Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Master Plan

Overview

The Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area includes some of the region’s most iconic landscapes and trails — Shenks Ferry, Fox Hollow, Pequea, Clark, Tucquan Glen & Pyfer, Kellys Run, Holtwood, and the lower section of the Conestoga Trail.

The Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Master Plan provides a strategic and transparent framework for the Conservancy’s stewardship of its eight preserves along the Susquehanna River in Conestoga and Martic Townships, Lancaster County. The plan outlines a longterm approach to protecting sensitive habitats and rare species, restoring degraded areas, and strengthening ecological connectivity across the landscape. It also establishes priorities for sustainable, equitable public access — including strategies to enhance safe regional trail connections and support recreation such as hiking, nature observation, water access, and cooperative hunting — while promoting visitor preparedness and responsible use. Through coordinated management, community engagement, and landscapescale planning, the master plan advances ecological resilience, enriches public enjoyment, and upholds the Conservancy’s mission to protect these valued natural resources for generations to come.

PUBLIC INPUT SURVEY

Your input is vital to shaping the future of this treasured conservation area! Please help us by taking the Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Public Input Survey to share your experiences and thoughts. The survey should take 10 to 15 minutes and will be available through September 1, 2026.

PUBLIC WEBINAR

Thursday, May 21, 2026

In this presentation, Lancaster Conservancy and Simone Collins Landscape Architecture discussed the long‑range planning efforts guiding the Conservancy’s work in our Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area.

About the Conservation Area & Master Plan

The Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area is a remarkable landscape of sprawling woodlands, stream valleys, and scenic overlooks of the Susquehanna River. Within this area, the Conservancy stewards more than 1,800 acres of land, nine stream corridors, and portions of the Conestoga Hiking Trail.

The Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Master Plan vision effort — led by Lancaster Conservancy in partnership with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, regional organizations, and two host municipalities — will guide Conservancy stewardship and capital investments across this region for the next 10-20 years.

Regional Context Considerations

The Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area sits within the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) designated Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape, one of eight DNCR-designated conservation landscapes in Pennsylvania. It includes the scenic and historic Lower Susquehanna River corridor in Lancaster and York counties as well as all municipalities and boroughs in Lancaster and York counties that share a border with the Susquehanna River or are enveloped by municipalities that do. The landscape is home to over 8,000 acres of publicly accessible natural lands.

Master Plan Funder: High Foundation
Master Plan Partners: Lancaster County Planning Department, Martic Township and Conestoga Township, along with 18+ Conservation Partner agencies

If you have questions about the Lancaster River Hills Conservation Area Master Plan, please reach out to:
Sarah Leeper – sleeper@simonecollins.com
Rob Gladfelter – rgladfelter@simonecollins.com