Wildlands Conservancy announced it received a conservation easement for 28 acres of high-value woodland, field and stream habitat in Moore Township.

The property, owned by John and Veronica Kostenbader, is immediately adjacent and to the north of the 41-acre Groff family easement that was secured in 2011 to permanently protect woodland and Bushkill Creek habitat at the foot of the Kittatinny Ridge (Blue Mountain).

"The actions of the Groffs and now the Kostenbaders so much embody the spirit of what we as a land trust aim to accomplish," said Christopher Kocher, president of Wildlands. "We're grateful to have both families share in our vision and to expand our land protection focus in and near Blue Mountain."

Funding from Moore Township and Northampton County enabled Wildlands to successfully negotiate the acquisition of a conservation easement from the Kostenbader family.

To date, Wildlands holds conservation easements on more than 7,400 acres of natural areas and owns and manages nine nature preserves totaling more than 2,600 acres. Since 1973, the land trust has protected more than 50,000 acres within eastern Pennsylvania.

Wildlands Conservancy's mission is to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways, and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.

Founded in 1973, Wildlands has protected more than 50,000 acres of eastern Pennsylvania's farmland and wild lands, created more than 90 miles of terrestrial aquatic trails, and has educated more than 500,000 individuals on responsible environmental stewardship and management.

Wildlands Conservancy is a nonprofit organization with 17 full-time staff members working out of its offices at the 77.5-acre Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus. For more information on the organization and its programs visit www.wildlandspa. org.