Central Pennsylvania Conservancy

What Central Pennsylvania Conservancy does

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1982 and headquartered at 401 E. Louther St., Suite 308, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It operates as a member-supported charitable organization with a six-person staff plus a twelve-member Board of Directors led by Executive Director Peggy Fogarty. The organization's mission is to acquire, preserve, and protect natural land and resources in a six-county region of south-central Pennsylvania (Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, Juniata, and northern York County), with current focal activity in Cumberland, Perry, and Franklin counties.

CPC's core products are conservation services, not commercial goods. Service lines include fee-simple land acquisition with subsequent transfer of properties to state agencies (PA Game Commission, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, PA Fish & Boat Commission) and counties for long-term public management, as well as voluntary conservation easements that permanently restrict land use while landowners retain title. The organization maintains three publicly accessible preserves — Greg's Woods (33 acres), Letort Spring Garden Preserve, and Port Royal Wetlands (14 acres) — plus the Brady Bryner Preserve (250+ acres, limited access) and the Tuckahoe Conservation Area (904 acres, acquired 2024 and pending transfer to Michaux State Forest). Technology is limited to ESRI ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online for GIS-based conservation planning and the Regional Protected Lands Map. Donor transactions run through Donorbox.

Revenue is generated across five streams: individual donations and memberships, corporate sponsorships (F&M Trust, Weis Markets, PA American Water, HRG), planned giving including bequests and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, event fundraising (the annual Fête en Blanc gala tickets at $100 per person), and grants from government and foundations (PA DCNR, USDA/NRCS, PA Game Commission, American Water Charitable Foundation, Stabler Foundation, Open Space Institute). Since inception CPC has protected over 7,000 acres and transferred over 2,000 acres to public entities. It holds Land Trust Accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, initially awarded August 2018 and renewed March 2024, and a Candid Silver Seal in 2025.

Name

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy

Legal name

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy

Website

https://centralpaconservancy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust founded in 1982 that acquires, preserves, and protects natural land across a six-county region of south-central Pennsylvania, holding conservation easements, managing public preserves, and transferring protected lands to state agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easement programs
• Nonprofit land trust
• Nature preserve management
• Watershed protection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlisle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Individual donations from supporters, annual membership dues, and major gift fundraising. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with tax-deductible donation capability.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship support from businesses and organizations for conservation work and events.
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests through wills or trusts, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs, and other estate planning vehicles.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue from special events including the annual Fête en Blanc gala and Harrisburg Senators fundraiser.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from government agencies (PA DCNR, USDA/NRCS, PA Game Commission) and private foundations for conservation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is a nonprofit land trust that acquires, preserves, and protects natural lands and resources across a 6-county region in South-Central Pennsylvania. Its core offerings include direct land acquisition, conservation easements held in perpetuity on private properties, management of three publicly accessible nature preserves, and transfer of protected lands to state and county agencies for long-term stewardship.

Product overview

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy operates as a nonprofit land trust offering land acquisition, conservation easements, and public preserve management. The core service portfolio includes land protection through direct acquisition and conservation easements, complemented by three publicly accessible preserves (Greg's Woods, Letort Spring Garden Preserve, Port Royal Wetlands), with additional preserves in development or limited access. Community engagement programs include monthly volunteer days, trail care series with Keystone Trails Association, educational guided walks, and the annual Fête en Blanc fundraising event. Planned giving options and donation processing support revenue generation for conservation activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Acquisition Services Direct acquisition of threatened lands through fundraising or bargain sales, with subsequent transfer to public entities (PA DCNR, PA Game Commission, county governments) for long-term management. Targets landowners and conservation partners seeking permanent protection of critical properties.
• Conservation Easements Voluntary legal agreements held in perpetuity that permanently limit uses of private property to protect natural, scenic, or historic values while allowing landowners to retain ownership. May offer federal income tax deductions and estate tax reductions.
• Greg's Woods Preserve A 33-acre publicly accessible woodland preserve in Juniata County donated in memory of Gregory Alan Grening. Features quiet woodland trails through diverse habitats including wetlands and ridge terrain for hiking and nature observation.
• Letort Spring Garden Preserve A public nature preserve protecting the headwaters of Letort Spring Run in Cumberland County, featuring restored habitats, ADA-accessible trails, the historic Melester Barn and Spring House, and recently enhanced trail access.
• Port Royal Wetlands A 14-acre nature park in Juniata County created in 2003 through EPA partnership funding. Features constructed ponds, wetlands, open fields, and woods with a public nature trail for hiking and bird watching.
• Brady Bryner Preserve A 250-acre mountainous forest preserve in Juniata County donated in 1993. Currently limited to CPC-organized events only. Provides wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and scenic beauty.
• Tuckahoe Conservation Area A 904-acre tract acquired in 2024 with support from PA DCNR, Cumberland County, York County, and private donors, to be transferred to DCNR's Bureau of Forestry in Michaux State Forest for long-term public access management.
• Community Volunteer Program Monthly community volunteer days offering trail maintenance, seed collecting, tree planting, invasive species removal, and habitat creation activities, including guided preserve walks led by CPC staff.
• Educational Events and Guided Walks Public educational programming including guided wildflower walks, bird walks, stream health walks, moon walks, and seasonal hikes led by environmental educators, naturalists, and CPC staff to promote conservation awareness.
• Weekday Trail Care Series Trail maintenance volunteer events held Wednesdays from May through September in partnership with Keystone Trails Association. Includes trail improvement, invasive species removal, and new accessible trail construction at preserves.
• Fête en Blanc Fundraising Gala Annual outdoor fundraising event featuring al fresco dining, live music, and silent auction held at Kings Gap State Park. Guests dress in white attire to raise funds for land conservation.
• Legacy Gift Program Estate planning options including bequests through wills or trusts (specific, percentage, residuary, and contingent bequests) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs to support long-term land conservation.
• Donation Processing Online donation system enabling one-time and recurring gifts to support land acquisition, stewardship, trail maintenance, and community engagement programs. CPC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering tax-deductible donations.
• Regional Protected Lands Map Interactive online map showing protected lands, farms, forests, and conservation projects across Central Pennsylvania with details on property boundaries, landforms, waterways, and preserves.

