June 24, 2025

The Land Assessment to Conserve Water Resources in the Pennsylvania Highlands

The Land Assessment to Conserve Water Resources in the Pennsylvania Highlands project is live! This project focuses on providing key resource information to protect a watershed’s ability to produce clean water by incorporating findings from the National Forests to Faucets 2.0 (F2F2) project, conducted by the USDA Forest Service (USFS), the Open Space Institute (OSI), and the Lancaster Conservancy. The goal is to support our partners in protecting forests to improve water quality through watershed analysis. In addition, environmental risk

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May 21, 2025

Upcoming HCA Boundary Expansion Webinar

The Highlands Conservation Act boundary nearly tripled when it was reauthorized in 2022. When the Highlands Region was originally protected in 2004, it covered 3.5 million acres and 320 municipalities across four states. Now, the boundary is 10.2 million acres and includes 877 towns. A map of the HCA boundary, within Pennsylvania, can be found here. Now, all 877 municipalities are eligible to apply for grant funding that can be used to acquire land for conservation and outdoor recreation

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April 24, 2025

10 Mile Hike in the PA Highlands: A Suggested Itinerary

The Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Hike Challenge begins on May 1st! It’s time to start planning your first hike. While there are many potential routes you can take on the Highlands Trail, but we have some favorite spots. Morlatton Village to French Creek State Park via Schuylkill River Trail and Big Woods Trail (10 miles) This hike begins at the Morlatton Village Trailhead on the Schuylkill River Trail in Douglassville, PA. Spend some time walking through the historic Colonial-era Morlatton Village. The

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February 28, 2025

Historic Bridge Repairs To Cause Temporary Trail Gap

February 28, 2025 Metal Truss Bridge Showcases History, but Needs Modern-Day Repairs The city of Easton, PA has recently announced that long-awaited repairs on the Glendon Hill Bridge are anticipated to begin in June of 2026. The repairs will last just one construction season, during which time the bridge will be closed to public use. This means that both pedestrians and drivers will need to use alternate routes to access areas near the bridge. The Glendon Hill Bridge is a historic metal truss

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February 7, 2025

Discover the Thrill: Exciting Hike Challenge Awaits in the PA Highlands

  Dear Adventure Enthusiasts,    The Hike is ON!                                                                                We are thrilled to invite you to participate in our exciting 7-month Challenge spanning from May-December 2025! Designed to test your limits and ignite your passion for the great outdoors! This summer, we encourage

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Discover the History and Future of Saucon Rail Trail: Linking Communities and Enhancing Outdoor Activities

  Transition from Rails to Trails   Historical Significance of the RailroadLaunched in 1855, the North Pennsylvania Railroad was more than just a pathway for travel; it was central to economic development in Bethlehem, PA, and its neighboring areas. Connecting places like Philadelphia to Bethlehem and the coal-rich north, this railway was instrumental in molding the industrial character of Lower Saucon Township, Hellertown, Upper Saucon Township, and Coopersburg. Over its many years of service, it enabled the flow of goods, people, and ideas,

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November 29, 2024

Under-Resourced Communities and Environmental Justice

The 2024 Highlands Conservation Act grant funding round has a new opportunity this year. This is a pilot opportunity called “Under-Resourced Communities Funding Round.” Using a map that can be found here, users are able to view “Underresourced Communities in the Highlands.” Parcels that qualify for this funding opportunity appear in a teal color. The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide conservation initiatives in areas where they have historically had less conservation initiatives present. The Fish and

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October 30, 2024

The Highlands Conservation Act Turns 20!

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Highlands Conservation Act. Passed on November 30, 2004, the Highlands Conservation Act was based on a study directed by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, otherwise known as the Farm Bill. Section 1244 directed a study that would focus on how to maintain adequate water supply for the region and preserve contiguous forests while also maintaining future growth. The study was expanded to include Pennsylvania and Connecticut,

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September 16, 2024

Updated PA Highlands Resources Interactive Map

The PA Highlands Resources Interactive Map has been updated. This map can be found on the homepage of the Pennsylvania Highlands website. Explore over 40 features on the interactive map that cover recreational resources, federal and state funding opportunities, environmental justice communities, the US FWS Highlands Resource Priorities, and other features. In addition to reviewing this information, you can also locate these resources within a specified distance from a defined location, through the “Resources Near Me” tab. This update is based

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September 11, 2024

LWCF 60th Anniversary

September 3, 2024, marked the 60th anniversary of the passing of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), our nation’s premier federal conservation funding program. At the time of its creation, LWCF was to receive yearly allocations of $900 million in royalties from energy companies that drill on the Outer Continental Shelf. The goal was to take revenue from the depletion of oil and gas sites and to use the proceeds to protect federal lands and to create grants for

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