Th e S y c a m o r e |
SPRING 2018
CREDIT
BLAKE GOLL/WCT
N E W S 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
WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST
I
continue to be amazed by our incredible staff ’s commitment to enhancing the Trust’s programs that help connect people, young and old, with nature. I am also humbled by the generous donors who helped us meet our $10.5 million Willistown Countryside Forever campaign goal. Thank you to everyone who was a part of that effort. Special thanks to our intrepid leader, Bonnie Van Alen, and a very special thanks to Peter Strawbridge who chaired the Willistown Countryside Forever capital campaign. Without their tireless effort we would not be where we are today! The Trust will be embarking on its next three year (2019-2021) long-range plan next year; work has begun on this effort. The plan will affirm the Trust’s mission statement and our commitment to the programs we offer to the local community and beyond. With completion of the Rushton Conservation Center (RCC) later this year, Trust programs will further transcend our local boundaries resulting in a more global presence and impact. We expect the RCC to open a new and significant chapter in the life of the Trust and everyone from the staff to the Board of Trustees is excited to see the results. I encourage all of you to come visit our preserves and Rushton Farm, participate in our programs, and connect with nature. That is the best way to experience the good work this amazing organization does; and I hope it will encourage you to support this work by contributing to our Annual Fund, the primary source of funding our programs.
Jeanne B. Van Alen President/Executive Director BOARD OF TRUSTEES Elizabeth C. Hucker Chair V. Richard Eales Vice Chair Alice E. Hausmann Vice Chair
FROM THE CHAIR
Beth Hucker Chair, Board of Trustees
Mark T. Ledger Treasurer John F. Stoviak Secretary Bryan D. Colket Assistant Secretary Timothy B. Barnard, Esq. L. Clarke Blynn Gary A. Cox William T. Howard George F. Krall, Jr. Leanne McMenamin Collin F. McNeil
Elizabeth R. Moran* Janice Murdoch Peter S. Strawbridge Matthew E. Taylor Carolyn W. Turner James L. Van Alen II Tana Wall** Alejandro Zozaya
*Honorary Trustee **Trustee Emeritus
STAFF Todd Alleger Agroecology Project Coordinator Chelsea Allen Rushton Farm Assistant Field Manager Sue R. Costello GIS Coordinator Fred de Long Director of Community Farm Program Laura de Ramel Director of Development and Community Outreach Alison Fetterman Bird Conservation Associate Blake Goll Nature Education Coordinator Kathryn Kinkade Gord Director of Rushton Conservation Center Eliza Gowen Community Farm Outreach Assistant Noah Gress Rushton Farm Field Manager William R. Hartman, Jr. Director of Stewardship
Kristen Henwood Associate Director of Stewardship Erik Hetzel Director of Land Protection and Public Grants Lisa Kiziuk Director of Bird Conservation Program Stephanie Kuniholm Associate Director of Development Kelsey Lingle Communications Associate Susie MacDonnell Events and PR Coordinator Lauren McGrath Field Study Site and Watershed Coordinator Jodi Spragins Communications and Technology Manager Molly Clark Tracy Rushton Farm Assistant Field & Production Manager
WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Rd. | Newtown Square, PA 19073 610.353.2562. | LAND@WCTRUST.ORG
ON THE COVER: Watershed Coordinator Lauren McGrath explores stream life in the Crum Creek with youngsters. RIGHT: Runners tromp through the Crum Creek in Kirkwood Preserve nearing the finish line at Run-a-Muck.
2 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
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.
Contents
THE SYCAMORE SPRING 2018 VOL. XIX NO.1
N E W S 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
MARY HUNT DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.WCTRUST.ORG
6 8 10 12 14 17 18 20 22 26 27 30
GAINING GROUND New conservation easements add to Willistown’s mosaic of conserved lands. TEACHING KIDS TO BE NATURE SMART Rushton Nature Keepers offers innovative youth nature experiences and education. PROTECTING OUR WATERSHED Monitoring water quality in our local streams. FARMING FOR INSECTS Insects at Rushton Farm reveal rich biodiversity. MOTUS FOR BIRD CONSERVATION Motus team expands network across Pennsylvania and beyond. HELPING TOWNS WITH OPEN SPACE Assisting with planning for two public nature preserves. THE CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETE! Willistown Countryside Forever meets its $10.5M goal. A PLACE TO CONNECT TO NATURE Rushton Conservation Center to open in the fall of 2018. MOVERS AND SHAKERS Staff, trustee, and intern news. TRAILS TEAM SURVEY RESULTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS DONOR SUPPORT
The Sycamore is printed on 30% post-consumer FSC-certified recycled paper with soy-based inks by a landfill-free printing facility that follows the highest standards of sustainability.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A
s we head into spring 2018, three words best describe the mood here at the Willistown Conservation Trust: gratitude, excitement, and anticipation. You will understand why these words define the state of mind of our staff, Trustees, volunteers, and loyal supporters as you read through the articles in this edition of The Sycamore. Gratitude. First, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for each and every gift that led to the December 31, 2017 completion of our $10.5 million Willistown Countryside Forever campaign. As you will read, this campaign has enabled the Trust to meet milestones and initiate new programs that were no more than a dream several years ago. Secondly, we are immensely grateful for the continuing community conservation ethic that allows us to protect more acres of precious land in the Willistown area each year. These protected lands are the reservoir from which all of our incredible programs flow, whether bird conservation, community farm, land and water stewardship, research, education, or new ways to engage people with nature. Excitement. Thanks to support from ongoing partners and new collaborators, our staff has achieved a number of goals that promise to set the stage for an exciting next chapter for the Trust. Some exciting facts: our program area has become a formal field study site for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and other research partners; our robust Watershed Protection Program is well underway thanks to generous support from the William Penn Foundation; our Bird Conservation Program is now nationally recognized for the excellence of its banding program and its efforts to save migratory birds through the Northeast Motus Collaboration; our farm, bird and watershed staff have created an innovative youth education program called Rushton Nature Keepers; and we have broken ground on the exciting Rushton Conservation Center for education, research, and outreach at Rushton Woods Preserve. Anticipation. We are filled with anticipation knowing that these initiatives will further the Trust mission to preserve land and connect people with nature. Whether you are a valued landowner, supporter, volunteer, neighbor, or friend, we look forward to sharing what lies ahead. We hope to see you throughout the year at Trust events, enjoying the trails and preserves, at Rushton Farm with children or grandkids, or at the opening of the new Rushton Conservation Center— anticipated for the fall of 2018. None of the above would be possible without the generous support of the Willistown community and beyond. So thank you all for sharing our gratitude, excitement, and anticipation as the next chapter unfolds in the life of the Trust.
Gratefully,
4 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
BLAKE GOLL/ WCT
Victoria Sindlinger, a 14-year old volunteer at the Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding Station, admires a recently banded chipping sparrow just before it is gently released back to the wild. Victoria began as a Junior Birding Club member over five years ago. She has since been volunteering at the bird banding station, has won awards for her nature photography, gives local bird walks, shares weekly birding tips on social media, writes bird-themed music and poetry, and is preparing for her fourth World Series of Birding.
SPRING 2018 | 5
JODI SPRAGINS/ WCT
GAINING GROUND
This 30-acre property is part of the larger 55-acre Hi Bid Farm, where the barn, riding ring, and turnout areas for its popular horse boarding and lesson barn were located for over 40 years. INSET: Caroline Moran colors the property green on the Trust’s protected lands map, adding it to the 7,200+ acres of conserved lands in the Willistown area.
Hi Bid Farm
NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROTECTS FINAL 30 ACRES
T
he last 30 acres of the beautiful 55-acre Hi Bid Farm were permanently protected from development in November, when conservation buyer Caroline Moran signed a conservation easement at the Trust’s office. The land will remain privately owned, and the easement limits the number of primary residences to just two, instead of the seven which would have been permitted without the conservation easement. The easement specifies the locations of any future buildings and ensures that the existing woodlands and sensitive streamside areas near the property’s headwaters to the Ridley Creek remain undisturbed in perpetuity. Two new trails are also outlined in the easement, establishing important permanent connections to the wider trail network in the community. “Caroline is a true hero of the countryside,” says Trust Executive Director Bonnie Van Alen. “She loves this land and has made a remarkably generous commitment to protect and
6 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
care for it so that future generations of people and wildlife can enjoy it forever.” The entire 55-acre Hi Bid Farm was purchased by a partnership of community investors organized by nonprofit Delchester Group, Inc. and the Trust in January of 2015 to hold the land until conservation buyers like Ms. Moran could be located. The Hi Bid Farm project represents the 15th Community Conservation Partnership, resulting in nearly 2,000 acres in the Trust’s focus area that are protected in this way. These partnerships are a testament to the extraordinary commitment of the Willistown community to preserve critical properties that might otherwise be developed. As is true of all conservation easements, the Hi Bid Farm easement remains with the land perpetually, even if the land is sold in the future. Fulfilling one of the most important parts of its mission, Willistown Conservation Trust stewardship staff will visit the land annually to monitor the property’s condition and provide management suggestions as requested.
ERIC HETZEL/ WCT
The five-acre Keystone is home to a menagerie of beloved animals, including donkeys, goats, and a retired horse. As a part of the easement, the Rash family is creating an equestrian trail which provides a permanent and critical connection between Radnor Hunt and trails east of Hillview Road.
Keystone LEGACY EASEMENT DONATED ON HILLVIEW ROAD
A
nother property has been placed into conservation under the Trust’s Legacy Easement Program. Claudia Rash generously donated an easement on her property at 776 Hillview Road, also known as Keystone. Goats, donkeys, and a retired horse roam the fields of this charming five-acre farm, which is located in the heart of the Trust’s program area in close proximity to many acres of similarly conserved properties. The permanent protection of Keystone means that it will never be further developed, adding to and expanding the footprint of large contiguous blocks of protected land. The easement limits residential uses to just one primary residence and an attached apartment in the main barn, essentially preserving the property’s rural character forever. A new trail easement provides an important linkage permanently connecting the Radnor Hunt area to the
trails and bridle paths east of Hillview Road, enhancing and further securing the web of trails that wind their way through the Willistown countryside. The Legacy Easement Program is specially designed for smaller properties and represents one more way the Trust is seeking to expand the benefits of conservation into areas that might otherwise remain unprotected. Compared to easements on larger properties, the Legacy Easement documentation is shorter in length and simpler in concept, while retaining all the legal requirements of a qualified conservation easement. This translates to less time, cost, and effort for both the Trust and the landowner. To learn more about the Legacy Easement Program and how it might apply to your property, contact Erik Hetzel, Director of Land Protection, at ewh@wctrust.org.
SPRING 2018 | 7
Teaching Kids to be Nature Trust youth program offers hands-on bird, farm,
O
ne of the discussions that arises in conversations with environmental educators is whether to tell kids that polar bears are starving due to climate change or that wildlife populations have declined by half in the past 50 years. Some suggest keeping it light and fun. However, it is difficult to ignore the heightened sense of urgency that hovers over the changed landscape. Besides, kids today are braver, stronger and cleverer than ever, especially when they are armed with the truth and equipped with the knowledge they need to confidently speak on behalf of the earth. Rushton Nature Keepers (RNK) is an elevation of the Trust’s traditional environmental education programs (formerly the Junior Birding Club and Carrot Club) to a more visionary level. The primary goal is to provide youth (ages 7-12) with abundant opportunities to develop a meaningful relationship with nature, keeping in mind that it is these precious experiences that will fuel a lifelong desire to safeguard the environment. Therefore, RNK is focused on shaping and empowering future conservationists while nurturing a spirit of discovery and wonder. Rushton Nature Keepers offers an array of monthly events covering four themes including: birds and wildlife, sustainable farming, watersheds, and healthy habitat. Children participating in the program will be able to understand the origins of the food we eat, the rewards that come from a season on the farm, and how nature and agriculture can flourish side by side. They will also develop science and observation skills while learning about bird conservation, and stream ecology. Through these activities they will be able to recognize healthy habitat and understand how people can help create and preserve these important sanctuaries, starting with their own backyard. While each event will cover one of the themes, the connection of all four to land stewardship and land protection is the universal thread. Each event will allow time for reflection in a nature journal in which children will receive attendance stamps to document their progression. Nature Keepers can work toward a Rushton Junior Naturalist badge by attending a total of two bird events, two farm events, two water events, and one habitat event in a calendar year (for a total of seven events). They will also be invited to attend the Rushton Junior Naturalist Celebration in November in which prizes will be awarded. The highest tier in this multi-faceted program is the Rushton Youth Conservationist Certificate. This level is for children over 12 years old who have aged out of RNK but are still interested in early conservation experiences. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including service at the farm, working at the bird banding station, participating in watershed study activities, local bird counts, habitat restoration projects, stream cleanups, or other activities agreed upon with Willistown Conservation Trust staff. Rushton Nature Keepers provides the foundation for a lifetime of caring about and protecting nature. Although they will have fun throughout the program, these children will be able to speak intelligently about the environmental issues facing our society today. They will develop a strong foundation from which to work and a bond with nature that will sustain them as they become advocates for conservation throughout their lives.
