|
|
The Lebanon Valley Conservancy--"preserving
our natural heritage"
Our Mission (Presentation):
The Lebanon Valley Conservancy is
a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote
the conservation and preservation of the unique cultural, historical
and natural resources of our region, for the benefit of present
and future generations.
We were first formed in 2000 by a group of dedicated individuals
representing various conservation organizations and groups that
actively protect natural habitats, historic resources and farmland
in Lebanon County. Their common vision was to create an affiliation
whose mission is to promote the conservation of natural resources,
open spaces and agricultural lands through public awareness, education
and scientific research. In cooperation with neighboring conservancies
and trusts as well as local and state governments, the Lebanon
Valley Conservancy seeks to preserve Lebanon's unique qualities
for the benefit of all.
Our purpose is urgent: Did you know that Pennsylvania's population
grew by 2.5% between 1982 and 1997, but its urbanized footprint
grew by 47% over that time? That means that the third slowest growing
state in the country developed the sixth largest amount of land.
The state is squandering a key resource of competitive advantage:
its superb natural resources.*
Simply said, productive farmland and open space is being lost to
sprawling development...away from our urban centers and into our
countryside.
(*Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania-Brookings
Institute-December 2003)
What can you do? Good intentions are not enough. By joining together,
we can be proactive in determining what the Lebanon Valley will
look like today and tomorrow. We can...
- Promote efficient development in and around existing communities
- Preserve the familiar landscapes that give our community
character
- Ensure that our children's quality of life will be as rewarding
as ours
Protecting farmland and other significant open spaces assures locally
grown food, safeguards the environment, contributes to the local
economy and keeps property taxes down.*
(*American Farmland Trust)
The Lebanon Valley Conservancy is a member of the Land Trust Alliance,
the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and the Lebanon Valley
Chamber of Commerce.
|
