Henry William Huffnagle, M.D.

The Lancaster County Conservancy owes a large debt of gratitude to Dr. Henry Huffnagle, a doctor of urology who also happened to be an avid outdoorsman and long-time supporter of the organization. Before his passing, Henry was on the conservancy’s board, spending his time fundraising and recruiting volunteers to join the conservancy’s conservation projects, inspiring and educating them about the importance of land preservation.

One such person is Philip Wenger, current CEO of the conservancy. He said, “Henry was the soul of The Conservancy and recruited me to the conservation family. Because of his outreach efforts, I am now CEO. His fingerprints are all over this organization.” Their Director of Education, Lydia Martin, goes on to say, “When I think of Henry and his steadfast devotion to The Conservancy, this quote [from Baba Dioum, 1969] comes to mind: ‘In the end, we conserve only what we love; we love only what we understand; we understand only what we are taught.’ Henry made my job easier with his positive support and genuine interest.”

His former colleagues remember fondly that he was tireless in his efforts to conserve land and instill an environmental ethic in future generations. Not only did he volunteer his time, but in 1996, Henry and his family donated land in Benton Hollow that is now known as Ferncliff Wildflower and Nature Preserve. This is a National Natural Landmark because of the old growth forest that is maintained there. Henry’s legacy will continue on there, as well as at a newly-constructed stage at Climbers Run Nature Preserve, which was dedicated in his honor.

Photograph used with permission of Lancaster County Conservancy.