T h e S y c a m o r e
NEWS FROM WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST | SPRING 2023
John Stoviak | Chair
Leanne M. McMenamin | Vice Chair
Meg Tegler Hardesty | Vice Chair
V. Richard Eales | Treasurer
Elizabeth C. Hucker| Secretary
L. Clarke Blynn
Michael Burg, Esq.
Bryan D. Colket
Kimberley H. Galligher, VMD
Mark T. Ledger
Lindsay Scott Leisenring
Michael J. McGraw
Letter from the Board Chair
It is truly exciting, energizing, and humbling to begin my service as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Willistown Conservation Trust. It is exciting to be part of such an inspiring organization with its scientifically-focused and highly successful core activities: Bird Conservation, Community Farming, Education & Outreach, Land Protection, Land Stewardship, and Watershed Protection. These programs make a genuine positive difference in our lives by demonstrating how open space preservation, agroecology, habitat preservation, and stream quality enhancements can meaningfully improve our environment.
Linda I. McIsaac
Silenia Rhoads
Justin N. Thompson
Richard A. Warden
Jason D. Weckstein, Ph.D.
Jeanne B. Van Alen**
Alejandro Zozaya
**President Emerita
STAFF
Todd Alleger | New England Motus Project Technician
Molly Clark | Rushton Farm Production Manager
Aaron Coolman | Motus Technician & Avian Migration Ecologist
Sue Costello | GIS Coordinator
Mike Cranney | Preserve & Facilities 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 | Event Support Manager
Lauren McGrath | Director of Watershed Protection Program
Monica McQuail | Communications Specialist
Molly Scott | Events Coordinator
Anna Willig | Watershed Conservation Research and Data Specialist
FRONT COVER | David Hucker
It is energizing to have an opportunity to work with and support the efforts of WCT’s Leadership Team led by President & Executive Director Kate Etherington and Associate Executive Director Julie Graham who are building on the extraordinary legacy of the founders of WCT and leading us into a new era of success. It also is energizing to be part of an organization dedicated to taking on the challenges of preserving key properties in our area at a time when open space faces some real threats.
It is humbling to follow three outstanding Board Chairs: Mark Ledger, Janice Murdoch, and Beth Hucker. I had the privilege of working with Mark, Janice, and Beth since 2014 when I joined the WCT Board. Their leadership not only strengthened WCT, but it also inspired me to want to build on the many successful initiatives that they helped develop. Finally, it is humbling for me to have an opportunity to work with the Bonnie Van Alen, whose inspirational leadership is a core value upon which we all want to build.
As for my background, I am a partner at the law firm of Saul Ewing where I handle complex business litigation and environmental litigation, and I counsel various boards on governance issues. I previously served as the Board Chair of The Haverford School, and I currently serve on the Board of the YSC Academy. I grew up in Downingtown and graduated from The Haverford School, Harvard University, and The Dickinson School of Law.
I look forward to getting to know WCT’s many dedicated supporters like yourself!
John Stoviak Chair, Board of Trustees
2 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Willistown Conservation Trust is
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. WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road | Newtown Square, PA 19073 610.353.2562 | land@wctrust.org Catherine
Julie
Director
a nonprofit,
W. Etherington President & Executive Director
S. Graham Associate Executive
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CONTENTS
THE SYCAMORE NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2023
4 6 7
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS EVENTS
2023 EVENT CALENDAR
RESTORING RUSHTON’S SHRUB-SCRUB FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BIRDS
IT’S A WRAP FOR THE CAMPAIGN FOR RUSHTON WOODS!
INSIGHTS FROM TWO YEARS OF COMMUNITY SCIENCE MONITORING IN DARBY CREEK
RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE IMPROVEMENTS: A BIORETENTION BASIN, NEW TRAILS, AND MORE TO COME
MEET OUR CORPORATE PARTNER: VERITABLE
RUSHTON WOODS BANDING STATION ANNUAL SONGBIRD BANDING REPORT 2022
2022 FINANCIAL REPORT MOVERS &
TABLE OF CONTENTS | 3
SHAKERS
STAFF & TRUSTEE NEWS
SUPPORT AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION JENNIFER MATHES
|
DONOR
8-9 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-22 23 24-15 26-31 10-11
Letter from the Executive Director
I am writing this column on a very spring-like February day, and while driving to the office this morning, I passed by the many members of our community who visit and utilize this beautiful countryside — cyclists bravely navigating the winding roads, equestrians hacking out on eased trails, and hikers enjoying the open vistas of our local preserves. By the time you receive this newsletter, “real” spring will be in full swing, and I suspect these reminders of the benefits of our shared open space will be even more prevalent.
This year marks the first of our 3-year Strategic Plan, launching a new cycle of ambitious goals for WCT. While many of the goals are to be expected — such as the continuation of our core activities in Birds, Education, Farm, Land Protection, Land Stewardship, and Water — we dive deeper into some key issues identified during the many months spent on the strategic plan. In the Organizational Management and Capacity Building section we address goals in Organizational Culture; Community Engagement; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Financial Sustainability; and Governance — goals that will ultimately make WCT a stronger organization better equipped to meet our mission well into the future. Lastly, as part of the new plan we adopted the tagline Saving, Studying, and Sharing Land, Water, and Habitat, which we feel truly encompasses all that we strive for at WCT. The full plan is available on our website and I hope you will take a look by scanning the QR code below or visiting wctrust.org/strategic-plan.
Hopefully you are receiving our monthly Meadowlark e-newsletters that highlight upcoming events as well as up-to-date news from our various programs. If not, I encourage you to subscribe, as well as follow WCT on social media for the latest information.
Have a wonderful spring, and I hope to see you at an upcoming WCT event soon!
Catherine Etherington, President & Executive Director
4 | LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE
SCAN TO VIEW THE STRATEGIC PLAN HERE
DIRECTOR
BLAKE GOLL
Rushton Nature Keepers Now Enrolling!
Rushton Nature Keepers (RNK) is our multidisciplinary environmental education club for children ages 8-11 years old. The RNK mission is to inspire a lifetime of caring about and protecting nature by first building a strong holistic foundation spanning four major conservation themes: birds and wildlife, regenerative farming, watersheds, and healthy habitat.
We believe these are the key focus areas that have the biggest impact on land conservation and earth stewardship. The more programs your child attends the more comprehensive their understanding of conservation will be. In turn, they’ll develop a lifelong connection to nature as they explore the natural world at our preserves through a variety of unique experiences.
TESTIMONIALS FROM RNK PARENTS:
“The program is exceptional, and really encourages the children to think about their world around them.”
“The program is a top priority for my children — they truly get so much out of it!”
RNK 2023 EVENTS
Tuesday, June 20 | 9:30 - 11:30 am
Discover Wild Rushton
Wednesday, June 21 | 9:30 - 11:30 am Into the Forest
Thursday, June 22 (Rain date: Friday, June 23) | 9:30 - 11:30 am
Leaf Pack Exploration
BONUS: Monday June 26 | 5:30 pm
Streams Learning Evening
Tuesday, June 27 | 9:30 - 11: 30 am
Stream Walk
Wednesday, June 28 | 9:30 - 11:30 am
“The Secret Life of the Flying Squirrel”
Book Signing and Art Workshop
Thursday, June 29 | 9:30 - 11:30 am
Farming with Nature and Honeybees
BONUS: Thursday, July 6 | 7:30 - 9 pm
Fireflies, Moths, and Your Yard in the Dark
Thursday, July 27 | 4 - 6 pm
Wildflowers and Watercolor Workshop
Bonus: Wednesday, August 16 (Rain Date: August 18) | 8 pm
Bug Night with Academy of Natural Sciences
Thursday, August 17 | 9:30 - 11:30 am
Summer Harvest
Saturday, September 16 | 8:30 - 10 am
Fall Songbird Banding
Thursday, October 19 | 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Monster Night and Autumn Hayrides
Friday, November 3 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding
Friday, November 17 | 4:30 - 6 pm
Rushton Junior Naturalist Celebration
6 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scan the QR code or visit wctrust.org/rushtonnaturekeepers to learn more and enroll!
