VISION & MISSION

The Pennsylvania Highlands Coalition is a diverse and effective public-private partnership that conserves critical working and natural lands, as well as protects natural and historic resources. The Coalition also promotes the development and enjoyment of recreational trails in the Pennsylvania Highlands region.

OUR WORK

Coalition partners carry out strategies to advance land conservation, build and support the coalition, engage in advocacy and education, further collaboration with DCNR Conservation Landscapes, and promote regional connectivity and the development of the Highlands Trail.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Coalition works together to benefit the PA Highlands and members share a strong commitment to the protection of the region. Land conservancies, environmental non-profits, watershed associations, four DCNR Conservation Landscapes, recreation groups, and public entities collaborate to achieve the shared vision and mission.

REGIONAL CONSERVATION

Several natural, recreational, and cultural themes define the region and shape Coalition efforts. These characteristics and the treasured places in the Pennsylvania Highlands bring people together around the shared vision and mission.

Land Conservation

Working cooperatively through the Coalition; private land trusts, conservation organizations, and public agencies acquire and conserve land in the region.

Coalition Building and Support

In order to leverage the robust organizational resources within the PA Highlands, the Coalition maintains and expands key partnerships in the region.

Advocacy, Education and Outreach

The Coalition actively educates the public and decision makers about the Pennsylvania Highlands, as well as produces educational materials and digital tools to promote and advance regional conservation.

Conservation Landscapes

Overlapping four state-identified Conservation Landscapes, the Coalition collaborates to connect communities through trails, promote outdoor recreation, and advance regional conservation.

Highlands Region Connectivity and Trail Development

The Coalition supports efforts to complete the 300-mile Highlands Trail in Pennsylvania, in order to connect the 13 counties in the region through active travel.

Appalachian Mountain Club
Audubon Pennsylvania
Berks Nature
Brandywine Conservancy
Cooks Creek Watershed Association
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Delaware River Greenway Partnership
Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County
French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust
Green Valleys Association
Hay Creek Watershed Association
Heritage Conservancy
Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy
Keystone Conservation Trust
Lancaster County Conservancy
Lancaster County Planning Commission
Lancaster Farmland Trust
Land Conservancy of Adams County
Lebanon County Conservation District
Lebanon Valley Conservancy

Maiden Creek Watershed Association
Manada Conservancy
Montgomery County Lands Trust
Mount Gretna Bird Club
National Park Service – Recreational Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
Natural Lands
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pennsylvania Association of Watersheds and Rivers
Pine Creek Valley Watershed Association
Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape
South Mountain Partnership
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
Tinicum Conservancy
Wildlands Conservancy
The Garden Club of America: Pennsylvania: Wissahickon
York County Planning Commission