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 Mission Statement
 History
 FAQ's
 Staff
 Board of Directors
 Advisory Board

Mission Statement

Dedicated to preserving our farm and natural lands for future generations!

History

The idea to form a land preservation organization began with a few citizens being concerned with the changes occurring in York County.  The changes being seen prior to 1990 were congested streets, rising school and property taxes, scattered large developments without infrastructure, expanding sewer capacity, larger (or new) school buildings needed to accommodate the increasing school population, the loss of open-rural appearance, the loss of character and charm of York County.  The questions were just beginning too; is York going to become a community separated from the home-town feel of knowing your neighbors, pride in your community, enjoying the luxury of small family-owned, operated businesses?  These few citizens decided the need existed for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, land preservation organization.  Thus, in April of 1990, the York County Farmland Trust was created.  Later, the name was changed to encompass the need to conserve natural, wooded areas.  In 1993, the name was changed to the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County.

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FAQ's

What is the Farm & Natural Lands Trust?  The Farm & Natural Lands Trust is a private non-profit member-supported 501 (c) (3) land preservation organization in York County, Pennsylvania.

How is the Farm & Natural Lands Trust supported?  The Farm & Natural Lands Trust is supported by a broad-based membership, contributions, grants and income from special events. No local tax money supports the Farm & Natural Lands Trust. The costs involved in operating the Trust include the monitoring of lands in the Trust, promotion of the Trust's activities, professional staff and office expenses.

How does the Farm & Natural Lands Trust preserve farm and natural lands?  The Trust's work is based on a voluntary agreement with local landowners to place a conservation easement on their property. We have also worked in conjunction with other preservation organizations such as the York County Agriculture Preserve Board and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to achieve our mission.

What is a conservation easement? And What are its benefits?  A conservation easement is a deed restriction, binding on all current and future owners of the land, intended to preserve the agricultural, open space and natural resource values of the land. An easement limits certain uses on all or a portion of a property, while keeping the property in the landowner's ownership. Easements can be used to preserves the character of the property and are tailored to the property and to fit with the goals of the landowner. Easements can be used to restrict or prohibit further development, support sustainable forestry and to protect lands for agricultural, open space, historical, scenic, recreational or educational purposes. Easements also protect natural resources, which supports the health of our watersheds, woodlands and open spaces. Preservation provides us with the scenic vistas that are a large part of York County's character. More information on conservation easements and the preservation process can be found here.

Am I restricted from selling my property?  No. Ownership of the property may be transferred.  The easement restrictions remain in tact since the documentation is filed with the Recorder of Deeds office.

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Staff

Sean P. Kenny - Executive Director

Rochelle Black - Operations Manager

Michelle Black - Administrative Assistant

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Board of Directors for 2009-2010

David M. Davidson, Jr. - President

Alex Snyder - Vice President

Brady J. Barnes - Treasurer

Ann Luciani - Secretary

Rob Anderson

Dave Brown

Sarah Buhite

Michael D. Conway

Jim Eveler

Julie Flinchbaugh

John F. Linton

June Lloyd

Charles F. McClintock

John D. Miller, Jr.

Zachary Myers

Jake Romig

Michael H. Stebbins

Rodger Waldman

Steven P. Welty

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Advisory Board

Louis J. Appell, Jr.

Stanley E. Brown

H. Douglas Campbell

Arthur J. Glatfelter

Michael L. Goodling

Paul H. Keiser

Robert A. Kinsley

Jeanne N. Reilly

John J. Shorb

Jeffrey A. Snyder

Michael H. Stebbins

Gerrit J. Strathmeyer

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