CPC

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and Pennsylvania Game Commission have partnered to acquire a key property on the Cumberland County side of the Kittatinny Ridge in Silver Spring Township, adjoining State Gamelands #170 and the Appalachian Trail corridor. Referred to as the Shipman Tract, this property is situated on the Ridge and identified as one of the “priority” parcels for protection due to its proximity to other protected land and the nearby junction of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail with the Tuscarora-Darlington Trails.

This very special nearly 20-acres site is:

• Prominent in views of the mountain from throughout the valley;
• Accessible for outdoor enthusiasts in the Carlisle-Camp Hill-Duncannon area;
• Contains wildlife such as turkey, deer, grouse and bear;
• Is an Important Mammal Area for the Allegheny woodrat and Indiana bat; and
• Part of the Global Important Bird Area, a major flyway for migrating raptors and nesting grounds for several other bird species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) that were detected on State Gamelands #170 in the Second Atlas of breeding birds.

In August 2015, CPC secured a six-month purchase option with the owners and has raised all but $5000 to complete the acquisition by early next year.  Acquisition will be made possible by the landowners’ partial donation value, sportsmen associations’ support, trail clubs’ contributions, and other private gifts.

CPC respectfully requests your support to make this acquisition a reality.  Please consider a gift toward the effort and contact Anna Yelk, CPC Executive Director, at 717-241-4360 or ayelk@centralpaconservancy.org with questions.  Mail your contribution today to the CPC at:

Central PA Conservancy
Attn:  Shipman Project
401 East Louther St., Suite 308
Carlisle, PA  17013