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Kudos to our kestrels: Saving Open Space for One of Nature’s Most Remarkable Raptors

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Aaron Coolman holding a kestrel chick that is soon to be banded.

Tucked within the sweeping grasslands of our region’s newly protected space, Kestrel Hill Preserve, live some of the most colorful and charismatic raptors in North America: the American Kestrel.

With their cinnamon backs, slate-blue wings, and bold facial markings, kestrels are quite striking, but these petite falcons are more than just a pretty sight. They’re indicators of grassland health, quietly working behind the scenes to keep a balanced ecosystem. By feeding on rodents like voles, shrews, and mice, kestrels help keep pest populations in check. They also help regulate invertebrates, ensuring that the grasslands they call home remain thriving, biodiverse spaces.

In Pennsylvania, American Kestrels are classified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need, highlighting the urgency of protecting and restoring the open spaces they depend on.It’s significant that WCT recently discovered a nest box full of baby American Kestrels on our newest preserve, Kestrel Hill Preserve. Clutches of kestrel signify that these falcons find WCT’s conserved open spaces suitable not only for foraging, but more importantly, for nesting and breeding. They are a sign that the kind of open, connected landscape these falcons need is suitable, and that this special place is already playing a critical role in supporting a species that needs our attention.

Safely removing the kestrel chicks from their box to band them and gather data.

Why Do Kestrels Need So Much Space?

Unlike many other backyard birds, kestrels won’t breed in heavily developed landscapes. To successfully raise their young and hunt for food, these birds need large, open stretches of grassland, approximately the size of an 18-hole golf course or even larger. Scattered trees and perches offer the vantage points they need for foraging and protection, while old tree cavities (or well-placed nest boxes) serve as safe spots for nesting.

Creating a Safe Haven

This newly protected preserve isn’t just a win for one species; it’s part of a much bigger conservation puzzle. American Kestrels thrive specifically when we conserve contiguous tracts of land. Through the efforts of WCT, private landowners, and local authorities, 220+ acres that could have been 40 new homes are now 128 permanently deed-restricted acres and–opening soon–90 acre Kestrel Hill Preserve. Take a look at this bird’s-eye view of confirmed and potential breeding sites for the American Kestrel, noticing the connective mosaic throughout the local landscape.

Protected tracts of land throughout the Willistown area, highlighting confirmed and potential breeding habitat for the American Kestrel.

Heavily fragmented landscapes can’t support kestrels’ breeding and hunting needs. By safeguarding larger and connected parcels of habitat, we not only protect kestrels, but also grassland ecosystems as a whole.

At Kestrel Hill Preserve and our other protected lands, we’re putting conservation science into action:

  • Installing nesting boxes that mimic the lost tree cavities kestrels and other birds require
  • Monitoring breeding activity each spring and summer using federally and state licensed bird banding practices and an internationally significant Motus Wildlife Tracking System network
  • Habitat Management practices that maintain open grassland and meadows
  • Preserving large, open habitats through conservation easements and nature preserves, such as Kestrel Hill Preserve

These efforts are already making a difference. Each nest box that fledges chicks is a small but powerful sign that we’re giving kestrels the resources they need to thrive and survive in a rapidly changing world.

Join Us in Protecting What Matters

The story of the American Kestrel is a reminder that even small creatures need big, undeveloped, open spaces. By supporting Kestrel Hill Preserve, you’re helping preserve the wild beauty and balance of our local landscape, not merely for our enjoyment, but for kestrels and creatures of all kinds, for generations to come

Join the effort to protect the land that American Kestrels and all of us depend on.

Willistown Conservation Trust Accreditation Renewal Public Notice

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The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Willistown Conservation Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. In 2008, Willistown Conservation Trust was one of the first land trusts nationwide to be awarded accreditation by the Commission. According to Kate Etherington, the Trust’s President and Executive Director: “Earning and maintaining our accredited status is more than a badge of honor—it’s a reflection of our deep commitment to doing conservation work with integrity, transparency, and long-term vision. It means our supporters, landowners, and partners can trust that not only are we protecting the most important places in our region, but we’re doing it responsibly and with the highest professional standards guiding every step.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Willistown Conservation Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on Willistown Conservation Trust’s application will be most useful by July 1, 2025.

Two Roads Diverged

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How a mother of three switched from her career in finance to founding a popular compost pickup service.

By: Gwenn Nolan, Founder of Mother Compost

I grew up in Willistown, rambling through what is now Kirkwood Preserve. Life has a way of bringing us full circle. Though I no longer live in Willistown, my work now focuses on protecting our planet—likely inspired by a childhood spent immersed in nature.

Years ago, while working in financial services nearby, I found myself at a crossroads with an idea so absurd it made me laugh: “I should start a composting company.” With two toddlers rejecting meals left and right, I was sickened by our food waste. My attempt at backyard composting failed (see: full-time job, two toddlers, baby on the way), but it sparked a thought: If composting were easier, more people would do it. We’d reduce waste, recycle food, and maybe even change the world.


A quick test run confirmed it—people wanted this. So, I took the road less traveled, waking at
2:30 a.m. to collect food scraps in my Ford Ranger, getting them to the farm before showering, wrangling kids, and heading to work. A year later, I hired my first employee. Five years on, Mother Compost has grown from a solo project to a small but mighty team of eight, serving over 1,500 households and 35 businesses.

