Nature Hour: The How’s and Why’s of Managing Natural Lands

About the Presentation

In this presentation, Eric will explore and explain how Lancaster Conservancy approaches land management on our preserves, from an overview of eco-restoration to in-depth looks at specific projects, explaining how decisions were made and why. We’ll dive into active forest management at High Family Nature Preserve, property-scale restoration at Wizard Ranch, and meadow restoration efforts at Safe Harbor and Kellys Run. Additionally, we will discuss threats to the health of our lands and how we manage for potential threats to the meadows and woodlands across the Lancaster Conservancy’s preserves.

About Your Presenter

Forester Eric Roper joined the Lancaster Conservancy in 2019. Before joining the Conservancy staff, Eric worked in the forestry field in both the public and private sector, including running a forestry consulting firm with clients that included US Forest Service and Department of Interior. Eric is a Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters and a graduate of the University of Montana with a Bachelors of Science in Forestry from the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation.

About Nature Hour

Nature Hour is a lecture series presented by Lancaster Conservancy, taking place on Thursdays throughout the winter. The one-hour virtual lectures, which include a Q&A with the expert presenter, cover a wide range of conservation, environmental, and nature-related topics impacting our community, region, and world to an audience of all ages of learners.

To find out about other events in the series please follow this link: Nature Hour Collection 2025/2026

To see recordings of past Nature Hour lectures, please visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConservancy

Thank you to our incredible Annual Sponsors for their generous support!