Th e S y c a m o r e N E W S F R O M W I L L I S T O W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
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SPRING 2022
Letter from Board Chair Catherine W. Etherington Executive Director Julie S. Graham Associate Executive Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jeanne B. Van Alen President Emerita Elizabeth C. Hucker | Chair Bryan D. Colket | Vice Chair Alice E. Hausmann | Vice Chair V. Richard Eales | Treasurer Matthew E. Taylor | Assistant Treasurer John F. Stoviak, Esq. | Secretary Leanne M. McMenamin | Assistant Secretary Timothy B. Barnard, Esq. L. Clarke Blynn Michael Burg, Esq. Anthony J. DiValerio, Jr. Meg Tegler Hardesty William T. Howard* Mark T. Ledger Lindsay Scott Leisenring Michael J. McGraw
Silenia Rhoads Peter S. Strawbridge* Justin N. Thompson James L. Van Alen II Tana M. Wall* Richard A. Warden Jason D. Weckstein, Ph.D. Alejandro Zozaya * Trustee Emerita/Emeritus
STAFF Todd Alleger | New England Motus Project Technician Mary Armstrong | Executive Assistant Molly Clark | Rushton Farm Production Manager Aaron Coolman | Motus Technician & Avian Migration Ecologist Sue Costello | GIS Coordinator Mike Cranney | Preserve Manager Fred de Long | Director of Community Farm Program Michelle Eshleman | Motus Avian Research Coordinator Alison Fetterman | Bird Conservation Associate & PA Motus Project Manager Blake Goll | Education Programs Manager Eliza Gowen | Community Farm Outreach Coordinator Noah Gress | Rushton Farm Field Manager Chelsea Heck | Director of Annual Giving and Outreach Erik Hetzel | Director of Land Protection and Public Grants Sarah Hutchin | Garden and Landscape Coordinator Andrew Kirkpatrick | Director of Stewardship Lisa Kiziuk | Director of Bird Conservation Program Kelsey Lingle | Director of Communications and Marketing Lindsay Martin-Carlson | Director of Rushton Conservation Center Lauren McGrath | Director of Watershed Protection Program Monica McQuail | Communications Specialist Aly Starr | Rushton Conservation Center Event Support Elly VandeMerkt | Development Assistant Anna Willig | Watershed Conservation Associate FRONT COVER | Gary Gittis WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road | Newtown Square, PA 19073 610.353.2562 | land@wctrust.org Willistown Conservation Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)3 of the I.R.S. Code. Donations are tax-deductible. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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his past year, not only did the Trust overcome the ongoing pandemic restrictions, but we managed to flourish despite them. We introduced new and improved programs like the Community Supper Series and many virtual events that welcomed new faces and old friends back to the Trust. We problem-solved and adapted to put on our traditional Barns & BBQ event — featuring the brand new Morning Barn Tour and a tailgate bash — and RunA-Muck, where we gathered safely together in celebration of local conservation. As we approached the end of 2021, we thanked and honored two supportive Trustees who stepped down after many years of dedication to the Trust: Bill Howard and George Krall. Both had a tremendous impact on the Trust during their respective tenures, and I hope you will join me in thanking them for their service. We also welcomed two new Trustees — Silenia Rhoads and Justin Thompson — whom you can get to know on page 21. Entering 2022, we are already seeing positivity and financial strength, thanks to the continued support of our donors. Additionally, our incredible executive leadership team and all members of our staff are working diligently to keep the Trust’s forward momentum going. In that vein, both the Board of Trustees and WCT staff are working on a three-year strategic plan to ensure the Trust’s long-term success. Turning to our goals for 2022, we have just over $500,000 left to raise towards the $2 million goal for the Campaign for Rushton Woods Preserve, which we would like to meet by the end of this calendar year with your commitment. If you have enjoyed attending a preserve walk, bird banding at Rushton Woods Preserve, getting your hands dirty at Rushton Farm, or participating in an educational event at the Rushton Conservation Center, please consider giving back to this very special place. We would love your support! I would be remiss if I didn’t put a plea out there for all of you to help us reach our Annual Fund goal of $560,000 for 2022. The Annual Fund is our life blood that helps us sustain the amazing programs — Bird Conservation, Community Farm, Land Protection, Stewardship, and Watershed Protection — the Trust has developed over the years. As the days grow longer, the flowers begin to bloom, and we emerge from hibernation, I hope to see many of you throughout the year, walking our preserves and enjoying nature and the beauty of the countryside.
Beth Hucker, Board of Trustees Chair
CONTENTS THE SYCAMORE NEWSLET TER | S P R I NG 2 0 2 2
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INTRODUCING THE “PLASTIC HUNTER,” A NATURAL SOLUTION TO REMOVE MICROPLASTICS IN OUR WATERWAYS RUSHTON WOODS BANDING STATION ANNUAL SONGBIRD BANDING REPORT 2021
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WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE: THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING
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OPEN SPACE AND WATER QUALITY | LESSONS LEARNED FROM THREE YEARS OF STREAM MONITORING
19 20-21
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MORNING BARN TOUR AND BARNS & BBQ CELEBRATION MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF AND TRUSTEE NEWS
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NEWLY AVAILABLE: RENT THE RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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CAMPAIGN FOR RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE
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2021 FINANCIAL REPORT
26-31
JENNIFER MATHES
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DONOR SUPPORT AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
TABLE OF CONTENTS | 3
Letter from the Executive Director
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or over 25 years, land protection has been the core of Willistown Conservation Trust’s mission. Thanks to the generosity of our community and landowners, and the hard work of WCT and partnering organizations and funders, we have collectively worked to conserve thousands of acres in our region, including public preserves and trails. Despite these wonderful conservation success stories, there are pockets of open space, some quite large, that remain unprotected and vulnerable to development. The Trust closely monitors these properties, oftentimes for years, and tries to build relationships with landowners to work towards a conservation outcome – preserving open space for the protection of natural resources, the health of our land and water, and the enjoyment by our community and beyond. I know that many of you are deeply concerned about the fate of these remaining tracts of land, and that you care about the countryside and desire, as we do, to preserve its rich reservoir of natural, scenic, and recreational resources for future generations of people and wildlife. While I cannot make guarantees, I can assure you that the Trust will continue to prioritize land protection and do what we can to achieve positive outcomes. In the meantime, let’s celebrate our conservation successes and the dynamic programs in bird conservation, watershed protection, land stewardship, and agroecology that continue to make scientific advances for the health of our natural world. I hope that you can join us at one of our many public programs this season to further immerse yourself in the Trust’s work, and deepen your commitment to protecting our land, water, air, and wildlife for generations to come.
Catherine Etherington, Executive Director
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JENNIFER MATHES
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 5
Members of Project Plastic and the Watershed Protection Program at Ashbridge Preserve. From Left, Yidian Liu, Nathaniel Banks, Tanner Eggert, Lauren McGrath, Zack Smith and Anna Willig.
Artificial root system composed of coconut fiber brushes hang below the Plastic Hunter.
Introducing the “Plastic Hunter,” a Natural Solution to Remove Microplastics in our Waterways The Trust Teams up with Project Plastic at Ashbridge Preserve
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ast year we learned that “Microplastic Pollution is No Small Problem” after our Watershed Protection Program discovered the dangerous presence of these minute plastics within the headwaters of our focus area: Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks. Our Watershed Team continues to document and monitor their presence, but now with the help of Project Plastic. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Project Plastic is comprised of Princeton students and postdoctoral researchers working to design, develop, and implement natural systems that can be used to remove plastic pollutants from rivers. Founder Yidian Liu was inspired to find a solution to plastic pollution after observing an increase in the presence of plastics and microplastics gathering in the waterways following large storms in her hometown in China. Now, with Project Plastic, it is her goal to create the first portable microplastic collection device that is both easily portable and environmentally friendly. Enter the “Plastic Hunter,” an “affordable floating wetland unit that collects and removes microplastic debris from rivers via plant root biofilters.” Resembling an elongated hexagon, this device consists of a fiberglass frame that holds a netlike pad that is both compostable and consisting of a planting membrane. This is where the magic happens. After it is deployed on the surface of a polluted river, the plant membrane grows downward, and over time, its dangling roots catch microplastic fragments. Once saturated, the removable planting membrane is carefully lifted from the water with a net, and the contaminated plant matter can be taken back to the lab for analysis. A new pad replaces the old one, and the microplastic-trapping cycle continues. Conceived and developed by Yidian Liu and Nathaniel Banks, this device and Project Plastic have already received attention after winning multiple awards, including a $10,000 prize for top startup at the Princeton Startup Bootcamp. They have since added to their team, refined their idea, filed a patent, and made multiple design improvements using 3D
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PHOTOS BY YIDIAN LIU/PROJECT PLASTIC
The Plastic Hunter deployed at Ashbridge Preserve.
