WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
GIVE
  • About
    • HOW WE WORK
    • WHERE WE WORK
    • DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
    • OUR STAFF AND TRUSTEES
    • OUR NATURE PRESERVES
    • JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
    • FAQs
  • LATEST
    • BLOG
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • IN THE NEWS
    • PHOTOS
  • PROGRAMS
    • BIRD CONSERVATION
    • COMMUNITY FARM
    • EDUCATION
    • LAND PROTECTION
    • STEWARDSHIP
      • TRAILS
    • WATERSHED PROTECTION
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • BARNS & BBQ
    • RUN-A-MUCK
    • WILDFLOWER WEEK
    • PLASTIC FREE JULY
    • RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)
  • Support
    • SPONSOR THE TRUST
      • CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
    • JOIN THE SYCAMORE SOCIETY
    • LEGACY SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING
    • CAMPAIGN FOR RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • VOLUNTEER
    • OUR SUPPORTERS
  • Rushton Conservation Center

State of Our Streams Report Chapter 3: Specific Conductivity, Chloride, and Nutrients

August 17, 2022 By CommIntern

By Anna Willig and Lauren McGrath | Willistown Conservation Trust Watershed Protection Program

Cover Photo by Jennifer Mathes

Since 2018, the Watershed Protection Program has monitored water quality at ten sample sites in the headwaters of Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks (Map 1). Every four weeks, the team visited each of the ten sites to take in-stream measurements and collect samples for analysis in the lab. We are proud to present our findings on water quality based on analysis of our data collected from 2018 through 2021, which includes 41 monitoring visits and over 7500 different measurements. 

August is National Water Quality month, and each week we will publish excerpts from one chapter from the report. Last week, Chapter 2 focused on discharge, turbidity, and total suspended solids. Chapter 1 gave an introduction to water chemistry. This week, we are focusing on specific conductivity, chlorides, and nutrients. The full report, which includes more information than is provided in the blog posts, can be found here. 

To better understand potential sources of pollution to the headwaters of Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks, we examined specific conductivity, salts, and nutrients. Specific conductivity is a broad water quality measurement that reflects the presence of ions in the water. These ions include compounds that are formed when salts and nutrients dissolve in water. Higher specific conductivity measurements indicate a higher concentration of ions. However, specific conductivity does not provide insight into the type or concentration of ions in the streams. To explain changes in specific conductivity over time or across sites, we monitored salt and nutrient concentrations. 

Chloride is an ion that forms when salts and, to a lesser extent, fertilizers dissolve in water. Elevated chloride concentrations can be toxic for stream organisms. Nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, enter streams from fertilizer runoff and leaky septic and sewer systems, all of which increase specific conductivity. When nitrogen and phosphorus are too high, rapid algal growth can occur. This eventually leads to a depletion of dissolved oxygen. Chloride, nitrogen, and phosphorus are all naturally present in low concentrations in streams. However, changes in local land use — specifically increases in development and impervious surface cover — can increase the concentration of these compounds, threatening water quality. An impervious surface is any surface that water cannot pass through, such as buildings, roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. 

All stream samples have elevated specific conductivity (Figure 1). Elevated specific conductivity is driven by salts and nutrients, as indicated by high chloride, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentrations, though sites in Crum Creek are less impacted than Ridley and Darby Creek sites. While chloride and total nitrogen do not exceed levels deemed unsafe for human consumption (there are no such regulations for total phosphorus), they are still present in excess, potentially posing a threat to stream organisms. Warm water temperatures (see Chapter 1) may exacerbate the hazards posed by elevated chloride to stream life. 

Monitoring specific conductivity, chloride concentration, and nutrients reveals the importance of land protection for maintaining and improving water quality in our area. Catchments, or drainage areas, with low impervious surface cover have better water quality, as demonstrated by lower specific conductivity, chloride concentration, and nutrient concentration, than catchments with high impervious surface cover (Figure 2). The most impaired sites are Darby Creek at Waterloo Mills (DCWM1) and West Branch Ridley Creek (WBRC1), both of which have 20% impervious cover in their surrounding catchments and a high percentage of developed land. The least impaired site is West Branch Crum Creek (WBCC1), which has 9% impervious cover in its catchment, the lowest of all sites. Improving water quality, especially in Darby and Ridley Creeks, will require a reduction in excessive road salt and fertilizer use. Limiting development upstream of WBCC1 is crucial to protecting and maintaining the health of Crum Creek.

