Key Property to Be Preserved in Bucks and Northampton Counties

This tributary of Cooks Creek runs through the Seifert-Ray property.

In June, Heritage Conservancy received a $215,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that will allow us to buy a conservation easement on over 20 acres of prime real estate in Bucks and Northampton Counties.

For almost 5 years, Heritage Conservancy has been working with the landowners, David Seifert and Laura Ray, to secure the necessary funding. In addition to the $215,000 grant from DCNR, funds were generously provided through the Open Space programs of Lower Saucon Township, Bucks County, and Northampton County. Heritage Conservancy will also contribute $40,000 to the purchase of the easement.

This is an important parcel of land because it contains the headwaters of Cooks Creek and is part of the source water protection area for Springtown, in Springfield Township, Bucks County. Much of it is open space located along the road front, making it prime real estate ripe for development. The property is located in the Cooks Creek Watershed, which has been identified as one of seven regional Lasting Landscapes® by Heritage Conservancy and as a "first priority site" in the Bucks County Natural Areas Inventory.

The DCNR funds were awarded in June 2006 as part of "Growing Greener II," a state program designed to "protect and restore our natural resources so we can revitalize Pennsylvania's economy and improve our quality of life." Read more about Growing Greener II.