Th e S y c a m o r e Newsletter of
Vol. VIII, Issue 1 W i l l i s tow n
Spring 2007
C o n s e rvat i o n T ru s t
Campaign for the Countryside Goes Over the Top!
W hen the Willistown Conser vation Tr ust
Mary Hunt Davis
with confidence that their gifts would be used to produce excellent and launched the “quiet enduring conservation phase� of the Campaign results. for the Countryside more In the final than three years ago, analysis, a remarkable the challenge of raising seventy-seven members $7 million seemed a of the community made daunting task. It was gifts to the campaign, with both enthusiasm ranging from $10,000 and belief in the comto $500,000. Throughmunity that our Board out the campaign, it of Trustees undertook was clear that many the commitment, recthoughtful donors ognizing that now is the Campaign funds will help protect more of the rural character and rich habitat stretched to give as time to act to preserve that define the Willistown countryside. much as they possibly many more acres of our countryside and to promote good stewardship of our lands could. Several donors even told us that their gift to the before it is too late. We all knew that in order to keep ahead Campaign for the Countryside exceeded any charitable gift of the development pressures that continually threaten that they had ever made. This represents true generosity the rolling hills, mature woodlands, clean stream valleys by people who clearly care deeply, and it reminds us how and rich natural diversity of the Willistown area, we must fortunate we are to live in a community of individuals greatly accelerate the pace of our conservation efforts. who share such a remarkable love of the land and the This would require 1) ongoing support for our profes- commitment to see it preserved in perpetuity. With spring in the air and the campaign now over, sional staff, 2) a functional work space, and 3) a sustainable financial base for the Trust. Thus, the goals were set and, all of us at the Trust are energized and eager to take on the under the leadership of co-chairs Jennifer Moller and Doug many conservation challenges ahead. We are forever grateful to the Willistown community for coming together, once Walker, the campaign began. You can imagine our sense of elation when, in again, to support the critical Campaign for the Countryside. Above all, we thank every one of you as you support January 2007, thanks to the amazing response of so many friends and neighbors, the campaign topped off at $7.25 the Trust in your own individual way, whether it be as a million. What we learned as we visited with numerous friends, campaign donor, Sycamore Society member, supporter of neighbors and potential donors was both gratifying and our annual fund, conservation minded landowner or one of humbling. We were gratified to learn how many truly our many dedicated volunteers. You are all part of the fabric kindred spirits there are in our community and beyond of this amazing Willistown conservation community. How who passionately share the Willistown Conservation Trust lucky we are! vision for the future of the countryside. We were also humbled by the willingness of so many to invest in our work Bonnie Van Alen, President
For the preservation of the natural resources, rural character, and cultural heritage of the Willistown area.