Saving a Kittatinny Forest for People and Songbirds

Breinig property along the Kittatinny Ridge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA, Pa., May 13, 2025 – Natural Lands announced today the permanent preservation of a small but important property in Lynn Township, Lehigh County. The forested tract will protect scenic views from the Appalachian Trail and offers essential habitat for birds and other wildlife.

“The property is located within the state-designated Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, which is a globally Important Bird Area that includes 160 miles of the Appalachian Trail,” said Jack Stefferud, senior advisor of land protection.

While only 7.27 acres in size, the parcel was an in-holding of the 8,513-acre PA State Game Lands No. 217—essentially a vulnerable hole in a forested landscape. Were it to have been developed, it would have fractured the contiguous forest cover that is so essential to neotropical migratory songbirds like Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, and Cerulean Warbler, among others. These colorful birds—all of which are species of concern—migrate between the northern and southern hemispheres, breeding in the northern regions and wintering in the tropics. Researchers believe the greatest draw to neotropical migrants is the abundance of insects available in our region in spring and summer, insects that are present because of native tree species in forests like those of the Kittatinny Ridge.

Natural Lands purchased the property and transferred it to the PA Game Commission.

“The Game Commission is pleased to partner with Natural Lands to conserve forested habitat in the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape along the Blue Mountain,” said Tim Haydt, bureau director for Habitat Management. “This area of Pennsylvania is an important wildlife habitat connectivity corridor with State Game Lands comprising a large portion of protected lands. The parcel will also create additional access for State Game Lands No. 217 users via Gun Club Road.”

He added, “Natural Lands is adept at leveraging land acquisition grants to help the Game Commission purchase properties in the southeast part of Pennsylvania where prices are often out of reach. This effort is appreciated by hunters, trappers, and wildlife enthusiasts throughout the Commonwealth.”

Natural Lands received funding to underwrite this conservation project from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which seeks to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation within the Appalachian Trail Landscape; Constellation Energy Generation through the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund and the Delaware River Basin Commission; the PA Game Commission; and Dana and Linnea Warren.

“The newly conserved land is less than half a mile from the Appalachian Trail, and its protection will help preserve a forest block that connects critical habitat for wildlife, ensures the Trail’s scenic quality, and ultimately safeguards that A.T. Experience,” said Katie Hess, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Pennsylvania conservation landscape director. “Supporting local conservation actions by our partners like Natural Land’s is essential to keeping the trail and its landscape alive.”

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