print prototypes. And then this past December and January, Project Plastic officially launched the very first Project Hunter prototype at Ashbridge Preserve with the help of our Watershed Protection Team. Thanks to the continual monitoring of our watersheds, Watershed Protection Program Director Lauren McGrath identified a test site at Ashbridge Preserve known to be highly contaminated with microplastics. Plastic Hunter lived here for one month, where it was anchored to stakes located on either side of the stream, covering the majority of the stream’s width. And in place of a true plant membrane, an artificial root system comprised of coconut fiber brushes was used to entrap microplastics, essentially acting as a filtration device. Throughout Plastic Hunter’s stay at Ashbridge, Lauren McGrath and Watershed Conservation Associate Anna Willig collected water samples around Plastic Hunter on a weekly basis to determine if the device had reduced microplastic quantities within the stream. Once Plastic Hunter was removed from the stream, its fibers were taken to Project Plastic’s lab for analysis, and there, the team found that their prototype was mostly effective in capturing microplastics. Says Yidian Liu, “The Ashbridge Preserve field test marks a prospective start to the development and continued refinement of the Plastic Hunter, as well as an auspicious confirmation of the device’s technical feasibility and efficacy. We are looking forward to continuing to improve this device with the help of the Trust’s Watershed Team.” The group hopes to make Plastic Hunter more buoyant with increased connectivity between those fibers and the device’s frame. The vision for this group is to deploy future generations of Plastic Hunter across rivers, ponds, and other bodies of water, where their hexagonal frames can connect to one another to create larger filtration devices. Yidian and Nathaniel aim to keep costs as low as possible, so that their product can be affordable and reach a variety of customers across the world. Says the Trust’s Watershed Protection Program Director Lauren McGrath, “Globally, microplastic contamination is a major concern for public and environmental health, and identifying meaningful solutions for the reduction and removal of plastic from stream and ocean systems has been a serious challenge. We have enjoyed partnering with the Project Plastic Team and are inspired by their creative and innovative approach to this increasingly complex issue. We hope that through regular monitoring and creative problem solving, we can continue to better understand how to reduce microplastic pollution in our waterways.” Visit Project Plastic (projectplastic.site) to learn more about their plastic-free vision for the future! NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 7
Rushton Woods Banding Station Annual Songbird Banding Report 2021 By Alison Fetterman, Bird Conservation Associate & Northeast Motus Project Manager and Blake Goll, Education Programs Manager
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n April 2021, the WCT bird banding crew members emerged from their winter hibernation and gathered at Rushton Woods Banding Station (RWBS) to begin their 11th year of Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) and their 12th year of spring and fall migration. It was clear that the birds had continued living their celestial lives, lives that were intricately synchronized with the steady rhythms of nature millions of years before we showed up. 2021 TOTAL NEW BIRDS AT RUSHTON WOODS BANDING STATION
SPRING MIGRATION 493
MAPS BANDING 129
FALL MIGRATION 1,372
YEAR TOTAL 1,994
Figure 1. Total new songbirds banded RWBS per season and in total during 2021.
THE PEOPLE | Bird banding occurs under the supervision of four WCT staff who are federally licensed by the Bird Banding Laboratory. We regularly train volunteers who are essential to the successful operation of the banding station. In 2021, we were grateful for all our volunteers, but especially our regular helpers: Katie Hogue, Kelly Johnson, Molly Love, Kaitlin Muchio, Edwin Shafer, Jess Shahan, Victoria Sindlinger, Kirsten Snyder, and Claudia Winter. We were also lucky to host a guest bander this year: Holly Garrod. Holly joined as a migratory bander, stopping over for the fall to lend us her expert banding skills before her reverse migration to study birds in the tropics on their breeding grounds.
Other guests to RWBS included staff from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and BirdsCaribbean, with whom we continue to collaborate for a greater conservation impact. We also welcomed U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan for a visit in April.
Holly Garrod. Photo by Jennifer Mathes.
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Guest visitors, BirdCarribbean. Photo by Jennifer Mathes.
Guest visitors, PA Game Commission staff. Photo by Lisa Kiziuk/Staff.
THE MARVELS OF MIGRATION | A small songbird weighing just a little more than a quarter may spend 30% of its year in migration, traveling to and from the exact breeding and wintering locations as the year before. Each spring, an estimated three billion North American migratory birds traverse distances of over 2,000 miles from the tropical wintering grounds of South America to the critical boreal forest “nursery” of Canada — most of them putting in the mileage by night, navigating by starlight and Earth’s magnetic field. This anomalous strategy allows foraging by day along the way, which is vital especially for smaller birds that can only carry so much fuel in the form of fat reserves.
In fact, for most songbirds, 70% of migration is spent feeding and resting in “stopover habitat,” or pit stops, rather than in sustained directional flight. Consequently, understanding how birds use stopover habitat during migration has become just as important to ornithologists as identifying breeding or wintering habitat. This is just one of the reasons why we began banding at Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm 12 years ago. Never was the stopover value of our nature preserve better elucidated than on the morning of May 4, 2021, or as we call it: “The Spring Fallout.” THE SPRING FALLOUT | Bleary-eyed banders arrived
Figure 2. Predicted songbird migration of more than 552 million birds in early May, 2021. Source: www.birdcast.info.
to the hedgerows in the blue civil twilight before dawn, expecting a good catch based on the southerly winds from the previous night. As the nets were opened, the vegetation around us came alive with the whispered din of hundreds of excited bird voices chirping about their recent arrival. The low chattering exploded into full song at daybreak, and it was as if we had just entered an aviary with the roar of hundreds of birds representing dozens of different species reverberating through the shrubs and vines. “It’s birdy as heck out here today,” Blake noted, now wide-eyed, as we convened at the banding table to anticipate the first net check. Favorable migration conditions the previous night (Fig. 2), combined with pre-dawn storms and heavy fog presented fallout conditions, a phenomenon where birds cannot continue to their destination because of the energy required to fly through severe weather. This resulted in many travelers honing in on the closest suitable stopover sanctuary. The “good catch” we expected became our best catch ever; our skilled team of bird banders, volunteers, and visitors from the PA Game Commission safely processed and released 180 indviduals — three times our normal catch (Fig. 3).
Brewster’s Warbler. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff.
The avian cast included our first Brewster’s Warbler (defined as a hybrid of the Blue-winged Warbler and the near threatened Golden-winged Warbler) along with a dazzling 25 other species including: Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wood Thrush, Veery, Whiteeyed Vireo, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, American Goldfinch, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow! NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 9
SPRING MIGRATION TOTAL CAPTURES PER DAY 2021
Figure 3. Total number of birds captured per day at RWBS during spring migration 2021.
A SUMMER BREEDING RECORD | After the exhilaration of tracking spring migration in the hedgerows and thickets adjacent to the Rushton Farm, the banders moved to the interior woodlands of Rushton Woods Preserve to monitor our breeding birds for the Institute for Bird Populations’ nation-wide study called MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship). For eight weeks in the summer, we sizzled beneath the cathedral-like canopy of the royal beeches and tulip poplars and used our mist nets to capture a snapshot of the nesting activity of Rushton Woods. Banding fresh, fuzzy babies just out of their nests is usually reward enough, but last summer we also had the humbling thrill of catching up with a “veery” old friend.
“It’s he!” Alison exclaimed into the data book after Blake routinely read off the nine-digit band number of a recaptured Veery. It was the same Veery we had caught the year before and several years before that; he was first banded in 2011 — our inaugural MAPS year — when we proclaimed him to be at least two years old based on our feather and molt analysis. That makes him at least 12 years old as of summer of 2021 and our oldest banded bird for the station! To put that age in perspective, according to the Bird Banding Lab, the oldest recorded Veery is 13. The Veery is a long-distance migrating, neotropical thrush, overwintering in central and southern Brazil and capable of flying 160 miles in one night. How awe-inspiring that our old Veery accomplished this feat a dozen times, triumphantly returning each summer to fill the emerald understory of Rushton with his ethereal song. This longevity record is a testament to the importance of preserving land for wild creatures. When you consider what these migratory birds must face on their journeys — habitat loss and destruction by humans, city lights and buildings, climate change, weather, pesticides, open oil pits, natural predators, and cats — it is miraculous that a bird can persist on such a knife’s edge. 10 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Veery (Catharus fuscescens). Photo by Blake Goll/Staff.
AUTUMN’S BOUNTY | Fall brought Rushton banders back out to the migration station in the relatively open hedgerows where young birds hatched in the dark woods to find a more forgiving landscape for learning how to survive, and where migrants discovered an abundance of insect and berry forage to fuel their southbound journeys. Fall of 2021 turned out to be our second best with 1,372 new birds banded in addition to 174 recaptures of a total diversity of 61 species; for comparison, fall of 2019 brought 1,427 new birds. Gray Catbirds — familiar and endearing garden birds related to mockingbirds — had a record year, comprising 42% of our total new birds! The majority of these were fresh youngsters hatched that summer; this annual recruitment of new birds into the population is the reason why we see a species-wide increase in abundance during the fall season relative to spring; for comparison, spring 2021 totaled 493 new birds (Fig. 4.). TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW BIRDS CAPTURED EACH SEASON PER YEAR 2010-2021
1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Spring
2016
MAPS
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Fall
Figure 4. Total New Birds Captures Per Season 2010-2021 at RWBS.
The fall banding season is also much longer than spring, with birds taking a more leisurely voyage in the absence of the pressure of mating. Last September brought beauties like the chartreuse Chestnut-sided Warbler, the dashing Black-throated Green Warbler, and the elusive Connecticut Warbler.
Scott Weidensaul with a female Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Photo by Jennifer Mathes.
September also produced our 102nd species for the station, a Cooper’s Hawk, that was ceremoniously banded by expert raptor bander and renowned naturalist and author, Scott Weidensaul. Scott happened to be visiting for a talk he was to give that evening about the Willistown Conservation Trust’s role in Motus Wildlife Tracking and his most recent book: “A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds.” After the raptorial hawk was gently banded and processed, it was temporarily excused from the net premises for the safety of the rest of our songbirds. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 11
A female American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). Photo by Blake Goll/Staff.
American Woodcock (Scolopax minor). Photo by Blake Goll/Staff.
