and use the MSPA property, including Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies, and mammals like black bear and bobcat.

“Scientists have identified the Kittatinny Ridge as one of the most resilient landscapes in the state for adapting to climate change,” said Todd Sampsell, vice president of conservation for Natural Lands. “This forested corridor is like a biodiverse superhighway that allows wildlife to move safely within and between areas to escape rising temperatures, floodwaters, or drought. It’s critical to the future of hundreds of species.”

The vast majority of the MSPA property is forested and includes 3.1 miles of unnamed tributaries to Simmons Creek and ultimately the locally important Conodoguinet Creek, all of them designated by the PA Department of Environmental Conservation as “Warm Water Fisheries.” Their clear waters support fish and additional plant and animal species that rely on warm water habitat.

For the past 76 years, the land has been owned and managed as a sportsmen’s recreation club. The MSPA will continue to own the land, but the conservation easement—a permanent, legally binding agreement—restricts development and future use of the land.

“Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Protective Association is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural resources, wildlife habitats, and outdoors heritage,” said Denny Filmore, president of MSPA. “We have done much in the past seven decades to further that mission as best we can. One of our primary concerns now is the preservation of not only our own wooded property, but the continuing efforts locally to protect and preserve as much land in its natural state as is possible in these times of increasing demands for development.”

Land preservation has become an increasing priority in Cumberland County, PA, where residential and commercial development—especially for large warehouses—is putting steady pressure on what’s left of the rural landscape. In response, Silver Spring Township launched its Land Preservation Program, funded by an earned income tax of residents, which—with the addition of the MSPA property—has preserved more than 1,000 acres of open space in the community.

In 2013, Silver Spring Township residents voted for an open space fund, which was used to underwrite all costs for this conservation project.

“Preserving the Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Club isn’t just a win for conservation—it’s the milestone that pushed Silver Spring Township past 1,000 acres of permanently preserved land,” said Laura Brown, Silver Spring Township supervisor. “This stunning woodland property, with its nationally recognized archery courses and abundant streams running throughout, is now protected for future generations of local residents and visiting sportsmen alike.”

Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone.  As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands—which is member supported—has preserved more than 136,600 acres, including 40+ nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,600 acres. About five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.

Please note: “Natural Lands” is the organization’s official operating name and should be used instead of its legal designation (Natural Lands Trust, Inc.).

Media Inquiries:

Kit Werner, Senior Director of Communications
610-353-5587 ext. 267

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