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Preserving the Birthplace of Trout Fishing
MEDIA, Pa., February 12, 2019 – Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) announced
today the preservation of two nearby but separately owned parcels totaling 340 acres of land near the
Brodhead Creek, a stream running through the Pocono Mountains known for its clear, cool water and
healthy trout population. The properties are now under conservation easement, ensuring they will
never be developed.
The easements are supported by generous charitable contributions of the landowners, Alego ‘Bart’
Bartolacci and the Ferenbach family, and through the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River
Watershed Protection Fund. The Fund is made possible with support from the William Penn
Foundation through its Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to protect water quality in
the Delaware River Basin.
The 40-acre Bartolacci property is bordered on one side by Stony Run, a tributary of the Broadhead
Creek. Both waterways are designated as “High Quality-Cold Water Fisheries” by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, and represent some of the state’s best wild trout waters.
“Vivian loved this land. She was an accomplished fly fisherman and enjoyed being in nature,” said Bart
Bartolacci of his late wife, Vivian. “It was always her dream to see it protected. To me, Viv and what
she believed in is a great example of how individuals can make a difference.” Though she passed away
five months before the conservation easement was finalized, Bart says Vivian’s presence is very strong
and he knows she’d be pleased at this outcome.
The nearby 300-acre Ferenbach property, owned by a family-held corporation, is a densely wooded
tract that includes 3,500-feet of the Brodhead Creek.
“My great, great grandfather was a Scottish immigrant who brought his fly rod with him when he came
to America in the1850s,” said Greg Ferenbach, who represented his family in the easement process.
“Over the past century, four generations of Ferenbachs have managed this land in a manner that
protects the water quality of the stream. I’m delighted that we could preserve this special place and I
hope future generations will enjoy fly-fishing there, or just enjoy the sound of the frogs singing on a
warm spring night.”
Named for Englishman Daniel Brodhead who in 1737 purchased 600 acres of streamside land, the
Brodhead Creek originates in Monroe County, PA, one of the birthplaces of trout fishing in America. It
flows for 22 miles until it empties into the Delaware River. By the mid-1800s, the Brodhead and
surrounding streams had developed a loyal following of visiting anglers.
Nineteenth-century demand for tanned leather, turpentine, and timber led to a dramatic increase in
logging operations. The banks of the Brodhead were stripped of trees, which had shaded the water and
reduced erosion. By the turn of the 20th century, as the Brodhead became too warm and silty for wild
brown trout, fly fishermen traveled farther north to the cold, clear streams of the Catskill Mountains.
“Today, trout are thriving in the Brodhead Creek. But without permanent protection, this land and the
creek it buffers remain vulnerable,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “By combining Natural
Lands’ expertise at navigating complicated land transactions with PHLT’s local knowledge and
connections, we were able to celebrate this successful outcome. I hope this is just the beginning of the
positive impact we can make together along the Brodhead.”
“The Bartolacci and Ferenbach families were dedicated to protecting the water quality of Brodhead
Creek. Pocono Heritage Land Trust is honored to continue their legacy as we become stewards of these
two properties”, said Louise Troutman, executive director of PHLT. “For 35 years, PHLT has preserved
lands in and around Monroe County. Natural Lands’ expertise enhanced our efforts, and we look
forward to continuing our partnership with them for the long-term safeguarding of our vital Pocono
land and water resources.”
The two projects were supported with grants from OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund.
The Fund is made possible with funding from the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to
protect water in the Delaware River Basin—the source of drinking water for the cities of Philadelphia,
PA; Trenton, NJ; and Wilmington, DE.
“The protection of these lands is a milestone for the Delaware River, and for the 15 million people who
depend upon the Delaware for their drinking water,” said Peter Howell, OSI’s executive vice president.
“We applaud the conservation ethic of the landowners, and the teamwork of Natural Lands and
Pocono Heritage Land Trust that brought these projects to fruition.”
A conservation easement is a voluntary but legally binding agreement between a landowner and a
qualified conservation organization that permanently limits a property’s use and binds all present and
future owners of the land. As with all conservation easements, the Bartolacci and Ferenbach lands
remain privately owned.
These projects were also made possible with funding support from the William Penn Foundation and
the Bartolacci and Ferenbach families.
Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities
for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and
largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres,
including 43 nature preserves totaling more than 23,000 acres. Some 2.5 million people live within five
miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.
Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) is a locally based conservation organization dedicated to protecting
the natural heritage of our Pocono Mountains region. These areas include important lands, waters,
natural places, open spaces, and agricultural landscapes. PHLT is overseen by a board of directors who
are local residents, business people, elected officials, educators, and conservationists with a shared
commitment to our natural legacy. Founded in 1984, the trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
funded by grants and contributions from individual and corporate donors. It is guided by the Land Trust
Alliance's Standards and Practices. phlt.org
today the preservation of two nearby but separately owned parcels totaling 340 acres of land near the
Brodhead Creek, a stream running through the Pocono Mountains known for its clear, cool water and
healthy trout population. The properties are now under conservation easement, ensuring they will
never be developed.
