Man protects 25 acres of land in memory of his late wife

In honor of his late wife, James A. Miller entered into an agreement with the Natural Lands Trust to protect in perpetuity 25 acres off Lenni Road.

Near the Natural Lands Trust’s Wawa Preserve, the Miller property is heavily forested with several streams that feed into Chester Creek. It also features a meadow and is particularly valuable as a food source and habitat for wildlife.

“Conservation begins in the heart of a willing landowner,” said Molly Morrison, president of the Natural Lands Trust. “Mr. Miller’s decision to forever preserve his beautiful property is a testament to his love of nature and his generosity towards his community. In an area that’s being swiftly developed, his choice to make nature a priority will have impact for generations to come.”

Natural Lands Trust officials explained the significance of protecting such parcels of land.

Identifying Chester Heights as an area of expanding population, the organization noted that forested areas such as the Miller property provide vital contributions to clean water, healthy wildlife and the scenic character of the region, while also helping to prevent erosion and flooding.

They also pointed out that many native species of mammals and birds live in this wooded area and the leaves that fall from these trees into the streams are critical food for aquatic animals, which are then food for larger aquatic species.

The property is within view

of the proposed Chester

Creek Trail Greenway and will provide an easement for aesthetic views along that trail.

In addition, it is close to the Wawa Preserve, a

98-acre nature preserve owned by the Natural Lands Trust and operated in partnership with Middletown Township.

The Miller property will

remain in private ownership but the conservation easement creates a legally binding agreement from future development.

The Natural Lands Trust

officials lauded Miller, Richard D. Wood Jr., Frederick Wood, Richard Wood and Lisa and Christopher Wright for their contribution to the creation of the easement.

Founded in 1953, the Natural Lands Trust has preserved more than 120,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves totaling almost 22,000 acres.