2023 Event Calendar
APRIL 21
MAY 4 , 6, 7
MAY 11
MAY 19
MAY 20
MAY 27
JUNE 3
JUNE 15
JUNE 21
JUNE 23
JUNE 26
JULY 1
JULY 6
JULY 17 - 23
JULY 19
JULY 20
JULY 29
AUGUST 16
AUGUST 20
SEPTEMBER 14
SEPTEMBER 16
SEPTEMBER 22
OCTOBER 12
OCTOBER 14
OCTOBER 21
OCTOBER 29
NOVEMBER 4
NOVEMBER 25
DECEMBER 2
Rejuvenate at Rushton
Ashbridge Tree Planting
Field-to-Feast Dinner
Community Supper Series Picnic
Edgmont Streams Learning Day
Avian Adventures with Aaron
Barns & BBQ
Field-to-Feast Dinner
Mindful Birding at Dusk
Community Supper Series Picnic
Streams Learning Evening
Avian Adventures with Aaron
Firefly Night
Wildflower Week
Lawn Conversion Lecture
Botanical Cocktails: 13th Street Cocktail
Summer Harvest Celebration
Bug Night with the Academy of Natural Sciences
Forest Bathing with Holly Merker
Field-to-Feast Dinner
Avian Adventures with Aaron
Community Supper Series Picnic
Field-to-Feast Dinner
Avian Adventures with Aaron
Run-A-Muck
Full Moon Owl Prowl
Market in the Meadow
Avian Adventures with Aaron
Avian Adventures with Aaron
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
Stewardship Volunteer Days
Volunteer at our nature preserves! Willistown Conservation Trust maintains three public preserves, and 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 & Fall Migration Bird Banding
Spring Migration | April 20 & 27, May 4 & 18
Fall Migration | September 7 - October 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 and stay within the designated viewing area for the safety of our staff and visitors.
SELECT FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
Watershed Volunteer Days
June 24, July 15, August 12, September 16, October 7, November 4
Join the Watershed Team on one Friday or Saturday per month for family friendly opportunities to help maintain the landscape at our nature preserves and learn from our resident scientists about what makes these habitats so special.
RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)
Events subject to change - check wctrust.org/calendar for the latest details.
RNK educational programming will resume in June! Check for registration details and the program schedule at wctrust.org/rushtonnaturekeepers.
Visit wctrust.org/calendar or scan code for more event information and registration UPCOMING EVENTS | 7
Restoring Rushton’s Shrub-Scrub for the Benefit of the Birds
By Mike Cranney, Preserve and Facilities Manager
For over 13 years, Willistown Conservation Trust’s (WCT) Bird Conservation program has been researching migratory and breeding bird populations at Rushton Woods Preserve. A trained team of staff and volunteers utilize mist nets placed strategically throughout the Preserve’s hedgerows to monitor species, collect data, and band individual birds so they can be tracked throughout North and South America. This research has helped contribute to the understanding of what birds need to survive, while highlighting the importance of places like Rushton Woods Preserve for migrating species to use as respite where they can rest and refuel during their long journeys every spring and fall.
Simply preserving open space, however, is not sufficient for their survival; birds require certain types of plants for adequate food and shelter. They are especially attracted to what is known as “scrub-shrub” habitat, which consists of robust thickets of shrubs and small trees that provide essential cover from both predators and the elements. This habitat is also an important source of food, but sadly our ecosystems have become overrun with non-native, invasive plants whose fruit do not have the nutritional value that birds need.
For example, one of the most common shrubs in the modern landscape is the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), whose abundant berries are regularly eaten by fruit-loving bird species. However, these berries contain more sugar than fat, and therefore do not provide the fuel necessary to sustain migration. Birds depend on the insects and fruit found upon the native plants that have evolved in the landscape alongside them. In order to fully support bird populations, both the habitat structure and species composition need to be considered.
Sparrow in the brush. Photo by Jennifer Mathes
PLANTING PHOTOS BY MIKE CRANNEY
Prepping the area for new plantings.
Finished hedgerow. Now we watch it grow!
8 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Unfortunately, the hedgerows at Rushton Woods Preserve have become heavily invaded by non-native species over the years. Both breeding and migrating birds still flock there, but they are not getting the nourishment that they need. A recent study conducted by a University of Pennsylvania graduate student found that birds stopping at the Preserve during migration were not gaining any fat, likely due to that fact that they were primarily eating fruit from Amur honeysuckle shrubs. The structure of the habitat is beneficial, but the plant species encompassing it are not.
Now, thanks to a generous grant from the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO), WCT has begun the process of restoring the expansive hedgerow to native scrub-shrub habitat. In the fall of 2022, a roughly 5,000 square ft. area of invasive thicket was removed and replanted with over 150 native shrubs and trees representing 25 different species. Bird friendly varieties such as viburnums and chokeberries were emphasized and placed closely together to ensure that they grow into dense habitat. Moving forward, the goal is to repeat this process in a different section of the hedgerow each year until it is entirely restored with beneficial native plants. By working through piece by piece, the overall structure of the habitat can be maintained for the birds while the new plants mature.
The existing groups within the organization uniquely position WCT to make the best of this restoration project. The Land Stewardship team will handle the management of the planting site, while the Bird Conservation program’s ongoing research will be an excellent way to monitor the effect the improvements have on breeding and migratory birds. Additionally, the organization’s outreach and education departments will be able to capitalize on this endeavor as an opportunity for landowners to learn about the ecological value of habitat that is too often considered merely an eyesore. Above all, projects such as these are made possible through partnerships with groups like Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology that care about the environment and dedicate themselves to conservation.
To learn more about how you can plant native, stay tuned for this year’s Habitat at Home programming with our Stewardship Team!
Mike and volunteers planting native shrub hedgerow.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 9
It’s A Wrap for the Campaign for Rushton Woods!
By Julie Graham, Associate Executive Director
In 2018 Willistown Conservation Trust embarked upon an ambitious $2 million fundraising campaign. Named the “Campaign for Rushton Woods,” the effort came on the heels of the construction of the Rushton Conversation Center (RCC), located on the grounds of Rushton Woods Preserve.
The Campaign supported a vision to enhance Rushton Woods Preserve, featuring the stunning new RCC as its heart, as a hub of conservation activity for WCT. Specifically, the campaign was designed to raise funds to renovate the White Farm House on the property, establish an environmental master plan for the Preserve, improve circulation and recreational enjoyment of the Preserve, and provide much needed operating support for the vibrant programs based from Rushton Woods: Watershed Protection, the Community Farm, Bird Conservation, and Land Stewardship activities.
We are thrilled to report that the WCT community of generous funders and donors came together and, as of December 31, 2022, successfully completed the Campaign!
10 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Many results made possible by the Campaign can already be seen by the community. The White Farm House which sits just west of the RCC has been attractively rehabbed and expanded. It now boasts a guest room which has provided overnight accommodations to visiting conservationists and scientists. Ornithologists from Tadoussac Bird Observatory in Canada recently commented, “Such a wonderful place with such wonderful people! We had an amazing time at WCT and we learned a lot from all of you,” upon conclusion of their stay. A first floor conference room and bird book library, generously donated by Jean Macaleer and Dick and Nancy Eales, now serve as a small group meeting space for organizational meetings, as well as a place for farm staff to cool off over lunch on hot summer days.
The Master Plan for Rushton Woods was also completed with Campaign funding, and it outlined a framework to address identified environmental and recreational improvements needed in the Preserve, including improved trails and a bioretention basin (read more on page 14). As a result of the Master Plan, several projects have already begun, including the first step in restoring the hedgerows in the center of the Preserve (read more on page 8).
Campaign funds will also support WCT operating activities and programs. Rising costs and growth of our departments require constant funding, and our ability to keep the departments running relies upon the generosity of a community who understands the importance of open space and conserved land and its positive impact on wildlife preservation and a healthy environment.
