Delaware Highlands Conservancy gets $3.8 million to protect land in Pike County

Ceremony includes ribbon cutting of new Grey Towers’ facilities

By FRITZ MAYER

MILFORD, PA — There was a ceremony with a dual purpose last week: the Grey Towers National Historic site unveiled a new pavilion and parking lot, and the governor’s office handed over a ceremonial check for $3.8 million to help preserve land in Pike County.

The land to be protected is more than 1,000 acres of property from the estate of Gifford Pinchot, who was governor of Pennsylvania from 1923 to 1927 and from 1931 to 1935. He also founded the U.S. Forest Service under President Theodore Roosevelt at the dawn of the 20th century.

The money comes from the PA Growing Greener program, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Legacy Forest program. The funds will go to the Delaware Highland Conservancy (DHC) and, according to Sue Currier, executive director, the money will be used to purchase an easement from members of the extended Pinchot family.

Currier said the protection of the land is particularly important because, as the fastest growing county in the state, “the population of Pike County is expected to triple in the next 25 years, and developers are looking over every large piece of land.” Currier said the easement would prevent development of the land in perpetuity.

The protected parcel has forests and meadows and features seven miles of a trout stream. It is part of the Milford Experimental Forest (MEF), which is used for the study of such issues as deer management, the long-term management of private forests and the re-introduction of the American Chestnut tree, which was virtually wiped out in the United States because of disease.

The MEF is operated by members of the Pinchot family through the Pinchot Institute of Conservation, in conjunction with the forestry service and Grey Towers. Research partners include Penn State University and the PA Institute for Conservation Education. Currier said the easement requires that forest research programs continue and new research partners are being sought.

At the ceremony, Michael DiBerardinis, secretary of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the easement was made possible through the cooperation of state and federal officials, and reflected Gifford Pinchot’s strong ties to both levels of government.

The ceremony also provided a platform for Grey Towers to unveil a new pavilion, parking lot and entry path to the Pinchot mansion, which has been restored to reflect the way it would have looked in the 1920s, complete with furnishings.

The new parking lot has spaces for 55 cars and two buses. The old lot had room for just 35 cars, and with 18 employees, the need for a new lot was considerable. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Grey Towers draws 25,000 visitors per year for tours of the house and gardens, educational program and other activities.