Though 75% of the songbirds we catch are only caught once, there is immense value in the few birds we see more than once. For example, we caught a young Worm-eating Warbler on September 8 and again on September 30. This bird likely hatched late summer on a nearby wooded hillside, then dispersed to the Rushton shrublands, illustrating the importance of shrub habitat — including those typically associated with forests — for young birds learning how to make a living before their first migration. We also caught other songbirds stopping over, like the hatch-year female American Redstart who gained 27% of her body weight in just 10 days; that’s the equivalent of a 145 pound human gaining almost 40 pounds in a little over a week! Birds gain weight in this rapid manner only to prepare for long overnight flights. Studying the rate of weight gain through recaptures such as these can help shed light on the quality of stopover habitat in terms of supplying adequate forage for migrants. Finally, one of the last days of the season produced our fourth ever American Woodcock! These marvelously camouflaged earthworm-eaters prefer early successional woodlots next to open fields — like those found at Rushton — where the males can perform their esoteric sky dances, electrifying the dusk and moonlit skies of spring with their wing twittering and chirping spiral descents.
BIRD BANDING AND LAND CONSERVATION | When all is said and done, we banded nearly 2,000 birds in 2021, between spring migration, summer MAPS, and fall migration. It was a wild year that included fallouts, two new species for the station, discovering a bird that was with us since our very first year, hosting hundreds of visitors including special guests, and training many students and colleagues. Through banding we continue to learn information about species abundance and diversity, individual longevity and site fidelity, and how birds are using our conserved land throughout their annual cycle.
Our banding station’s high catch rates — or “birdiness” — combined with the unique setting on a regenerative farm within a greater nature preserve shows the world that people and wildlife can coexist in harmony. On a broader scale, as Rushton Woods becomes inreasingly surrounded by human development, our continuous banding efforts may be illuminating the Preserve as a critical island habitat for birds traveling through, wintering, or breeding in the region.
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PERCENT OF BIRDS CAPTURED AT RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE
Vireos Woodpeckers
Chickadees and Titmice
With more than 17,000 birds banded over the last 12 years, it can be useful to look more broadly at species groups and their changes over time. Birds of species groups have many similarities, including diet and foraging habits. For example, we typically Catbirds and other Mimicsover 200 warblers of different capture and other Mimics species each year. Since most warblers are tree top dwelling, insect gleaners, if we Other species group them together, we may gain a better groups comprising understanding of habitat priority needs at < 0.5% of all captures Rushton. Our captures are overwhelmingly dominated by Catbirds, Sparrows, Warblers, and Thrushes (Fig. 5). And when we look at Jays the capture rates over time, we can see that all are increasing except for Sparrows (Fig 6).
Flycatchers Blackbirds
Wrens Finches Cardinals and Grosbeaks Kinglets and Gnatcatchers
Thrushes
Nuthatches and Creepers
Other species groups comprising < 0.5% of all captures
Swallows
Jays Nuthatches and Creepers Swallows Hawks Waxwings Tanagers Owls Cuckoos Sandpipers (AMWO)
Sparrows Warblers
Figure 5. Percent of birds captured by taxonomic group at RWBS 2010-2021. 30.00
CAPTURE RATE (B/100NH) BY SPECIES GROUP PER YEAR
Capture Rate (b/100nh)
25.00
The gravity of the state of birds today runs the risk ofHawks being lost on the reader through an auspicious annual banding report such Waxwings as this. ItTanagers must be noted that in less than one human lifetime, North American bird Owls populations have plummeted by 30% with Cuckoos no ecosystem spared; that’s three billion, or Sandpipers (AMWO) one in four birds gone since 1970, largely due to human actions. So while we recover from our world being briefly disrupted by the uncertainty of a pandemic, we must learn to minimize our disruption of the natural systems to which we are inextricably linked. You can find the full Rushton Woods Banding Station Annual Songbird Banding Report, as well as a full list of all species we’ve banded each year since 2010, on our website.
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One thing’s for certain: the wild birds at Rushton will always be welcome, where the rhythm of winged creatures reigns.
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5.00
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RESOURCES 2011
2012
2013
2014
Catbirds and other Mimics
2015
2016
Sparrows
2017
2018
Warblers
2019
2020
2021
Thrushes
Figure 6. Capture Rates (Birds per 100 net hours) for the four most abundantly captured birds by taxonomic group at RWBS 2010-2021.
Institute for Bird Populations: birdpop.org Northeast Motus Collaboration: northeastmotus.com Rushton Woods Banding Station Annual Songbird Banding Report: wctrust.org/research Species Seen List: wctrust.org/birds/species-seen
Photo by Fred de Long/Staff.
Abby, Caitlin, Molly picking peas.Photo by Abby Oswald.
Women in Agriculture: The Future of Sustainable Farming By Molly Clark, Rushton Farm Production Manager
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omen’s history month is an excellent time to draw attention to the significant, yet historically underappreciated, role that women play in agriculture. Globally, nationally, and in our region, women are producing bountiful harvests and accomplishing important changes in the food system. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, women produce more than 50% of the food that is grown in the world. In some parts of the world, that figure is as high as 80%. This is despite the inequitable access to education, agricultural technology, and financing available to women. In the United States, women farmers represent a growing number of producers. According to the 2017 United States Department of Agriculture Census, women farmers comprise 36% of farmers nationally. This represents an increase of 6% in just one decade. Unfortunately, it is difficult to accurately compare the numbers prior to 2007, because historically, only one operator per farm was counted, and typically, only men were counted. It is momentous that women are increasingly identifying themselves as farmers, rather than the wives or daughters of farmers, and are now being counted and recognized! Along with this significant rise in the number of women who are co-operators on farms, the number of women who are the principal operator — that is the person in charge of day-to-day operations — has risen steeply from just 5% in 1978 to 18% in 2017. Our own region follows this national trend. According to the 2017 agricultural census, women made up 35% of the total farmers in Pennsylvania, an increase of 7% in one decade. And here in Chester County, 40% of farmers are women. In addition to increasing numbers, women are having a strong positive impact on farming practices. In 2016, five women farmer advocates from the Northeast wrote a book titled “The Rise of Women Farmers and Sustainable Agriculture.” The authors detail poignant observations about the relationship between the rise in the number of women farmers and the strengthening of the sustainable agriculture movement. The ways women have innovated and persevered, despite facing inequitable obstacles, have led to the development of numerous land access and financing strategies that have created opportunities for more women and farmers who have historically been locked out of the increasingly industrialized food
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Abby, Maddie, Noa at Rushton Farm. Photo by Molly Clark/Staff.
system. Some of these strategies will sound familiar. Women are more likely to farm smaller parcels and will pursue opportunities to farm on public land, land held by land conservation organizations, or land protected by agriculture easements. Women have also been at the forefront of the rise in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and have expanded the functionality and flexibility of these direct-to-consumer operations in countless ways. Within the environmental movement, it is well established that women tend to have strong environmental awareness and are more likely than men to believe that climate change is happening, and also have concerns about its effects. A similar pattern is seen in agriculture. Women farmers are more likely to farm sustainably in ways that improves conditions for future use. By employing regenerative farming practices, they are improving the environment and soil health today, and ensuring the soil fertility of tomorrow. Typically, women-run farms are predominantly smaller scale, more diverse, and are more likely to employ a wide range of climate-smart, agro-ecological practices. It appears women will continue to have a strong influence in shaping our food system. A survey of young farmers conducted by the National Young Farmers Coalition in 2017 found that 60% of the respondents were women. Right here at Rushton Farm, there has always been a woman in a management position. I have had the pleasure of learning from and working with a remarkable group of women throughout my six years at the farm. I was so energized by the young women who interned with us last season. Not only are they passionate about agriculture and agroecology, but they have each found fascinating environmental and agriculture college programs. And they continue to keep their hands in the soil on student farms (farms run by colleges or universities that teach and engage students, and in some cases, produce food for the college). Rushton Farm has a unique opportunity to continue to teach and empower a rising generation of women who could become the next leaders in the sustainable agriculture movement. I am grateful to be a part of this at Rushton. Visit our blog for more reflections from women who have worked at Rushton Farm. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 15
Open Space and Water Quality | Lessons Learned from Three Years of Stream Monitoring By Anna Willig, Watershed Conservation Associate and Lauren McGrath, Director of Watershed Protection Program
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ince 2018, the Watershed Protection Program has monitored 10 sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks (see map). Through visits every four weeks, the Watershed Protection Team has learned that the headwaters are negatively impacted by human activity on the surrounding landscape. All of the sample sites surveyed had periods of stressful conditions, harming stream life. Stressors included very warm temperatures in the summer, road salts in the winter, and fertilizers throughout the year. However, sample sites with the most open space in their watersheds had the best water quality, indicating that open space preservation is one of the most effective ways to protect and improve water quality in our area. Water temperature is a critical factor for understanding water quality within a stream system. In Pennsylvania, water temperatures are evaluated based on how they affect trout, which are sensitive to temperature and will not breed or survive if streams are too warm. Water temperature and oxygen levels are tightly linked; cold water can hold the high concentrations of dissolved oxygen needed to support sensitive species, but as water warms, that amount decreases. Figure 1 shows the required temperatures to be considered a Cold Water Fishery — a stream that supports the survival and reproduction of trout — are exceeded at all sites year-round, indicating that streams are too warm to support breeding trout and similarly sensitive organisms and can even reach the point where conditions are stressful for stocked trout during summer heatwaves. These elevated temperatures limit biodiversity at sample sites; only species that tolerate high temperatures can survive and reproduce. In addition to monitoring water temperatures, the Watershed Protection Team also analyzed specific conductivity, which is a general measurement of water quality that provides insight into how disturbance on the landscape impacts a waterway. Increases in conductivity occur when road salts, fertilizers, or other pollutants wash from the landscape into the stream. A common cause of increased conductivity in winter months is salt washing off of impervious surfaces — roads, sidewalks parking lots 16 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
— into waterways. The more impervious surfaces within a watershed, the more opportunity for these contaminants to wash into the streams and increase conductivity. The Trust’s ongoing study has found that there is a relationship between conductivity and the amount of impervious surface cover in the surrounding watershed. Sample sites in watersheds with the highest percentage of impervious surfaces tend to have the lowest water quality, as indicated by elevated conductivity, while sample sites in watersheds with more open space are the least impaired. Figure 2 shows the relationship between higher conductivity and the amount of impervious surfaces in the watershed. Developing a better understanding of this relationship is critical, as it helps to identify how we can make smart changes in the way we interact with the land to better support the health of the wetlands, streams, and rivers in our region. What can be done to improve water quality in Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks? Based on three years of data, we believe it is important to reduce water temperature and conductivity in local streams to improve habitat and increase biodiversity. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this goal is by planting native plants along streams in riparian areas, the land that borders waterways. Streamside trees and shrubs provide shade, reducing water temperature and increasing dissolved oxygen. Native plants slow and absorb runoff, limiting the amount of pollutants like nutrients and salts that reach the stream, which reduces conductivity. While large scale plantings are important, you do not need to have acres of property to benefit local streams and rivers! Adding native plants to lawns, fields, and gardens goes a long way to improve water quality, even if you do not live alongside a stream. Overall, the best tool for protecting and improving the health of our streams is preserving open space, especially in critical habitats like wetlands and riparian areas. Each covered in pavement and will not need road salt or
WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST WATERSHED SAMPLING SITES
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 17
fertilizer applications. Without impervious surfaces, water can infiltrate into the soil and flow through the ground rather than over it, meaning that when it enters the stream, it is cooler and cleaner than if it had run off from a parking lot or road. As a result, water temperatures and conductivity stay down, making streams more hospitable for all types of life.