The Board and staff of WCT would like to acknowledge and thank all those who came together in this effort. There were approximately 71 donors, made up of individuals, foundations, and governmental organizations. Additionally, the work at this Preserve wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers and Land Stewardship Team. We will continue to provide updates as work is completed at Rushton. The entire community is welcome and encouraged to visit the Preserve to enjoy a solitary spring walk or a lively, warm weather picnic at one of our Community Super Series picnics. There is something for everyone at Rushton Woods Preserve!
Rushton Woods Preserve’s new equestrian/pedestrian trail
The White Farm House during a Community Supper Series picnic
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER MATHES
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 11
Insights from Two Years of Community Science Monitoring in Darby Creek
By Anna Willig, Watershed Conservation Research and Data Specialist
This March, the Darby Creek Community Science Monitoring Program (DCCS) — a collaboration between Willistown Conservation Trust, Darby Creek Valley Association, and Stroud Water Research Center — celebrated its second birthday! We officially launched the DCCS in March 2021 with two stalwart volunteers sampling at two sites in Berwyn. Today, 28 volunteers actively monitor 21 sample sites throughout the watershed, extending past Folcroft (Figure 1). The goals of the DCCS are to learn about the health of Darby Creek and its tributaries and identify key restoration sites through monthly water quality monitoring visits.
Water temperature is a key indicator of stream health. As water warms, it holds less oxygen and becomes inhospitable to aquatic wildlife. Trout fishes are one of the most sensitive groups to high water temperature and are a benchmark for healthy streams. If streams are too warm for trout, they are likely too warm for a host of other aquatic species, including mussels and macroinvertebrates. Water temperatures in Darby Creek are often too warm to support the reproduction and survival of trout species (Figure 2). The removal of trees along a stream, increases in development, and stormwater runoff can all contribute to warming streams. The best way to cool streams down is by reforesting stream banks, planting native plants, and designing stormwater management that allows rain to soak into the soil.
Another indicator of stream health is chloride concentration. Chloride is an ion that reflects the amount of salt in streams. Road salt is the main source of salt in streams and is increasingly recognized as a major pollutant. Chloride concentration varies widely between sites in Darby Creek (Figure 3). Generally, chloride concentrations are below the chronic exposure threshold set by the EPA, but are above levels that researchers have found harmful to aquatic organisms. While road salt is necessary for safe winter
travel, limiting use and sweeping salt up after storms can reduce salt pollution in streams.
While temperature and chloride concentration reflect a host of threats to the health of Darby Creek, our volunteers have found good news in Darby Creek. One volunteer found a small population of freshwater mussels — which are uncommon in Darby Creek — at one sample site. Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups globally, and finding them in Darby Creek is a clear indicator that, despite development and pollution, the creek is still a critical resource deserving of protection. We are working with research groups to document and protect this precious group of mussels.
We are incredibly grateful to all the fantastic volunteers who participate in this program. Through their dedication and enthusiasm, the DCCS has exceeded all expectations! The heart of this program is partnership, and we are thankful for support from Stroud Water Research Center and Darby Creek Valley Association. As the DCCS enters its third year, we are excited to build on partnerships, gain new insights, and leverage our volunteers’ data to improve the health of Darby Creek.
To learn more about the Darby Creek Community Science Monitoring Program, please email Lauren McGrath (lbm@wctrust.org).
12 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
A volunteer on site. Photo by Lloyd Cole.
Water Temperature (°C) Chloride Concentration (ppm)
Figure 2. Water temperature in Darby Creek. Each dot represents a measurement taken by a volunteer. Each site is individually colored. The black line represents the maximum water temperature that supports the reproduction of trout.
Figure 3. Chloride concentration in Darby Creek. Each dot represents a measurement taken by a volunteer. Each site is individually colored.
Figure 1. Sampling sites in the Darby Creek Watershed. The black outline indicates the extent of the Darby Creek Watershed and each point represents a sampling site that a volunteer visits every 4 weeks to collect water quality data.
Rushton Woods Preserve Improvements: A Bioretention Basin, New Trails, and More to Come
By Andrew Kirkpatrick, Director of Stewardship
If you’ve recently been out to Rushton Woods Preserve, you likely noticed some new plantings, closed trails due to maintenance, and extra noise from various machinery. For the last year, we’ve been busy at work at Rushton, and we’re pleased to report on the many projects that will help make Rushton Woods Preserve an even better experience for all!
This year, WCT received a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program that — combined with funding from PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s C2P2 program — will pay for the design and construction of a half-acre bioretention basin with a perimeter ADA path in the field below the Rushton Conservation Center.
A bioretention basin is a green stormwater infrastructure improvement that slows down runoff and contains it behind berms filled with native plants. The stormwater collects and infiltrates slowly into the ground rather than flowing across the surface, which reduces erosion and downstream sedimentation.
The new basin, which will be constructed next year, will also provide more habitat for pollinators and birds. Filled with a variety of native plant species that tolerate periods of wetness, the basin will demonstrate to the public the benefits of combining habitat improvements with stormwater management strategies.
This spring we will construct an ADA path to connect the Rushton Conservation Center to the farm shed. This new path will provide a safe and durable surface for users of all abilities to enjoy the views of the farm and preserve. As part of the project, we will also be restoring a section of the hedgerow with native shrubs
that support birds with high quality food and nesting. The project is funded by grants from Chester County and PA DCNR.
At the end of last year, we finished a trail project through the main corridor in Rushton Woods that improved the surface and stability of the trail for pedestrians and equestrians. Green Roots Inc. worked throughout an unusually wet fall and winter to lay fabric and stone aggregate to create the new tread surface. They also installed pipes underneath the trail to improve overall drainage throughout the corridor.
This was the first phase of an overall plan to improve trails at the Preserve for visitor enjoyment, safety, and accessibility. Most of the trails at Rushton were never properly designed or sited, but are the remnants of a legacy of equestrian use and fox hunting. Where the fox went, the horses followed, and thus, a trail was born. Now with the help of grant funding, we are improving our trails to deal with the increasingly intense storms resulting from climate change. Taking action now will ensure their long-term viability and accessibility for years to come.
We identified all of these projects during our Master Planning process that looked at the ecological and cultural resources at the Preserve. We then developed plans to improve these resources and amenities while increasing their sustainability and resilience for future generations.
For now, we hope you’ll spend some time exploring these new trails at Rushton Woods Preserve! See you in the woods.
14 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
392 386 382 380 378 376 374 372 370 394 396 398 400 402 398 396 394 400 Willistown Conservation Trust Rushton Woods Bioretention Basin - Rushton Woods Preserve Okehocking Run Watershed Enhancement Project Phase 1 Willistown Township, Chester County Basin Outlet Pipe Basin Outlet Structure Bioretention Basin Berm (Inside Basin) ADA Accessible Path Vegetated Level Spreader Bioretention Basin Cell (Bioretention Plantings) Wayfinding + Educational Signage Vegetated Runoff Diversion Swale 0’ 100’ Native Tree + Shrub Planting Bioretention Basin Berm (Outside Basin) Cobble Weir
Rushton Conservation Center Paved Parking Gravel Parking Live Wattles
1. Site Property Area (86 acres) is privately
Meet our Corporate Partner: Veritable
By Wesley Yamamoto, Veritable Partner
With a long-shared history of preserving the natural beauty and fostering a sense of community in Willistown, Veritable is proud to be the inaugural corporate partner of Willistown Conservation Trust.
Over 37 years ago, Veritable was founded by Michael Stolper, a University of Pennsylvania ornithology major turned investment industry entrepreneur. He set out to create a new model in the investment business that was free from the traditional conflicts of the industry and better aligned his goals and values with those of his clients. The principles of independence, client advocacy, and intrepid innovation resonated with successful families in the Philadelphia area, the northeastern United States, and soon across the country. Today, Veritable proudly serves as investment advisor and family office to over 225 clients and their collective $17+ billion in assets under management. Veritable is now one of the largest, independent investment advisory firms in the nation with clients in over 35 states. However, Willistown remains home to its national headquarters and many employees.
