2023 Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Plan

The  Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Plan for the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape (KRCL) was completed 2021-2023. The Plan, which incorporates the 2020 Kittatinny Coalition Strategic Plan, frames a Ridge-wide strategy and action plan for protecting this critical Pennsylvania landscape over the next five years.

Resilience Planning & Design (RPD) drafted the plan with partner and public outreach across the Kittatinny Ridge. RPD had the expertise the KRCL was seeking with unique experience working at a landscape scale on multiple stakeholder natural resource planning initiatives.

2023 KITTATINNY RIDGE CONSERVATION PLAN

Conservation Plan Goals

CONSERVATION PLAN GOAL #1:  INCREASE COORDINATED AND HOLISTIC LAND CONSERVATION, NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION, AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES

• Encourage the identification of conservation opportunities from a holistic lens, integrating the ecological, social, recreation, and economic aspects of land protection, to expand the partner network and capacity for this work.
• Promote a coordinated, landscape-scale approach to direct land acquisition and conservation easement protections in the future.
• Protect, restore, and maintain ecosystems and natural resources on the Ridge and in adjacent low-lying areas projects at multiple scales, from broader landscape scale projects to smaller community-scale initiatives.
• Increase habitat connectivity and enhance climate change resilience through land protection and policy.

CONSERVATION PLAN GOAL #2:  PROMOTE THE KRCL’S SENSE OF PLACE AND BUILD COMMUNITY IDENTITY AROUND OUR SHARED NATURAL SYSTEMS

• Raise awareness of the Ridge and the surrounding natural landscape and how nature
  contributes to the health and wellbeing of communities and the economy.
• Promote the shared vision for the KRCL and build community identity around our shared resources.

CONSERVATION PLAN GOAL #3:  SUSTAIN AND EXPAND OUTDOOR RECREATION RESOURCES AND ACCESS

• Preserve and grow outdoor recreational opportunities, provide additional recreational access,
  and enhance recreation connections and corridors.

CONSERVATION PLAN GOAL #4:  SUPPORT NATURE-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Promote nature-based placemaking and economic development to positively impact local
  economies in the landscape.
• Educate decision makers about the financial benefits of natural systems in the KRCL.

CONSERVATION PLAN GOAL #5:  BUILD A STRONG AND DIVERSE PARTNER NETWORK

• Welcome and invite a diverse network of partners to join the conservation planning process. Build and sustain reciprocal relationships.
• Inspire residents, local officials, organizations, and agencies to work together to drive strategic investment and action around sustainability, conservation, community revitalization, civic engagement, and recreational projects.
• Embrace equity and inclusion as guiding principles in conservation planning work to ensure an equitable distribution of conservation benefits.

KRCL Plans

2020 KRCL STRATEGIC PLAN
2006 KRCL CONSERVATION PLAN

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Kristen Hand
Geoscientist Supervisor
Pennsylvania Geological Survey
Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, DCNR Internal Lead
Phone:  717-702-2046
Mobile:  717-599-9053
Email