Preserving Key Acreage in East Bradford Township, Chester County

MEDIA, Pa., January 5, 2026 – Natural Lands announced today the permanent preservation of a 23.4-acre property in East Bradford Township, Chester County. The land, now protected under a conservation easement held by Natural Lands, is connected to hundreds of acres of open space, offering important contiguous habitat to wildlife.

“We are grateful to the landowners, who wish to remain anonymous, for their generous donation of a conservation easement on their property and to East Bradford Township for their enthusiastic support of this project,” said Sarah Turner, land protection project manager for Natural Lands. “Conservation of this beautiful property increases the acreage of protected open space in East Bradford Township, helping to ensure the area’s natural and scenic values are protected in perpetuity.”

An easement is a legally binding agreement that keeps land in private ownership while ensuring it is conserved from development. It applies to present and future owners of the land. Natural Lands currently holds 500+ easements on more than 26,000 acres and monitors these properties regularly to ensure the terms of the easements are being upheld.

Natural Lands’ 571-acre Stroud Preserve is located less than a half of a mile from the now-conserved land. The organization’s most recent strategic plan, entitled Thriving Nature, Thriving Communities, Thriving Organization, includes goals to protect special places that provide conservation benefit and cultural significance to the community. Natural Lands’ nature preserves are just such places, and the plan calls for preservation of land adjacent to and nearby existing nature preserves, a goal that this conservation easement meets. Natural Lands’ strategic plan will guide the nonprofit’s priorities through 2030 and can be viewed at natlands.org/strategicplan.

The property was identified by East Bradford Township as a conservation priority in their 2016 comprehensive plan, and they are an enthusiastic partner in seeing this property conserved.
“East Bradford Township is proud to partner with Natural Lands to permanently protect more than 23 acres in the western portion of the township,” said Mandie Cantlin, township manager. “This conservation easement reflects our shared commitment to preserving open space, protecting natural resources, and ensuring that this land remains protected for the benefit of future generations.”

The landowners donated to value of the conservation easement and East Bradford Township covered Natural Lands’ expenses as well as a $20,000 contribution to the easement stewardship fund, which underwrites Natural Lands’ costs to monitor and manage the easement in perpetuity.

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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