The first land purchase by the Merrill W. Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy was a key 33-acre tract of the Montandon Wetland Complex in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County. This 1997 purchase was made possible by a Keystone Grant and a match of locally raised funds. The tract, known locally as the Belles property, is off Housel Run Road on the north side of Route 45. There are very occasional educational walks at the site which is comprised of upland sand dunes, mature oaks, and wetlands plants.

Future land purchases, land gifts, and conservation easements are anticipated in the 500 acres that comprise this, the most important wetlands complex in central Pennsylvania and home to rare plants like the river bulrush, amphibians like the spade foot toad, insects like the spice bush butterfly, and many nesting and migratory birds like the sora rail, the marsh wren, great blue herons, and the Virginia rail.

Land gifts are encouraged. The Linn Conservancy can accomplish even more land conservation through gifts. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law since the Merrill W. Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy is a federally recognized 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.