In the firm’s early years, Michael sought out new office space to house his rapidly growing team. Counter to the conventional approach of a financial firm renting a downtown office in Philadelphia or New York City, Veritable — then known as Stolper and Co. — embraced the idea that independence from the traditional bank and brokerage model environment could extend beyond a business model to the firm’s actual physical presence as well. In 1992, the firm found its permanent home at 6022 West Chester Pike: a 22-acre campus featuring a turn-of-the-19th century farmhouse backed up by hilly woodlands.
As the plans for the farmhouse office conversion were drafted, Veritable’s relationship with Willistown Conservation Trust officially commenced. Michael made the decision to ease 10 acres of Veritable’s campus in perpetuity with WCT. For over 30 years now, Veritable and Willistown Conservation Trust have only strengthened ties. Many of the firm’s 80+ employees have embraced and frequently participated in WCT’s programs and offerings. Some highlights cited by partners and staff were: Northern saw-whet owl banding,
Blast from the Past! WCT Board Member and Veritable Portfolio Manager Justin Thompson holds a Sharp-shinned hawk at the Banding Station in 2012.
Veritable’s Farmhouse Office
16 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
“I am immensely grateful for the long-time partnership between WCT and Veritable, now formalized through the Corporate Partnership Program. Not only are Michael and his team leaders in their industry, they are an exemplary model of philanthropy in their community.” - Kate Etherington
“Farside,” Veritable’s newest expansion to their office
hiking and exercising in the preserved lands, the CSA program, and the lecture series. Beyond Veritable’s corporate support over these many years, several senior investment team members at Veritable have served in official and unofficial capacities at the WCT. Of note, former board member Matt Taylor is an investment team leader and partner at Veritable. He served on the finance committee of the WCT for several years. Current board member Justin Thompson is a senior member of the investment team at Veritable. He succeeds Matt as current Chair of WCT Finance Committee, and he serves as Co-Chair of Run-A-Muck.
Across Veritable’s staff and leadership, there is a palpable appreciation for nature and the importance of sustainability. As the firm approaches its 40th anniversary, it continues to invest in its people and its business here in Willistown. With a campus adjacent to preserved lands and supported by a close-knit community of stewards, the firm’s investments are always made with intention. For Veritable, there is no starker example of both the time that has passed and the commitment that remains than the newest expansion to the office. A geothermally heated, 10,000 square foot, modern office building equipped with floor to ceiling windows for employees and visiting clients to forest bathe and birdwatch as they go about their business.
To learn more about Veritable’s services visit veritablelp.com.
Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner?
When you participate in WCT’s Corporate Partnership Program, not only do you receive exposure and recognition among our broad network of supporters and visitors, but you are also given direct access to nature. Choose from our three Corporate Partnership Levels — PRESERVE PARTNER ($25,000), PROGRAM PARTNER ($10,000) and COMMUNITY PARTNER ($5,000) — to enrich your employees’ lives, support local science, and make a far-reaching environmental impact. Scan the QR code or contact Julie Graham at jsg@wctrust.org to learn more.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 17
Rushton Woods Banding Station Annual Songbird Banding Report 2022
By Alison Fetterman, Bird Conservation Associate and Northeast Motus Project Manager and Blake Goll, Education Programs Manager
Oh Canada, Canada, Canada!” The wistful song of the White-throated Sparrow languidly drifts over the early spring landscape of our region, heralding the end of winter and the coming vernal equinox. Even those not attuned to individual avian sonatas can recognize these indelible notes punctuating the change of seasons. Humans are hard-wired for connection to nature, and birds provide that copacetic anchor. Watching them go about their day can make us feel grounded as fellow creatures of the earth; hearing them sing brings contentment and a sense of wellbeing; and admiring their colors and diversity ignites our curiosity and fascination.
We need birds. Not only for the joy they bring to our lives but for the life they bring to our world. They pollinate plants, disperse seeds, eliminate insect pests, and play a critical role in many different ecosystems. To an ornithologist or a bird bander, monitoring the population of birds allows us to take the pulse of the environment while measuring the success of science-based conservation initiatives and quantifying the value of land conservation.
SPRING BOUNTY | WARBLERS AND WOODPECKERS | April and May are mirthful months when Rushton Woods Preserve (RWP) becomes a veritable jungle lit up with the tropical sounds and sights of the most delicate and breathtaking of the bird world: the wood warblers. These exquisite birds feed largely on insects gleaned from leaves, so their northward progression coincides with the leaf-out in our temperate throughway. Some will stay to breed in Rushton like the Ovenbirds, Common Yellowthroats, and Worm-eating Warblers, but most continue on to more preferable habitat or northward, as far as the boreal forest of Canada. Such passerby species included: Black-and-white Warbler, Blackthroated Blue Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Nashville Warbler, and Bluewinged Warbler.
Overall, spring 2022 produced our highest number of individual birds captured in any spring for a total of 510 (Fig. 2), as well as the highest diversity totaling 55 species. This spring saw a record number of 16 warbler species, though not as many individuals — 117 compared to 161 in 2021 (Fig. 3). One of the highlights was a male Hooded Warbler (second ever for the station), resplendent in lemon yellow contrasting with his ebony hood. This is a bird that seeks mature coniferous woodlands for breeding, or wooded swamps with labyrinthian undergrowth. Under the cool hemlock trees it emphatically proclaims in a tone as clear and pure as the forest air, “tawee-tawee-tawee-tee-o!”
FIGURE 1. 2022 TOTAL NEW BIRDS AT RUSHTON WOODS BANDING STATION (RWBS)
“
Hooded Warbler. Photo by Blake Goll
Another unique occurrence this spring was the significant number of woodpeckers. Not only did we catch all five breeding species (Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Yellow-shafted Flicker) for the first time ever in one season, but we caught double the number of individuals for a total of 18 (Fig. 4)! The increased presence of these birds indicates the habitat may be shifting to more dead standing trees — called snags — in the forest and hedgerows. Woodpeckers begin nesting early in the spring, so these individuals were likely already raising chicks in the snags.
Their unique ability to excavate cavities with their strong bills makes woodpeckers keystone species, paving the way for other cavity-nesting birds and mammals who do not possess the tools and talent to make their own. More than 40 bird species in North America depend on woodpecker carpentry for their nest and roost cavities. The woodpeckers’ need for dead or dying trees shows the importance of not over-tidying our landscapes; wherever they do not pose a threat to humans, dead trees should be left as vital components of the food web.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 19
Figure 2. Total number of new birds banded each season, per year, at Rushton Woods Banding Station (RWBS) 2010-2022.
Figure 3. Total number of warbler species and individuals captured per year during spring migration 2010-2022.
Cape May Warbler.
Photo by Blake Goll
SUMMER NURSERY | CRADLE OF CATERPILLARS |
The end of May marks the close of spring migration and the start of the hurried nesting season. In the northern hemisphere, songbirds must take advantage of the relatively brief period of increased solar energy that allows for the creation of offspring — powered largely by the dazzling diversity of plant-eating insects. In particular, caterpillars are the herbivores that transfer more energy from plants to animals than any other plant-eaters. Birds, being experts at efficiency, capitalize on caterpillars because their large size and soft bodies make for easy energy packets for nestlings.
Caterpillars are also full of protein needed for nestling growth and antioxidants for plumage development and immune function. The only caveat is that caterpillars tend to be host plant specialists, having evolved over many years to be able to eat only one or two plant lineages to which they were exposed. Therefore, native plants hold the key to supporting population growth in birds. According to Doug Tallamy, author of “Bringing Nature Home,” one pair of Carolina Chickadees — a common breeder at Rushton — must find up to 500 caterpillars a day to rear one clutch. Chickadee parents attempting to raise chicks in a suburban neighborhood that is largely dominated by non-native ornamental plants have a greater risk of failure.
Rushton is one of more than 1,000 banding stations in North America participating in MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) through the Institute for Bird Populations to understand breeding success of songbirds. Our 12 years of MAPS data show that we have 38 breeding bird species nesting in or around Rushton Woods, including State Responsibility Species such as the Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager. Our capture was relatively low last summer with only 107 individual birds (Fig. 2). With a record number of falling trees in the woodland habitat and plant communities shifting to non-native plants, the low numbers could suggest the habitat quality is deteriorating.
