Leaflet 2013

T h e Lea flet N E W S B R I E F F R O M W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T | FA L L 2 0 1 3

Our Late-Blooming Jewel ASHBRIDGE PRESERVE SHINES BRIGHTLY WITH NEW TRAILS AND ACRES OF WILDFLOWERS

Outstanding intern and volunteer extraordinaire Kavanaugh Tollefson proudly shows off one of the refurbished stream crossings at Ashbridge Preserve, a product of his hard work and skill.

ON THE COVER:

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Late season wildflowers line the trails and carpet the meadows, including Joe Pye Weed (page at left and right), Turtlehead (inset), Goldenrod, Hibiscus, Ironweed and Aster.

Until this summer, Ashbridge’s uniquely beautiful wetlands and floodplains made it difficult to explore and appreciate the 59-acre preserve. With the planning and oversight of Bill Hartman, the Trust’s Director of Stewardship, the construction and refurbishment of stepping stone crossings, “bog bridges” and footbridges have been completed, now making all corners of the preserve accessible by foot (without hip waders!).

What makes Ashbridge so special is its diversity of habitat types and unusual combination of wetland features, encompassed in a relatively small area. With the addition of new stream crossings and bridges, these features can be explored and experienced up-close by following the newly completed trail network. A thirty minute walk through the preserve will reveal its vast array of natural features.

The centerpiece of the preserve is a meandering threequarter mile long stretch of the sparkling Ridley Creek, a state-designated “High Quality-Trout Stocking Fishery” stream. Surrounding the creek are numerous smaller streams, 37 acres of associated wetlands, floodplains and vernal pools as well as 30 acres of woodland. Acres of meadows are home to a variety of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes.

Such diversity creates a landscape rich with neo-tropical migratory bird populations, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Nearly 300 plant species have been surveyed at Ashbridge, including several rare, threatened or endangered species. The developing shrub areas provide excellent cover and food sources for migrating and nesting birds, including warblers, Wood Duck and Great Blue Heron. A variety of frogs, salamanders, snakes and turtles have been documented, and the habitat is suitable for the federally endangered bog turtle. In the northwestern corner, a five-acre old lake bed provides habitat for waterfowl, reptiles, fish and mammals.

Several vernal pools still exist in the old lake bed and are

especially important for declining reptile and amphibian populations. Small mammals include a variety of mice, raccoon, opossum, flying squirrel and very possibly, mink and long-tailed weasel.

The preserve is surrounded by hundreds of additional acres of land protected from development, including East Goshen Township open space and privately owned lands preserved by conservation easement. Now with its completed trails, Ashbridge serves as an important link to the existing and envisioned trail network leading to East Goshen Township Park, Thorncroft Equestrian Center and points south and east to Willistown.

Ashbridge Preserve was created in 2003 as part of a multi-partner conservation project that protected the original 176-acre Ashbridge Farm from what could have been a 200unit housing development. Fifty-five acres were set aside for the preserve, and 120 acres were divided into several large parcels ultimately acquired by private conservation buyers who immediately placed conservation easements with the Trust on each of their respective properties. Project partners included Ashbridge Farm Associates, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Chester County, and East Goshen Township. In late 2010, an additional four acres were added to the preserve with the donation of the adjacent Gordon-Barshinger Woods by Linda Gordon, in honor of her late husband Donald Barshinger.

SAP employees from Newtown Square help maintain deer protection for trees and shrubs.

BELOW RIGHT: Girl Scouts help plant native shrubs.

Volunteers

The Trust relies heavily on the work of volunteers to help implement its vision for the countryside. These volunteers played an enormous role in making Ashbridge a vibrant, healthy and accessible preserve for all to enjoy. From construction of footbridges and bog bridges, planting of native trees and shrubs, installation of bluebird nest boxes and monitoring of bird populations, volunteers multiply the Trust’s efforts manyfold. Together we make this special place even better. Contact us at land@wctrust.org if you would like to get involved.

VISIT ASHBRIDGE PRESERVE Open to the public 365 days a year from dawn to dusk, located on E. Strasburg Road, just west of Dutton Mill Road in East Goshen Township.

