By Blake Jackson
John and Megan Donmoyer, dairy farmers in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, have taken a significant step toward protecting their family’s agricultural heritage by placing their 136-acre century-old farm under a conservation easement. Their decision ensures the land will remain protected for future generations while providing important environmental and community benefits.
The Donmoyers’ farm holds special value because of its location near Fort Indiantown Gap (FITG), a 17,000-acre military installation recognized as the busiest National Guard training center in the United States.
Protecting surrounding open spaces helps reduce development pressures, supports compatible land use, and preserves the conditions needed for military training, including essential nighttime operations that depend on dark skies.
The property also contributes to conservation efforts within the Kittatinny Ridge region, one of the most biologically diverse areas in eastern North America.
The ridge serves as an important pathway for wildlife movement, clean water protection, and carbon storage. Located within three miles of the ridge, the Donmoyer farm helps create a protective buffer for habitats used by migratory birds, mammals, and other species.
The area supports a range of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and streamside habitats. Several important wildlife species may benefit from the protected landscape, including Bald Eagles, Grasshopper Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, and other species identified as conservation priorities.
The property is also located near habitat associated with the Eastern Regal Fritillary butterfly, which is being considered for federal endangered species protection.
The conservation easement was made possible through collaboration among several organizations, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, Ward Burton Foundation, and Lebanon Valley Conservancy.
Funding support came through programs such as NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Agricultural Land Easement program, along with the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program.
The Donmoyers’ commitment demonstrates how private landowners can help protect natural resources while supporting national priorities. Their efforts show the value of partnerships that preserve working farms, wildlife habitats, and rural landscapes for future generations.
As more landowners participate in conservation programs, initiatives like the Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape will continue strengthening environmental protection, local communities, and Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-lishanskyphotography
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, General