For a primer on statistical tests and how to read boxplots and scatterplots, click here.

Specific Conductivity

Figure 1. Specific conductivity from January 2018 through December 2021 (a) across ten sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks and (b) over time.

Specific conductivity measures how well electricity travels through water. Pure water is a poor conductor and has a low specific conductivity. Ions – often from salts (such as sodium chloride), nitrogen and phosphorus-based nutrients, and metal cations – all increase specific conductivity. As many of these ions come from anthropogenic sources, specific conductivity provides insight into the general impact of human activities on waterways. Higher specific conductivity indicates a more heavily impacted stream, but it does not indicate which compounds are entering waterways. Though there are no federal or state standards for specific conductivity, natural background levels of specific conductivity in the sampled stretches of stream are estimated to be between 75 and 95 µS/cm, which is far lower than any values measured.1 Elevated specific conductivity is expected due to the long history of human activity and development within the study area. 

There are significant differences in specific conductivity between sites. Specific conductivity is significantly lower at all Crum Creek sites than at DCWM1 and most Ridley Creek sites (Figure 1a). Interestingly, mean specific conductivity is significantly higher at WBRC1 than Main Stem Ridley Creek (RC1), despite their physical proximity (Figure 1a, Map 1). Check out this blog post to learn more about these two sites. 

Figure 2. The relationship between percent impervious surface cover and mean specific conductivity at ten sample sites in the headwaters of Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks from January 2018 through December 2021. Error bars represent standard error. The blue line represents a linear trendline and the shaded region shows the 95% confidence interval. 

Some spatial differences in specific conductivity between sites can be explained by the percent impervious cover in the surrounding watershed. There is a significant positive relationship between mean specific conductivity and percent impervious surface cover (Figure 2). As impervious surface cover reflects the density of human development and specific conductivity reflects human influence on streams, this relationship is unsurprising.

Specific conductivity generally remains constant throughout the year, though it can spike in winter (Figure 1b). Road salts, which are applied in the winter, form chloride when dissolved in water, increasing specific conductivity. The maximum specific conductivity at each site was recorded on days when there was notable snowmelt, indicating that runoff containing road salts is responsible for these spikes.

Chloride 

Figure 3. Monthly analysis of chloride concentration via Quantab strips from January 2019 through December 2021 (a) across ten sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks and (b) over time. 

Chloride is naturally present in streams at low concentrations due to the weathering of rocks and soils. Road salt is the main anthropogenic source of chloride in streams, though fertilizers can also contribute chloride. Long-term increases in chloride have been reported nation-wide.2 Chloride impacts ecosystems by altering the microbial communities that form the base of the food chain and by disrupting ion transport in aquatic plants and animals.  Though much is still unknown about the effects of chronic exposure to elevated chloride, warmer temperatures increase the toxicity of chlorides to stream insects, with consequences for the rest of the stream ecosystem.3 Click here to learn more about the impact of elevated chloride levels on streams.

Chloride concentration in the sample area has not exceeded the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection potable water supply standard of 250.3 ppm, though WBRC1 and DCWM1 have reached 247 ppm (Figure 3a).4 There are significant differences in monthly chloride concentration between sites. There are no significant differences in monthly chloride concentration between Crum Creek sites (Figure 3a). However, in Ridley Creek, chloride concentration is significantly lower at Ridley Creek State Park (RCSP1) than at WBRC1, indicating either a reduction in chloride entering the stream or dilution as discharge increases (Figure 3a). Chloride concentration in Darby Creek is comparable to most Ridley Creek sites, with RCSP1 and Crum Creek sites having lower concentrations (Figure 3a). Similar to specific conductivity, chloride is significantly higher at WBRC1 than at RC1, despite their proximity (Figure 3a, Map 1). Chloride concentration is generally higher in winter months than in other seasons due to road salt applications (Figure 3b). 

