|
Highlands Region
Described by the USDA Forest Service as a “rich mosaic of habitats,” the Highlands Region in northern Bucks and Montgomery counties is part of a national treasure that must be preserved. The “tiles” of this mosaic – rocky ridges, expansive forests and quaint agricultural field – blend together to provide rural community character near expanding urban centers.
With 196,000 acres in the tri-county area, this segment of the Highlands is one of Southeast Pennsylvania’s most extensive and varied conservation focal areas. It is home to key wetlands in the Quakertown Swamp and stony cliffs in the Unami Creek Valley, to
densely forested Stone Hill and the waters of Tinicum and Tohickon Creeks. These habitats support tremendous biodiversity, including beavers, brown trout, red-bellied turtles, great blue heron, and the state endangered pineland pimpernel plant.
The Highlands also provide tremendous recreation opportunities, boasting state game lands at Nockamixon and Ralph Stover State Parks, federally-designated Scenic Rivers and the Lehigh & Delaware Canal Trails. Eco-tourists and recreational enthusiasts know this area for its whitewater kayaking and technical rock climbing opportunities.
Preserving this region is also critical for its ecological value. Rainfall filtered through the Highlands into the Schuylkill and Delaware River provides clean drinking water to the Philadelphia region. The Highlands forests act as natural regulators for water quality and quantity, buffering the region against potential flood damage.
WE NEED TO ACT
With its proximity to urban communities, the Highlands Region is extremely vulnerable to expanded development and land use changes. Population pressures are pushing on the Highlands from multiple directions. Turning forests and agricultural land to urban use threatens not only the beautiful, rare plants and animals in the Highlands, but also the people who rely on the Region for flood control and water quality. With less than 17% of the undeveloped land protected, we must act now.
FACTS & FIGURES
Total Acreage: 196,000
High Value Acreage: 193,000
Acreage Developed: 35,000
Protected: 26,000
Protection Goal: 68,000
Data current as of July 2006
RESOURCE FEATURES
- “Mosaic of habitats” including grasslands, forests, orchards and wetlands
- Biodiversity including native brown trout, beavers, and state endangered pineland pimpernel plant
- Home of largest great blue heron rookery in Eastern Pennsylvania
- Access to state parks and federally designated scenic rivers
SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS
TREASURES
COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Bucks– Bedminster, Bridgeton, Durham, East Rockhill, Haycock, Milford, Nockamixon, Plumstead, Quakertown, Richland, Riegelsville, Springfield, Tinicum, Trumbauersville, West Rockhill Montgomery– Douglass, Franconia, Green Lane, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Lower Pottsgrove, Lower Salford, Marlborough, New Hanover, Pennsburg, Perkiomen, Red Hill, Salford, Schwenksville, Skippack, Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, Upper Salford
PRINCIPAL WATERSHEDS
Cooks Creek, East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Delaware River, Gallows Run, Manatawny Creek, Perkiomen Creek, Schuylkill River, Swamp Creek, Tinicum Creek,Three Mile, Tohickon Creek, Unami Creek
GROWING LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN THE AREA
Heritage Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, Montgomery County Lands Trust, Tinicum Conservancy, Cooks Creek Watershed Association, Gallows Run Watershed Association, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Bedminster Land Conservancy, Cooks Creek Conservancy, The Conservancy of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Audubon Pennsylvania
|
 
|
Print Preview