Photo Courtesy of PA DCNR

Photo Courtesy of PA DCNR

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined The Conservation Fund in applauding the acquisition of a 528-acre tract that expands Pinchot State Forest to more than 49,635 acres.

Popularly known as the Blumer tract and located within the state forest’s Thornhurst section in Lackawanna County, the new state forestland was donated to DCNR by The Conservation Fund, which acquired the property for conservation purposes using mitigation funds provided by the William Companies.

It is key to watershed protection for both the Watres Reservoir, a public water supply, and Buckeye Run which drains into the exceptional value waters of the Upper Lehigh River.

A core-forest area offering remote non-motorized recreation opportunities and a remote rustic wilderness experience, the tract is accessible by foot using the Pinchot Trail and Watres Loop Hiking trail or overland from Pittston Road.

Photo Courtesy of PA DCNR