Lancaster Conservancy Announces Expansion of Kellys Run Nature Preserve – Technologist

Press release shared by Lancaster Conservancy, October 8, 2024. Map courtesy of the conservancy.

Lancaster Conservancy (the Conservancy) is expanding Kellys Run Nature Preserve in Holtwood, Lancaster County, by 43 acres. With this new addition, the beloved nature preserve will total over 500 acres. The property under agreement includes an additional quarter mile of the Kellys Run stream as well as important forested lands that provide a buffer for the waterway and crucial habitat for wildlife.

“Kellys Run is one of our most popular and visited nature preserves. Full of beautiful upland forest, this addition is a key part of our land protection strategy to expand existing nature preserves while protecting valuable water resources, in this case a portion of the Kellys Run stream,” said Lancaster Conservancy President & CEO Fritz Schroeder.

Protecting contiguous natural lands to create corridors of green space for wildlife habitat and human recreation is one of the Conservancy’s highest land protection priorities.

“This acquisition will buffer Kellys Run as it transitions from farmland to forestland, and it will preserve a critical wildlife and human corridor highlighting the importance of our waterways while providing for expanded human engagement with our environment,” said Kate Gonick, Senior Vice President of Land Protection and General Counsel at Lancaster Conservancy.

Kellys Run is one of the Conservancy’s most popular nature preserves for hikers looking to explore pollinator meadow, lush forest, and a beautiful rhododendron-filled glen. The tree-covered slopes and stands of mountain-laurel along the stream within the new addition protect the water quality of Kellys Run as it flows through the gorge with its well-loved streamside trail.

The protection of Kellys Run is a story of bundling. The Conservancy protected the first tract of the preserve in 2000, and since then it has been expanded piece by piece to forever conserve this beautiful, forested area and high-quality stream located in the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape. Much of the current preserve was previously acquired as part of a nationally recognized landscape protection project known as the PPL Project. Funds for that project were provided by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Conservation Fund, Lancaster County, York County, PPL, Talen Energy, and Brookfield Renewable.

The 43-acre addition to Kellys Run is currently owned by Robert L. Pfannebecker and his wife Nancy E. Fornoff. Pfannebecker is a nationally renowned collector of American crafts who constructed three artist galleries at the site. Many artists, craftspeople, and artcollectors have visited the woodland property over the past several decades. Pfannebecker is selling the Conservancy this property so that it will remain forested and beloved forever.

“I think it’s just important to being human, to have those kinds of natural environments to live with,” said Pfannebecker. “Idyllic place, my paradise – which is what it’s been for 60 years – it’s gratifying to think that it will continue at that level with other people being able to enjoy Kellys Run.”

Kellys Run Nature Preserve is located in the Conservancy-designated Lancaster River Hills region as well as the state-designated Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape. The Conservancy is in the process of creating a Master Plan for strategic management of the River Hills region. The Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape is a state-designated landscape led by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Conservancy that includes the municipalities that border the Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York counties and is a priority for conservation.

“The Lancaster Conservancy’s Board of Directors is thrilled that this addition to Kellys Run Nature Preserve will continue to build on our work to protect the critically important natural landscape of the Susquehanna River, for the benefit of our community, our region, and our environment,” said Eric Nordstrom, Lancaster Conservancy’s Board Chair.

Visitors can access trails at Kellys Run Nature Preserve every day from dawn to dusk. Parking is available in a lot at the intersection of Street Road and Crystal Drive.

Lancaster Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that has protected over 10,000 acres of natural lands and manages 50 nature preserves in Lancaster and York counties. Learn more, volunteer, or donate at lancasterconservancy.org.

Media Contact: Avery Van Etten, Marketing & Communications Manager ([email protected])