8 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
Smart
and watershed inspiration BLAKE GOLL/WCT
Rushton Nature Keepers discover a praying mantis while looking for pollinators in the wildflowers at Rushton Woods Preserve.
SPRING 2018 | 9
Monitoring the water quality of the Ridley, Crum, and Darby Cre
Protecting Our Watershed
W
iillistown Conservation Trust’s focus area encompasses over 190 stream miles, including the headwaters of Ridley, Crum and Darby Creeks. The goal of the Trust’s Watershed Conservation program is to ensure the long-term health of these streams through monitoring and restoration.. The streams travel a diverse set of landscapes: through mature forests and maintained meadows; farm fields; and developed areas with roads and buildings. The nature of streams can make studying them a challenge. The rainwater that drains from developed and natural landscapes each deliver different water quality challenges, and tracking the streams’ response to these changes can be complex. So tracking the streams’ response to these changes can be complex. To better understand the challenges that the Ridley, Crum, and Darby watersheds face, Willistown Conservation Trust has partnered with the William Penn Foundation, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and Stroud Water Research Center to examine water quality in each of these bodies of water. 10 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
It is critical to select water sampling locations that best depict the true condition of that environment. With guidance from researchers at the Academy of Natural Science, the Trust chose ten sample sites throughout the Ridley, Crum, and Darby watersheds that accurately capture the conditions of the streams in a variety of habitats. Detailed maps with human development, tree cover, and hydrology data informed the site-selection process. A monthly water chemistry sampling schedule was then designed, a frequency which will provide accurate insight into the health of a stream over time. This spring, each of these stream sites will also be sampled for macroinvertebrates, or insects and mollusks that spend all or part of their lives in the stream. Presence of these invertebrates can add another layer of detail to the story of what is happening in water. Each insect exists on a spectrum of sensitivity to change in water quality. Fluctuations in the temperature, sediments, available oxygen, and nutrient content of the water can alter the species found there. By looking at these animals, we can identify water quality impairments from the previous year that water chemistry sampling alone could
MALVERN PATCH
eks in the Willistown Area
Local Stream Life How many of these creatures have you seen in Willistown’s waterways?
Some of the species observed in our waterways Status
Native
miss. Taken together, this diverse dataset will provide a more detailed picture of overall stream health in the ever-changing landscape of these waterways. Research on headwater streams is vital to understanding how the larger bodies of water they feed into are functioning. Waterways’ interconnectedness means that any impairment, even a seemingly small amount of pollution, accumulates as streams flow together to form larger waterways. Fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens, sediment from erosion, and even salt added to icy roads all wash into streams and rivers to flow downstream. Ridley, Crum, and Darby Creeks are tributaries to the Delaware River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. While Willistown seems like a long way from the ocean, the activity that occurs in these watersheds is eventually reflected downstream. Our goal, through restoration and best management practices, is to make sure that our lasting impact is a positive one.
Invasive Role
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
Fish
Bluegilll (Lepomis macrochirus)
Fish
R R White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) R Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) R R Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) R American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) R R Brook Trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) R Koi + Carps R American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) R Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) R Common Reed (Phragmites australis) R Bamboo (Bambusoideae) R Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) R Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) R R Stonefly (Plecoptera) Caddisfly (Trichoptera) R R Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) R Asiatic Clam (Corbicula fluminea) Freshwater Mussel (Elliptio) R R Damsel Fly (Odonata) R Dragon Fly (Odonata) Freshwater Snails R R Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis)
Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Bird Bird Plant Plant
Reptile Reptile Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt Invtbt
It is a hopeful sign to see so many native species and such great diversity in Ridley, Crum and Darby Creeks. A diverse ecosystem is much more resilient than one that is dominated by a few species. A number of invasive species have been identified. They have a negative impact when they outcompete natives for food and resources, causing a loss of native diversity and weakening the overall resilience of the community.
Stay tuned for a more complete list as our formal watershed research takes shape. SPRING 2018 | 11
TODD ALLEGER/ WCT
Two-spotted Bumble Bee on native milkweed at Rushton Farm.
12 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
INSECTS at RUSHTON FARM
Biological Engine of An Ecosystem The neat rows of the Willistown Conservation Trust’s Rushton Farm may seem to exist solely for the production of food, but we aren’t the only ones for whom those fields hold a bounty. A closer look reveals a vibrant community of hundreds of species, the biological engine of an ecosystem that connects Rushton to the Willistown landscape and supports the production of vegetables year after year. The Rushton Farm Agroecology Project aims to document the natural community that envelops the farm and to explore the role sustainable agriculture must have in future conservation of biodiversity. With help from the Bird Conservation Program, the Rushton BioBlitz, and graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Environmental Studies program, this biodiversity monitoring effort has so far recorded 1,043 unique species of bird, mammal, and insect. Many of these species are present in the farm fields at some point in their lifecycle, some of which are known to be agriculturally beneficial: the pollinators, predators, and parasitoids that facilitate fruit production and suppress pest populations. Farms like Rushton that use sustainable, chemical-free practices can create rich habitat while producing food. In turn, they gain the resilience to changes in climate and resource availability that comes from the conservation of biodiversity.
Just a few of the 1,043 species recorded at Rushton Farm Selected Invertebrate Species
Status
Native
Invasive
Taxon
Role
Two-spotted Bumble Bee (Bombus bimaculatus)
Bee
Pollinator
Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculata)
R R Squash Bee (Peponapis pruinosa) R R Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda) Eggplant Flea Beetle (Epitrix fuscula) R R Penn. Dingy Ground Beetle (Harpalus pensylvanicus)
Bee
Pollinator
Bee
Pollinator
Beetle
Predator
Beetle
Pest
Beetle
Predator
Beetle
Predator
Butterfly
Pollinator
Butterfly
Pest
7-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)
R
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) R Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
R
Ambiguous Moth (Lascoria ambigualis)
Butterfly
Herbivore
Black Saddlebags (Libellula luctuosa)
R R Syrphid Fly (Toxomerus germinatus) R R Walnut Husk Fly (Rhagoletis completa) R Feather-legged Fly (Trichopoda pennipes) Chinese Praying Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) R R Peppered Jumping Spider (Pelegrina galathea) Harlequin Bug (Murgantia histrionica) R R Predatory Stick Bug (Podisus maculiventris) Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) R Squash Bug (Anasa tristis) R Braconid Wasp (Diaeretiella rapae) R Sand Wasp (Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus) R
Dragonfly
Predator
Fly
Predator
Fly
Herbivore
Fly
Parasitoid
Mantis
Predator
Spider
Predator
True Bug
Pest
True Bug
Predator
True Bug
Pest
True Bug
Pest
Wasp
Parasitoid
Wasp
Predator
SPRING 2018 | 13
BLAKE GOLL/ WCT
MOTUS FOR
BIRD CONSERVATION
14 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
A female scarlet tanager takes hold of Todd Alleger’s thumb after having a Motus nanotag attached to its back. The featherlight device will enable Motus towers to track the bird’s movement as it makes its way across the globe during spring and fall migration.
THROUGH ITS EFFORTS WITH THE NORTHEAST MOTUS COLLABORATION, THE TRUST IS MAKING GROUNDBREAKING PROGRESS TO EXPAND THE MOTUS WILDLIFE TRACKING NETWORK. RECENT INSTALLATIONS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA AND THOSE PLANNED FOR NEW ENGLAND ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO WORLDWIDE BIRD CONSERVATION.
O
ver the past 50 years there has been a significant decline in biodiversity and one third of North American bird species need urgent conservation action. Information is vital to helping address these problems, and fortunately the Motus Wildife Tracking system (Motus) is able to provide a powerful amount of valuable scientific data. Motus has expanded the scale of scientists’ work while maximizing scarce resources; now more than 300 collaborating researchers and organizations are working on over 120 Motus projects. The Northeast Motus Collaboration, a joint project of Willistown Conservation Trust, Project Owlnet, and the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, has made remarkable progress since installing the first Motus receiver station at Rushton Woods Preserve in the fall of 2016. The most significant milestone to date is the installation of 18 receiver stations across the state of Pennsylvania last summer, representing the first statewide array in the United States, and there are plans to install an additional 24 stations in 2018. This spring the installation team is going on the road to conduct workshops, share expertise, and partner with New Hampshire Audubon on plans to install stations throughout New England in 2019. The Pennsylvania and New England Motus expansions fill significant geographic gaps and are keystones in the Motus network. They will integrate with the wider international Motus Wildlife Tracking System, spearheaded by Bird Studies Canada. The worldwide Motus network now includes more than 350 receiver stations that range from the Arctic and Europe to South America. While the Northeast Motus Collaboration’s focus is primarily on birds, all stations in the network are capable of detecting any organism carrying a VHF nanotag transmitter, which are small enough to track butterflies and dragonflies. As additional stations are erected, the system will provide more data to scientists about the movements of migratory animals. As a result, these new Motus stations will pay immense dividends for wildlife conservation by providing specific information that can help land trusts and others make informed decisions on where and how to spend scarce conservation funds. Trust Bird Conservation staff members Todd Alleger and Alison Fetterman have been instrumental throughout the
= Pennsylvania Motus receiver stations
ABOVE: The Pennsylvania installation is the first statewide array of
Motus receiver stations. Northern parulas, like the two shown above, nest in the Willistown area and are frequently captured and banded by the Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding staff. They are among the many species that will benefit from advances brought about by Motus technology.
installation of the Pennsylvania network. With their expertise, guided by Dave Brinker (Project Owlnet), Scott Weidensaul (Project Owlnet and the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art), and Lisa Kiziuk (Willistown Conservation Trust), they are providing leadership to other organizations aiming to help wildlife with Motus. SPRING 2018 | 15
Northeast Motus Collaboration Milestones As of 2018, the Northeast Motus Collaboration is the fifth largest collaborator in the Motus network.
18 new receiver stations were installed for a total of 20 stations across the state of Pennsylvania in the summer of 2017 from Rushton Woods Preserve in Willistown to the shore of Lake Erie. Private donations and a $54,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wild Resource Conservation Program funded this project.
Since its installation in 2017, the new network has already detected the movements of dozens of species of birds and bats, including: shorebirds from the Canadian Arctic and James Bay including federally threatened red knots, dozens of Swainson’s thrushes tagged in the Maritimes and New England, silver-haired bats tagged along Lake Erie, common nighthawks, purple martins, cliff swallows, several species of warblers, and much more.
The collaboration received a grant in late 2017 from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to install 12 receiver stations in western Pennsylvania in 2018. The proposed project will integrate with the line of receiver stations the group installed last summer across Pennsylvania, as well as a regional node of seven receiver sites operated by Powdermill Nature Reserve near Pittsburgh.
The collaboration will install an urban Motus Receiver Station in Philadelphia near Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania this spring with proceeds of a Green Fund grant from the University of Pennsylvania.
The team is hosting a “How to Motus” workshop with New Hampshire Audubon on March 21 to assist with plans to expand the network throughout New England in 2019.