However, there are myriad other factors in a bird’s annual cycle that could also be affecting our breeding numbers, including natural fluctuations over time. For example, conditions on wintering grounds and migration routes can affect the survival rates and reproductive success of birds the following summer, a phenomenon known as “carryover effect.” Analyzing such trends requires datasets that are broad in time and geographic scale, which MAPS as a whole offers with over 30 years of effort.
At Rushton, we strive to act locally to support this diversity of breeding bird species (and encourage landowners to do the same) by practicing land management initiatives that restore nature’s balance, often through plants. For example, our Land Stewardship Team removed a section of the Preserve’s hedgerow that had become heavily invaded with alien plant species and replanted this area with over 150 native shrubs and trees. These new native plants will act as caterpillar vending machines for our hungry breeding birds and their nestlings, just as neglected snags act as food web drivers. Vital habitat components such as these promote resiliency in our landscapes and productivity in birds.
20 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carolina Chickadee. Photo by Aaron Coolman
Visitors observes bird banding. Photo by Aaron Coolman
Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Aaron Coolman
A QUIET FALL | HONING HABITAT | Besides productivity and survivorship, bird banding can estimate recruitment. This refers to the number of birds that survived life in the nest and are now out on their own as part of the adult population. Newly recruited “baby birds” bolster our fall catch significantly, making it typically our highest catch of all three seasons. Last fall, however, marked the lowest capture in our station’s history with only 740 new birds (Fig. 2).
One contributing factor for the low total could have been the unpredictable weather; we were forced to close the station for six days due to rain and/or high winds. Another question arises though; was there a regional lower recruitment of birds due to factors such as climate change, development, or habitat changes? Further research may help tease out some of these answers. One of the nuances of a bird’s annual cycle is that they require different habitats at different life stages. This is one of the reasons we try to manage the Preserve for a variety of habitats, especially early successional shrubland. This is the amorphous, often underappreciated plant community of shrub thickets, vines, and small trees that would naturally exist after a meadow matures and before it becomes a forest.
Studies show that the structure of this type of declining habitat is exactly what many young birds seek during the perilous post-fledging period — the time after they have left the nest and before their first migration. For a young bird learning how to survive, early successional habitat provides an abundance of food, as well as denser cover from predators than open woodlands. Consequently, even a forest-dwelling species like an Ovenbird (a wood warbler that builds its nest on the forest floor) can be observed in shrub habitats after fledging. Many migratory birds also seek shrub habitats during fall migration for the bounty of berries — particularly those of native plants — that provide a rich source of fats and antioxidants needed for migration.
Therefore, in order to promote maximum recruitment of young birds as well as encourage migrants to stop over, we must maintain a healthy shrubland. Some indicators from our data — the increase in woodpeckers, the decline in some shrub-loving species like White-throated Sparrow, and our overall low fall catch — could suggest the maturation and deterioration of our shrub habitat and the need for targeted management. Replacing large trees and invasive species with native shrubs — a project that has begun thanks to our grant from Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology — will help improve the habitat integrity.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 21
Figure 4. Total number of woodpecker species and individuals captured per year during spring migration 2010-2022.
Bird banding can also reveal habitat integrity through recaptures. In addition to the 740 new birds banded last fall, 97 birds were recorded as “repeats.” These are birds already banded by us within the same season but caught multiple times, which allows us to calculate their weight gain or loss during stopover. For example, we recaptured one Ovenbird on September 14th that weighed 24.1 grams — an almost 25% increase in body mass from its original capture date on September 1st when it weighed only 19.4 grams. This may indicate that the habitat is satisfactory for Ovenbirds.
Some unique fall highlights included a beautiful Mourning Warbler in September, as well as a record number of five Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and three Cape-May Warblers. Cape May Warblers breed in the spruce balsam northern forests where they raise their chicks largely on spruce budworm. An eastern outbreak of this boreal pest may have contributed to a regional population boost for this warbler. During winter they can be found in shrubby gardens or even coffee plantations in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles.
THE PEOPLE | Our banding station operates so successfully thanks to a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. The diversity of people who visit, study, and train at RWBS make our labor as enjoyable as the array of birds. In the spring, we hosted French banders from Tadoussac Bird Observatory in Quebec, as well as a drop-in bander from Israel’s Jerusalem Bird Observatory. In the fall, BirdsCaribbean sponsored Omar Monzon Carmona and Dayamiris Candelario to train for one month at RWBS to support the Caribbean Bird Banding Network. Another partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission allowed us to host a two-day intensive bird banding training workshop led by guest bander Holly Garrod from Montana.
Like the birds who return to Rushton, we hope we’ll see our old human friends again, as well. Birds connect us across continents, returning to the places that supported them and allowed them to thrive throughout their annual cycle. Capable of taking to the skies, they are still forever tethered to the earth — a reminder to us to remain loyal to our roots, bringing hope and healing to the land just as the birds do.
RESOURCES
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
22 | NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
White-throated Sparrow. Photo by John Drake
September Banding workshop with PA Game Commission partner.
Photo by Aaron Coolman
Willistown Conservation Trust 2022 Financial Report
We thank our generous donors, grant funders, corporate partners, CSA members, public program participants, and Barns & BBQ and RunAMuck attendees for the generous and consistent financial support which enables all the robust activities at Willistown Conservation Trust such as those featured in this edition of The Sycamore.
OPERATING REVENUE
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | 23
Contributions & Grants 65% Fundraising Events Net 8% Public Programs Revenue 8% Investment Return for Current Activities 19% OPERATING ACTIVITIES Community Farm Program Bird Conservation Program 27% Land Protection & Stewardship 16% Watershed Protection 8% Community Outreach 17% Fundraising 9% Administration 11%
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF & TRUSTEE NEWS
MOLLY SCOTT | Events Coordinator
As WCT’s Events Coordinator, Molly assists with all things events here at Willistown Conservation Trust, including the initial planning and the day-of responsibilities. Before her arrival, Molly previously worked in events and alumni engagement at Swarthmore College, in development and alumni relations at Bryn Mawr College, and in event planning at the University of Pennsylvania. She brings a depth of experience and a joyful, creative spirit that will add to the value of our work. When she’s not busy working on our events, Molly and her family enjoy hiking and birding in the area, while traveling, and on trips to Cape May Point, NJ. She is the mother to three young adult women, a barred rock hen, and a mixed-breed rescue dog.
KIMBERLEY H. GALLIGHER, VMD
Dr. Galligher earned her Veterinary Medical Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. Her career has run the gamut in small animal medicine with its entirety in this region. Her roots are in ambulatory medicine, ER, and private practice. Kimberley works as an independent contractor Relief Veterinarian where she works at local veterinary hospitals.
The Galligher family settled down in Willistown 20 years ago and have been active supporters of WCT ever since. Conservationminded people, they currently reside on a historic farm where Kim enjoys cooking, gardening, and beekeeping. Preserving the remaining open space and teaching our young to foster relationships with nature are Kim’s goals. As she explains, “Nature is full of little souls that deserve kindness and gratitude like the rest of the world.”
LINDA
Chester, Pennsylvania, Linda attended West Chester University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Economics. Later, she received a graduate degree in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College. After working in financial services, Linda decided to devote her career to making a difference through various social service roles, including refugee assistance, suicide prevention, disaster recovery, and child welfare. She has since founded a community led nonprofit called Gather in the Circle that works to improve the livability of downtown Newtown Square. Gather runs a seasonal farmers market, and tests ways to encourage sustainable community connections.
When she’s not working to make a difference in her community, Linda can be found splitting her time between Newtown Square and London, where she currently lives with her husband and four children. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. As a board member, she hopes to continue to champion WCT’s work by helping to strengthen connections to the surrounding communities.
I. MCISAAC | Growing up outside West
NEW
| WELCOME
TRUSTEES
ABOARD
We honor three founding trustees who concluded board service in 2022.