water sources, and all three creeks — Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks — flow into the Delaware River, which provides drinking water for millions of residents. By protecting open space and water quality in the headwaters, we are ensuring that we do not place the burden of cleaning up our pollution on the downstream communities that drink from these waters.
Not only does protecting open space keep waterways clean for the organisms they house, it also keeps water clean for
The research conducted by the Watershed Protection Team is ongoing, and a full report will be available this summer.
Figure 1. Water temperature at 10 sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks from 2018 through 2021. The lines represent maximum allowable temperatures for a Cold Water Fishery (CWF, solid), a Trout Stocked Fishery (TSF, dotted), and a Warm Water Fishery (WWF, dashed) according to PADEP standards. Sampling was paused from April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 2. Conductivity and impervious surface cover across 10 sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks from 2018 through 2021. Boxplots represent specific conductivity and bars represent the percent impervious surface cover of each catchment by area. For each boxplot, the box represents the middle 50% of values and the median. Dots outside of whiskers show values that can be considered outliers.
18 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join us for our Annual Morning Barn Tour and Barns & BBQ Celebration By Monica McQuail, Communications Specialist
D
riving or biking down the twisting backroads of Chester County, one can’t help but appreciate the natural beauty and rich history of this special area. And for those of us who are lucky enough to call Chesco home, regularly passing by the same quaint farmhouses and colonial barns peeking out from a row of trees may evoke a feeling of curiosity; what histories, stories, or interior design trends exist behind the closed doors of these homes and working barns? Well, on June 4, 2022, you could discover the answers to those very questions when you join Willistown Conservation Trust for our annual Morning Barn Tour and Barns & BBQ celebration! History buffs, conservation enthusiasts, design aficionados, and curious neighbors alike are invited to peek behind the curtain — or trees — of some of the most stunning properties that dot the Willistown countryside. Both tour options — the budget-friendly Morning Barn Tour and the traditional afternoon Barns & BBQ tour and party — will lead visitors on a unique and intimate sight-seeing journey through a handful of conserved properties and barns. You’ll learn about the incredible history of these lands and how they came to be protected in partnership with WCT. For the Morning Barn Tour, your journey will begin at Rushton Conservation Center at 915 Delchester Road, where you can pick up your map and program book, and fill up on light breakfast fare before hopping in your car to head to the next stop. The tour is flexible, beginning at 9 am and ending at 1 pm, so you can customize your journey to your liking! Bring a picnic lunch to the Rushton Conservation Center and enjoy your meal with friends and family while overlooking the lush and bountiful Rushton Farm. As for Barns & BBQ , this tour will begin at 2 pm at a tour stop of your choosing and end at 5 pm at the final stop on your tour: a secret barn location, complete with an evening of live music, cocktails and good eats. As our most anticipated event of the year, Barns & BBQ sells out quickly, so be the first to know when tickets are available by joining our mailing list and keeping an eye on our Events webpage. All proceeds for this event go toward Willistown Conservation Trust’s continued effort to preserve and protect the scenic beauty and natural resources that make Chester County the hidden gem it is today — consider doubling your impact by donating at the end of the night when we all “Raise the Paddle” in honor of local conservation. We can’t wait to see you on June 4!
Interested in becoming a Barns & BBQ sponsor? Scan code to visit our Barns & BBQ event page or email Elly VandeMerkt at eav@wctrust.org for more information.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 19
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF NEWS
AARON COOLMAN | Motus Technician And Avian Migration Ecologist
As his title suggests, Aaron wears a lot of hats around here, working as a Motus Technician and Avian Migration Ecologist at Rushton Farm, and you may occasionally see him harvesting produce during the growing season. With a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University, experience in residential garden design, former work as a USFWS Biotechnician, and history as a volunteer for the Maryland DNR Heritage Program, Aaron is a perfect fit at our organization, and has been working with the Trust since 2022. A nature enthusiast, Aaron spends much of his free time birding, gardening, volunteering for various conservation groups, and photographing…you guessed it…nature!
ALY STARR | Rushton Conservation Center Event Staff
Aly joined the Trust in late 2021, and you’ll find her assisting with a variety of events at the Rushton Conservation Center. She divides her time between the Rushton Conservation Center and the Chester County Hospital where she works as a nurse and recently won the prestigious Daisy Award for her top-notch care of a Covid patient. Needless to say, hospitality is one of Aly’s specialties! Additionally, Aly spends much of her free time with her fiancé, designing, renovating, and decorating their house: a black Victorian twin built in 1886 and found in the Downingtown borough (and on Instagram @blackbrickonthecorner). Originally, from “the middle of nowhere” — better known as Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania — Aly draws design inspiration from her rural roots and loves foraging and drying flowers to decorate her home and the RCC!
ELLY VANDEMERKT | Development Assistant
From managing horses to overseeing events, Elly has a varied background in management that she has brought with her to the Trust in early 2022. After working as the Director of Events at the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, she took a left turn from the corporate event management world to full-time equestrian management at Magic Hill Farms, LLC, and now we are lucky to have her as Development Assistant! Here at the Trust, Elly’s tasks range from assisting with donor management to working closely with our Outreach Team to execute the many events we put on. Outside of the event world, Elly loves to read, cook and bake, and spend time with her favorite animals, including her Jack Russell named Oliver and the two horses that live in her backyard.
20 | MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF AND TRUSTEE NEWS
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | TRUSTEE NEWS
JUSTIN THOMPSON | We first got to know Justin
Thompson when he joined the Bird Conservation Program Committee, and then later in 2015 when he became Co-Chair of the Run-A-Muck Committee! Ever committed, in 2021, Justin joined our Finance Committee and was officially elected to our Board of Trustees that same year. As a Portfolio Manager for Veritable, L.P., Justin is responsible for managing over $650MM for private individuals and families at one of the largest Registered Investment Advisory firms in the country. Additionally, Justin founded Thompsons Landscaping, Inc., and as the father of four — Whitaker, Roscoe, Felicity and Hayes — he and his wife Carolyn certainly stay busy. The Thompson family enjoys spending time together vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey and hiking and fishing in the Adirondacks in New York. SILENIA RHOADS | If you’ve been to Malvern Buttery, then you know Silenia Rhoads’ work already (and if you haven’t been, we suggest you head over ASAP). As the founder of The Malvern Buttery, Silenia, along with her husband John, opened the bakery and cafe in 2015, featuring old-world, European-style recipes and local food. Self-taught on all aspects of entrepreneurial business, Silenia built a successful business and beloved staple of the Malvern area. Prior to Malvern Buttery, Silenia’s background was in Public Policy and Public Health Education. She worked as a teacher for years, specializing in a variety of subjects – Spanish, Yoga, Health, and Mathematics – traveling and working all over, from the Dominican Republic and Seattle area, to New York City and Pennsylvania. Silenia was born in Venezuela and spent every summer there with her grandparents, harvesting pomegranates, citrus, and watermelons, rescuing stray puppies, steering clear of scorpions and tarantulas, and discovering ocean life. It was where she fostered her deep connection to nature and the natural way of living and healing. A learner at heart, Silenia enjoys literature, theater, talking to anyone who feels the spirituality in nature, and exploring the great outdoors. Silenia lives in Willistown with her husband John, their three children, and Sunny the dog. She joined the Trust’s Board of Directors in 2021, and the Trust is pleased to welcome her!
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF AND TRUSTEE NEWS | 21
RENT THE RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER! The Trust is pleased to present the Rushton Conservation Center as a rental facility, perfectly suited for a variety of business occasions. From meetings to webinars and work retreats, the Rushton Conservation Center is an unforgettable gathering space for you and your employees. With Rushton Farm as its neighbor, this community building is surrounded in nature, overlooking abundant meadows full of pollinators and bird species, rows of fresh crops, and the walking trails of Rushton Woods Preserve.