The team is developing research plans to attach nanotags to birds that breed in Willistown, including veeries.
16 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
What is Motus?
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international collaborative research network that uses radio telemetry to track the movement of small flying organisms. Motus tracks animals affixed with nanotags (small radio transmitters) whose signals are detected by receiver stations. When results from many stations are combined, the array can track animals across a diversity of landscapes covering thousands of kilometers. Learn more at northeastmotus.com.
MARY HUNDT
Randolph Woods is a 42-acre refuge of largely protected open space in Malvern Borough, with a beautiful stretch of Ruth Run, a tributary to Crum Creek, and a woodland of mixed hardwoods and flowering trees, as pictured here.
Helping Municipalities with Open Space Goals
T
he Trust has a long history of helping local municipalities within our 28,000-acre program area achieve their open space goals. Whether it’s raising money for nature preserves and trails, planning, or organizing private-public land acquisition partnerships, the Trust shares its expertise to cultivate a greener community and further its mission. The Newtown Meadow Preserve in Newtown Square and Randolph Woods in Malvern Borough are two such examples of municipally-owned open spaces where the Trust is assisting in their planning and visioning. The Newtown Meadow Preserve is a 50-acre parcel adjacent to Episcopal Academy that was deeded to Newtown Township as a nature preserve. It sits within the Crum Creek watershed and is within an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area. The Trust is working with the Township and Simone Collins Landscape
Architects to develop a master plan which will guide the restoration and improvements planned for the preserve. The working group seeks to transform the preserve into a more ecologically-beneficial meadow with walking trails for educational and recreational use. During the past year, Randolph Woods, a 42-acre wooded open space area in the heart of Malvern Borough, has been the subject of intense scrutiny by an ad hoc committee tasked with developing a comprehensive analysis of potential future uses for the Woods followed by a series of recommendations for these uses. As the holder of a conservation easement covering much of this parcel, the Trust has been actively engaged with the Borough throughout this process—lending our expertise in the areas of bird conservation, watershed science, stewardship, and planning. This partnership has strengthened our relationship with the Borough and will continue as the planning and implementation stages of this important project progress. SPRING 2018 | 17
A Campaign for Land, People, and Nature FRED DE LONG/ WCT
Willistown Countryside Forever $10.5 Million Campaign Goal Reached! Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, foundations, and state and county grants, the Trust reached the ambitious $10,500,000 capital campaign goal at the end of 2017. This important campaign has enabled the Trust to: • Expand the Rushton Woods Preserve from 30 acres to 86 acres • Acquire the White Farmhouse to provide housing for farm staff and interns • Strengthen the Land Protection, Bird Conservation, Community Farm, and Habitat Restoration programs • Establish a Watershed Protection Program • Create an internship fund to give students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience while enhancing staff capacity • Formalize a Field Study Site with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University • Begin construction on the new Rushton Conservation Center to advance research, education, and outreach programs
Thanks for helping us grow!
Expand the size of Rushton Woods Preserve to 86 acres
Acquire the 5-Acre White Farm House Parcel
Strengthen and grow Trust programs
Begin construction on the Rushton Conservation Center
Rushton Conservation Center to Open in the Fall of 2018
A Place to Explore Connections in Nature
A
summer visitor to Rushton Woods Preserve observes brilliantly colored wildflowers and neatly planted crop rows, stripes of green and brown rolling gently toward a hedgerow, framed by towering woodlands. Farmers and interns dot the fields, planting and weeding, and the sounds of a tractor compete only with the calls of birds and the buzz of pollinators. Behind this bucolic façade, however, is a hub of activity. In just under a decade, Rushton Woods Preserve has become a mecca for the study of nature in our region: a classroom for ornithologists banding birds and studying migration; a laboratory to scientists examining the interconnectedness between the cultivated and the natural; a field study site for university students measuring water quality and the tiny, invertebrate inhabitants of Indian Run. In weather fair and foul, our scientists and staff have developed programs that bring people into nature and help them better understand why land conservation matters. But that foul weather can wreak havoc on schedules, and by winter our staff has been forced inside, with limited ability to continue their teaching. Upon completion of the Rushton Conservation Center (RCC), anticipated in the fall of 2018, our programs will have a year-round home. The RCC will significantly enhance the effectiveness and impact of all of the Trust’s programs and educational initiatives by allowing our staff to connect our communities with nature, whatever the weather. The building, designed by John Milner Architects, with pro bono interior design assistance from Barbara Gisel Design, and landscape architecture design by Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, will serve multiple functions. For example, its timberframed great room can seat up to 110 people for events, meetings, and lectures. Its dedicated library and multimedia work space will enhance our bird conservation, agroecology, and watershed research programs. There is also ample space for
Farm to table cooking workshops and demonstrations.
classroom configurations adaptable to students of all ages and a demonstration and teaching kitchen that will allow us to go from field to fork without ever leaving the farm. A porch open to the fields provides shelter for outdoor activities like owl banding. Sustainable landscaping will include a raingarden and flowering meadows of native species designed to attract pollinators. The RCC provides exciting opportunities for our research partners and university students, including the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for which we are an official field study site. Educators, students, and scientists will now have access to a vibrant outdoor living laboratory and multi-media indoor classroom, all at one destination less than twenty miles from Philadelphia. By building on our core programming areas and working with conservation-minded partners in research, education, and outreach, we will use the RCC to bring scholarship to new audiences and participate directly in the national discourse on critical topics in conservation. It is our vision that the RCC will provide a place for all to explore connections in nature and demonstrate the underlying scientific and social importance of preserving open space.
Youth science programming.
Northern saw-whet owl banding.
A few examples of the many activities to be housed at the new Rushton Conservation Center. (Top to bottom) Farm to table cooking workshops; youth science activities with Rushton Nature Keepers; northern saw-whet owl banding; and lectures and presentations advancing the science of conservation.
Presentations on conservation topics.
SPRING 2018 | 21
STAFF AND TRUSTEE NEWS
Movers and Shakers LEFT TO RIGHT: Blake Goll, Stephanie Kuniholm, Alison Fetterman, Todd Alleger, and Kat Gord.
Kat Gord became the Trust’s Director of Rushton Conservation Center on February 1. In this new position Kat will
work to establish the Rushton Conservation Center as a regional center for research, education, and outreach with a particular emphasis in the areas of bird conservation, agroecology, habitat restoration, and watershed protection. Kat has served on the Board of Trustees since 2016 and will be stepping down to assume this new role. She has held numerous volunteer leadership positions, including serving as Co-chair of Barns & BBQ 2016-2018, and is an active member of the Community Farm, Education, and Carrot Club Committees. Read more about the Rushton Conservation Center on page 20.
Sarah Hutchin is the quiet hero behind two of
Rushton Farm’s most special places: Henry’s Garden and the Native Plants Garden. Both of these gardens are entirely maintained by Sarah’s carefully cultivated group of volunteers. Henry’s Garden is a self-contained vegetable garden located near the Farmshed garden where 100% of the produce is donated to food cupboards in Chester County. The Native Plants garden is located just to the right of the entrance driveway and is designed to be a showcase of native shrubs and perennial plants. Hats off to Sarah for not only making Rushton Farm even more special, but for making it so enjoyable for the many volunteers who help her with the mission.
ABOVE: Sarah Hutchin (center) at the Rushton Farm Tomato
Tasting with volunteers Linda LeRoy (left) and Jim Wilson (right).
Doris McGovern received the Trust’s
Outstanding in the Field award for her 10 years of service at the Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding Station. Doris was instrumental in establishing and managing the banding station throughout her tenure and has been the Master Bander for the station since its inception. She is stepping down from her leadership role but will continue her involvement as a volunteer. Here’s wishing Doris a wonderful retirement and many hours of joyful sleeping in on those cold, o-dark-thirty mornings when the rest of the banding staff is putting up nets and manning the station.
ABOVE: Doris McGovern shows off her Outstanding in the Field certificate
surrounded by Bird Conservation Program staff (L to R) Blake Goll, Alison Fetterman, Lisa Kiziuk, and Trust Executive Director Bonnie Van Alen.
22 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
LEFT TO RIGHT: Lisa Kiziuk, Fred de Long, and Lauren McGrath.
Staff Presentations, Awards, and Professional Advancement
Outstanding in Their Fields Fred de Long Served on an advisory panel of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Farmers Forum. (2017)
Lisa Kiziuk Presented Introduction to Motus at the University of Pennsylvania’s new student orientation. (August, 24, 2017)
Alison Fetterman Presented Habitat Quality for Stopover Migrants at Rushton Woods Preserve, Chester County, Pennsylvania at the Eastern Bird Banding Association conference in Ithaca, New York. (March 2017)
Stephanie Kuniholm Co-authored Sage Advice: Connecting Emerged and Emerging Professionals, in Public Garden: The Journal of the American Public Garden Association. (November 2017)
Instructor/guest lecturer at University of Pennsylvania. Presented Puerto Rico’s Ecology to Master of Environmental Studies students (March 2017); presented Avian Ecology: Birds and Their Landscapes to School of Design, Department of Landscape Architecture students. (September 2017)
Lauren McGrath Awarded two Mayfly DIY sensors from Stroud Water Research Center. (December 2017)
Presented research display Building a Northeastern Wildlife Tracking Network – The Northeast Motus Collaboration at the American Ornithological Society conference (August 2017) and to the Pennsylvania Master Naturalists. (November 2017) Blake Goll Served as Vice Chair of the Hershey Mill Dam Restoration Committee for East Goshen Township. (January-May 2017) Serving as council member of Eastern Bird Banding Association. (2017-2019) Presented The Power of Birds as Stewards of Our Planet and Ambassadors for Conservation at Open Land Conservancy of Chester County in Malvern, Pennsylvania. (April 2017) Presented at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School as part of annual Earth Day Celebration. (May 2017) Presented Birdscaping: Gardening with Birds in Mind to Uwchlan Garden Club, Exton, Pennsylvania. (May 2017) Authored Fall Wildflowers: The Secret to an Endless Summer in County Lines Magazine. (July 2017)
Blake Goll and Todd Alleger Attended Motus nanotag professional training at Powdermill Avian Research Center. (September 2017) Lisa Kiziuk and Fred de Long Presented Conservation Gone Wild to Four Counties Garden Club. (February 2017) Lisa Kiziuk and Alison Fetterman Presented Wildlife Goes Wireless: Conservation of Movement and How the Motus Wildlife Tracking Program Boosts Progress to Delaware Valley Ornithology Club. (September 2017) Lisa Kiziuk, Todd Alleger, Alison Fetterman, Blake Goll and Doris McGovern Provided bird banding demonstrations/regional field ecology sessions for the following groups: University of Pennsylvania Landscape Architecture Program; University of Pennsylvania Master of Environmental Studies Program; Temple University; Villanova University Poetry Class; Boys Latin School of Philadelphia; Goshen Friends; Westtown School’s First Grade; Pennsylvania Young Birders; VOYA; Abington Friends School; Germantown Academy; Open Connections; Swarthmore College Bird Club; Birding Club Delaware County; Women in Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Agnes Irwin School; Penn State Lima Campus; Ursinus College; Saint Joseph’s University; The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
SPRING 2018 | 23
STUDENT AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE NEWS
Get to Know Our Interns Caitlin Welsh first learned about the Trust’s Bird
Conservation Program in 2015 while visiting the Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding Station as part of her field ecology course at the University of Pennsylvania where she is pursuing a Master of Environmental Studies (MES). She became a dedicated volunteer at the banding station, and most recently completed a combined internship in the Bird Conservation and Community Farm Programs in the spring and summer of 2017. Caitlin was a key member of the Bird Conservation team, and participated in spring and fall migration banding, summer breeding bird surveys, northern saw-whet owl banding, and two bioblitz events. She also assisted Rushton Farm staff with crop planning, seeding, transplanting, greenhouse management, cultivation, and harvesting. Caitlin’s interests and skills continue to bring her back to the Trust for more experience and education. She is returning this year for another combined Bird Conservation and Community Farm internship and will also research and prepare materials that will integrate Motus Wildlife Tracking System activities with K-12 bird ecology curricula. The effort will be her capstone project for her MES degree at University of Pennsylvania as part of her concentration in Advocacy and Education.