Make it Even Better Newly completed bog bridges and stream crossings at Ashbridge Preserve, many of them built by FROM PLANTING TREES TO BUILDING BRIDGES, VOLUNTEERS MULTIPLY OUR IMPACT volunteers, have made it possible to explore the entire 59 acres.

FALL 2013 | 4

WILLISTOWN

Many thanks to our

2013 Run-a-Muck SPONSORS

CONSERVATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jeanne B. Van Alen President/Executive Director Douglas C. Walker Hon0rary Chairman Mark T. Ledger Chairman Alice E. Hausmann Vice Chairman Elizabeth C. Hucker Treasurer Langhorne B. Smith Secretary James L. Van Alen II Assistant Secretary Timothy B. Barnard, Esq. Bryan D. Colket Gary A. Cox V. Richard Eales W. Anthony Hitschler William T. Howard F. Arthur McMorris, Ph.D. Collin F. McNeil Jennifer C. Moller Janice Murdoch Arthur E. Newbold IV, Esq. Christine S. Seving Peter S. Strawbridge Anson W. H. Taylor, III Tana Wall STAFF Sue R. Costello GIS Coordinator

BUSINESS SPONSORS Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie & Seelaus Bartlett Tree Experts Benner & Sons, Inc. Brushwood Stable Bryn Mawr Landscaping Country Properties Elite Group, LLC Gardner/Fox Associates GreenWeaver Landscapes, LLC Griffiths Construction, Inc. James Brown Plumbing Heating & AC Kreischer Miller Oliver Heating, Cooling, Plumbing Out There Outfitters, Inc. Penn Systems Group Inc. Missy Schwartz - Prudential Fox & Roach Ranieri & Kerns Assoc., LLC The Clean Store Vegetable Gardens R Us Warren Claytor Architects Weeds Inc. White Horse Village

GIFTS IN-KIND Amerasport Brandywine Catering Braxtons Animal Works, Inc. Gary & Catharine Cox Amos Esh Fernwood Summer Camp for Girls Kari & Tony Keane Susan Kokat Mostardi’s Nursery Ann Pension Rogers Tory & Zeke Seiglaff Taylor Rental Victory Brewing Company Wooters Dog Training

Fred de Long Director of Community Farm Program Laura de Ramel Director of Development and Community Outreach Elaine C. Gilmartin Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Blake Goll Nature Education Coordinator Noah Gress Rushton Farm Field Manager William R. Hartman, Jr. Director of Stewardship Lisa Kiziuk Director of Bird Conservation Program Kelsey Lingle Communications Associate Susie MacDonnell Events and PR Coordinator Nancy K. Rosin Director of Annual Fund and Planned Giving JUSTIN THOMPSON

Joyce D. Spragins Communications and Technology Manager John G. Turgeon Director of Land Protection and Public Grants Joannah Whitnah Rushton Farm Assistant Field Manager WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Rd. 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.

ABOVE:

Coming Home from the Run-a-Muck Trail

Over 450 people came out to experience the beautiful Willistown countryside and the Run-a-Muck trail on Saturday, September 21st. Proceeds benefit the Trust’s work to preserve Willistown’s rural beauty.

The Leaflet

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOUTHEASTERN, PA PERMIT NO. 96

WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road Newtown Square, PA 19073

The Legacy Society

honors those individuals who have made a commitment to the future of the Trust through a planned gift.

Through these generous planned gifts, members of the Legacy Society build our endowment and ensure a bright and vigorous future for Willistown Conservation Trust.

If you have planned a legacy for Willistown Conservation Trust, let us know so that we may welcome you to The Legacy Society.

For further information please contact: Nancy Kang Rosin

Director of Annual Fund and Planned Giving 610.353.2562, ext. 19 nkr@wctrust.org

W I L L I S T OW N

CONSERVATION TRUST

Legacy Society SGP Sustainable Green Printing Partnership

SEEKING LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION RENEWAL

The Trust is proud to be among the first land trusts in the country to gain accreditation, and the time has come for us to apply for renewal. The accreditation program recognizes land trusts that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places forever. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs, and invites comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Trust complies with national quality standards.

These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www. landtrustaccreditation.org (for comments click on “Submit Feedback”), or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments on the Trust’s application will be most useful by January 3, 2014.