Nutrients

Nutrients are a group of chemical compounds that are essential to the growth and survival of living organisms. The two most common nutrients are nitrogen and phosphorus, which enter the water through animal waste, fertilizer runoff, and leaky septic and sewer systems, and cycle through the environment in a complex system. An excess of nutrients in streams can trigger a process called eutrophication, which is the rapid growth of vegetation and algae that ultimately reduces dissolved oxygen as vegetation dies and decomposes.5

i. Total Nitrogen

Figure 4. Total nitrogen from January 2018 through March 2020 (a) across ten sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks and (b) over time. The dashed line represents the recommended maximum total nitrogen threshold for streams in this ecoregion. 

Total nitrogen measures the concentration of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia in the water. Total nitrogen dynamics are mostly driven by nitrates, which are present in higher concentrations than nitrites and ammonia. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection standard for the maximum concentration of nitrates and nitrites in potable water supply is 10 mg/L.4 Total nitrogen does not approach 10 mg/L at any sample sites. 

Though total nitrogen concentration is not high enough to be dangerous for human consumption, concentrations are high enough to impair streams. Two studies of nutrient concentrations in streams in this area have found that the total nitrogen threshold for streams that are not impaired by nutrients is 2.225 – 2.3 mg/L.6-7 In the sample area, the 2.3 mg/L threshold is exceeded in 141 out of 289 samples: at least 20 times by each Ridley Creek site and at most 8 times by each Darby and Crum Creek site (Figure 4b). Furthermore, natural background concentrations of total nitrogen are estimated to be 0.10 – 0.30 mg/L for this region, which is far lower than measured concentrations at all sites (Figure 4b).8 Total nitrogen concentrations are much higher than natural background levels and regularly exceed recommended thresholds, indicating that excess nitrogen is an impairment. 

There are significant differences in total nitrogen between sites (Figure 4a). In Ridley Creek, most downstream sites have significantly lower total nitrogen than most upstream sites, which could be due to dilution with greater volumes of water (Figure 4a). Despite close physical proximity, total nitrogen is significantly higher at WBRC1 than RC1 (Figure 4a, Map 1). There are no significant differences in total nitrogen between sample sites in Crum Creek, and Crum Creek sites and DCWM1 tend to have significantly lower total nitrogen than Ridley Creek sites (Figure 4a). Total nitrogen does not vary seasonally (Figure 4b).

ii. Total Phosphorus

Figure 5. Total phosphorus concentration from January 2018 through March 2020 (a) across ten sample sites in the headwaters of the Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks and (b) over time. The shaded region represents estimated natural background concentrations of total phosphorus and the gray hashed line represents the recommended maximum total phosphorus threshold for streams in this ecoregion. 

Total Phosphorus is the total concentration of all phosphorus-containing compounds in streams. Natural background concentrations of total phosphorus are estimated to be 0.025 – 0.060 mg/L for this region.8 In the study area, 55 out of 289 measurements exceed the upper end of this range and 189 exceed the lower end, suggesting that phosphorus may be present in excess (Figure 5b). However, an analysis of nutrient concentrations from 2000 to 2019 in streams in Southeastern Pennsylvania found that the maximum total phosphorus concentration for a stream that is not impaired by nutrients is 0.035 mg/L.7 In the sample area, this threshold is exceeded in almost half of the samples collected (140 out of 289 samples: 24 times each by WBRC1, RCAB1, RCOK1, and RCSP1 and only up to 11 times each by all other sites), indicating that phosphorus is regularly present at high enough concentrations to impair Ridley Creek and is occasionally an impairment in Crum and Darby Creeks. 

There are significant differences in total phosphorus between sites. Total phosphorus does not vary significantly between sites in Darby and Crum Creeks (Figure 5a). In Ridley Creek, WBRC1 has significantly higher total phosphorus than RCSP1 and RC1 (Figure 5a). Though total phosphorus does not show strong seasonal variation, total phosphorus trended higher and had a broader spread from mid-2019 through 2020 than in 2018 (Figure 5b). 