“
Caitlin Welsh INTERN SPOTLIGHT
When I learned about the great benefits that Rushton Farm provides to local and migratory wildlife, I wanted to learn more about how the farm’s management encourages such diversity. I wanted hands-on experience with this unique approach to farming and to participate in the ongoing science that measures its benefits.
“
CAITLIN WELSH
Her initial exposure to the Bird Conservation Program is what sparked Caitlin’s interest in the Community Farm Program. Caitlin’s work is a tremendous asset to the both the Bird Conservation and Community Farm programs, and now K-12 students will also benefit from her unique experience gained while working with the Trust. 24 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
Jack Borbee is a freshman at the University of Vermont studying environmental science. As
a senior at Strath Haven High School his interest in the environment led him to contact the Trust about possibilities as a Rushton Farm intern. He joined the staff as an intern in June and proved to be an enthusiastic and valuable worker whose presence always made the workday easier. His positive experience at Rushton led the environmental science teacher at Strath Haven to work with Rushton Farm staff to create two new work study programs that will be offered this spring. Additionally, the school’s entire advanced placement environmental science class will visit Rushton this spring to study its environmentally beneficial farming practices.
Regan Dohm is an ecologist who joined the staff as an intern with the Watershed
Protection Program in January. With a Master of Science in Environment and Resources from University of Wisconsin-Madison, she studied the impact of wind farms on birds of prey. Regan also has extensive experience developing environmental curriculum and presenting science to students of all ages.
Holly Garrod is a Master of Science student in the Biology Department at Villanova
University. She completed a Bird Conservation Program internship at the Trust in the summer and fall of 2017 and is returning for the 2018 season. Her thesis research in the Dominican Republic aims to better understand how Caribbean endemic birds respond to changing landscapes and invasive predators. Holly was a 2016-2017 grant recipient of the BirdsCaribbean David S. Lee Fund.
Brad Gibson moved from New York City to Philadelphia to pursue his passion for
ornithology and is currently a second year graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania studying environmental biology. He started as a volunteer at the Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding Station in the fall of 2016 and completed a Bird Conservation Program internship during the summer and fall of 2017. Brad’s research focuses on field-based avian and wildlife ecology. “I gained vast amounts of experience working with the banding program, and I routinely use that knowledge in my academic, personal, and professional life. Getting up at 5:00 in the morning to band birds is by far the highlight of my day!” exclaims Brad. In his free time Brad enjoys playing bass and guitar, hiking with his dog, and of course, birding.
Catie Ritchie is a recent graduate of Moore College of Art & Design who worked as a
Communications intern last summer. Having grown up exploring the open spaces in the Willistown area, Catie was delighted with the opportunity to try to help tell the Trust’s stories. Catie captured Trust activities with beautiful photographs and video footage, including the image that was used for the cover of the Trust’s autumn 2017 newsletter, The Leaflet. Her primary project was to create a short video promoting the Trust’s nature preserves. Watch her beautiful film at http://bit.ly/WCTPreserves. Caitlin is currently working as a freelance photography and communications specialist. SPRING 2018 | 25
SURVEY RESULTS The Trust’s Trails Team is committed to assuring the ultimate connectivity and preservation of our precious trail network. Last fall the Trails Team conducted an equestrian trails user survey which was completed by 51 equestrians. Following is a summary of survey responses, and a discussion of relevant Trails Team activity. The team strives to address the community’s concerns and to make the trail network the best it can be. If you would like to help, contact land@wctrust.org.
Rushton Woods Preserve Trail
TRAFFIC ISSUES were of most concern to survey respondents. Riders want slower traffic in equestrian areas, safer road crossings, and more educated drivers. (1)Team members have met with township officials who helped us place four horse signs at key intersections on Providence and Goshen Roads. (2) The group pursued lowering speed limits on those roads, but PennDOT did not approve a required traffic study. (3)The Trails Team initiated its “Slow Down in Willistown” campaign with car and mailbox magnets. (4) The Team has moved a number of roadside trails further from fast traffic, such as the new Radnor Hunt race course trail which is parallel to Goshen Road. ERODED TRAILS and difficult terrain were also top concerns revealed by survey results. (1)The Trails team has remediated a number of eroded and boggy trails: exiting the Willistown Friends field; the trail below Heartwood; and the “canyon trail” and other boggy trails in Rushton Woods Preserve. (2)The team cut a new trail to bypass a permanently boggy section of the heavily-used trail from the MacElree field to the Squarefield. (3)The team is working with riders at Alliquippa Farm to find a dry alternative leading to the beautiful trails in Willisbrook Preserve. (4)A boggy section of the new Goshen Road trail connecting Fairy Hill to Rushton Woods Preserve is high on the list of spots to remediate in 2018. TRAIL MAPS are on the wish list of many riders. Unfortunately landowner privacy and security concerns prevent us from publicly sharing all trail maps, but we have organized several guided trail rides and are happy to put equestrians in touch with a fellow rider who can show you the trails. ACCESS TO CLOSED TRAILS is desired by many long time riders in the Willistown area. The Trails Team and Land Protection staff at the Trust continue to work with area land owners to open old trails. EXPANSION OF THE TRAIL NETWORK is a dream for riders who love the countryside. The team is busy creating new trails in several areas including through Ashbridge Preserve, Strawbridge’s Hill, and Green Lane connecting to the Thorncroft trail. We are always looking for new trail possibilities and welcome any suggestions.
Land and Water Conservation in a Changing World Trust Co-hosts Pennsylvania Land Trust Association on April 12-14 On April 12-14 the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) is holding its annual conference at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. The Trust is honored to be hosting the event along with partners Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The conference theme is Land and Water Conservation in a Changing World. Over 50 seminars and workshops are scheduled, and several Trust staff members have been selected to make presentations. Director of Land Protection Erik Hetzel is contributing to a panel discussion on negotiating complex land acquisitions, and GIS Coordinator Sue Costello is part of a team illustrating new mapping technologies available for land trusts.
A highlight of the conference is its full-day and half-day field trips to local conservation projects. We are delighted that our Rushton Farm CSA and Rushton Woods Preserve Bird Banding Station have been chosen as field trip sites. Other field trips include the reconstructed Philadelphia Riverfront, the region’s historic iron furnaces, and other unique conservation initiatives in the Philadelphia region. Interested in attending? PALTA field trips and seminars are open to anyone who wants to learn more about conservation. For more information or to register, visit the conference web site at https://conserveland.org/2018-conference.
FEATURED PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Check wctrust.org for a complete calendar
Healing Forest Walk Friday, April 13 12:00 – 1:00 pm Ashbridge Preserve: E. Strasburg Road, West Chester The benefits of being out in nature among trees are manifold. Even a short lunch-time walk can help us de-stress from the day, boost our mood and productivity levels and support physical healing. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
MARCH 6th Annual Duck Hunt Saturday, March 3 7:45 am – 12:00 pm John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia Join birders who are very familiar with the refuge (a premier birding hotspot in Southeast Pennsylvania) to see overwintering waterfowl and other birds using this special green space in the heart of the city. Birders of all skill levels are welcome! To sign up contact ndeales@comcast.net.
Rushton Farm CSA Winter Gathering Sunday, March 18 4:00 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm Members of Rushton Farm CSA gather in the greenhouse for winter warmth and conversation with the farmers and fellow CSA members.
Pop-up Salamander Search at Ashbridge for Nature Keepers March: TBD 7:00 – 8:30 pm Ashbridge Preserve: E. Strasburg Road, West Chester Vernal pools are special habitats that salamanders and frogs seek early in the spring, migrating under the cover of darkness and during the first warm rains. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Sheep Shearing for Rushton Nature Keepers Wednesday, April 18 4:30 – 6:00 pm Plumsock Farm, 920 Plumsock Road, Newtown Square
Join us in a pastoral setting for a sheep shearing demonstration. Children will get to witness and take part in a sheep shearing and learn about the history of domesticated sheep as farm animals. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust. org to sign up.
CRC Creek Week - Stream Clean Up Saturday, April 21 9:00 – 11:00 am Ashbridge Preserve: E. Stasburg Road, Malvern Help us clean up one of our creeks during the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association’s annual stream clean-up. Contact Lauren McGrath at lbm@wctrust.org to sign up.
Songbird Banding Open House Saturday, April 29 6:00– 10:30 am Rushton Woods Preserve Stop by the region’s premier bird banding station at Rushton Farm anytime between the operating hours of 6am and 10:30am (arrive by 9 am) to observe the incredible science of bird banding. You’ll see handsome spring warblers and also get to tour the stream where our watersheds expert will have live aquatic invertebrates on display.
Early vegetable and annual flower seedlings, raspberry canes, and a limited supply of wildflowers and perennials.
Spring Migration Bird Banding Begins Thursday, April 12 Sunrise to around 11:00 am Rushton Woods Preserve Come meet Willistown’s most colorful inhabitants up close. To express interest and to receive regular banding schedule updates, contact lkr@wctrust.org.
Nature Poetry Workshop for Rushton Nature Keepers Thursday, May 3 4:30 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm In the merry month of May after the earth has fully awakened; we will explore the preserve looking for birds, wildflowers, and other wonders of spring. Then guided by Villanova poetry professor, Cathy Staples, we will create memorable works of poetry from our observations. Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust. org to sign up.
Barns & BBQ Saturday, May 5 3:00 – 10:00 pm Five Barns in Willistown Tour of six barns followed by a bountiful BBQ. Space is limited, by advance reservation only. More information at wctrust.org.
Potato Planting for Rushton Nature Keepers Wednesday, May 9 4:30 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm Get your hands dirty and help the farmers plant potatoes in the fields of Rushton Farm. Since this farm is sustainable, it provides habitat for myriad living things besides just crops! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust. org to sign up.
Plant Sale Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Rushton Farm
APRIL
MAY
Warbler Walk at Ridley Creek State Park for Rushton Nature Keepers Sunday, April 29 7:30 – 9:30 am Bridle Trail on Gradyville Road, Newtown Square
Yoga in the Meadow Thursday, May 10 6:30 - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome. Wednesday “Just Show Up” Volunteer Days Begin Rushton Farm - Every Wednesday to beginning of October starting on May 16 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Rushton Farm This is a great way to get your hands dirty, help the farm, and learn about sustainable agriculture.
Join birders from Delaware Valley Ornithological Club at Ridley Creek State Park at the height of spring warbler migration to see and hear these living gems in the habitat along the stream. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust. org to sign up.
SPRING 2018 | 27
FEATURED PROGRAMS & EVENTS continued Field Trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for Rushton Nature Keepers Thursday, June 14 12:30 – 2:30 pm Meet at the 19th Street entrance of the Academy We have a special invite to visit behind the scenes of the Academy of Natural Sciences, home to one of the world’s largest collections of bird specimens. We will get to observe ornithologists preparing study skins and see the amazing bird collection! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
“Belle’s Journey” Book Signing and Art Workshop for Rushton Nature Keepers Sunday, May 20 2:00 – 4:30 pm WCT Office: 925 Providence Rd., Newtown Square Participants will each receive a pre-ordered copy of “Belle’s Journey”, a new chapter book (for ages 7-10) about an osprey born in Martha’s Vineyard who makes her first flight to Brazil and back with a satellite transmitter. Kids will meet ornithologist Rob Bierregaard who wrote the book and tagged the bird in the story. The artist, Kate Garchinksy, will also be there for a “how to draw an osprey” session with her original sketches from the story. Must pre-register by April 27th to be included on the book order. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Stream Walk Thursday, May 24 4:00 – 6:00 pm Ashbridge Preserve: E. Srasburg Road, West Chester Come and learn about the ecology of our local streams with a walk along Ridley Creek at Ashbridge Preserve. Walk to be followed with a short presentation and refreshments back at the Trust office! Contact Lauren McGrath to register at lbm@wctrust.org.
