In the fall of 2024, Jeff and Betsy Yingling were preparing to become landowners in Freedom Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. The property they found was only a few miles from their previous home and was located in the area they called their hometown.According to We Conserve PA, the couple was drawn to the land because of its open views and peaceful setting. Even before the sale was final, they had started thinking about how they could protect the property for the future.After moving in, their connection with the land grew with each season. They watched the scenery change throughout the year and saw wildlife around their home. One moment that stayed with them was watching their youngest son call in turkeys from their back porch during spring mornings and evenings.Those experiences made the Yinglings want to ensure that their children, and even their future grandchildren, could enjoy the property and its rural character. They decided that placing a preservation easement on the land was the right way to protect it.
Protecting the land
The Yinglings decided to permanently protect the 101-acre property by placing a preservation easement on it. The Land Conservancy of Adams County announced the preservation, which was finalised in August 2026.A preservation easement is a legal agreement between a private landowner and a land trust. It permanently protects conservation values on a property, including ecological, scenic, wildlife or agricultural resources.For the Yinglings, the decision was also connected to their desire to be good stewards of the land. They have implemented a forest management plan while working to retain the rural character that first attracted them to the property.The preserved land includes about 64 wooded acres and 35.5 acres of cropland. According to the Land Conservancy, the property will continue to provide habitat for people and animals, support an agricultural tradition and preserve its rural scenery.
A long-term decision
The Yinglings said the process of protecting their land required patience and a long-term view. “It’s important to think long-term. The preservation process is just that,” they said.The process took time, but the couple continued working towards their goal of permanently protecting the property. They said the result was worth it.From their home, they have been able to watch wildlife and experience the changing landscape through the seasons. sThe couple believes that protecting the land gives their neighbours too, a lasting piece of peaceful, rural beauty.
Funding the conservation
The preservation easement was completed with support from several sources. Funding came from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency of the US Department of Agriculture, through its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.The Adams County Parks, Recreation and Green Space Grant Program also provided funding. Additional support came from the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s Conservation Fund.With the Yinglings’ 101 acres now permanently protected, the wooded areas and cropland will remain part of the area’s rural landscape. The decision means the land can continue to provide wildlife habitat, agricultural space and open views for years to come.