Key Takeaways

  • Specific conductivity is elevated in all streams, indicating that they are impacted by human activities. 
  • Specific conductivity is related to impervious surface cover in the watershed, highlighting the importance of protecting open space and limiting development.
  • Chloride, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations are all elevated, contributing to specific conductivity and threatening stream health.
  • Limiting runoff of road salt by sweeping up excess after storms and reporting large piles on roads to municipalities is critical to improving stream health.
  • Reducing chemical fertilizer use or switching to using compost or other soil amendments can limit the amount of nutrients entering streams. Head over to the Farm Program to learn more about soil health.
  • Native plants act as filters for water, pulling out nutrients and other pollutants before they enter streams. Adding native plants to lawns and gardens is a great way to improve water quality while also creating habitat for wildlife.

To read the full “State of our Streams Report,” click here.

Map 1. Willistown Conservation Trust’s sampling sites. Five sample locations are within the Ridley Creek watershed, four are within the Crum Creek Watershed, and one is within the Darby Creek Watershed. Sampling was conducted at each site every four weeks from January 2018 through December 2021.

Funding 

This report was made possible through a grant from the William Penn Foundation. The WIlliam Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. In 2021, the Foundation will grant more than $117 million to support vital efforts in the region. 

The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the William Penn Foundation. 

References

1. Olson, J. R. & Cormier, S. M. Modeling spatial and temporal variation in natural background specific conductivity. Environ. Sci. Technol. 53, 4316–4325 (2019).

2. Kaushal, S. S. et al. Freshwater salinization syndrome: from emerging global problem to managing risks. Biogeochemistry 154, 255–292 (2021).

3. Jackson, J. K. & Funk, D. H. Temperature affects acute mayfly responses to elevated salinity: implications for toxicity of road de-icing salts. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 374, 20180081 (2019).

4. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93. Water Quality Standards § 93.7. Specific Water Quality Criteria. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/025/chapter93/chap93toc.html&d=reduce (2020).

5. United States Geological Survey. Phosphorus and Water. Water Science School https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/phosphorus-and-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects (2018).

6. USEPA. Ambient Water Quality Criteria Recommendations: Rivers and Streams in Ecoregion IX. 108 (2000).

7. Clune, J. W., Crawford, J. K. & Boyer, E. W. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentration Thresholds toward Establishing Water Quality Criteria for Pennsylvania, USA. Water 12, 3550 (2020).

8. Smith, R. A., Alexander, R. B. & Schwarz, G. E. Natural Background Concentrations of Nutrients in Streams and Rivers of the Conterminous United States. Environ. Sci. Technol. 37, 3039–3047 (2003).

By Anna Willig and Lauren McGrath | Willistown Conservation Trust Watershed Protection Program

Filed Under: Education, Science, Watershed

Reducing Single-Use Plastics | What You Can Do to Help

July 14, 2022 By CommIntern

By Outreach & Communications Intern Niya Moss

Most people find single-use plastics simple and convenient, but there are alternative, more sustainable options that benefit both humans and the environment. Using these alternatives to single-use plastic will benefit all living beings by reducing the negative impacts on the environment.

Animals are not the only creatures threatened by plastic pollution — humans are, as well. While larger plastic materials are killing aquatic animals, minuscule plastic particles, or microplastics, infect our waterways. As a result, these microscopic plastic particles can easily be consumed by humans since they can travel into our tap water systems. Heavy consumption of these particles can result in serious health issues if left untreated. So how can we avoid endangering lives, including our own? Consider reducing the plastic you use with daily alternatives, including reusable grocery bags and bioplastics.

Reusable Grocery Bags


Reducing our plastic use starts with changing our habits; it’s time to make the switch from plastic bags to reusable bags for grocery shopping. Reusable bags are incredibly convenient and do everything a plastic bag can do without the negative impact on the environment. Reusable bags are developed from sustainable, or recycled, materials and are designed to be used multiple times. When people receive plastic bags from grocery stores, they are likely to throw them out once they’ve put their groceries away. Every year, Americans throw away nearly 1 billion single-use plastic bags after bringing them home. We need to find ways to bring this number down.

