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Bucks County Planning Commission

Natural Areas

Natural Areas Program - Preserving Bucks County’s Natural Heritage

In September 1999, the Bucks County Commissioners established the Bucks County Natural Areas Program, which is the final component of their $59 million Open Space Preservation Initiative. Using $9 million from the Initiative, the objective of the Natural Areas Program is to protect as many examples as possible of Bucks County’s unique natural heritage.

The foundation of the Natural Areas Program is the Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County (NAI) which was completed in June, 1999, by the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. The NAI identifies 115 significant natural areas in Bucks County, many of which harbor plants and animals that are found only rarely—if at all—in other parts of Pennsylvania. The NAI also noted that Bucks County has a greater diversity of plants than any other county in the state.

Using the NAI as a guide, the Natural Areas Program is offering municipalities and non-profit land conservancies a 50 percent matching grant—up to $500,000—to acquire and permanently preserve land that possesses significant natural features or habitats. The grants may be used to purchase land fee simple or to acquire conservation easements that would ensure protection of the property’s significant natural area.

Natural Areas Program Guidelines

Map of Natural Areas Inventory Sites