The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association is pleased to honor two townships this year for innovative land use planning and zoning regulations for the purpose of protecting sensitive and scenic areas and critical natural resources. Both Oley Township of Bucks County and Middletown Township of Delaware County will receive the Government Leadership Award.

Oley Township (Berks County)

from left to right: Andy Loza, PALTA Executive Director, Township Supervisor James Coker, supervisor, and Township Chairman and State Representative David R. Kessler

Oley Township is located in Berks County, just outside Philadelphia, and has experienced its share of development pressures. Yet, through proactive zoning and leadership, the township has retained its scenic rural landscape and has made it a place of destination.

Oley’s preservation statistics are impressive: In a township that consists of 15,500 acres, 12,216 of these are enrolled in its Agricultural Security Area; over 9,900 acres are protected with effective agricultural zoning, and 6,722 acres are permanently preserved with Agricultural Conservation Easements.

The township has worked hard to protect its natural and historical integrity through comprehensive planning and the adoption of strong zoning regulations. With a proactive citizenry and enthusiastic leadership, in the last few decades, Oley was able to resolve a number of major environmental concerns. These issues were not only instrumental to land conservation but also in protecting the water quality of the Upper Manatawny Creek, which ranks highest in water quality of all major tributaries of the Schuylkill River.

Oley Township is continuing its preservation efforts, working actively to partner with adjacent communities in implementing the county’s planning recommendations, and has made great strides in partnering with developers in promoting smart land use policies.

We honor Oley township leadership for their hard work in safeguarding the exceptional resources of this special community, and sparing no effort in making land conservation in Oley a way of life.

Attending the award ceremony on behalf of Middletown Township are Township Chairman and State Representative David R. Kessler, and fellow supervisors, James R. Coker and Jeffrey A. Spatz.

Middletown Township (Delaware County)

from left to right: Andy Loza, PALTA Executive Director, Lorraine Bradshaw, Middletown Township Supervisor

On the heels of rapid growth during the previous three decades, land conservation had become a priority for Middletown Township, located in Delaware County.

Since 1987, Middletown has utilized several proactive conservation methods in an effort to continue strategically preserving selected land to retain an open and natural feeling in the community. These strategic land acquisitions by the Township over the past twenty years reinforce the preservation of land and the conservation of critical resources. In Middletown Township, it is apparent that leaders promote a view of the future where development is balanced with the natural character of the land.

All told, the Township now owns nearly 646 acres of ground, some of which is used for active recreation, some for passive recreation, and some which is simply kept as natural buffer that protects precious resources and contributes to the community’s viewshed.

Middletown has taken great strides in ensuring the protection of its natural resources. The Association is pleased to honor Middletown Township for their hard work and commitment to preservation.

Attending the award ceremony on behalf of Middletown Township is Township Supervisor, Lorraine Bradshaw.

“As we strive to increase land conservation in Pennsylvania, it is so exciting to have strong partners at the local level, actively reinforcing and promoting the protection of their natural resources,” commented Andy Loza, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. “On behalf of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and the land conservation community, we thank the elected and appointed officials of Oley and Middletown Townships for their remarkable leadership and commitment to land preservation efforts in Pennsylvania.”