Family Moth Party for Rushton Nature Keepers and their Families Friday, June 15 7:30 – 10:00 pm Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm Children and adults are invited to enjoy a summer night at Rushton with the moths! We will survey what species are here by using mercury vapor lights and blacklights against white sheets. Adam Mitchell, Associate Wildlife Biologist of University of Delaware, and local moth enthusiast Sheryl Johnson will help us identify these beautiful night flyers. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
JULY
Join Rushton’s beekeeper, Noah Gress, as he harvests honey from Rushton’s busy honeybee colony. Children will have the opportunity to extract yummy honey straight off the honeycomb! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Rushton Farm CSA members pick up their weekly share of sustainablygrown vegetables on their assigned day, either Tuesday or Friday through mid-November. For more info or to get on the CSA member waiting list, contact Eliza at emg@wctrust.org.
JUNE Stream Walk for Rushton Nature Keepers Thursday, June 7 4:00 – 6:00 pm Ashbridge Preserve: E. Strasburg Road, West Chester Explore different stretches of the stream at Ashbridge with our watershed experts while learning about the basics of stream ecology and food webs. Wear shoes that can go in the water! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Visit several private wildflower meadows in Willistown during the height of their florescence and learn about the importance of native wildflowers and minimizing our typical mowing regimes. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Yoga in the Meadow Thursday, June 14 6:30 - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome.
Meet the Bees and Honey Tasting for Rushton Nature Keepers Wednesday, July 11 4:30 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm
First CSA Pick Up Of The Season Tuesday, May 29 2:00 – 7:00 pm Rushton Farm
Wildflower Tour Thursday, July 19 4:30 – 7:30 pm Meet at WCT Office: 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square
Yoga in the Meadow Thursday, July 12 6:30 am - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome. Leaf Pack Walk for Rushton Nature Keepers Sunday, July 15 12:00 – 5:00 pm Ashbridge Preserve: E. Stasburg Road, West Chester Dive deeper into stream ecology with our Field Study Site Coordinator as we focus specifically on understanding food webs and trophic levels of Ridley Creek at Ashbridge Preserve. We’ll play games, explore the stream looking for bugs, and make “leaf packs” to learn how tree nutrients connect the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust. org to sign up.
28 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
Tomato Tasting Saturday, July 28 5:00 – 7:00 pm Rushton Farm Tomatoes are the stars! Enjoy wine, beer & fabulous tomato preparations from Rushton Farm. Advance reservations only at wctrust.org.
AUGUST Wildflowers and Watercolor Workshop for Rushton Nature Keepers Thursday, August 2 1:00 – 4:00 pm WCT Office: 925 Providence Rd., Newtown Square Explore the Trust’s spectacular wildflower meadow and paint with watercolors in the fresh air! We’ll also learn about the importance of native plants for pollinators and what you can do in your own yard to support these insects. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Yoga in the Meadow Thursday, August 9 6:00 am - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome.
Discover Rushton Mini Camp for Rushton Nature Keepers Wednesday, August 22 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Rushton Farm Spend a half day at Rushton exploring the woods and fields, monitoring bird boxes, and making bouquets and gnome homes. We’ll also work on the farm harvesting the potatoes you helped plant in May! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Check wctrust.org for a complete calendar Fall Migration Banding Begins Thursday, August 30 Sunrise-early afternoon Rushton Woods Preserve
Harvest Hoopla for Rushton Nature Keepers Friday, October 5 4:30 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm
Come meet Willistown’s most colorful inhabitants up close. To receive regular banding schedule updates, email lkr@wctrust.org.
It’s time for Rushton Nature Keepers to celebrate the harvest at Rushton Farm! Join us for a fun evening of pumpkin carving and a hayride with Farmer Fred. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Yoga in the Meadow Thursday, October 11 6:30 - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome.
Nighthawk Watch at Haverford College for Rushton Nature Keepers Thursday, August 30 6:00 – 8:00 pm Haverford College Observatory, Walton Lane, Ardmore Watch the skies with expert bird watchers from Birding Club of Delaware County during the height of Common Nighthawk migration for the official count! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
SEPTEMBER Yoga the Meadow Thursday, September 13 6:30 am - 7:30 am 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square Bring your own mat and enjoy the beauty of Willistown with yoga outdoors. All skill levels welcome. Fall Songbird Open House Saturday, September 15 6:00 – 10:30 am Rushton Woods Preserve Bring a friend to the banding station anytime between the operating hours of 6am and 10:30am (most kids arrive by 9 am) to observe the inspiring science of bird banding, meet field biologists, and see beautiful migrant birds up close. Kids will also get to “practice their banding skills” at a demo net.
OCTOBER Fall Wildflower Tour Thusday, October 4 4:00 – 6:00 pm Meet at WCT Office: 925 Providence Road., Newtown Square Join our Associate Director of Stewardship, Kristen Henwood, for a follow-up to the July Wildflower Tour. We will observe the changes in the early autumn landscape, focusing on the unmown areas at our preserves. Many native perennials are still fervently blooming and attracting pollinators at this time. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Sycamore Society Party October: TBD 5:00 – 7:00 pm Location: TBD Supporters who donate $1,500 or more per year to Willistown Conservation Trust will be mailed an invitation to this special celebration thanking the Trust’s leadership giving society.
Radnor Hunt Horse Trials & Pig Roast Saturday, October 13 Competition: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Pig Roast: 5:00 pm Radnor Hunt Pony Club and Radnor Hunt This “horse triathalon” has been taking place in the Radnor Hunt countryside for over 40 years. Proceeds benefit organizations that support the local equestrian community, including Willistown Conservation Trust. More info at www.radnorhuntht.org.
Hawk Watch at Rose Tree Park for Rushton Nature Keepers Sunday, October 14 2:00 – 4:00 pm Rose Tree Park: 1671 N. Providence Road, Media Join expert hawk watchers and e-Birders at the Rose Tree Hawk Watch during the height of the fall migration. You’ll learn all about raptor identification and see migrating raptors overhead! Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@ wctrust.org to sign up.
Run-A-Muck & Countryside Bash Saturday, October 20 2:30 pm – dusk Kirkwood Preserve
Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding for Rushton Nature Keepers Friday, November 9 6:00 – 8:00 pm Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm Observe Northern Saw-whet Owl banding at Rushton Farm and experience nature at night. These tiny owls travel through Pennsylvania in the fall in search of ideal overwintering habitat. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@ wctrust.org to sign up.
Visit to Chester County Food Bank for Rushton Nature Keepers Wednesday, November 14 4:00 – 5:30 pm Meet at Chester County Food Bank 650 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton Join us for a tour of the Chester County Food Bank facility, which serves the hungry and food insecure of our county. We’ll learn all about the problem of food insecurity and the process of food donation. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
Rushton Junior Naturalist Celebration for Rushton Nature Keepers Friday, November 30 4:30 – 6:30 pm Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm All Rushton Nature Keepers are invited to this special celebration, but only those who have attended 2 Bird events, 2 Farm events, and 2 Water events as designated by the icons on the schedule, plus an extra program of their choice will be awarded the Rushton Junior Naturalist title. Rusthon Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
You can Run or Muck (walk) on a beautiful cross-country trail this Fall, and stay for the Countryside Bash! There’s nothing like it! Registration at wctrust.org.
Monster Night for Rushton Nature Keepers Tuesday, October 30 4:00 – 6:00 pm Rushton Farm (or other location TBD) Observe spooky little stream creatures projected from a microscope onto a screen to MONSTER size! Learn all about which fish are native and which are invasive (the real monsters!). Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
NOVEMBER Radnor Hunt Pony Club Chase for Conservation Sunday, November 4 Proceeds from this annual trail ride crossing through miles of Willistown’s open space and protected lands benefit the Trust. More info at www.radnorhuntpc.org.
DECEMBER Winter Bird Count for Rushton Nature Keepers Saturday, December 8 9:30 – 11:00 am Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm Enjoy a morning of birding at Rushton Woods. We will count birds in the tradition of the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which is the longest running wildlife survey in the world. We’ll also learn how to enter our sightings into eBird. Rushton Nature Keepers is for children ages 7 through 12. Contact Blake Goll at bhg@wctrust.org to sign up.
SPRING 2018 | 29
MARY HUNT DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Donor Support
The Sycamore Society P L AT I N U M S YC A M O R E S ($25,000 or more)
Anonymous (3) Franny and Franny Abbott Elizabeth G. Atterbury Mr. and Mrs. Warren I. Claytor Dick and Nancy Eales Germeshausen Foundation
Tucker C. Gresh Dr. Janet F. Haas and Mr. John Otto Haas Beverly S. Hattersley Barbara M. Jordan Nancy and Dick Klavans Caroline Moran
Otto Haas Charitable Trust Richard King Mellon Foundation Dr. Amanda A. Ryan and Mr. Kevin T. Ryan Tally Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Turner, Jr. William Penn Foundation Ms. Lida A. Wright
G O L D S YC A M O R E S ($10,000 to $24,999)
Anonymous (4) Mr. Timothy B. Barnard and Ms. Meredyth Patterson Clarke and Barb Blynn Bryn Mawr Trust Mr. Mitchell R. Davis E. Murdoch Family Foundation Jim and Cherie Gerry
Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Graham Griffiths Construction, Inc. Alice and Peter Hausmann Mr. and Mrs. W. Anthony Hitschler Mr. and Mrs. J. David Hucker Francis Jennings and Terri Cappelli John Milner Architects, Inc. LL Charitable Foundation
Mrs. R. James Macaleer Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin Collin and Nia McNeil Britt and Janice Murdoch Mr. and Mrs. Seymour S. Preston III Quaker City Foundation Donald E. Red, MD The RJM Foundation
Cynthia M. and Steven A. Sansone Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Stolper MAJiK Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Thomas and Penelope Watkins Don and Nancy Weaver Ethel B. Wister Alex and Janine Zozaya
S I LV E R S YC A M O R E S ($5,000 to $9,999)
Arader Tree and Landscape Caroline and Olin Belsinger Blue Water Home Mr. and Mrs. W. Morgan Churchman III Claneil Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Corrato
Betty Fahey Kimberley and Russell Galligher The Giving Tree Foundation Ms. Linda M. Gordon Green Valleys Association of Southeastern PA, Inc. The Hamilton Family Foundation Ms. Susan A. Kokat
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Layden, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kurt V. Leininger The Merz Family Foundation Chris and Jennifer Moller Mr. and Mrs. Peter Morse Mr. and Mrs. James A. Nolen IV Donna and Bill Oliver Mr. and Mrs. James Pacera
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr John F. and Holly H. Stoviak Stratus Foundation with flyADVANCED Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge Mr. Matthew E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Ralph H. Thurman Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Warden
The Annual Fund provides annual operating support for the Trust’s Land Protection, Bird Conservation, Community Farm, Habitat Restoration, and Watershed Protection Programs.
We are grateful for the following donors who have generously supported the Trust’s conservation efforts from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. LEFT: Sycamore Society members were honored at a cocktail gathering at the home of John and Joan Mullen.
The Sycamore Society honors individuals and organizations who annually contribute $1,500 or more to the Trust. Gifts listed below include contributions to the Annual Fund, Willistown Countryside Forever capital campaign, and other special gifts from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
B RO N Z E S YC A M O R E S ($2,500 to $4,999)
Anonymous Peter Bohn and Alexandra Hettinger Brandywine Realty Trust Mr.* and Mrs. James Bruder Cherokee Construction Colket Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Tristram C. Colket, Jr. Jon and Tracey Costello Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Cox Dr. and Mrs. Sanford H. Davne Diamond Ice Foundation Director’s Grant Program of the Barra Foundation Anthony and Linda DiValerio Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc. First Cornerstone Foundation Naturescapes Landscape Specialists, Ltd.