In addition to the environmental benefits of reusable bags, they are also more cost effective than plastic bags considering most states are now charging their customers for plastic bags. Rather than getting charged multiple times for several plastic bags, you will only have to buy a reusable bag once and continue using it for as long as it stays in good condition. 

Of course, these reusable bags will get worn out over time, but they are much stronger and more durable than plastic bags, and they can be mended to prolong their durability. Without the need to throw out reusable bags after every use, you are already helping to reduce the use of plastic bags and its threat to our environment. The issues plastic pollution has created over the years are only going to get worse and worse. It’s time to put down that plastic bottle and start using alternatives. It may appear to be inconvenient but it’s for the best. Inconvenience is temporary, but damage to the environment can last for lifetimes.

Biodegradable Plant-Based Plastics

Using biodegradable plant-based plastics, or bioplastics, instead of single-use plastics is safer for the environment. When plastic material is described as biodegradable, it simply means that the plastic can be completely broken down into carbon dioxide, water and compost. Plastic material being biodegradable also implies that the material can decompose within weeks or months. Otherwise, the material is viewed as durable, or material that does not biodegrade as quickly.

So what exactly are biodegradable materials? Bioplastics are made from sugars that are grown from algae or crops. The sugars found in the plants are then converted into plastics. Bioplastics are mainly used in packaging, phone casings, straws, bottles, and medical implants. Using bioplastics will not exactly guarantee that the plastics issues will dissipate, but it does give a helping hand in the reduction of the use of single-use plastics.

 

Additionally, bioplastics are actually less toxic than single-use plastics, and they are cheaper than normal plastics. What most people are unaware of is the multitude of chemicals that are present within plastics. Plastic products contain chemical additives that can pose serious threats towards an individual’s health.

In addition, using bioplastics will reduce the demand for fossil fuels — such as coal — used to make conventional plastics. Doing so will leave a significantly smaller carbon footprint than normal plastics. As the demand for plastic increases, coal combustion increases to keep up with production. Coal combustion is one of the highest sources of mercury pollution in the ocean. As coal is burned, mercury makes its way into the atmosphere before being washed into the ocean. As this cycle continues, the ocean pollution only worsens. Using more bioplastics would reduce the use of coal combustion thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gasses, emitted into the atmosphere.

As for how to use biodegradable plastics, here are the basics: biodegradable material cannot be recycled. Now, if you are unsure about your item being biodegradable or not, look for the symbol shown here.

​​ 

Not to be confused with the symbol for recycling, which is a group of three arrows in the shape of a triangle. To properly dispose of biodegradable items, they can simply be thrown into the garbage. Because these items are biodegradable, they will naturally decompose without causing harm to the environment. Another option would be to send your items to a recycling facility that specializes in biodegradable materials.

We all live in and share this environment, which means we all need to do our part in reducing the need for single-use plastics. It will not be easy but with enough time and hard work, we can make the environment better for all living beings to thrive.

— By Outreach & Communications Intern Niya Moss

Filed Under: Education, Plastic Free July

Save the Humans! | The Dangers of Plastic Pollution

July 13, 2022 By CommIntern

By Outreach & Communications Intern Niya Moss

When people think of plastic pollution, their first thought is usually “save the sea turtles!” But sea turtles aren’t the only creatures that need saving. The problem is that many individuals refuse to acknowledge plastic pollution because they believe we as humans will not be affected by it. This article will highlight the fact that humans are easily affected by plastic pollution often in subtle and invisible ways. 

Before we begin, it’s important to understand that plastic pollution revolves around microplastics. Microplastics are minuscule plastic particles that have resulted from the decomposition of waste and consumer products. These particles are often present in our water, our soil, and the air we breathe, and they greatly impact our way of life.

Microplastics in our Waterways

Many are aware that there is an abundance of plastic waste polluting our oceans but choose not to acknowledge it because they believe that this will not have an impact on their lives. That is certainly not the case. Plastic materials are typically treated with different types of chemicals or substances such as flame retardants. As these materials start to decompose in the ocean, they become small particles which contain hazardous chemicals. While these particles may be small, they can cause a great amount of damage to the human body.

