Potomac Conservancy

This conservation easement protects a 115-acre property lying 4 miles west of Franklin WV, in Pendleton County. It consists of mixed hardwood and pine forest, in a long, narrow valley with steeply sloping hills.
Meadow Run, a tributary of the South Branch of the Potomac River, is found on the property; the WV DNR-Wildlife Resources Section has designated the stream as high quality, and capable of supporting native trout populations.
Wildlife is abundant: white tailed deer; coyotes; black bear; skunk; beaver; bobcat; mink; wild turkey; grouse; pileated woodpecker and a wide variety of songbirds can be found. Bald eagles and several species of hawks have been known to hunt in the area.
Management: the easement requires maintenance of a 50' vegetated or forested buffer along Meadow Run

Primary motivations:

Conservation Mission

As the Voice of the Nation’s River, the Conservancy’s primary focus is to restore water quality by advocating sound policy and promoting thoughtful land management. The Conservancy protects and restores Potomac landscapes by enhancing a network of rivers, forests, and natural areas.

Public Benefit

Permanent protection of conservation values.

Primary goals:

The purpose of this easement is to preserve and maintain the natural, scenic, open-space, and wildlife features of the land.

Consistent with plans:

Land Trust Strategic Conservation Plan

The property is located in the Lower South Branch Watershed, a Priority Subwatershed for the Potomac Conservancy.

Targeted habitats:

• Forests and Woodlands
  • Mixed Hardwoods and Conifer
• Wetlands and Riparian Habitats
  • Montane Riparian Forests and Shrublands

Targeted species were not provided for this project.

Is the success of this project's actions being monitored?   Yes

Please describe your monitoring activity.

annual easement stewardship visits by grantee