Featured Site

 
Nominated site: IMA #31
Hopewell Big Woods
Location: Chester & Berks  Counties
 


 

IMAP chose the Hopewell Big Woods, IMA # 31, to complete our first IMA stewardship plan. This site was chosen because Natural Lands Trust the lead conservation organization protecting this area has already assembled a vast amount of information about the site which will help facilitate our stewardship plan. We also chose this site because it is the largest remaining block for forest in southeastern Pennsylvania and it’s under immediate threat of commercial and residential development.   

 

The Hopewell Big Woods is comprise of over 100 square miles (73,000 + acres) and is located in northern Chester and southern Berks Counties. This vast forested area comprises the watershed areas of French Creek, Sixpenny Creek, and Hay Creek. These high value streams maintain populations of native Brook trout and provide clean drinking water for the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. The Big Woods also contains a unique broadleaf acidic swamp and globally rare plants and animals and other unique geological features.

 

The Crows Nest Preserve, a 600 acre educational center managed by Natural Lands Trust is located in the center of the Big Woods providing excellent environmental programs for schools and the general public.

Special Designations:

  • Important Bird Area, PA Audubon.
  • Important Mammal Area, PA Important Mammal Area Project
  • Highest priority rank in Schuylkill Watershed Conservation Plan.
  • Exceptional Value stream designation for the Upper Reaches of French Creek and parts of Hay Creek, PA Dept. of Environmental Protection
  • High priority ranking for Pine Swamp, Chester and Berks County Natural Areas Inventory
  • Ranked most important wetland in Chester County Natural Areas.
  • Priority Area, Chester County Linking Landscapes Plan

 

Due to the Big Woods’ proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange and to the Route 30/202 corridors, this area is targeted for the next big development hub. Natural Lands Trust and the Berks County Conservancy are actively working to protecting this area from further habitat fragmentation due to commercial and residential development. 

 

IMAP is excited too be involved in providing integral scientific mammal information to support the effort in protecting this irreplaceable landscape.


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