Microplastic particles can easily be consumed by humans whether it be through the consumption of seafood, or through drinking contaminated water. Microplastics can enter our drinking water through a number of ways, such as doing laundry. When our clothes are being washed, microfibers become loose and are then released as wastewater. It’s worth mentioning that the plastic pollution in the ocean is mainly composed of microfibers and microplastics. The wastewater typically makes its way into our drinking water by means of the sewer systems.

These particles are very toxic because of the chemical additives they contain. Due to their small size, fish unknowingly ingest these particles, and those same fish are later consumed by humans. Consuming these fish poses a threat to human health. The chemicals within the microplastic particles are typically associated with serious health problems like infertility, ADHD and hormone-related cancers. The risks of consuming these chemicals are dangerous and can be fatal.

Plastic Pollution Threatens the Air We Breathe

If you think you’re still immune to the dangers of plastic pollution because you don’t eat fish, think again! Because plastic particles are often microscopic, they can easily be transported through the air by being blown about in the wind. Inhaling these tiny fragments of plastic can no doubt damage your respiratory system. But it gets worse than that – plastic pollution has been known to be a heavy contributor to air pollution. This is a result of burning plastic materials.

When plastics are burned, a chemical reaction occurs where toxic fumes are released into our atmosphere. Such toxic fumes include mercury, furans, and dioxins. Breathing in these fumes can cause severe health issues that can directly impact a person’s respiratory system. The fumes can aggravate any present respiratory issues such as asthma or emphysema. Pregnant women are especially at risk because inhaling these fumes can damage their fertility, or cause neonatal issues. You could be a very healthy and active person with a strong immune system, but that will not protect you from the health risks of breathing in toxic fumes. Air pollution is an issue for all living beings and the burning of plastic materials is only making it worse. If you’re still not convinced about how dangerous plastic pollution is, keep reading!

Microplastics in Soil 

Microplastics aren’t just in the water we drink or the air we breathe – they’re in our soil, too! Microplastics can easily enter agricultural lands through sewer systems, or sewage sludge, to be more specific. Sewage sludge can be described as the solids that are filtered out of the wastewater. Sewage sludge is commonly used by farmers to fertilize agricultural fields. 

The presence of microplastics in farm soil can be problematic for both humans and the environment. One of those problems being the possibility of microplastics carrying organisms that hold serious diseases that can affect humans and the environment itself. Regarding the environment, the disease-carrying microplastics can affect the soil functions and health of soil fauna. Soil fauna are beneficial organisms that inhabit the soil such as earthworms, mites, nematodes and protozoans. 

Soil fauna play a vital role in keeping our soil rich and full of nutrients. In fact, soil fauna are very crucial in relation to plant growth, litter decomposition, and soil formation. When soil fauna  ingest microplastics, the particles induce toxic effects upon the body systems of the fauna, killing them. Without these microorganisms, our soil will no longer be able to support any crops or plant life. 

The reality is that all of us are affected by plastic pollution, whether we can see it or not. With recent research indicating that microplastics are now making their way into our lungs and blood, we can no longer ignore this very real problem that affects the very things upon which life depends: air, water and soil. It’s time to save the humans before it’s too late.

— By Outreach & Communications Intern Niya Moss

Filed Under: Education, Plastic Free July

OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages three nature preserves in the Willistown area - Ashbridge, Kirkwood and Rushton Woods Preserve. We maintain these lands for the … Learn more about our nature preserves.

Upcoming Events

02 February

Winter Stewardship Volunteer Days | Contact us to Join!

View Detail
09 February

Winter Stewardship Volunteer Days | Contact us to Join!

View Detail
10 February
Rushton Conservation Center

Rejuvenate at Rushton Wellness Retreat

915 Delchester Road, Newtown Square, PA

View Detail
No event found!
Load More

DONATE TODAY!

Invest in Nature! ENGAGE CONNECT SPONSOR LEAVE A LEGACY   If you would like to make a gift of securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares, please contact us at 610-353-2562 for instructions. For more … Donate Today

CONTACT

925 Providence Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 353-2562
land@wctrust.org

WHERE WE WORK

The work of the Willistown Conservation Trust is concentrated on 28,000 acres of Willistown Township … read more

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

FAQs

Copyright © 2023 · WCTRUST.ORG