About

Located in central Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains, the Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape is anchored by Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), the nation’s busiest National Guard training center and the Army’s second most active heliport. As one of only three specialized Army National Guard aviation facilities, FTIG is critical in preparing warfighters and projecting military strength and capabilities in forward-deployed areas. The sentinel landscape encompasses forested ridges and fertile valleys that provide clean water and serve as a crucial corridor for rare wildlife and bird migration.

However, the region around FTIG is facing rapid development. Incompatible growth surrounding major highways decreases open space and increases light pollution, threatening FTIG’s ability to train under dark night skies. Noise complaints and development pressures impact specialized air and mission defense training and sensitive species, like the eastern regal fritillary butterfly and cerulean warbler.

With the primary mission of preserving military mission readiness, operations, testing, and training capabilities, partners in the Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape are focused on increasing coordinated and holistic land conservation, natural resource protection, and stewardship initiatives. In supporting these working lands, the sentinel landscape further supports local outdoor recreation and small-town economies.