The Pennsylvania Highlands, which stretch from the Lehigh Valley to the Maryland border in Franklin County, are in need of state designation and protection. This region provides Pennsylvanians with beautiful natural spaces, habitats for endangered species, sites of national historical significance and clean drinking water.
But the Highlands are at risk from encroaching development because of their proximity to major population centers. In a five-year span, nearly 545,100 acres in the Pennsylvania Highlands were lost to development. Yet the region remains woefully unprotected, with 85 percent of the acreage that is deemed at highest risk from encroaching development still threatened. Without protection, much of Pennsylvania's beautiful backyard could be lost to sprawl and cookie cutter developments. The Highlands are a gem worth preserving, and with proper protection could provide priceless natural beauty to Pennsylvanians for generations to come.
ANNA GILBERTINI, PennEnvironment, Philadelphia