The Highlands Pennsylvania CONSERVATION ATLAS Route 78 over South Mountain, Lehigh County; Furnace Hills forest, Lancaster/Lebanon County; Cooks Creek, Northampton Highlands, Bucks County Just beyond the eastern seaboard megalopolis, a productive countryside to a sterile sea of where large cities and suburbs merge into the poorly-planned development. nation’s most densely populated area, more than three million acres of forested ridges, This vital landscape is located in the shadow fertile farmland, pure streams, lakes, and of some of the largest metropolitan areas reservoirs form the regional landscape known in America. The as the Highlands. Stretching from northwestern is a 1.4-million-acrePennsylvania region within Highlands easy reach Connecticut across the Lower Hudson Valley of millions of residents from Philadelphia, of New York, through northern New Jersey Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, and Harrisburg. and southeastern Pennsylvania, on to the This juxtaposition makes the Highlands Maryland state line, the Highlands region increasingly valuable, both economically represents a modern-day frontier between the and aesthetically. rural Appalachian Mountains and the increasingly urban lands along the Atlantic coastline. Sparkling streams, quality drinking water, outstanding recreational opportunities, The Highlands have historically provided critical wildlife habitat, ecotourism potential, essential goods and resources needed to ensure productive farms and forests, and rural the survival and economic prosperity of the community character – these qualities make 25 million people who live within an hour’s drive the Pennsylvania Highlands a unique place. of this four-state region. As the backyard for the nearby urban complex, this region continues This Conservation Atlas was created from information provided by local land trusts a wealth of resources close to home resources of a wealth to supply communities with clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, impressive recreational and county agencies. It identifies the most and tourism opportunities, and distinctive important natural, historical and cultural places to live. The Highlands Region hosts resources in each area. A greenway map more than 14 million recreational visits annually, illustrates important connections to be more than Yellowstone National Park. made between project areas. The careful protection, management, and The goal of this Atlas is to make the public use of the natural resources located in aware of the importance of the Pennsylvania this nationally-significant region are Highlands region by portraying the special essential for the long-term sustainability places and resources found there. It is a call of both nature and the cities we live in. for action to help protect this incredible and Protection measures must be adopted threatened region. Please contact one of the before these resources are forever lost to many organizations listed in this publication urban expansion, changing the region from to see how you can help. 1 History 3 Conservation areas/maps 5 Northampton Highlands 7 South Mountain 9 Oley Hills 11 Unami Hills 13 Hopewell Big Woods 15 PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS REGION 17 Welsh Mountain 19 Furnace Hills 21 Sand Hills 23 Conewago Mountains 25 Whiskey Springs Uplands 27 South Mountain Faces Summary 29 Acknowledgements 30 Big Woods sunset, Berks County; Furnace Hills farmland and forest, Lancaster/Lebanon County; trout lily 2 The natural resources of the Highlands have . Iron ore and been critically important throughout the history limestoneAmerican in Revolutionthe Pennsylvania Highlands of Pennsylvania and the United States. Water, established this region as the economic center minerals, and working lands here served as of the early iron industry. In 1776 the region the backbone of colonial settlements and the was home to over 50 iron forges and furnaces, American Revolution and fueled the Industrial more than all the other colonies combined. Revolution. Today, the entire Highlands region The Horseshoe Trail was established in the has been designated nationally significant late 1700’s as a trail linking the numerous through an act of Congress, the Highlands forges and furnaces. While most of the iron was Conservation Act. used for household items like pots, nails, and hinges, several furnaces, including Hopewell Pennsylvania is known as the Keystone State Furnace, cast cannons and ammunition for the because of its key role in the economic, social, colonial militia. The forests of the Pennsylvania and political development of the colonies and Highlands were used to make charcoal to fuel the United States. The Pennsylvania Highlands the furnaces and forges, and water flowing from provided resources that sustained early settlers. the Pennsylvania Highlands powered countless Countless streams and rivers flowing off the waterwheels in grain mills. The waterways were elevated landscape of the Highlands provided used to transport raw materials and finished water resources for the lands in the surrounding goods to markets, helping to drive the political valleys, where early settlers tended farms and engine of the new world. orchards that fed a growing population. The streams and rivers also provided fish and Discovery of anthracite coal in Schuylkill other food. Forests provided building materials County in 1790 drastically changed life in and fuel for cooking and heating. The forests the Pennsylvania Highlands and focused the humans and the Pennsylvania Highlands humans and the Pennsylvania also provided game and many plants used economic engine on mineral extraction and for food and medicine. processing. During the , the iron and coal industriesIndustrial located Revolution in and The abundance of natural resources in this near the Pennsylvania Highlands transformed vast landscape provided a fledgling nation the area into a world leader in steel technology with the sustenance, energy, and raw materials and led to the development of large factory that it needed to establish independence and complexes in places like Reading, Birdsboro, to embark on a period of growth and prosperity. Pottstown, and Bethlehem. Immigrants flocked to the area to work in mines, steel The water, wood, and minerals of the mills, breweries, textile mills, tanneries, ship Pennsylvania Highlands helped fuel the yards, refineries and numerous other industries Lehigh Valley Railroad, Lehigh County; orchard, Berks County; loggers, Berks County 3 Delaware and Lehigh Canal, Leigh County; Conewago Creek, South Mountain Faces, Adams County; Saucon Iron Works, Northampton County that used the rich mineral resources of this Human use of the Pennsylvania Highlands area as raw materials to produce goods. has changed greatly throughout our nation’s history, from a natural landscape that sustained For nearly a century, Bethlehem Steel was early colonists, to an industrialized region that responsible for providing the steel for many produced steel used worldwide during the 20th of the most famous bridges and skyscrapers century. The Pennsylvania Highlands region in the country. The iron industry of the continues to meet our more current needs by Pennsylvania Highlands declined through providing us with open space for recreation the late 19th and 20th century, and Bethlehem and clean drinking water. Steel stopped making steel in 1995, a milestone in the decline of the American Industrial Era. The need for these natural resources will not diminish, but will grow as the human population of Pennsylvania Highlands increases. The ability of the region to meet resourcesCurrent haveuses evolved with our changing these needs is threatened by the unplanned economy and suburbanization. The region development that continues to consume this continues to provide clean drinking water valuable greenbelt. Conservation measures, for millions of Pennsylvanians. The lands here such as protecting priority lands, adopting provide habitat for an immense array of plants low-impact development practices, and and animals and produce food and fiber for educating the public about the value of natural an ever-increasing population. As more people lands, are critical to the continued survival work indoors, commute longer distances, and of the Pennsylvania Highlands region. lose connection to the land, there is a growing need for open spaces where one can commune Our quality of life depends upon protecting the with nature’s peace and beauty. Recreational natural heritage of the Pennsylvania Highlands. opportunities provide a high quality of life for countless Pennsylvania residents and those from surrounding states who visit the Pennsylvania Highlands region. 4 The is Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Cooks Creek the mostNorthampton northeasterly Highlands expression of the Watershed, the region’s largest creek, possesses Pennsylvania Highlands. Nestled along excellent water quality and hosts wild brook and the banks of the Delaware River and brown trout populations. Significant tributaries situated south of Bethlehem and Easton, to Cooks Creek include Silver Creek and Hollow this area exhibits a predominantly rural Coons Run. The Cooks Creek Watershed contains character. Limestone-rich Stouts Valley 337 acres of wetlands. The creek is designated continues to be a locally important as Exceptional Value. The Delaware River in this agricultural area. Historically, its prime area is designated as a federal Wild and Scenic soils produced food for a much broader area. River by the National Park Service. Northampton Highlands The woodland