TIMOTHY B. BARNARD, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Tim’s 26 years of service as a key founding board member helping to establish the Trust. We thank him for his part in instituting the legal governance structures that have guided our organization toward a strong and viable institution. For his gentle powers of persuasion and his keen knowledge of nonprofit organizations and environmental law. For his ability to listen to others and consider the merits of multiple points of view. For his efforts to make the environmental movement and the Trust more inclusive and welcoming to all.
ALICE HAUSMANN, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Alice’s nearly 40 years of dedication to preserving the Willistown countryside and serving the community she loves — first as a consultant to the Brandywine Conservancy and later as co-founder of the Trust in 1996. We thank her for her passion, valued intuitions, kindness, and ability to understand the point of view of others. For her willingness to support bold new initiatives — from the founding of Rushton Farm to the Bird Conservation and Watershed Protection Programs. For her love of the natural world, including birds and all wild creatures; and for her unwavering dedication to showing us how to share these resources with all people. For the wisdom and guidance as a committee leader, Executive Committee member, and Trustee, that has made the Trust a strong and vibrant organization; and for her enduring friendship, we are forever grateful.
JAMES VAN ALEN II, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Jim for being an essential member of the Founding Trustees in the development of the Trust’s mission. We thank him for helping to guide us financially toward a responsible and sustainable future. For devoting himself to the acquisition and preservation of a portion of his own family’s land known as Rushton, now the home of Rushton Woods Preserve and the Rushton Conservation Center, with Trust Programs including Community Farm, Bird Conservation, and Watershed Protection. For his unbridled faith in the leadership of his wife, Bonnie, in support of their mutual passion to preserve open space and the natural resources therein for all to share.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF AND TRUSTEE NEWS | 25
MOVERS AND SHAKERS | FOUNDING TRUSTEES
DONOR SUPPORT | CAMPAIGN & ANNUAL FUND
CAMPAIGN FOR RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE DONORS
Anonymous (2)
1976 Foundation
Mr. Timothy B. Barnard and Ms. Meredyth Patterson
Lisa Hatcher and Charlie Bernard
Michael and Linda Burg
Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love
Chester County Preservation Program
The Colket Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Cozzi
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources
Department of Environmental Protection:
Growing Greener
Diamond Ice Foundation
Anthony and Linda DiValerio
Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat
Dick and Nancy Eales
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher B. Ebmeyer
Kate and Ben Etherington
First Cornerstone Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John Fry
Jim and Dina Gibson
Steve and Christina Graham
Julie S. and K. David Graham
Mrs. Perry C. Gresh
Dr. Janet F. Haas and Mr. John Otto Haas
Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Hamilton Jr.
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Alice and Peter Hausmann
Lynn Hitschler
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hofmann
Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard
Elayne Howard
Beth and David Hucker
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Johnson
Mrs. Barbara M. Jordan
Michelle Kichline
Mr. George F. Krall Jr.
Ms. Lisa Krall
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
Heidi S. Phelan
PLATINUM SYCAMORES
($25,000 or More)
Tally Foundation
Quaker City 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
Marshall-Reynolds Foundation
Quaker City Foundation
Lang and Marilyn Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Spinner
Veritable, LP
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Stolper
John F. and Holly H. Stoviak
Jennifer H. Gorman-Strawbridge
Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge
Jeanne and Doug Swope
Mr. Matt E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll
The Darling Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
The RJM Foundation
Bob and Carolyn Turner
UNFI Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander S. Van Alen
Mr. and Mrs. Rob B. Van Alen
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warden
The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins
Ms. Lida A. Wright
Alex and Janine Zozaya
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
The Hamilton Family Foundation
Mrs. Ethel Benson Wister
26 | DONOR SUPPORT
The Sycamore Society recognizes individuals and organizations who annually contribute $1,500 or more to the Annual Fund.
We are grateful for these donors who have generously supported WCT’s conservation efforts. Those listed on the following pages provided support between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
BRONZE SYCAMORES
($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
First Cornerstone Foundation
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.
Mrs. Anne G. Moran
Ms. Caroline A. Moran
SYCAMORES
($1,500 to $2,499)
Dr. Donald E. Red
The Rorer Foundation
The Simkiss Family Foundation
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. Gilbert B. Weisman and Ms. Alane A. Becket
The Wike Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
Carolyn J. Wukitch and Anthony McCarley
Anonymous
Facebook Donations
E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc.
The National Bank of Malvern
Caroline and Olin Belsinger
Doug and Peggy Briggs
Mr. Warren I. Claytor
Jonathan and Kelly Cleborne
Vince and Kali Curran
Daley Family Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation
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
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
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 & 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.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Strawbridge
Dylan and Anne Supina
James Sargent and Paige Turner
John and Gerry Tuten
Ted and Susan Wentz
Dr. Kathy Zoll and Mr. Joseph C. Zoll
DONOR SUPPORT | 27
in joining the Sycamore Society?
Chelsea Heck at cmh@wctrust.org for more information.
Interested
Contact
CONSERVATIONIST ($1,000 - $1,499)
Anonymous
Mrs. Sandra K. Baldino
Clarke and Barb Blynn
Broadacres Trouting Association
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
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Micheletti
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Milner
Sandra and Warren Ormerod
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Piro
Jay Reinfeld
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer
Mrs. Alice M. Sharp
Spire Builders
Dr. Sharon Taylor and Mr. Joe Cannon
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Vincent
Mr. David E. Watt
NATURALISTS ($500 - $999)
Altus Partners
Anonymous
Rebecca and John Adams
Stephen and Evelyn Bennett
Dr. and Mrs. Barry H. Burkhardt
Dr. Lewis Chodosh and Shelby Riney Chodosh
Walter J. Cook Jeweler
Crumdale Partners
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
Godlan, Inc.
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
Mr. and Mrs. D. Christopher Le Vine
Nick and Cass Ludington
Jim and Judy Milne
Jay and Nancy Mossman
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Mostardi
Jim and Kayo Nolan
Elizabeth Evert and Andy Orr
Bob and Susan Peck
Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson Pew
Heidi S. Phelan
The Catherwood Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
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
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 and
A. David 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
Jennifer H. Gorman-Strawbridge
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
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
A Michael and Juliene G 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
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
Ardrossan Beagles, Inc.
Ms. Electa M. Huber
Ms. Mary N. Hundt
Frances L. Hundt
Bryan Hutchinson
Ms. Madeline Lacobucci 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
Countryside Consulting, Inc.
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 (7)
The UK Online Giving Foundation
Microsoft Rewards
Vanguard Anonymous
Mary and Allen Armstrong
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Banks
Amy Bauer
28 | DONOR SUPPORT
| ANNUAL
DONOR SUPPORT
FUND
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
Mr. Eric Charles Delss
John deProphetis and Joanne Dephillips
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Doering
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
Monica McQuail and Brett Farnsworth
Chris and Sally McQuail
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.
Joan Neely and 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
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
Anonymous
John and Victoria Alff
Alexis and Geoffrey Anderson
Mary and Allen Armstrong
Laura J. Armstrong
Norm and Sid Baglini
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bassett
Dr. Deborah Batchelor
Peter Batchelor
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Beckett, Jr.