THE RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER OFFERS: Lectures for 70
Private Meetings for 15
Culinary Demos for 14
From selecting caterers to setting up a beautiful space for your needs, our staff can help you plan your corporate event from start to finish. We specialize in hosting the following types of corporate events: CORPORATE EVENTS | Meetings - Retreats - Workshops SPECIALTY EVENTS | Lectures - Trainings - Webinars CULINARY EVENTS | Cocktail Receptions - Culinary Demonstrations - Sit-Down Dining The Rushton Conservation Center is not available for birthday parties, showers, weddings, wedding rehearsals, wedding brunches, wedding photography, or other wedding-related gatherings.
22 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dinner for 50
CONTACT INFORMATION Visit our website to fill out a rental inquiry form or contact: LINDSAY MARTIN CARLSON events@wctrust.org
Upcoming Events |
Visit wctrust.org/calendar or scan code for more event information and registration
APRIL 23
Open House
MAY 7
Rushton Farm Plant Sale & Volunteer Day Honoring Bonnie Van Alen
MAY 20
Community Supper Series
MAY 31
First Rushton Farm CSA Pickup
JUNE 4
Barns & BBQ
JUNE 20-26
Creek Week
JULY 18-24
Wildflower Week
JUNE 24
Community Supper Series
JULY 30
Tomato Tasting
AUGUST 26
Community Supper Series
SEPTEMBER 22 Speaker Event | Doug Tallamy SEPTEMBER 30 Community Supper Series OCTOBER 16
Run-A-Muck
VOLUNTEER DAY HONORING BONNIE VAN ALEN Saturday, May 7 As we honor the Trust’s co-founder and former Executive Director Bonnie Van Alen, we invite you to our first annual volunteer day. Celebrate the Trust’s 25 year history of protecting the natural resources and open space in the Willistown countryside by volunteering at our preserves. Volunteer Tasks Include: -Tree planting -Creek clean up -Clearing raised garden beds -Trimming hedge rows -Weeding Check our event calendar for more information.
Events subject to cancellation - check wctrust.org/calendar for the latest details.
Recurring Events WEDNESDAYS | “Just Show Up” Volunteer Wednesdays at Rushton Farm. This is an opportunity to work in the fields with the farmers. You can show up at the farm from 9 am - 4 pm on any Wednesday during the season. THURSDAYS | “Love the Land” Stewardship Volunteer Thursdays. Volunteer at our nature preserves! Willistown Conservation Trust maintains three public preserves, soon to be four! With so much beautiful habitat, we need some help keeping these conserved lands looking their best for all visitors. If you wish to attend, please contact Mike Cranney (mjc@wctrust.org) ahead of time. THURSDAYS | Spring Migration Bird Banding starts April 14 - May 19. Visit the bird banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve to observe the banding process, learn about the science of bird migration, and see the importance of land conservation for migratory birds. Space is limited. Please register in advance, bring a mask, and stay within the designated viewing area for the safety of our staff and visitors. Note: we do not band if it rains, for the safety of the birds. RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK) | RNK educational programming will resume in June! Check for registration details and the program schedule at wctrust.org/rushtonnaturekeepers.
UPCOMING EVENTS | 23
About the Campaign The Campaign for Rushton Woods Preserve is a $2 million campaign to strengthen the Rushton Woods Preserve and to inspire in all who visit a commitment to save the land and serve as stewards of the natural world for future generations. Longtime supporter Quaker City Foundation is generously presenting a challenge to the Willistown Conservation Trust community to recognize and honor Bonnie Van Alen’s 40 years of dedication to the land, the environment and the furtherance of conservation goals.
Campaign for Rushton Woods Preserve Help us reach our goal with a gift to the Quaker City Foundation Challenge!
Campaign Initiatives Establish Rushton Woods Fund for Programming & Outreach Design & Implement Stewardship & Habitat Restoration Plan Restore the White Farmhouse for Farmers, Interns, & Visiting Conservationists Develop Preserve Access & Circulation Plan
Campaign Updates A Stewardship and Habitat Master Plan has been completed, identifying key priorities in invasive species management, restoration plantings and projects, and trail accessibility throughout the Preserve. In-person programs and outreach activities are back! A full calendar of educational experiences planned at the Rushton Conservation Center and throughout Rushton Woods Preserve is planned for 2022. Installation of an ADA Trail will begin in Fall of 2022 which will connect the Rushton Conservation Center and the Rushton Farm Shed. The White Farmhouse restoration has been completed and addressed much needed structural and cosmetic repairs, while also creating dedicated space for staff, interns, and visiting conservationists.
24 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Funds Raised To Date as of February 2022 Campaign Goal: $2,000,000 Raised to Date: $1,494,207 Needed to Complete Campaign: $505,793
The Quaker City Foundation will match every $2 donated with a $1 gift, up to $250,000. Meeting the Quaker City Foundation Challenge will enable the Trust to complete the $2 Million Campaign For Rushton Woods Preserve by December 2022. Please help us meet this challenge and honor Bonnie Van Alen’s Legacy by making a gift to the Campaign for Rushton Woods Preserve. For more information or an in-depth conversation about the Campaign for Rushton Woods Preserve, contact Kate Etherington at kwe@wctrust.org.
Willistown Conservation Trust 2021 Financial Report
OPERATING REVENUE
Investment Return for Current Activities 20% Program Revenue 12%
Contributions & Grants 57%
Net Fundraising Events 11%
OPERATING ACTIVITIES Community Farm Program 13% Administration 14% Fundraising 12% Community Outreach 14%
Bird Conservation Program 22% Land Protection & Stewardship 18%
Watershed Protection 7%
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 25
DONOR SUPPORT | CAMPAIGN & ANNUAL FUND
C A M PA I G N F O R R U S H T O N WOODS PRESERVE DONORS Anonymous Franny and Franny Abbott* Mr. Timothy B. Barnard and Ms. Meredyth Patterson* Michael and Linda Burg* Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket Mrs. Tristram C. Colket Jr. Anthony and Linda DiValerio Dick and Nancy Eales Julie S. and K. David Graham* Dr. Janet F. Haas and Mr. John Otto Haas* Meg and Chris Hardesty Alice and Peter Hausmann* Lynn Hitschler* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hofmann Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard* Beth and David Hucker* Mrs. Barbara M. Jordan Mr. George F. Krall Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Layden, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger Lindsay and Ted Leisenring Michael McGraw* McLean Contributionship Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin Dr. F. Arthur McMorris and Dr. Joanna Balcarek McMorris* Mr. and Mrs. Peter Morse* Donna and Bill Oliver* Otto Haas Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Scott Johnson* Lang and Marilyn Smith* Bob & Julie Spahr* John F. and Holly H. Stoviak* Jeanne & Doug Swope* Mr. Matt E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll* Terryglass Foundation* The Colket Foundation The Darling Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation* The RJM Foundation Bob and Carolyn Turner Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Veritable, LP Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warden The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins* Alex and Janine Zozaya* * Quaker City Foundation Challenge Gifts in Honor of Bonnie Van Alen
26 | DONOR SUPPORT
The Sycamore Society recognizes individuals and organizations who annually contribute $1,500 or more to the Annual Fund.
P L AT I N U M S YC A M O R E S ($25,000 or More)
Elizabeth G. Atterbury Amanda C. Ryan and Kevin T. Ryan Tally Foundation
GOLD SYCAMORES ($10,000 to $24,999)
Anonymous Frank and Terry Buzan Mrs. Perry C. Gresh Alice and Peter Hausmann Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Layden, Jr. The Merz Family Foundation Jennifer and Bob McNeil Mr. and Mrs. Seymour S. Preston III Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Don and Nancy Weaver
SILVER SYCAMORES ($5,000 to $9,999)
Anonymous Mr. Timothy B. Barnard and Ms. Meredyth Patterson Jim and Cherie Gerry Ms. Linda M. Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Hamilton Jr. Beth and David Hucker Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin Chris and Jennifer Moller Britt and Janice Murdoch Ms. Diane Murray Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Frank Tobin and Ilene Chester Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warden The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins Mrs. Ethel Benson Wister
Interested in joining the Sycamore Society? Contact Chelsea Heck at cmh@wctrust.org for more information.