The easements are supported by generous charitable contributions of the landowners, Alego ‘Bart’
Bartolacci and the Ferenbach family, and through the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River
Watershed Protection Fund. The Fund is made possible with support from the William Penn
Foundation through its Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to protect water quality in
the Delaware River Basin.
The 40-acre Bartolacci property is bordered on one side by Stony Run, a tributary of the Broadhead
Creek. Both waterways are designated as “High Quality-Cold Water Fisheries” by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, and represent some of the state’s best wild trout waters.
“Vivian loved this land. She was an accomplished fly fisherman and enjoyed being in nature,” said Bart
Bartolacci of his late wife, Vivian. “It was always her dream to see it protected. To me, Viv and what
she believed in is a great example of how individuals can make a difference.” Though she passed away
five months before the conservation easement was finalized, Bart says Vivian’s presence is very strong
and he knows she’d be pleased at this outcome.
The nearby 300-acre Ferenbach property, owned by a family-held corporation, is a densely wooded
tract that includes 3,500-feet of the Brodhead Creek.
“My great, great grandfather was a Scottish immigrant who brought his fly rod with him when he came
to America in the1850s,” said Greg Ferenbach, who represented his family in the easement process.
“Over the past century, four generations of Ferenbachs have managed this land in a manner that
protects the water quality of the stream. I’m delighted that we could preserve this special place and I
hope future generations will enjoy fly-fishing there, or just enjoy the sound of the frogs singing on a
warm spring night.”
Named for Englishman Daniel Brodhead who in 1737 purchased 600 acres of streamside land, the
Brodhead Creek originates in Monroe County, PA, one of the birthplaces of trout fishing in America. It
flows for 22 miles until it empties into the Delaware River. By the mid-1800s, the Brodhead and
surrounding streams had developed a loyal following of visiting anglers.
Nineteenth-century demand for tanned leather, turpentine, and timber led to a dramatic increase in
logging operations. The banks of the Brodhead were stripped of trees, which had shaded the water and
reduced erosion. By the turn of the 20th century, as the Brodhead became too warm and silty for wild
brown trout, fly fishermen traveled farther north to the cold, clear streams of the Catskill Mountains.
“Today, trout are thriving in the Brodhead Creek. But without permanent protection, this land and the
creek it buffers remain vulnerable,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “By combining Natural
Lands’ expertise at navigating complicated land transactions with PHLT’s local knowledge and
connections, we were able to celebrate this successful outcome. I hope this is just the beginning of the
positive impact we can make together along the Brodhead.”
“The Bartolacci and Ferenbach families were dedicated to protecting the water quality of Brodhead
Creek. Pocono Heritage Land Trust is honored to continue their legacy as we become stewards of these
two properties”, said Louise Troutman, executive director of PHLT. “For 35 years, PHLT has preserved
lands in and around Monroe County. Natural Lands’ expertise enhanced our efforts, and we look
forward to continuing our partnership with them for the long-term safeguarding of our vital Pocono
land and water resources.”
The two projects were supported with grants from OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund.
The Fund is made possible with funding from the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to
protect water in the Delaware River Basin—the source of drinking water for the cities of Philadelphia,
PA; Trenton, NJ; and Wilmington, DE.
“The protection of these lands is a milestone for the Delaware River, and for the 15 million people who
depend upon the Delaware for their drinking water,” said Peter Howell, OSI’s executive vice president.
“We applaud the conservation ethic of the landowners, and the teamwork of Natural Lands and
Pocono Heritage Land Trust that brought these projects to fruition.”
A conservation easement is a voluntary but legally binding agreement between a landowner and a
qualified conservation organization that permanently limits a property’s use and binds all present and
future owners of the land. As with all conservation easements, the Bartolacci and Ferenbach lands
remain privately owned.
These projects were also made possible with funding support from the William Penn Foundation and
the Bartolacci and Ferenbach families.
Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities
for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and
largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres,
including 43 nature preserves totaling more than 23,000 acres. Some 2.5 million people live within five
miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.
Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) is a locally based conservation organization dedicated to protecting
the natural heritage of our Pocono Mountains region. These areas include important lands, waters,
natural places, open spaces, and agricultural landscapes. PHLT is overseen by a board of directors who
are local residents, business people, elected officials, educators, and conservationists with a shared
commitment to our natural legacy. Founded in 1984, the trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
funded by grants and contributions from individual and corporate donors. It is guided by the Land Trust
Alliance's Standards and Practices. phlt.org
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