Lauren Begley
Emily L. Blackburn
Emily Bottomley
David Brooks
Lindsey Brown
Ryan Brown
Lois Bryman
James and Bridget Byrne
Judy Cadmus
Stacy Calabretta
Patricia Callahan
Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love
Brian and Shannon Chilcote
Cristy Chory
Fred Clement
Sara and Mark Cortese
Christina deForest Keys
Wendy DeWall
Mr. and Mrs. Justin Donaldson
Laura and Jack Murdoch
Jennifer Drass
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Feldman
Ed Flood
Lin Floyd
Edward D. Frank II and Susan G. Lea
Joanne Fritz
Mary Gibney
Anonymous
Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Good
Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole
Dr. Jan Taylor Gordon
Laura Graham
Bernard Greenberg
Christin Gregory
Salvatore Grippi
Grace Hafer
Stephanie Hammerman
Mr. and Mrs. John Hanlon
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Susanne and William Harrigan
Alice and Peter Hausmann
Kate Heston
Emma Hewitt
Annie Hill
Susan Hill
Tom and Libby Hipp
Mr. and Mrs. D. Charles Houder
Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard
Eric Hughes
Frances L. Hundt
Sandra Hung
Bryan Hutchinson
Ikuko Karacsony
Mr. Brandon Kauffman and Ms. Andrea Kauffman-Berry
Jaclyn Kelly
Wendy Kelly
Willaim Keyser and Pat Reeser
Sara Williams and Tom Koester
Alicia Kopp
Ann Ledger
Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger
Mr. Peter K. Lee
Lindsay and Ted Leisenring
Janet Licci
Geraldine Lopatin
Brian and Dedra Lortie
Mary Mangan
Margaret Marble
Jennifer and Chip Mathes
Rebecca McCafferty
Kathleen McGrath
Monica McQuail and Brett Farnsworth
Rita Millard
Andrew Pancoast
Elizabeth Pease
Laura Petersen
Mr. Derek N. Pew and Ms. Blaire E. Baron
Mikaela Potrako
Avery Rome and Jeff Price
Anonymous
Lyette and Bruce Richards
Joli Ridenour
Ellen Rinaldi
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rorer
Danielle Rowan
Catherine Rubenstone
Gwyneth Sharer
Megan Shipley
Shreiner Tree Care
Sara Simasek
Wonderfully Wild
Deborah Smith
Lang and Marilyn Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore K. Smith
Chelsea Somers
Katrina Starr
Ryan Starr
Julia Steiner
Elizabeth Stone
Arthur and Doris Strawbridge
Michael Swarr
Annette Telgarsky
Mr. Richard H. Thompson Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Thorne
Maria Stella Thorogood
Susan Timmins
Cheryl Tomlinson
Mr. and Mrs. James J. Tornetta
Tom and Melissa Trala
Tootsie Troiani
Scott Tuttle
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II
Rick and Mary-Joe Vitabile
Dana Waldman
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Ward
Vivian Warren
Ms. Alexandra West
Elizabeth Madelaine H.L. White
Nina Whitnah
Devin Wilkins and Kyle Wichser
Mr. and Mrs. Donald B. Wilkins, Jr.
Brian Wilkinson
James G. Willson
Mr. and Mrs. Jerold T. Wright
Will Zang
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
Anonymous (11)
Mr. Timothy B. Barnard
Mr. Adrian Castelli and Ms. Molly Love
Mrs. Susan L. Cooker
Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Cox
Mr. and Mrs. V. Richard Eales
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hausmann
Mrs. Beth Hucker
Mrs. Keith M. Pension
Ms. Anne Satterthwaite
Mr. and Mrs. Fritz T. Seving III
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Strawbridge
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Whitford
Ms. Lida A. Wright
DONOR SUPPORT
BARNS & BBQ CO-CHAIRS
Donna and Rob Corrato
Linda and Anthony DiValerio
Kate and Luke Etherington
Tracy and Joe Przybylowski
Tara and Jeff Shanahan
BARNS & BBQ COMMITTEE
Joanne Berwind
Cynthia and Tom Caruso
Sonia and Morgan Churchman
Tracey and Sam Freeman
Stephanie Fuller
Kimberley and Russ Galligher
Jodi Spragins and Brook Gardner
Kat and Steve Gord
Joy and John Grady
Renee and Larry Granger
Shaina and Nat Hamilton
Erika and Azeez Hayne
Nancy and Dick Klavans
Sally and Joe Layden
Molly Love and Adrian Castelli
Leanne and Rob McMenamin
Jennifer and Christopher Moller
Caroline Moran
Janice and Britt Murdoch
Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen
Leigh and Steve Oblack
Amanda and Conrad Radcliffe
Rachel Coxe Shoemaker and Erich Barchi
Holly and John Stoviak
Jackie and Jerry Sweeney
Bonnie and Jim Van Alen
Penny and Tom Watkins
Devin Wilkins and Kyle Wichser
Effie Wister
BARNS AND BBQ PATRONS
The Birdsall Family
Sandra Capper
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket
Dick and Nancy Eales
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Eldredge
Kate and Ben Etherington
Mr. and Mrs. Luke Etherington
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty
Beth and David Hucker
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Knauer
Lindsay and Ted Leisenring
Mark & Katherine Thomson
Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore
Quaker City Foundation
Conrad and Amanda Radcliffe
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Rash
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Shanahan
Arthur and Doris Strawbridge
Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II
BARNS AND BBQ SPONSORS
Co-Presenting Sponsors
John Milner Architects, Inc.
Pinemar, Inc.
Habitat Restoration Sponsors
Audi Devon Bank of America Private Bank
Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie, Seelaus, & Kraft LLP
Brandywine Realty Trust
Country Properties/BHHS
Cullen Construction Inc.
Dutchie’s Stone Works, LLC
E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc.
F.L. Bissinger, Architect
Glenmede
Hazley Builders
Jackson Lewis
James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC
King Construction
Marshall Sabatini Architecture
Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC
National Bank of Malvern
Peter Zimmerman Architects
Providence One Development
Refugia
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Shreiner Tree Care
Stoltzfus Construction
Tague Lumber
The Mundy Wealth Management Group / Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Warren Claytor Architects
Watershed Protection Sponsors
Cherokee Construction
Program Book Sponsors
Righteous Felon Craft Jerky
Dewson Construction Company
Kreischer Miller
Period Architecture
Precise Buildings, LLC
RUN-A-MUCK HOSTS
On Point Farm
RUN-A-MUCK CO-CHAIRS
Jamie & Tim Stapf
Carolyn & Justin Thompson
Kathy & Rick Warden
RUN-A-MUCK COMMITTEE
Warren Claytor
R. Brannon and Sarah Claytor
Jayme and Bryan Colket
Catharine and Gary Cox
Shaina and Nat Hamilton
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Annie and DJ Horton
Sally and Joe Layden
Pam and Peter Nagy
Jodi Spragins and Brook Gardner
Ellyn Spragins and John Witty
Doris and Art Strawbridge
Liz and Peter Strawbridge
Jeanne and Doug Swope
Rick Thompson
Kristin and Drew Trautman
Effie Wister
RUN-A-MUCK PATRONS
Francis Jennings and Terri Capelli
Beth and David Hucker
Marybeth Hurley
Moran Family Foundation
The Mullen Family Foundation
Janice and Britt Murdoch
Arthur and Doris Strawbridge
Mr. and Mrs. Strawbridge
Justin and Carolyn Thompson
Richard and Amy Thompson
Ethel B. Wister
RUN-A-MUCK FORGET-ME-NOTS
Caroline A. Moran
RUN-A-MUCK SPONSORS
Band Sponsor
Kreischer Miller
Meadow Sponsors
Claytor/Noone Plastic Surgery
Cover & Rossiter
Nehrbas Wealth Management of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC
Quadrate
Ranieri & Kerns Associates
Rittenhouse Builders
Countryside Sponsors
Albanese Oral Surgery
Almanack Investment Partners
Altus Partners
Austin Hepburn Installs Windows & Doors
Bartlett Tree Experts
Benner and Sons
Bryn Mawr Landscaping LLC
Conlin’s Digital Print & Copy Center
Countryside Consulting
Glenbrook Farm
Little’s of Downingtown
Oliver Heating and Cooling
Penn Systems Group
Pohlig Homes
SPI Communications
Spire Builders
Weeds, Inc.
Wilcox Builders Inc.
StoneyBank Nurseries Inc.
Audi Devon
Bank of America Private Wealth
Management
Barnard Mezzanotte Pinnie
Seelaus & Kraft LLP
Brandywine Realty Trust
Cherokee Construction
Country Properties
Cullen Construction Inc.
Dutchie’s Stone Works
E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc.
F.L. Bissinger, Architect
Glenmede
Hazley Builders
Jackson Lewis P.C.
James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
John Milner Architects
King Construction Company, LLC
Marshall Sabatini Architecture
Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC
National Bank of Malvern
Peter Zimmerman Architects, Inc.
