Lancaster Conservancy

Save York's Wildlands!

THE CONSERVANCY'S LAND PROTECTION INITIATIVE IN YORK

The Conservancy has been acquiring land in York County since 2010 as part of the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape. The Conservancy has protected over 11,000 acres in Lancaster and York counties, of which over 4,000 acres are in York County. Our nature preserves in York County include Wizard Ranch, Otter Creek, Mill Creek Falls, and the Robert A. Kinsley preserve, along with our two newest preserves - Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve and Eagle View Nature Preserve.

Many of the natural lands protected by the Conservancy in York fall into two main areas: one between the Safe Harbor and Holtwood dams, and the other in Hellam Township, near Wrightsville. We are actively working to protect more land along the Susquehanna River in York County, and we are working to improve public access to the preserves we already manage here. 

Our efforts to acquire natural lands have long provided space for public recreation and natural habitat for trout, game, birds, and bees, all while protecting clean waterways for our community. But as the population in our region continues to grow under a steady drumbeat of subdivision and development, we must accelerate our efforts to save our shrinking forests.

SAVING NATURAL LANDS
At the Conservancy, our job is to find, fund, preserve, and maintain natural lands so that the community and visitors to the region can enjoy them for years to come.

CARING FOR NATURE
The Conservancy manages more than 50 nature preserves and over 60 miles of trails. We have helped protect over 11,000 acres of natural lands. Our preserves are managed to create habitat for animals, to protect plants and trees, and to provide public access to nature.

ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY 
Through educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships, the Conservancy engages and activates community members of all ages to protect and restore our natural lands! 

PROTECTING CUFFS RUN

In 2023, York Energy Storage, LLC proposed construction of a 225-foot-high 1.8-mile dam and power turbine pumped storage facility, which would flood 580 acres of land along the Susquehanna River rich with natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

The facility, which would be located along the river in York County, would use electricity from the grid to fill a reservoir with water from the Susquehanna River when the cost of power is low, then release the water to generate energy during peak power usage periods when the price of energy is highest.

The Lancaster Conservancy, along with multiple government, nonprofit, and community partners is opposed to this proposed pumped storage facility. Among other reasons, the project would destroy preserved farms, a section of the regional scenic Mason-Dixon Trail in York County, the viewshed from the popular multimodal Enola Low Grade Trail in Lancaster County, and forested lands much needed to help ensure the ecological health of the Susquehanna Riverlands landscape and waterway.

At the end of last year, the Conservancy and partners filed an opening brief with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in an appeal of FERC’s decision to grant the preliminary permit for the proposed pumped storage facility at Cuffs Run along the Susquehanna River. As the appeal process continues, next steps include oral arguments, expected to take place this summer, and a decision by the court, expected in late 2026 or early 2027. If successful, the appeal could help bring about a permanent end to the Cuffs Run project or any future pumped storage projects at this location.

Cover Photo by Christian Przybylek