We are grateful for these donors who have generously supported the Trust’s conservation efforts. Those listed on the following pages provided support between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
B R O N Z E S YC A M O R E S ($2,500 to $4,999)
Anonymous Franny and Franny Abbott Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket Mr. and Mrs. John F. Cozzi Anthony and Linda DiValerio Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat Michael E. and Elizabeth S. Drummond Dick and Nancy Eales Ann Ercolani and Drew Conboy Kate and Ben Etherington Mr. Erik C. Evans and Dr. Marianna Evans Steve and Debra Gautier Charles A. and Patricia Genuardi Dick and Meg Hayne
James Hetznecker and Sandra Cannon Mrs. Barbara M. Jordan Hugh and Mary Lee Kenworthy Kimberton Whole Foods Mr. George F. Krall Jr. Catherine LaFarge Bayard Walker, Jr. Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation LandArt Events Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. McKenna Jr. The Simkiss Family Foundation First Cornerstone Foundation Mrs. Anne G. Moran Ms. Caroline A. Moran Network for Good
Dr. Donald E. Red The Rorer Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rorer Lang and Marilyn Smith Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Spinner Mr. and Mrs. Randal Steinhoff Jeanne and Doug Swope Mr. Matt E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Bayard Walker Jr. Mr. Gilbert B. Weisman and Ms. Alane A. Becket The Wike Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Mark and Chay Wike Carolyn J. Wukitch and Anthony McCarley
S YC A M O R E S
($1,500 to $2,499) Anonymous Caroline and Olin Belsinger Doug and Peggy Briggs Daley Family Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation Warren I. Claytor Jonathan and Kelly Cleborne Vince and Kali Curran Jim and Jan D’Arcy Emery and Bonnie Davis Carol and J.R. Delich Ronald E. DiSimone and Patricia A. Torna Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Duprey E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc. Facebook Donations John and Kate Fahey Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Good Dr. George T. Graham and Ms. Suzanne M. Roth Lonnie Gray Mr. and Mrs. S. Matthews V. Hamilton, Jr. Gil and Tracey Hanse Meg and Chris Hardesty Phil and Betty Harvey Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hofmann Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard Marybeth Hurley
L. Stockton Illoway Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Jameson Mr. and Mrs. Scott Johnson Ray and Patsy Jones Margot and Bob Keith Mr. and Mrs. James P. Kennedy III Nancy and Dick Klavans Helen and Dick Leaman Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger Lindsay and Ted Leisenring Blair and Linda LeRoy Ms. Victoria B. Mars and Mr. David R. Spina Mary and Jay McElroy Wendy W. McLean Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Chip G. Morgan The Pencoyd Foundation John and Joan Mullen The Mullen Family Foundation Pam and Pete Nagy PECO Mr. and Mrs. Steve M. Oblack Ned and Rachel Owen Margot and Mac Patterson Frank A. Pension Mrs. Keith M. Pension Jared and Linda Quereau
Conrad and Amanda Radcliffe Jorge Ramirez and Christina Rilke Mr. and Mrs. Marc Rash Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rawson Ms. Elizabeth Reilly Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rorer Mr. and Mrs. Karl R. Schoettle Jr. Gary Sheehan and Sarah Hetznecker Sheehan Josh and Katie Mayer The Darling Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Bob and Julie Spahr Mr. Brook Gardner and Ms. Jodi Spragins Elizabeth Stone John F. and Holly H. Stoviak Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge Arthur and Doris Strawbridge Mr. George Strawbridge Jr. Dylan and Anne Supina The National Bank of Malvern James Sargent and Paige Turner John and Gerry Tuten Ted and Susan Wentz Dr. Kathy Zoll and Mr. Joseph C. Zoll
DONOR SUPPORT | 27
DONOR SUPPORT | ANNUAL FUND CONSERVATIONIST ($1,000 - $1,499)
Anonymous Mrs. Sandra K. Baldino Clarke and Barb Blynn Michael and Linda Burg Beatrice Cassou Lynn and Steve Flynn Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gansky Dr. Jan Taylor Gordon Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gowen II Jeff and Diane Groff Gary and Patricia Holloway Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Knauer Mrs. Jane E. MacElree John and Nima Marsh Dr. F. Arthur McMorris and Dr. Joanna Balcarek McMorris Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. McNeely Robert A. Micheletti Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Micheletti Mr. and Mrs. John D. Milner Broadacres Trouting Association Sandra and Warren Ormerod Mr. and Mrs. Mark Piro Jay Reinfeld Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer Mrs. Alice M. Sharp Spire Builders Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Strawbridge Dr. Sharon Taylor and Mr. Joe Cannon Mr. and Mrs. Jeff S. Vincent Mr. David E. Watt
NATURALISTS ($500 - $999)
Anonymous Altus Partners Rebecca and John Adams Stephen and Evelyn Bennett Dr. and Mrs. Barry H. Burkhardt Mr. and Mrs. Cummins Catherwood The Catherwood Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Dr. Lewis Chodosh and Shelby Riney Chodosh Walter J. Cook Jeweler Ron D’Angeli Ms. Laura De Ramel Brad and Nadia DeHart Mr. Steve DiMedio Deb and John Donaldson Dennis and Charlotte Elko Mr. George Elser Sharon and Tony Fernandes Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty Erika and Azeez Hayne Jeffrey and Karen Heft Judy and Darrel Herbst Jamie and Hollie Holt Mr. and Mrs. Terry Jarman Jim and Mandy Kennedy Dr. and Mrs. Steven Ladenheim Godlan, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. D. Christopher Le Vine The Le Vine Family Foundation Nick and Cass Ludington Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil Quaker City Foundation Jim and Judy Milne Jay and Nancy Mossman Mr. and Mrs. Steve Mostardi Crumdale Partners
28 | DONOR SUPPORT
Jim and Kayo Nolan Elizabeth Evert and Andy Orr Bob and Susan Peck Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson Pew Heidi S. Phelan Nancy and Donald Resnick Eric and Genevieve Snyder Morris and Boo Stroud Mrs. Jack M. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Justin N. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. James J. Tornetta Mr. Lothar T. Tremmel and Ms. Kathleen Kane Tremmel Mr. and Mrs. Rob B. Van Alen Dr. and Mrs. Michael Ward Lee and Bill Warden Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Warzecha Joe and Jolly Waterman
STEWARDS ($250 - $499)
Anonymous (2) Page and Betsy Allinson Laura J. Armstrong Norm and Sid Baglini The Birdsall Family Emily L. Blackburn Jennifer and Mary Gorman-Strawbridge Tom and Kitty Cobb Sara and Mark Cortese Pamela Costanzi and Kevin Murphy John and Mary Custer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis Fred and Paula de Long Megan and Jeff Doble Mr. and Mrs. John A. Eichman IV Wendell and Jenny Fenton The Fila Family Surrey and Malcolm Flint Edward D. Frank II and Susan G. Lea Diana and Matt Funchion Jim and Dina Gibson Rob and Kristi Gilfillan Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin Lyn and Harry Groome Lawrie Harris Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey S. Hedrick Tom and Libby Hipp Dr. Joanna Johnson Dr. Keith A. Kennedy Mr. Claude Kershner Mark and Shanu Kurd Mr. Peter K. Lee Mrs. William D. Lenker Dr. and Mrs. W. Steven Mark Mr. Ralph W. Marsh Nancy Oetinger Gulia and Akpo Omene Laura Sauer Palmer and David W. Palmer Washburn Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Quinn David and Bridget Rahr Craig and Elizabeth Rumbaugh Bonnie Schaefer Mr. and Mrs. David R. Shaman Eric and Susan Swanson Mr. and Mrs. Barry Swirsky Mr. James K. Thompson Pete and Christina Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Alexander S. Van Alen Drs. Susan Johntz and David Velinsky
Albert and Meghan Pizzica James G. Willson Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wilmerding Mr. and Mrs. David R. Wilmerding Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson Christopher and Jean Wright Eliza and Peter Zimmerman
PROTECTORS ($100 - $249)
Anonymous (14) Gwen Altee AmazonSmile Foundation Glenn and Carol Anderson Ardrossan Beagles, Inc. R. Gregory and Suzanne Barton Sam Bedeian Bob and Deb Bednar Ms. Barbara L. Bird Drs. Don Z. and Davida Block Drs. Thomas and Melanie Boerner Mr. Rodger A. Bovenkerk Boyance Family Margaret Seey Bridwell Ms. Elaine Brody Dr. A. Michael Broennle Maria Brooks Henry and Martha Bryans Mr. Leonard A. Busby Denise A. Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Caspar Deb Charlesworth Sally and Jim Congdon Debra Somers Copit, MD Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Coulston Countryside Consulting, Inc. Peter and Curry Cozzi Bill and Colleen Cranney Mr. and Mrs. William M. Diehl Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. DiLIberto Laura and Jack Murdoch Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Dougherty Phaedra Doukakis-Leslie Mr. and Mrs. Ford B. Draper, Jr. Lisa M. Dudash and John P. Forde Mary Lee Ely Tom and Ali Farrell Debra and Theodore Fetterman Team Finnegan Jeff and Karen Fleming Dona and Thomas Foerster Mr. and Mrs. James Fooskas Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Frame Ms. Glenna F. Geiger Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole Ms. Laura Taylor Gorham Julie S. and K. David Graham Mr. and Mrs. Perry C. Gresh Dr. Andrea S. Hanaway Ben and Liz Hardy Mr. Paul Nigel Harris Barbara and Bob Heck Leslie Hempling Ms. Electa M. Huber Ms. Mary N. Hundt Frances L. Hundt Bryan Hutchinson Ms. Madeline Iacobucci and Mr. Joe Farrant Louise R. Johnston Mr. and Mrs. Anthony C. Keane Willaim Keyser and Pat Reeser Colleen and Christopher King