Quantifiable outcome

• Protected over 7,000 acres of land
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation organization partnering on land protection projects and regional conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding and land management for conservation projects. CPC transfers protected lands to DCNR's Bureau of Forestry for long-term management.
• Pennsylvania Game CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency managing wildlife and public hunting lands. CPC transfers properties to the Commission for inclusion in State Game Lands.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing conservation programs and funding for farmland protection, forest conservation, and watershed improvement.
• Appalachian Trail ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Appalachian Trail corridor protection and related conservation projects in Pennsylvania.
• WeConservePAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPennsylvania's statewide land trust association providing resources, training, and advocacy for land conservation organizations.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association representing land trusts across the U.S., providing accreditation, standards, and advocacy.
• South Mountain PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation partnership focused on South Mountain landscape conservation in Cumberland and Franklin Counties.
• Keystone Trails AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Trail Care Series - KTA provides trail maintenance expertise and coordination for volunteer trail work days at CPC preserves.
• Cumberland CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner providing funding and support for conservation projects, including the Tuckahoe Conservation Area acquisition.
• Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and consulting firm providing technical expertise for conservation and water resource projects.
• Kittatinny Ridge Conservation LandscapesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation initiative focused on protecting the Kittatinny Ridge, a landscape of national and statewide importance.
• Cumberland Valley Trout UnlimitedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of national coldwater conservation organization, partner on Letort Spring Run watershed protection.
• Letort Regional AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority managing the Letort Trail system, partner on Letort Spring Garden Preserve restoration and trail connections.
• TerraFirma RRG LLCsupportingOthersInsurance provider specializing in coverage for land trusts and conservation organizations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Natural Lands (formerly Natural Lands Trust): Regional nonprofit land trust operating across eastern Pennsylvania and into New Jersey/Delaware, holding conservation easements and preserves. Directly comparable to CPC in mission, easement-based model, and east-central US regional focus.
• Lancaster Conservancy: Nonprofit land trust serving Lancaster and surrounding counties in south-central Pennsylvania, protecting forests, farms, and waterways through acquisition and easements. Closest geographic and operational peer to CPC.
• Brandywine Conservancy: Southeastern Pennsylvania land trust operating preserves, conservation easements, and water resources programs in the Brandywine watershed. Comparable in mission, easement-holding structure, and accreditation status.
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: Larger statewide/regional Pennsylvania land trust with a comparable mission of land and water resource protection through acquisition, easements, and stewardship. Useful as a scaled peer for trajectory comparison.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: National nonprofit managing conservation easements and corridor protection in the Appalachian region, including Pennsylvania. CPC lists ATC as a Core strategic partner on Appalachian Trail corridor protection, making it a directly adjacent comparable.
• Allegheny Land Trust: Nonprofit land trust serving the greater Pittsburgh region in western Pennsylvania, holding conservation easements and managing public preserves. Comparable in structure, accreditation, and easement-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania Chapter): Largest global conservation nonprofit with Pennsylvania operations focused on land and water protection; CPC counts TNC as a Core partner. Functions as a broad incumbent in the same conservation space, with overlapping but much wider portfolio.

Regional players

• Conservancy for the Paristown Highlands: A regional Pennsylvania-focused land trust; comparable in scope and mission, though operating in a different region of the state.

Emerging players

• Open Space Institute: Mid-Atlantic-focused land protection funder and project sponsor, listed by CPC as a financial/strategic partner. Operates as both a peer funder and a complementary organization in the Mid-Atlantic conservation space.

Others

• WeConservePA: Pennsylvania's statewide land trust association providing resources, training, and advocacy to CPC and other PA land trusts. Functions as ecosystem infrastructure rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centralpaconservancy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Pennsylvania Conservancy