Mr. Brook Gardner and Ms. Jodi Spragins Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Good Kat and Steve Gord Les Green and Ethie Ziselman Ms. Charlotte Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. S. Matthews V. Hamilton, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Hamilton, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hofmann Mr. and Mrs. William T. Howard James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Margot and Bob Keith Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Kenworthy III King Construction Company, LLC George F. Krall The Kraut Family Kreischer Miller
Mr. and Mrs. D. Christopher Le Vine Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Leisenring Ms. Lynne Merz Jim and Joan Moore Moran Family Charitable Foundation Joan and John Mullen Mr. and Mrs. John J. Nesbitt III Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Patagonia, Inc. Peter Zimmerman Architects, Inc. Ranieri & Kerns Associates, LLC Fritz and Christine Seving Shreiner Tree Care Lang and Marilyn Smith Stephen Sordoni Holly and Steve Spinner
Spinner Family Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia Spurlino Family Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation Art and Doris Strawbridge Stroud Water Research Center Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Swope Mr. and Mrs. David B. Thayer The Elite Group Tom and Melissa Trala Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Van Alen Warren Claytor Architects Mr. John S. Weske White Horse Village William Penn Foundation Special Gifts Program
S YC A M O R E S
($1,500 to $2,499) Anonymous (2) Mr. Jonathan C. Alderson and Ms. Ann Hausmann Audi Devon Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie and Seelaus, LLP Mr. Charles J. Bernard and Ms. Lisa Ann Hatcher Joanne M. Berwind Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Bissinger, Jr. The Bank of New York Mellon Community Partnership Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Borgh, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas S. Briggs Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Campbell, Jr. Cover & Rossiter Mr. and Mrs. John F. Cozzi Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D’Alessandro Jim and Jan D’Arcy *Deceased
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Davidson Emery and Bonnie Davis Mr. and Mrs. Neil H. Davis Carol and J.R. Delich Ronald E. DiSimone and Patricia A. Torna Deb and John Donaldson Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Duprey Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Eldredge Ann Ercolani and Drew Conboy Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Etherington Mr. and Mrs. Lucas M. Etherington Lynn and Steve Flynn GBH Foundation Charles and Patricia Genuardi Dale and Kris Goodman Dr. George T. Graham and Ms. Suzanne M. Roth Ms. Yolanda M. Gray Mr. and Mrs. J. Wesley Hardin
Philip and Elizabeth Harvey Mr. Scott T. Hattersley Karen K. and Thomas B. Helm Mr. Bradford F. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Anthony C. Keane James and Amanda Kennedy Catherine LaFarge Dr. and Mrs. N. Blair LeRoy Mr. and Mrs. John F. McGlinn II Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. McKenna, Jr. Wendy W. McLean Mullen Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Oblack Sandra and Warren Ormerod Conrad and Amanda Radcliffe Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rawson Reed Smith, LLP Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rorer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rorer The Rorer Foundation M. Night & Bhavna Shyamalan Simkiss Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John A. Simkiss, Jr. Bob and Julie Spahr Mr. and Mrs. Randal J. Steinhoff Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Strawbridge Dixon and Lisa Stroud Dylan and Anne Supina Mr. and Mrs. Anson W. H. Taylor III Mr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Taylor Dr. Sharon Taylor and Mr. Joe Cannon Mr. Gary M. Tocci Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen, Jr. Voya Services Company Margaret and Tom Whitford Mr. and Mrs. Jerold T. Wright Ms. Carolyn Wukitch and Mr. Anthony McCarley
SPRING 2018 | 31
Donor Support Willistown Countryside Forever A Campaign for Land, People, and Nature The following donors contributed to this $10.5 million capital campaign (2011-2017). Anonymous (7) Franny and Franny Abbott Elizabeth G. Atterbury Mr. Timothy Barnard and Ms. Meredy Patterson Caroline and Olin Belsinger Clarke and Barb Blynn The Boudinot Foundation Thacher and Lloyd Brown Charitable Fund Mr. and Mrs. Robert Campbell, Jr. Chester County Preservation Partnership Program Mr. and Mrs. W. Morgan Churchman III Mrs. Brice M. Clagett Mr. and Mrs. Warren I. Claytor Dr. Peter Coggins Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Colket Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Corrato Catharine and Gary Cox Mitchell Davis Dr. and Mrs. Sanford Davne Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duprey Dick and Nancy Eales Kimberley and Russell Galligher Esther B. Gansky Charles A. and Patricia Genuardi Mr. and Mrs. George Gephardt, Jr. The Germeshausen Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James Gerry The Giving Tree Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dale Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gord Tucker C. Gresh Otto Haas Charitable Trust Beverly S. Hattersley Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hausmann Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Helm Mr. and Mrs. W. Anthony Hitschler Hofmann Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. William Howard Beth and David Hucker Mr. Francis Jennings and Ms. Terri Cappelli Rick and Sharon Jones Barbara M. Jordan Margot and Bob Keith Kent Van Alen Fund Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Kenworthy Kirby Foundation George F. Krall Sally and Joe Layden, Jr. Mark and Ann Ledger Mrs. Lawrence E. MacElree Ms. Deborah Anne Mathes*
McLean Contributionship Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin F. Arthur and Joanna M. McMorris Collin and Nia McNeil Jennifer and Chris Moller Mr. and Mrs. John J. Mullen Mr. and Mrs. Britton H. Murdoch Murdoch Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program Mr. and Mrs. William Petrauskas Pew Charitable Trusts Mr. and Mrs. Seymour S. Preston III Quaker City Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Radcliffe Radnor Hunt Horse Trials Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Rorer Fritz and Christine Seving Dr. and Mrs. Keith Sharkan Sheila and Deacon Shorr Mr. and Mrs. Langhorne B. Smith Mr. Stephen Sordoni Spinner Family Charitable Fund John and Holly Stoviak Peter and Liz Strawbridge The Taylor Fund Mr. and Mrs. Anson W. H. Taylor III Mrs. Anson Taylor, Jr.* Matthew Taylor and Francie Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Turner, Jr. Jim and Bonnie Van Alen Veritable, LP Vertex, Inc. Mr. Douglas C. Walker* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Walsh Mr.* and Mrs. William G. Warden III Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Warden Kathy and Rick Warden The Honorable and Mrs. Thomas Watkins William Penn Foundation Penelope P. Wilson Ms. Lida Wright Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Zozaya *Deceased
32 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
CONSERVATIONISTS ($1,000 to $2,499) Armond Aquatech Pools, Inc. Mary Ann Butcher and Bruce Ferguson Dr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Charlesworth Vince and Kali Curran Mr. and Mrs. Christopher B. Ebmeyer Ferguson & Shamamian Architects, LLP John and Dolly Fisher Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gowen II Jeff and Diane Groff Gary and Patricia Holloway Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Hurley III Stock and Eleanor Illoway Mr. Francis B. Jacobs II Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Joel S. Lawson Anita and Frank Leto Mrs. Lawrence E. MacElree Ms. Victoria B. Mars and Mr. David R. Spina John and Nima Marsh Mr. and Mrs. Wade L. McDevitt Mary and Jay McElroy Stephanie and John McGowan Dr. F. Arthur McMorris and Dr. Joanna Balcerek McMorris Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. McNeely Jim and Judy Milne Mr. and Mrs. Carl G. Morgan Pam and Pete Nagy Ned and Rachel Owen Keith M. Pension Period Architecture, Ltd. Mr. Derek N. Pew and Ms. Blaire E. Baron Precise Buildings, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Rohr Mr. and Mrs. George F. Rubin Ms. Sarah Sanz Ms. Samantha Settembre Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Shanahan Alice M. Sharp Stoltzfus Construction of LanChester, LLC Edward and Elizabeth Stone Mr. George Strawbridge, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. Taggart Mr. Lothar T. Tremmel and Ms. Kathleen Kane Tremmel Ms. Paige K. Turner and Mr. James C. Sargent, Jr. Vanguard Group Foundation Voya Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wein Ted and Susan Wentz White Horse Construction, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. R. Kurt Williams Dr. Kathy and Mr. Joseph C. Zoll NATURALISTS ($500 to $999) Anonymous (2) A.K. Fencing, LLC Altus Partners Aqua America, Inc. Benner & Sons Painting and Wallcovering Ms. Marnie Briggs Mr. and Mrs. W. Thacher Brown Bryn Mawr Landscaping, Inc. Comcast Corporation Conlin’s Digital Print and Copy Center Countryside Consulting, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. William O. Daggett, Jr. Ms. Laura de Ramel Mr. and Mrs. Clarence DeArmond III Mr. John C. Devereux
STEWARDS ($250 to $499) Anonymous (2) Abington Friends School Betsy and Luke Block Mr. and Mrs. Angelo A. Brutico, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John O. Buckley The Catherwood Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Collins Hank and Rika Conlan Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Costa Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Coulston Dr. Seana Covello Robin and Alan Crawford III Mark and Michele Cruise Ron D’Angeli Mr. and Mrs. William Delafield Gerry and Laura Dolan Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Dougherty Mrs. Elisabeth Gula Duffy Mrs. Maureen A. Ebel Mr. and Mrs. John A. Eichman IV Dennis and Charlotte Elko Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ernst Mr. and Mrs. John Familetti Ms. Laura Jane Favela and Mr. Eric Favela Four Counties Garden Club Mr. and Mrs. Samuel T. Freeman III Dr. Heather M. French and Mr. Charles J. French Dr. Stephanie M. Fuller Diana and Matt Funchion Ms. Anne M. Stanley Glunk Dr. Janice Taylor Gordon Mr. and Mrs. K. David Graham Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Groome III Mrs. John A. Harris IV Ryan and Lori Heenan The Herr Family
Jamie and Hollie Holt Mr. Robert Itin and Ms. Mary Garrett Itin Dr. Keith and Kim Kennedy Rex Kessler Kimberton Whole Foods Dr. and Mrs. Steven Ladenheim Karen P. Lenker Tim Lewis Nick and Cass Ludington Mary E. MacLachlan Mr. and Mrs. Scott Markley Ralph W. Marsh
Ms. Akiko Mitsui and Mr. James Heath Bob and Joanne Moser Janneke Seton Neilson Bob and Susan Peck William and Tracy Pellicano Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Perrin Mrs. Eleanor R. Peterson Stephen and Amy Plourde Dale and Colleen Pope Ms. Megan Quigley and Mr. Eric Gill Dr. and Mrs. Matthew L. Ramsey Claudia and Marc Rash
Ms. Elizabeth Reilly Nancy and Donald Resnick Rita E. Reves Mary and Rob Ruggiero Nate and Edda Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Timothy C. Stapf Michael G. Tillson III Frank Tobin and Ilene Chester Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Vincent Ellyn Spragins and John Witty Mr. and Mrs. V. Scott Zelov
Ordinary People. Extraordinary Impact.
“
One of the greatest gifts you can leave your children and grandchildren is the preservation of open space, and knowing that the Trust is going to protect the countryside for future generations to enjoy is what motivated me to join the Legacy Society. It is my Forever Gift.
“
Mr. Michael P. Erdman FireCraft, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Graham GreenWeaver Landscapes, LLC Christina Hack Gil and Tracey Hanse Meg and Chris Hardesty John Harkins Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth Jeffrey and Karen Heft Tom Hogan and Victoria Silbey Ms. Eleanor K. Ingersoll Rick and Sharon Jones Helen and Dick Leaman Main Line Overland Mr. and Mrs. David A. McElhinney Mr. and Mrs. Patrick E. McGovern Jennifer and Bob McNeil Jay and Nancy Mossman Mr. and Mrs. James A. Nolen III Oliver Heating, Cooling, Plumbing Eric and Genevieve Snyder Morris and Boo Stroud Eric and Susan Swanson Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Justin N. Thompson Richard H. Thompson, Jr. Gerry Tuten Mr. and Mrs. Alexander S. Van Alen Yvonne and Brock Vinton Lee and Bill Warden Weeds, Inc. Eliza and Peter Zimmerman
- Lida Wright
Please consider joining the Legacy Society by adding some simple bequest language to your will, or by making Willistown Conservation Trust a beneficiary of your life insurance or retirement plan. For more information contact Laura de Ramel at (610)353-2562, ext. 21.