PINEMAR, Inc.
Providence One Development
Refugia
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr
Shreiner Tree Care
Stoltzfus Construction of LanChester LLC
Tague Lumber Inc.
The Mundy Wealth Management Group / Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Warren Claytor Architects
In Kind Donations
Chatty Monks Brewing Out There Outfitters
Stoltz Hay Farm
Bib Sponsor
Loughin Real Estate Group
SPECIAL GIFTS
Bird Conservation Program
Anonymous (2)
Gwen Atlee
Clarke and Barb Blynn
Robert Butterhof
Kathleen Hancock
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Bob and Francine Hopkins
Robert Horton
Susan M. Liwak
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick E. McGovern
Dr. F. Arthur McMorris and Dr. Joanna Balcarek McMorris
Wendy and Rick Mellon
Robert Mercer
Edward H. Minner
Gloria Steinmeyer
John and Gerry Tuten
The Weeders
Motus Fund
Anonymous (2)
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Bonfire.com
MRM Foundation
Oley Valley School District
David Arscott
Norm and Sid Baglini
Ed Beacom
Clarke and Barb Blynn
Margaretta S. Brokaw
Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love
Ernie and Jane Charlesworth
Birding Club of Delaware County
Phoebe and Charlie Davidson
Ms. Laura De Ramel
Dick and Nancy Eales
Alice and Peter Hausmann
Andrew Homsey
Alix Anita James
Lindsay and Ted Leisenring
Heather and Matt Lowry
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney Maroney
Pia Sheridan McCann
Diann P. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold
The Nyssa Foundation
Mr. William J. Pastuszek, Jr. and Ms. Ellen Jean Smith
Anna Quisel
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Rubin
Lisa Smith
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II
Vicki Vinton and Wilson King
Mr. George C. Wood
30 | DONOR SUPPORT
Trail Fund
Brian and Dedra Lortie
Community Farm
GBH Foundation
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Mr. Scott T. Hattersley
Peter and Alice Hausmann
Cynthia Scheeler and John Gleason
Watershed
Aqua America, Inc.
Colonial Penn Plantation
Nicholas Newlin Foundation
Dale Weaver
In Kind Donations
Container Culture
TRIBUTES
In Honor of Denise Casciato
Meg and Chris Hardesty
In honor of Dick Eales
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Snively Jr.
In Honor of Bonnie Van Alen
Meg and Chris Hardesty
Jeffrey Price and Avery Rome
Dana Waldman
MEMORIAL GIFTS
In Memory of Donald H. Jones
Anonymous (2)
Robert Butterhof
Kathleen Hancock
Bob and Francine Hopkins
Bob Horton
Susan M. Liwak
Wendy and Rick Mellon
Robert (Merce) Mercer
Edward H. Minner
In Honor of Charles Pusey
Stuart and Jane Weisman
In Memory of Louis C. and Barbara R. Washburn Washburn Family Foundation
Lists may be incomplete. Please forgive any omissions or errors.
VOLUNTEERS
Jamie Aller
Gloria Avila
Anders Back
Bela Banker
Katie Bartling
Amanda Bebel
Dan Beniker
Emily Blackburn
Barbara Blynn
Sarah Boucas Neto
Lauren Braun
Linda Brook
Jennifer Brown
Lindsey Brown
Lisa Brown
Bracken Brown
Sarah Busby
D Candelario
Kathleen Cannon
Omar Carmona
Adrian Castelli and Molly Love
Anne Castimore
Jack Cellucci
Prithi Chandra
Ilene Chester
Mark and Meta Christaldi
Siana Christaldi
Warren Claytor
Lloyd Cole
Rob Connairre
Louise Cook
Kristen Cooney
Judy Corr
Charlie Coulter
Zachary Crevts
Aurora Dizel
Ian and Morna Dombach
Amanda Dunbar
Ian Duncan
Julie Malloy Dutot
Dick Eales
Ben Etherington
Julia Fair
Whitney Fairbrother
Brett Farnsworth
Miriam Fox
Andy Fraggos
Abbee Fries
Rebecca Garlinger
Holly Garrod
Marie Gazillo
Matt Gilbert
Gary Gittis
Gretchen Goble
Kat Gord
Deirdre Gordon
James Gowen
Dave Graham
Frances Gray
Ryan Green
Sal Grippi
Phyllis Guchuru
Kathleen Haas
Bonnie Hallam
Meg Hardesty
Suzanne Harrigan
Gerry Hart
Jesse Hart
William Hart
Grace Hassler
Meg Hauler
Peter and Alice Hausmann
Barbara Heck
Kristen Henwood
Heidi Herb
Barlow Herbst
Heidi Hiteschu
Lynn Hitschler
Katie Hogue
Jennifer Horan
Mason Hornsby
DJ Horton
Meg Houder
Abby Houston
Bill and Lyn Howard
Bryan Hutchinson
Donna Hutchison-Lang
Chris Ingeisby
Melissa Ingersoll
Robyn and Nate Jameson
Alex Jimenez
Chelsie Johnson and Garth Mahosky
Kelly Johnson
Sheryl Johnson
Marilee Jones
Claire Jones
John Joseph
Harry Kalish
Andy and Denise Kerns
Sadie and Mark Killoran
Zoe Korpi
Heather Kostick
Pam Kosty
Emily Krueger
Susan Lea
Brian Leinhauser
Hannah Leinhauser
Lindsay Leisenring
Linda Leroy
Pam Lewis
Susie and Bob MacDonnell
Katherine Marshaleck
Jennifer Mathes
Michael McAndrews
Jim McGonigle
Doris McGovern
Michael McGraw
Allyson McTear
Ren Monte
Chuck Moore
Niya Moss
Kaitlin Muccio
Janice and Britt Murdoch
Bo Nash
Johannes Nelson
Fred Nocella
Steven Oblack
Meredy Patterson
Sandie Perkowski
Katherine Pilkington
Catherine Quinn
Angelique Raezer
Connor and Grace Rall
Haley Randall
Ashley Rathman
Sarah Reimers
Silenia Rhoads
Lucia Rhoads
Jose Rincon
Michelle Roche
Avery Rome
Zachary Ruch
Mary Ann Sandone
Cindy Scheeler
Elaine Scott
Edwin Shafer
Jessica Shahan
Scott Sherman
Megan Shipley
Nathan Simasek
Victoria Sindlinger
Madelin Singer
Zachary Smith
Lydia Snyder
Natasha Sokolovskaya
Gabrielle Solomon
Emily Spencer
Ellyn Spragins
Jamie Stapf
Tim Stapf
Catherine Staples
Elizabeth Stone
Doris Strawbridge
Liz Strawbridge
Stephen Sullivan
Cari Sullivan
Joan Swirsky
Doug and Jeanne Swope
Daria Syskine
Angel Taylor
Carolyn and Justin Thompson
Cal Tracy
Drew and Kristin Trautman
Troop 78
Karen VandeMerkt
Tara Vent
Maddie Vile
Jeff and Barbara Vincent
Ben Walsh
Mike Ward
Rick and Kathy Warden
Ciaran Way
Dale Weaver
Jason Weckstein
Brett Whitten
John Whitty
Claudia Winters
Andrew Wraith
Christian Wynne
Crew Wynne
Andrew Zerby
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, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
A
SPECIAL THANKS TO CINEMAQUILT for capturing the beauty of Rushton Woods Preserve
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOUTHEASTERN, PA PERMIT NO. 96 BARNS & BBQ TOUR TICKETS! Join us for an exclusive look at a variety of barns from the bucolic Chester County Countryside. Two self-guided tour opportunities allow access to beautiful barns and stunning farms. Guests can choose either a morning tour-only ticket or an afternoon tour ticket that concludes with a cocktail reception and bountiful barbecue celebration at one of Willistown’s premier properties. Visit wctrust.org/calendar for ticket information. JENNIFER MATHES WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road Newtown Square, PA 19073 T h e S y c a m o r e Saturday, June 3, 2023
2023 Co-Presenting Sponsors
BARNS BBQ and