Mrs. Janet Krevenas Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Lang Mr. and Mrs. David P. Lavins The Leggette Family Rebecca and Gerald Leggieri Donna Levitsky Pamela E. Lewis Barbara S. Lindsay John and Kathy Link John and Mary Lord The Lupisella Family Ms. Joan W. Mackie Jennifer and Chip Mathes Mr. and Mrs. Robert Matje Cathy and Norman McAvoy Robbi and Jim McErlane Mr. James Meehan Arthur P. and Marjorie L. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Meghan Miller The Gardeners Suzanne Morris Kristin K. Morsman Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Mullen John Odell and Maryanne Buschini Mr. and Mrs. Kevin O’Rourke Mr. and Mrs. Martin R. Page Sara Painter Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Ms. Jane G. Pepper Mariana and Andrew Pesthy Mrs. Eleanor R. Peterson Ms. Barbara M. Pettinos David and Kathleen Phelan The Pike Family Elizabeth and Gabriel Pilar Carol Pinheiro Avery Rome and Jeff Price Tracey and Mark Pulos, Team Pulos Ms. Megan Quigley and Mr. Eric Gill Mrs. Gale A. Rawson Heather and Mike Reiffer Susan and John Rice Lyette and Bruce Richards David and Faye Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Rugen Mark and Emily Saks Ms. Anne Satterthwaite Dr. and Mrs. Timothy D. Schaeffer Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schellenger Nancy Scholl Mrs. Nancy Schwab Mr. John R. Silverthorne Paula Singer Mary and Sid Smith Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Smith Robinson Anderson Summers, Inc Mr. Michael G. Starecky Jo-Ann Stephens Liz and Ken Tankel Terleckyj Family David Tidman Drew and Kristin Trautman Scott Tuttle Jeff and Cammy Wagner William Y. Webb Mr. H. Drake Williams Jr. Sarah A. Willig and Family Mr. Henry Winsor Ellyn Spragins and John Witty Sally Ann Wood Minturn J. Wright III
FRIENDS (UP TO $99)
Anonymous (8) Mary and Allen Armstrong Mr. and Mrs. Keith Banks Amy Bauer Judy Meinkoth and William Baxt Mr. Timothy M. Beadle Debbie Beer and Adrian Binns Dr. Christine Blumhardt Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Caniglia Polly and Steve Carpender Ms. Patricia Carson Ms. Deborah Cascarino Mr. and Mrs. William C. Corcoran Robin and Alan Crawford III Mr. Christopher B. Cryer Kiana Delacruz Mr. Eric Charles Delss John deProphetis and Joanne Dephillips Mr. and Mrs. Albert Doering Brett Farnsworth Jody and Alan Fitts Linda Fitzgerald John and Suzanne Gaadt Steven Gamburg Dr. and Mrs. Edward F. Gilardi Ms. Pamela N. Gougeon Ms. Penny Goulding Nora Griffin-Snipes Mrs. Lisa Grosse Joanne Hanna Carol H. Henn Rob Howard Bert and Joelle Iams Peter and Chloe Illoway Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jacobs Mr. R. Bruce Killen Ms. Marjorie P. Kinkead Lin and Rick Koenig Ms. Susan A. Kokat Susan Hodge Levin Hugh J. Lofting Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lownes Jr. Bridget Magee Mr. and Mrs. Karl A. Malessa Chris and Sally McQuail Microsoft Rewards Ren Monte Ashley and William Murphy Mr. Stephen Paylor John Plonski and Carol Meinhardt Mary and Mark Rippel Gemma Rozmus Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Shafer Dr. and Mrs. Keith L. Sharkan Christopher Sides Ken and Wendy Silverwood Mr. and Mrs. James W. Snively Jr. Dan Snyder Cathy and Jim Staples Ms. Marian A. Stevens Elaine L. Strause C. Meredith Herting Swift Mrs. Joan G. Thayer Craig and Judy Thomas Steven and Denise Treichel The UK Online Giving Foundation Bruce and Caron Ulmer Mr. and Mrs. Paul Velho Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Warner Dr. Jason D. Weckstein Ph.D. Lois and Murph Wysocki Jean and Charles Zeien
PUBLIC PROGRAM DONATIONS
Page and Betsy Allinson Cameron Amirault Dr. Gerald B Auman Jr. Norm and Sid Baglini Mariska Batavia Jeanine Bilotta Colonial Bindery Clarke and Barb Blynn Sylvana Boccella-Cottone Dan Borginis Ms. Sarah Boucas-Neto Maria Brooks Evin Brown Jennifer Brown Mr. and Mrs. John O. Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Capewell Elizabeth Ciarlello Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Clancy Nathan Cline Melissa Coley Sara and Mark Cortese Paul and Caroline Davis Ms. Laura De Ramel Christina deForest Keys Dr. and Mrs. Francis X. DeLone, Jr. Valerie Dickman Christine DiGuiseppe Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. DiLIberto Ms. Rosemary DiRita Aurora Dizel Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat Jennifer Drass Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Dutot Dick and Nancy Eales Barb Elliot Ms. Jessica Figliolini Heather Fitzgerald Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty Kris Flynn Edward D. Frank II and Susan G. Lea Molly Gallagher Shilpa Gandre-Babbe Courtney Gersbach Mary Gilman Steve and Kat Gord Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole Green Impact Gardeners Christin Gregory Grace Hafer Melinda Haigh Meg and Chris Hardesty Mrs. Kimberly A. Harrigan Susanne and William Harrigan Alice and Peter Hausmann Ms. Laura Heemer Barbara Hillenbrand Lauren Holt Mr. and Mrs. D. Charles Houder Frances L. Hundt Jennifer and Chip Mathes Francis Jennings & Terri Cappelli Barbara Jones Ray and Patsy Jones Jorge Ramirez and Christina Rilke Team Finnegan Mr. Brandon Kauffman and Ms. Andrea Kauffman-Berry Mr. and Mrs. Anthony C. Keane Jaclyn Kelly Wendy Kelly Mr. Claude Kershner Kathy Koons
Devin Wilkins and Kyle Wichser Lindsay and Ted Leisenring Laura Luker Lyette and Bruce Richards Lynn Jones and Kristy Krivitsky Mr. and Mrs. Tom A. Maher Jim Martin Ms. Kim Mayhew Mrs. Kate McAllister Marylou McLaughlin Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin Mr. and Mrs. Dianne McNally Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. McTear Heather and Mike Reiffer Suzanne Morris Sue Mrugal Dawn Mullen Ms. Diane Murray Heather Myers Mr. and Mrs. Matthew S. Naylor Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Maria Nozzi Emily Nusymowicz Nancy Oetinger Amy Orcutt Sue Parker Ms. Amy Piccola and Mr. Eric Kublius Pitruco LLC Avery Rome and Jeff Price Shivanee Raj Nicole and Ed Riegl Kate Rohrer Mr. and Mrs. Luciano Ruzzi Gary Sheehan and Sarah Hetznecker Sheehan Anna Sicalides Stephen and Evelyn Bennett Arthur and Doris Strawbridge Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge Mr. and Mrs. Barry Swirsky Tara and Phil Foret Mr. Matt E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Taylor Ms. Anne Tenaglia Christy Thompson Sharon Torello Mr. and Mrs. James J. Tornetta Pete and Christina Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Brian Valdiserri Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Kimber VanSant Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Verhoog Mary Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warden Liza Watson Nina Whitnah Mr. and Mrs. Donald B. Wilkins, Jr. Willaim Keyser and Pat Reeser James G. Willson Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson Robert Wise Eliza and Peter Zimmerman Bob Zwaan
W I L L I S T OW N C O N S E RVAT I O N T RU S T
Legacy Society
Please consider joining the Legacy Society by adding simple bequest language to your will, or make Willistown Conservation Trust a beneficiary of your life insurance or retirement plan. For more information contact Chelsea Heck, at cmh@wctrust.org. LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS Susan L. Cooker Dick and Nancy Eales Alice and Peter Hausmann Beth and David Hucker Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love Ms. Anne Satterthwaite Fritz and Christine Seving Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Margaret and Tom Whitford Ms. Lida A. Wright
DONOR SUPPORT BARNS & BBQ CO-CHAIRS
Donna and Rob Corrato Linda and Anthony DiValerio Lori and Ryan Heenan
BARNS & BBQ COMMITTEE
Rachel Coxe Shoemaker and Erich Barchi Cynthia and Tom Caruso Molly Love and Adrian Castelli Kate and Ben Etherington Kate and Luke Etherington Tracey and Sam Freeman Stephanie Fuller Kimberly and Russ Galligher Jodi Spragins and Brook Gardner Kat and Steve Gord Joy and John Grady Christina and Steve Graham Shaina and Nat Hamilton Erika and Azeez Hayne Nancy and Dick Klavans Sally and Joe Layden Leanne and Rob McMenamin Jennifer and Christopher Moller Caroline Moran Janice and Britt Murdoch Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen Leigh and Steve Oblack Tracy and Joe Przybylowski Amanda and Conrad Radcliffe Megan and Peter Rohr Amanda and Kevin Ryan Tara and Jeff Shanahan Holly and John Stoviak Jackie and Jerry Sweeney Bonnie and Jim Van Alen Kathy and Rick Warden Effie Wister
BARNS AND BBQ PATRONS
Caroline A. Moran Bryan and Jayme Colket Conrad and Amanda Radcliffe Stuart and Jane Taylor James and Jeanne Van Alen Francis Jennings and Terri Cappelli James and Joan Moore Matt Taylor and Francie Ingersoll Stephen and Melissa Eldredge Joe and Tracy Przybylowski Jeff and Tara Shanahan Mark and Shanu Kurd Dick and Nancy Eales Luke and Katherine Etherington Benjamin and Catherine Etherington David and Elizabeth Hucker Peter and Caroline Ernst
Habitat Restoration Sponsors Bank of America Private Bank Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie, Seelaus & Kraft, LLP Brandywine Realty Trust Bryn Mawr Trust Country Properties Cullen Construction Dutchies Stone Work, LLC E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc. Frederick Bissinger and F.L. Inc Glenmede Trust Company Jackson Lewis P.C. King Construction Company, LLC Meadowbank Design Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC Peter Zimmerman Architects, Inc. Providence One Builders Ranieri & Kerns Associates, LLC Refugia Ltd. Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP Shreiner Tree Care Stoltzfus Construction of LanChester, LLC The Mundy Wealth Management Group Warren Claytor Architects Watershed Protection Sponsors Donald Pell Gardens Griffiths Construction, Inc. Program Book Sponsors Dewson Construction Company Kreischer Miller Period Architecture, Ltd. Precise Buildings Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc. The M&T Charitable Foundation White Horse Construction, Inc.
