Oct. 15–MEADVILLE — The French Creek Valley Conservancy recently acquired more land to help its efforts to protect the French Creek watershed.
Two adjacent parcels, which total 134 acres in Jackson Township, Venango County, were donated by a sister and brother, Janice Drost and Daniel Levi, officials said.
The conservancy will continue farming on a portion of the land, which is east of Route 427 near Rogers and Lamberton roads, and manage the timberland for a sustained quality yield, officials said. The area includes part of Wolf Run, which flows into Sugar Creek and eventually French Creek.
The 117-mile French Creek is an ecologically important waterway, with more species of fish and freshwater mussels than similar-sized streams in the state, conservancy officials said.
A section of Wolf Run on the parcels will remain open for fishing, said Tim Hecei, conservancy project manager. Other recreation will also continue there but vehicles, including ATVs, won’t be allowed, he said.
The Meadville-based conservancy works to maintain and enhance the water quality, natural habitat, biological diversity and recreational opportunities of the French Creek watershed in northwest Pennsylvania.
The nonprofit owns about 1,500 acres in Erie, Crawford, Venango and Mercer counties, Hecei said.
To learn more, call (814) 337-4321 or visit www.frenchcreekconservancy.org.
DANA MASSING can be reached at 870-1729 or by e-mail.