W I L L I S T OW N
CONSERVATION TRUST
Legacy Society
MARY HUNT DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
PROTECTORS ($100 to $249) Anonymous (7) Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Addis Mr. James Agger Page and Betsy Allinson Ardrossan Beagles, Inc. Ms. Laurie M. Bachman Norman and Sidne Baglini Elizabeth N. Barnett Ms. Lydia Bartholomew Greg and Suzanne Barton James Beam Dr. and Mrs. Michael P. Bibbo Barbara Bird Drs. Thomas and Melanie Boerner Boyance Family Margaret Sooy Bridwell Ms. Elaine Brody Dr. A. Michael Broennle Betty and George Buckland Dr. and Mrs. Barry H. Burkhardt Mr. David R. Burman Mr. Leonard A. Busby Ms. Susan C. Butterworth Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Campbell Mr. and Mrs. George Cauffman, III Mrs. Patricia Clement Jackie and Tom Cobb Sandy Collins Therese M. Corkran
Eileen M. Corl Pamela Costanzi Mr. Peter Cozzi Bill and Colleen Cranney Mr. and Mrs. John S. Custer, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis Fred and Paula de Long Mr. and Mrs. James S. Denham IV Ms. Rosemary Di Rita Mr. and Mrs. William M. Diehl Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. DiLiberto Sallie and Saunders Dixon Walter Dowling Ms. Lisa M. Dudash and Mr. John P. Forde Elizabeth Evert and Andy Orr Wendell and Jenny Fenton Sharon and Tony Fernandes Theodore and Debra Fetterman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fitzpatrick Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty Jeff and Karen Fleming Surrey and Malcolm Flint Dona and Thomas Foerster Mr. Edward D. Frank II and Ms. Susan G. Lea Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gansky The Gardeners Germantown Academy Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Gibson
34 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
Mr. and Mrs. Dixon F. Gillis Elizabeth U. Gilpin Mrs. Rebecca Ashton Goss Dr. Cynthia Graves and Mr. Bruce R. Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hahn Mr. and Mrs. John Ham Mr. and Mrs. J. Marshall Hamilton Paul Nigel Harris Heritage Metalworks, Ltd. Sandy Jarratt Johnson & Johnson Mrs. Hugh McBee Johnston III Mr. William M. Keyser Mr. and Mrs. Maurice E. Kinkade Ms. Lucy M. Kiziuk George and Nicola Knoell Ms. Lisa Krall La Bella Vita Event Company Larsen McColl Partners Mr. and Mrs. David P. Lavins Lisa and Chris Lawler Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Lee Mr. and Mrs. Dana T. Lerch Ms. Pamela E. Lewis John and Kathy Link Ms. Denise Liszewski Joan W. Mackie Dana and Roddy Marino Dr. and Mrs. W. Steven Mark Joan and David Martin Miss Deborah Anne Mathes*
Mayer Family Robbi and Jim McErlane Mr. and Mrs. Alan McIlvain, Jr. Ms. Barbara McIlvaine Smith Mr. James Meehan Arthur P. and Marjorie L. Miller Mr. and Mrs. John D. Mohr Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Diane Mowbray William E. Munley, DMD Anne and Gary Murphy Diane Murray National Bank of Malvern Maria V. Nelson Jim and Kayo Nolan Gulia and Akpo Omene Open Land Conservancy of Chester County Judy and Rick Owens Mr. and Mrs. Martin R. Page Barbara Pettinos Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Dave and Kelly Prevost Avery Rome & Jeff Price Ms. Tracy M. Pulos Judy and Joseph J. Radano Mr. and Mrs. David Rahr Ms. Krystal Reinhard Mr. and Mrs. John Rhoads, Jr. David and Faye Rogers *Deceased
MARY HUNT DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Run-a-Muck co-chairs (left to right) Rick Warden, Justin Thompson, Kathy Warden, Catharine Cox, Carolyn Thompson, Susan Kokat and Gary Cox take a breather during the event that raised $51,000 for the Trust’s programs. The 2018 Run-a-Muck will once again take place at On Point Farm overlooking the beautiful Kirkwood Preserve.
RIGHT: The Anne Satterthwaite Bonnie Schaefer Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schellenger Mr. and Mrs. Karl R. Schoettle, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Shaman Ken and Wendy Silverwood Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Sidney V. Smith, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore K. Smith Cathy and Jim Staples Michael G. Starecky R. John and Susan Stedman Ms. Morgan Stoviak Mr. Tyler Stoviak Liz and Ken Tankel Pete and Christina Townsend W. Scott Tuttle Twin Valleys Garden Club Michael and Ann Tyler Uwchlan Garden Class Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. A. Ward Washburn Family Foundation David E. Watt William Y. Webb The Weeders Mr. Christophre Wells Sarah A. Willig and Family Mr. James G. Willson Mr. and Mrs. David R. Wilmerding, Jr. Skip and Kathy Withrow Sally Wood Mr. Minturn T. Wright III Ms. Jo-Ann Zoll FRIENDS (Up to $99) Anonymous (5) AmazonSmile Foundation Melissa and Christopher Bates Sandra Gargus and Robert Batt Mr. Timothy M. Beadle Ms. Carrie Beirnes Peter A. Bergson Mr. Rodger A. Bovenkerk Brennan Family Brooks Family Katherine and Michael Bucklin Laura Burgess Mr. and Mrs. William T. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Caniglia Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cantlin Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Capell Ms. Patricia Carson Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Clancy Ms. Nicola J. Clarke Mr. Christopher B. Cryer Mr. John de Prophetis Mr. Eric Charles Delss Ms. Linda Dorey-Stein Virginia Fanfera Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Fenstermacher, Jr. Jody and Alan Fitts Bob and Mary Fran Frankenheimer John and Suzanne Gaadt Mrs. Diana T. Garson Ms. Glenna F. Geiger Mr. and Mrs. John E. Geltosky Mr. and Mrs. William Gerhardt Dr. and Mrs. Edward F. Gilardi Deirdre Gordon Ms. Penny Goulding Charles Groux Mr. Carl J. Grunwald Mr. and Mrs. John Haggerty Andrea Hanaway, MD Ms. Emily Hannan Ms. Alice Heiman-Dowd and Mr. Robert Dowd Carol H. Henn John and Linda Hicks Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Howard
2017 Barns & BBQ tour and auction raised $125,000 for the Trust’s open space programs. Ms. Sarah Hutchin Bert and Joelle Iams Mr. Peter S. Illoway Ms. Elizabeth Johnson Dennis Kane Marjorie P. Kinkead Ms. Leslie F. Kurtas Mr. and Mrs. John Lear Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Lewis Ms. Joan Lowery Mr. and Mrs. Gennaro J. Maffia Mr. and Mrs. Roy S. McGillis Daniel P. McHugh Linda and Chris McIsaac Deborah S. McKechnie Ms. Nina McMenamin Ms. Elizabeth Millard Judi Myers Mr. and Mrs. Russell R. Naylor Network for Good Bob and Roberta Niewiadomski John Odell and Maryanne Buschini Ms. Nindy Pike Bobbijo Grillo Pinnelli John Plonski and Carol Meinhardt Tom Reeves Rick and Nancy Richards Mark and Emily Saks Schofield Family Dr. and Mrs. Keith L. Sharkan John R. Silverthorne Derek J. Stefanik David and Jo-Ann Stephens Mr. Henry Stevens
ABOVE: The
Junior Conservation Champion at the Radnor Hunt Horse Trials shows off her beautiful horse blanket prize donated by the Trust. The competition highlights our conserved lands with its beautiful cross country course and has donated over $45,000 to the Trust’s land conservation programs since 2009.
LEFT: Over 100 riders enjoyed
Willistown’s trails crossing hundreds of acres of protected lands at the 2017 Radnor Hunt Pony Club Chase for Conservation.
Barns & BBQ Co-Chairs Kate and Ben Etherington Kat and Steve Gord Holly and John Stoviak
HOOFPRINT IMAGES
Presenting Sponsors Griffiths Construction, Inc. John Milner Architects, Inc. Community Farm Sponsor Arader Tree Service, Inc. Bird Conservation Sponsors Blue Water Home Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr
Ms. Terry Taicher Ms. Carmella Tallarida Joan G. Thayer Craig and Judy Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Richard I. Torpey, Jr. Bobbi Tower Bruce and Caron Ulmer Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Warner Alexandra West Colonel and Mrs. Robert B. Wiltshire II Kirsten Snyder Jean G. Zeien CORPORATE, FOUNDATIONS, and MATCHING GIFTS Anonymous AmazonSmile Foundation Barra Foundation BNY Mellon Community Partnership Claneil Foundation, Inc. Colket Foundation Comcast Corporation Diamond Ice Foundation E. Murdoch Family Foundation Fidelity Charitable First Cornerstone Foundation GBH Foundation Germeshausen Foundation The Giving Tree Foundation Hamilton Family Foundation Johnson & Johnson Kimberton Whole Foods Merz Family Foundation Moran Family Charitable Foundation Mullen Family Foundation Network for Good Otto Haas Charitable Trust Patagonia, Inc. Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Philadelphia Foundation Quaker City Foundation Richard King Mellon Foundation The RJM Foundation Rorer Foundation Schwab Charitable Simkiss Family Foundation
Spinner Family Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia Stroud Water Research Center Tally Foundation Vanguard Charitable Vanguard Group Foundation Vinton Family Foundation Voya Foundation Washburn Family Foundation William Penn Foundation MEMORIAL GIFTS In Memory of Deborah Anne Mathes Mr. and Mrs. Bob Niewiadomski Deborah S. McKechnie TRIBUTES In Honor of Laura de Ramel Mr. and Mrs. James S. Denham, IV In Honor of Blake Goll Liz and Ken Tankel In Honor of Kat Kinkade Gord Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Kinkade In Honor of the Swope Family Mr. and Mrs. Roy S. McGillis SPECIAL GIFTS Bird Conservation Program Anonymous Four Counties Garden Club Germantown Academy Ms. Alice Heiman-Dowd and Mr. Robert Dowd Open Land Conservancy of Chester County Ms. Kirsten Snyder Mr. and Mrs. James G. Staples Mr. and Mrs. Ralph H. Thurman Twin Valleys Garden Club Uwchlan Garden Class
36 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
Community Farm Program Vince and Kali Curran Four Counties Garden Club GBH Foundation Mr. Scott T. Hattersley Barbara M. Jordan Cathy and Jim Staples Easement Fund Ms. Caroline A. Moran Henry’s Garden Barbara M. Jordan Land Acquisition Ms. Lynne Merz Motus Fund Anonymous (3) Clarke and Barb Blynn Katherine and Michael Bucklin Dr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Charlesworth Therese M. Corkran Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat Betty Fahey John and Dolly Fisher Green Valleys Association of Southeastern PA, Inc. Leo Model Foundation Jim and Joan Moore Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold The Richard King Mellon Foundation The RJM Foundation Mr. and Mrs. George F. Rubin Lang and Marilyn Smith Dixon and Lisa Stroud Bob and Carolyn Turner Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II Mr. John S. Weske Beneficiary Income AmazonSmile Foundation EVENTS 2017 Barns & BBQ Barn Hosts Sonia and Morgan Churchman Delchester Group, Inc. Kate and Ben Etherington Bonnie and Jim Van Alen Janine and Alex Zozaya
Habitat Restoration Sponsors BHHS Country Properties Office Rob Van Alen/Jody Vandegrift Brandywine Realty Trust Bryn Mawr Trust Cherokee Construction Elite Group, LLC Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc. James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, Inc. King Construction Company, LLC Naturescapes Landscape Specialists, Ltd. Peter Zimmerman Architects Ranieri & Kerns Associates, LLC Reed Smith LLP Shreiner Tree Care Sycamore Racing Warren Claytor Architects, Inc. White Horse Village Lifecare Community Woodlands Sponsors E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc. Stoltzfus Construction of LanChester LLC Auction Supporters Algar Ferrari of Philadelphia Anonymous Joint Masters, staff, and Hunt Committee of the Ardrossan Beagles Heritage Metalworks Hetzel Brothers Francis Jacobs Peachtree & Ward Catering Radnor Hunt Bonnie and Jim Van Alen WCT Bird Conservation Program 2017 Run-a-Muck Hosts Janice and Britt Murdoch Run-a-Muck Co-Chairs Catharine and Gary Cox Susan Kokat Carolyn and Justin Thompson Kathy and Rick Warden Trail Sponsor Stratus Foundation with Fly Advanced Crum Creek Sponsor Kreischer Miller