RUN-A-MUCK HOSTS
Alex and Janine Zozaya
RUN-A-MUCK CO-CHAIRS
Jamie and Tim Stapf Carolyn and Justin Thompson Kathy and Rick Warden
RUN-A-MUCK COMMITTEE
Lindsay Barrow Katie and Jonnie Charlson Warren Claytor Jayme and Bryan Colket Bethann Coradino Catharine and Gary Cox Shannon and Chase Davis Laura Dolan Christine and Tom Foga Shaina and Nat Hamilton Erika and Azeez Hayne BARNS AND BBQ FORGET-ME-NOT Erin and Frank Herz Franny and Franny Abbott Olga and Fred Jackson Lindsay and Ted Leisenring Kari and Tony Keane Jane North Denise and Andy Kerns Dr. Amanda A. Ryan and Sally and Joe Layden Mr. Kevin T. Ryan Gina and Chris McHugh Pam and Peter Nagy BARNS AND BBQ SPONSORS Karen and Skip Petrauskas Christine and Fritz Seving Co-Presenting Sponsors Genevieve and Eric Snyder John Milner Architects, Inc. Jodi Spragins and Brook Gardner Pinemar, Inc. Ellyn Spragins and John Witty
30 | DONOR SUPPORT
Doris and Art Strawbridge Liz and Peter Strawbridge Jeanne and Doug Swope Debi and Lance Taylor Rick Thompson Lindsey and David Turner Colby and Rob Van Alen Jody and Dale Vandegrift Barbara and Jeff Vincent Effie Wister Vicki and Chuck Wooters
RUN-A-MUCK PATRONS
Joanne M. Berwind Francis Jennings and Terri Cappelli Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Cox The Hamilton Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Hamilton Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J. Wesley Hardin Lynn Hitschler The Kraut Family Ms. Caroline A. Moran Moran Family Charitable Foundation John and Joan Mullen Arthur and Doris Strawbridge Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge Mr. Richard H. Thompson Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warden The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins Ms. Effie Wister
RUN-A-MUCK FORGET-ME-NOTS
Beth and David Hucker Marybeth Hurley Margot and Bob Keith Mr. and Mrs. Peter Morse Britt and Janice Murdoch
RUN-A-MUCK SPONSORS Band Sponsor Kreischer Miller Preserve Sponsors Audi Devon Big Picture Philadelphia Claytor/Noone Plastic Surgery Nehrbas Wealth Management of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC Meadow Sponsors Cover & Rossiter Quadratec Countryside Sponsors Almanack Investment Partners Altus Partners Aqua America, Inc. Benner & Sons Inc. Bryn Mawr Landscaping, Inc. Conlin’s Digital Print and Copy Center Countryside Consulting, Inc. GreenWeaver Landscapes, LLC Glenbrook Farm Oliver Heating, Cooling, Plumbing Penn Systems Group, Inc. Pohlig Homes SPI Communications
Spire Builders Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc. Weeds, Inc. In Kind Donations Out There Outfitters Culture City
SPECIAL GIFTS Bird Conservation Program Jason Balmer Kathleen Cannon Wendy DeWall Kelly Dowd Dr. Jan Taylor Gordon Green Impact Gardeners Tom and Libby Hipp Mr. Robert Itin and Ms. Mary Garrett Itin Janet Licci Francesca Russo-Lief David Luning Jessica McCabe Dr. F. Arthur McMorris and Dr. Joanna Balcarek McMorris Jeffrey Newburger Margot and Mac Patterson Marissa Rogers Jane Sleutaris Cathy and Jim Staples Elizabeth Stone Jeanne and Doug Swope Cheryl Tomlinson Mr. and Mrs. James J. Tornetta Rachel Torrens Veritable, LP The Weeders Motus Fund Norm and Sid Baglini Christian H. Bauta Clarke and Barb Blynn Bonfire.com Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Four Counties Garden Club Steven Gratton Alice and Peter Hausmann Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson Kean University Lynn Jones and Kristy Krivitsky Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love Lynn Hitschler Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Trail Fund Brass Ring Riding Club Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil Quaker City Foundation Patti Pfeiffer Community Farm GBH Foundation Mr. Scott T. Hattersley Mrs. Barbara M. Jordan
Sara Williams and Tom Koester Cathy and Jim Staples Watershed Anonymous Page and Betsy Allinson Drs. Thomas and Melanie Boerner Chelsea Somers Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Downey Dr. and Mrs. W. Steven Mark Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin Arthur P. and Marjorie L. Miller Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore Rita Millard Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Rugen Sarah Yake Mr. John R. Silverthorne Dr. and Mrs. W. John Smith Steven Leonhardt Arthur and Doris Strawbridge Mr. and Mrs. Barry Swirsky Liz and Ken Tankel Zachary Leahan
MEMORIAL GIFTS In Memory of Louis C. and Barbara R. Washburn Washburn Family Foundation In Memory of Louis Siana Chris and Meg Hardesty
TRIBUTES In Honor of Bonnie Van Alen J.E. Gibson and Edith Van Alen Gibson Penny Goulding Mary N. Hundt Catherine LaFarge Robert and Jennifer McNeil In Honor of Anne, Alex, Charlie and Beatrix Bortolot Sara Thompson In Honor of Barlow Herbst Judy and Darrel Herbst In Honor of Emily Wells Nora Griffin-Snipes In Honor of Gwen Atlee Nancy Scholl Barbara Smith In Honor of Justin Thompson and Thompson Landscaping Inc. Dick and Nancy Eales In Honor of Kaia and Emerson Leslie Phaedra Doukakis-Leslie In Honor of Linda LeRoy Nindy Pike In Honor of Natalie Phrompeng and Zig Swistunowicz Leslie Hempling In Honor of Susie MacDonnell Bayard Walker, Jr. Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Bayard and Kris Walker
Lists may be incomplete. Please forgive any omissions or errors.
VOLUNTEERS Bird Conservation Program Gloria Avila Jennifer and Mark Berlinger Sarah Boucas Neto Theresa Brown Adrian Castille Kelly Clinton Kristen Cooney Angie Cosey Eva Dillon Rutledge Morna Dombach Amanda Dunbar Dick Eales Rebecca Garlinger Holly Garrod Gary Gittis Ryan Green Louis Hahn Gene Harris Liam Hart William Hart Alice and Peter Hausmann Heidi Herb Barlow Herbst Janie Hill Katie Hogue Alex Jimenez Sheryl Johnson Kelly Johnson Zoe Korpi Gabrielle Lent Molly Love Katherine Marshaleck Jennifer Mathes Jim McGonigle Doris McGovern Michael McGraw Ren Monte Johannes Nelson Steven Oblack Eugene Potapov Angelique Raezer Haley Randall Ashley Rathman Michael Rodgers Jordan Sanford Edwin Shafer Jessica Shahan Victoria Sindlinger Madelin Singer Zachary Smith Catherine Staples Joan Swirsky Jeanne Swope Daria Syskine Maddie Vile
Zoe Warner Jason Weckstein Caitlin Welsh Claudia Winters Community Farm Program Bela Banker Emily Blackburn Barb Blynn Lindsey Brown Ilene Chester Laura Coogan Beth Coppola Judy Corr Whitney Fairbrother Sandy Gargus Kat Gord James Gowen Meg Tegler Hardesty Suzanne Harrigan Meg Hauler Alice Hausmann Jennifer Horan Melissa Ingersoll Marilee Jones Andrea Kauffman-Berry Linda Leroy Pam Lewis Julie Malloy Dutot Allyson McTear Chuck Moore Meredy Patterson Sandie Perkowski Avery Rome Meesh Roche Cindy Scheeler Elaine Scott Zach Smith Doris Strawbridge Liz Strawbridge Jeanne Swope Angel Taylor Sara Thrall James Willson Events & Programming James Arbuckle Alan Armstrong Boy Scout Troop 7 Boy Scout Troop 78 Danie Christaldi Mark Christaldi Meg Hardesty Meg Hauler Barbara Heck Lyn Howard
Bill Howard Chelsie Johnston Paul Justice Sadie Killoran Garth Mahosky Fred Nocella Mark Patton Meesh Roche Elaine Scott Art Strawbridge Jeanne Swope Jeff Vincent Barbara Vincent Ben Walsh Photography Jennifer Mathes Stewardship Program & Trails Laura Armstrong Steven Armstrong Linda Brook Jennifer Brown Ally Bulvin Kathleen Cannon Ian Dombach Bryan Ersek Sal Grippi Luke Sokich Elizabeth Stone Joan Swirsky Doug Swope Mike Ward Philip Yang Watershed Program Anders Back Dan Beniker Lauren Braun Kathleen Cannon Lloyd Cole Charlie Coulter Aurora Dizel Ian Duncan Gretchen Goble Deirdre Gordon Bonnie Hallam Heidi Hiteshue Pam Kosty Susan Lea Rich Mooney Megan Shipley Nathan Simasek Natasha Sokolovskaya Dale Weaver
Our sincere thanks to these individuals who offered their time and talents to help Willistown Conservation Trust. This list reflects volunteer activity between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Th e S y c a m o r e
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOUTHEASTERN, PA PERMIT NO. 96
WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road Newtown Square, PA 19073
BARNS BBQ and
Saturday, June 4, 2022
2022 Co-Presenting Sponsors
KATE ETHERINGTON
MORNING BARN TOUR TICKETS! The Trust is excited to offer a morning barn tour option from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. These tickets will be available to purchase separately from the afternoon tour and party. Visit wctrust.org/calendar for morning tour tickets coming soon!
WANT TO BECOME A SPONSOR?
Visit wctrust.org/barns-bbq for sponsorship opportunities!