The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy has helped place 230 acres of forest, ponds and wetlands along the Snyder-Mifflin county line under permanent conservation protection. The land, known as Stillwater, belongs to Allen Jones, who first bought the property as his homestead in 1988. Over the decades, his connection with the area grew as he acquired surrounding acreage and worked to restore its woodland and wildlife habitat. In January 2026, Jones donated a conservation easement to the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, ensuring that the land he spent years caring for will remain protected for the future.
The 230-acre forest became a long-term project for Pennsylvania’s landowner
Jones’s relationship with the land began well before he became its owner. According to the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, he grew up in Snyder County and spent much of his childhood exploring the woods, observing wildlife and becoming familiar with the natural rhythms of the area. While other students concentrated on farming during their high school agricultural classes, Jones focused on wildlife habitat.He bought the land for his homestead in 1988. In later years, he was able to acquire additional surrounding acreage, including the forest where he had harvested(hunted) his first deer when he was 12 years old.As the property grew, so did his plans for it. The landowner wanted the area to provide a place where people could hike and hunt, children could explore nature, birds could stop during migration and wildlife could move through a healthy forest. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy says this wider vision eventually shaped the way Jones managed the property.
Years of careful work changed the condition of the woodland
The restoration of Stillwater was not a short-term effort. Jones worked with a forester to create a Forest Management Plan and spent more than a decade addressing the effects of heavy logging that had taken place on the property.One part of that work involved controlling invasive plants, including stilt grass, which can interfere with the growth of native vegetation. Jones also created areas where new trees could develop and planted native species such as oak and maple.The forest was managed with wildlife in mind as well. Fallen logs and brush were deliberately left on the ground to provide cover for animals and help protect young seedlings. Deer numbers were monitored to make sure the woodland could regenerate.Jones also established a nut orchard containing almond, American chestnut, hazelnut and pawpaw trees. These trees added another source of food and habitat to the property. According to NPC, maintaining the land required patience and persistence, but the work helped create a more resilient forest.
Stillwater has ponds and wetlands that is the home of wood frogs and other amphibians. Springs flow from the nearby Bald Eagle State Forest through the property leading to Jack’s Creek, a state-designated Cold Water Fishery, that connects to the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers. Image Credit: Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC)
What makes Stillwater more than just a forest
Water is another defining feature of the property. NPC named the land Stillwater because of its many ponds and wetlands, which form an important part of the landscape.Springs flow from neighbouring Bald Eagle State Forest through Stillwater before reaching Jack’s Creek. NPC notes that the creek is a state-designated Cold Water Fishery and eventually connects with the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers.The ponds and wetlands also support wildlife. Wood frogs and other amphibians use these wet areas, while 40 bluebird houses and several wood duck nesting boxes provide places for birds to nest. The property has also become a place where local youth groups can explore vernal pools during spring, giving younger people an opportunity to experience the natural environment directly.
The conservation easement carries the work into the future
After years of managing and restoring Stillwater, Jones decided that protecting the property permanently was the next step. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy reports that he eventually contacted NPC Land Steward Sara Schlesinger after researching conservation options.Their shared interest in hunting and the outdoors helped turn the initial discussion into a partnership. In January 2026, NPC announced that it had accepted the donation of a 230-acre conservation easement covering land in Snyder and Mifflin Counties.A conservation easement allows land to remain privately owned while placing lasting protections on its natural features. In this case, the agreement reflects Jones’s intention to preserve the results of decades of work instead of simply leaving the property’s future to chance.NPC is a regional land trust working across 12 counties to conserve and enhance land and water. The organisation said its members and donors make it possible to work with landowners on projects such as Stillwater. NPC also reports that it has now helped conserve more than 12,000 acres across its 12-county service area. Stillwater adds another 230 acres to that wider effort.