Meadow Sponsors Audi Devon Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie and Seelaus Cover & Rossiter, P.A. TableArt Countryside Sponsors County Lines Magazine Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc. Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, Inc. AK Fencing, LLC Altus Partners Aqua America Arader Tree Service, Inc. BHHS Country Properties Office Rob Van Alen / Jody Vandegrift Benner & Sons Painting and Wallcovering Blue Water Home Brandywine Realty Trust Bryn Mawr Trust Bryn Mawr Landscaping Cherokee Construction Conlin’s Digital Print & Copy Center Countryside Consulting, Inc. E.C. Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc. Elite Group, LLC FireCraft Glennbrook Farm GreenWeaver Landscapes Griffiths Construction, Inc. Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC John Milner Architects, Inc. King Construction Company, LLC Main Line Overland Naturescapes Landscape Specialists, Ltd. Oliver Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Peter Zimmerman Architects Ranieri & Kerns Associates, LLC Reed Smith LLP Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Shreiner Tree Care Stoltzfus Construction of LanChester LLC Sycamore Racing Warren Claytor Architects, Inc. WEEDS, Inc. White Horse Village Lifecare Community Sycamore Society Party Hosts John and Joan Mullen Sponsor Bryn Mawr Trust EVENT PATRONS Anonymous (2) Tim Barnard and Meredy Patterson Betsy and Luke Block Barb and Clarke Blynn Maripeg Bruder Jayme and Bryan Colket Dr. Seana P. Covello Catharine and Gary Cox Vince and Kali Curran Mitchell Davis Carol and J.R. Delich Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat Rosemary Di Rita Mr. and Mrs. Robet V. Duprey Melissa and Stephen Eldredge Kate and Luke Etherington Lynn and Steve Flynn Kevin and Heather Gallagher Russell and Kimberley Galligher Mrs. Anne Stanley Glunk Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Good Kat and Steve Gord Mr. and Mrs. S.M.V. Hamilton, Jr. Mary and Wes Hardin Alice and Peter Hausmann The Herr Family Lynn and Tony Hitschler Beth and David Hucker Mary Beth and Harry Hurley Sarah Hutchin Mr. Robert Itin and Ms. Mary Garrett Itin
Francis Jennings and Terri Cappelli Margot and Bob Keith Dr. Keith and Kim Kennedy Susan Kokat The Kraut Family Meghan and Bob Kraut Kate and Joel Lawson Mark and Ann Ledger Mr. and Mrs. Wade L. McDevitt Leanne and Rob McMenamin Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil Caroline Moran Mr. and Mrs. Peter Morse John and Joan Mullen Janice and Britt Murdoch Pam and Pete Nagy Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen Mr. Brian O’Neill Quaker City Foundation Betsy and Barry Rorer Fritz and Christine Seving Stephen Sordoni Julie and Bob Spahr Mrs. Anne Stanley Glunk Arthur and Doris Strawbridge Peter and Liz Strawbridge John F. and Holly H. Stoviak Jane and Stuart Taylor Matt Taylor and Francie Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Justin N. Thompson Richard H. Thompson, Jr. Melissa and Tom Trala Kathleen and Lothar Tremmel Bob and Carolyn Turner Bonnie and Jim Van Alen Thomas and Penelope Watkins Ethel Benson Wister The Zozaya Family IN-KIND DONATIONS AllScapes, Inc. Amerasport, Inc. Amos Esh Hay Sales Arader Tree Service, Inc. Ardrossan Beagles
Alane Beckett Benner & Sons Maripeg Bruder Chester County Astronomical Society Warren Claytor Catharine and Gary Cox Babby Davis Michael Dowling Tom Foga Stephanie Fuller Alice and Peter Hausmann Lori and Ryan Heenan Heritage Metalworks Hetzel Brothers Lynn and Tony Hitschler David Hucker Karen’s K9 Kari and Tony Keane Susan Kokat La Cabra Brewing Linger Longer Farm Old Oak Tree Landscaping & Sawmill On Point Farm Out There Outfitters Bruce Parks Peachtree & Ward Catering Radnor Hunt Radnor Hunt Horse Trials Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines Christine and Fritz Seving Genevieve and Eric Snyder Taylor Rental of Malvern Lindsay Turner Van Schaick Family Victory Brewing Company White Horse Village Woodworkers Windfall Farm Wooter’s Dog Training
Lists may be incomplete. Please forgive omissions or errors.
Potato planting at Rushton Farm in Rushton Woods Preserve.
SPRING 2018 | 37
EDUCATION AT THE TRUST Partnership Schools and Programs The Trust’s education programs serve more than 1,000 individuals, including 500 schoolchildren, each year. From pre-school children through graduate level university students, the Trust uses the protected Willistown countryside as an outdoor classroom for students of all ages and backgrounds.
BELOW: Scraping honey from the comb at Rushton Farm during a Carrot Club session.
ELIZA GOWEN/WCT
Abington Friends School Jenkintown, PA The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Agnes Irwin School Rosemont, PA Arete Prep Academy Philadelphia, PA Cheyney University, Hotel Restaurant Management School Cheyney, PA Drexel University, Ornithology Program Philadelphia, PA Episcopal Academy Newtown Square, PA Germantown Academy Fort Washington, PA Green Valleys Watershed Association Pottstown, PA Harriton High School Harriton, PA Haverford School Haverford, PA Mighty Writers Philadelphia, PA Open Connections Newtown Square, PA University of Pennsylvania Master of Environmental Studies Program Philadelphia, PA University of Pennsylvania Department of Landscape Architecture Philadelphia, PA Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA The Shipley School Bryn Mawr, PA Strath Haven High School Wallingford, PA Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Temple University Philadelphia, PA Villanova University Villanova, PA Westtown School West Chester, PA Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School West Chester, PA
38 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T
volunteers Elizabeth Allgood Chris Arader George Armistead Erich Barchi and Rachel Coxe Shoemaker Tim Barnard and Meredy Patterson Greg Barnett Lindsay Barrow Kathryn Bartling Alane Beckett Caroline Beebee Debbie Beer Scott Benner John Black Betsy and Luke Block Barb and Clarke Blynn Bracken Brown Maripeg and James Bruder Martha Bryans Alice and Christian Bullitt Kim Buzby Brian Byrnes Elizabeth Capps Katie and Jonnie Charlson Ilene Chester Daniel Christaldi Meta and Mark Christaldi Siana Christaldi Sonia and Morgan Churchman Molly Clark Caroline and Warren Claytor Jayme and Bryan Colket Mike Coll Sandy Collins Michael Conlin Liam Corr Tracey and Jon Costello Catharine and Gary Cox Robin and Alan Crawford Carolyn Ann Davis Shannon and Chase Davis Kris DeBolt Terry Decker Bryn Devine Eva Dillon-Rutledge Saunders Dixon Regan Dohm Laura Dolan Deb and John Donaldson Amanda Dunbar Nancy and Dick Eales Episcopal Academy Day of Service Students Kate and Ben Etherington Liz Feinberg Christine and Tom Foga Tracey and Sam Freeman Stephanie Fuller Kim and Russ Galligher Kate Garchinsky Beth Gardner Brook Gardner
Our sincere thanks to the following individuals who offered their time and talents to help the Trust. List reflects volunteer activities between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
Ian Gardner Sandy Gargus Holly Garrod Brad Gibson Elaine Gilmartin Jean and Rob Good Charlie Gord Kat and Steve Gord Margaret Gord Camilla Gowen James Gowen Julie Graham Christina and Steve Graham Mark Gregan David Groff Lyn Groome Barbara and Lou Hahn Matt Halley Shaina and Nat Hamilton Meg and Chris Hardesty Suzanne and William Harrigan Pam Harrison Meg Hauler Alice and Peter Hausmann Erika and Azeez Hayne Lori and Ryan Heenan Matt Henwood Andrea Herr Erin and Frank Herz Mark Hetzel Lynn and Tony Hitschler Megan Houder Lyn and Bill Howard Beth and David Hucker Joe Hudson Eric Hughes Mary Hundt Ed Hunter Sarah Hutchin Olga and Fred Jackson Bradford Johnson Kristen Johnson Sheryl Johnson Marilee Jones Dennis Kane Kari and Tony Keane Kim and Keith Kennedy Gina Kern Maryanne Gallo Kern Denise and Andy Kerns Rick Keyser Don Knabb Susan Kokat Heather Kostick Joanne Kostick George Krall Sally and Joe Layden Ann and Mark Ledger Ted Leisenring Ken Leister Linda and Blair LeRoy
Pam Lewis Bob MacDonnell Tristram MacDonnell Delia Maldonado Paula Maldonado Sabrina Maldonado Doris and Pat McGovern Stephanie and John McGowan Michael McGraw Gina and Chris McHugh Jean McManus Good Leanne and Rob McMenamin Arthur McMorris Nia and Collin McNeil Allyson McTear Bridget McTear Grady McTear Hagen McTear Harrison McTear Jon Mercer Holly Merker Ted Micucci Adam Mitchell Jennifer Moller Christina Morin Janice and Britt Murdoch Pam and Peter Nagy Heather and Matt Naylor Douglass and Arthur Newbold Fred Nocella Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen Bill Oliver Emily Ostrow Martin Page Bruce Park Susie and Tom Paul Kristen and Andrew Paulson Sandie Perkowski Karen and Skip Petrauskas Dan Popernack Jason Racey Patsy Rainer Tom Reeves Avery Rome Mike Rosengarten Diane Roskamp Aliina Ross Amanda and Kevin Ryan Anne Satterthwaite Marilyn and Edwin Shafer Cynthia Scheeler Katie and Karl Schoettle Louise Schorn Smith Elaine Scott Alice Severeid Christine and Fritz Seving Jessica Shahan Shipley Senior Service Interns Deacon Shorr Nate Simasek
Victoria Singlinger Joe Smith Marilyn and Langhorne Smith Genevieve and Eric Snyder Paul Spiegel Holly and Steve Spinner Ellyn Spragins and John Witty Tom Stanley Jamie and Tim Stapf Cathy Staples Andrew Stone Holly and John Stoviak Doris and Art Strawbridge Liz and Peter Strawbridge Dan Sullivan Jackie and Jerry Sweeney Jeanne and Doug Swope Pat Taggert Debi and Lance Taylor Dr. Sharon Taylor Jane and Stuart Taylor Matt Taylor and Francie Ingersoll Eric Teitsworth Carolyn and Justin Thompson Rick Thompson Cal Tracy Melissa and Tom Trala Bob and Carolyn Turner Lindsey and David Turner Paige Turner Emma Twitinger Jim Van Alen Brinton Van Alen Colby and Rob Van Alen Jody and Dale Vandegrift Barbara and Jeff Vincent Michael Vitullo Voya volunteers Jane Walker Tana and Michael Wall Kathy and Rick Warden Jason Weckstein Caitlin Welsh Rory and Don Wilkins Jennifer and Randy Williams Sally and Joe Willig Josephine Winsor Effie Wister Vicki and Chuck Wooters Lida Wright Liyiran Xia Will Zang Liz and Scott Zelov Janine and Alex Zozaya
This list may be incomplete. Please forgive any omissions or errors.
The Sycamore WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST 925 Providence Road Newtown Square, PA 19073 www.wctrust.org
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOUTHEASTERN, PA PERMIT NO. 96
Save the Date!
October 20, 2018 Come out for a beautiful fall afternoon and evening celebrating Willistown’s conserved lands.
Run or muck (walk) the beautiful 5k or 1+ mile trails, or just hang out to enjoy the live music, bonfire, stargazing, and a country supper by Jimmy’s BBQ. Leashed dogs welcome! More info at wctrust.org.