The road has been winding and at times uncertain, but as Frost wrote, taking the one less traveled has made all the difference. At Mother Compost, we believe small choices create big impacts—and that anyone, at any time, can be the change they wish to see in the world.

Are you interested in composting with Mother Compost? Use the link below to see if you’re residence is within the pickup/delivery service area and start your composting journey.

More Information about Mother Compost Here

The Story Behind Ohana Farm

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By: Eliza Gowen, Community Farm Outreach Coordinator

Those of you who’ve attended certain WCT events this Fall may have noticed (or tasted!) the fresh apple cider from Ohana Farm. Ohana Farm began in 2015 when Amanda and Conrad Radcliffe bought the farm with visions of a place to support their son with autism and saw it as a solution for him as he approached adulthood. They felt that life on a farm would help him thrive. The Radcliffe family appreciated the old apple trees on the property and wanted to parlay those trees into something good. They decided to grow their orchard and use it as a place for neurodiverse children to build confidence and to use their skills in all aspects of small-batch Apple Cider and Apple Butter production.

Nine years later, they continue to grow their orchard by adding new trees, mending fences, and pruning trees which now produce 8 different varieties of apples with thousands of apples harvested each fall. Amanda started a partnership with Melmark school and now invites students and adults with intellectual disabilities from Melmark, Vanguard School, and Hilltop School to come out each fall season and assist with the processing of the cider and apple butter. This work ranges from harvesting and sorting apples to labeling cider containers and more.  Amanda can’t emphasize enough how the work these kids do for the apple cider process does wonders for the children involved. They are so proud of the work they do and their work improves their self-confidence.

Groups from The Hill Top School and Vanguard School with batches of cider they made.

For now, Ohana Farm has been selling their cider to the Eagles Novacare complex where they provide it for some of the suites at home games as well as to friends and family. Each year they continue to grow and next year they hope to expand their sales hopefully from a vintage trailer that Amanda has her eye on. 

Amanda is grateful to so many who have helped make this all possible. “None of this would be possible without a whole lot of help, input, and advice from folks in our community.  Most of all the Eagles Autism Foundation with their amazing support, and regular orders!  Shreiner Tree Service helps keep our orchard healthy, STK property management helps weed whack regularly under 60 apple trees, Jonathan Alderson Landscape Design and Cotswold Gardens helped us move 30 trees last year and enclose them in a deer fence to protect our harvest, the late great George Spellman, John Milner who helped us execute our dream for our farm, Conrad (my hubby) who spends his life on our mower and in our tractor, and countless support from friends and family who help with the harvest and volunteer with our school groups.”The Radcliffes have generously donated over 25 gallons of cider this fall to WCT and we are grateful for their generosity and kindness. We look forward to partnering with them for future events. To learn more about Ohana Farm you can visit their website using the button below and add your name to their email list to receive updates about this wonderful farm as they continue to grow.

Lessons from Rushton Farm

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By Andrew Wraith, Agroecology Project Coordinator

As an Environmental Studies student, you might have guessed that I’m a lover and keen observer of the natural world. I love looking closely and seeing what’s hiding in plain sight. It could be a beautiful little critter, a weird goopy-green fungus, or a tiny perennial flower that predates the tree canopy and gives clues to the history of a forest.

The natural world is full of lessons for those who take the time to pay attention and reflect on the eternal questions: What happened here, why, and what is this telling me? For example, the cool little critter might share an inspiring lesson on resourcefulness, and that green jelly fungus might teach us how to go with the flow. Every lesson is a treasure and an invitation to a deeper relationship with nature.

Rushton Farm is no different. We are working in a close relationship with nature. Here’s one of my favorite revelations from the past two seasons: the connection between farming and working with kids.

Experienced gardeners may be aware that it’s best not to take a seedling straight from the greenhouse grow mat and stick it out in the field to weather the elements. We don’t tell our kids once they can walk, “Now that you’re on your own two feet, it’s time you moved out and started supporting yourself”. The process we take our plants through at Rushton, from seeding to the field, closely mirrors children’s journey toward adulthood in our society.

It begins when we drop the seeds into the “seed flat” (an array of small wells in which we can plant up to 200 seeds at once). From there the seed flats go to rest on top of a heat mat, cozy and warm, and their journey begins. This is the “nursery” stage, a term used in both childcare and plant husbandry. As the seedlings emerge, they remain on the heat mat until they are ready to graduate to kindergarten, i.e., being taken off of the heat mats. In the greenhouse, they stay for a while learning elementary lessons, but mostly they’re busy growing up healthy. A full greenhouse is an exciting and high maintenance place to be. The needy seedlings require watering multiple times a day. Many plants require transplanting as they outgrow their old wear and prepare themselves for middle school. Those awkward tomato plants can be gangly, smelly, and pubescent at this stage.

Eventually, the day comes when they graduate to the high tunnel (the small greenhouse). Here they continue to be protected from the elements such as wind and rain, however, they are less insulated from the season’s changing temperatures, and learn to cope.

Right about the time when they start feeling like confident masters of their environment, they’re off to high school! High school for plants is outside of the greenhouse, where they finally feel the freedom of fresh air and direct sunlight, however, the transition can be tough as they learn to deal with the sometimes harsh weather and deer exposure. The plants can start to feel very antsy to get out of their seed flats, or transplanting pots and into the ground, where they can finally stretch out their roots. They can start looking a bit downtrodden, but before too long they’re on the move again and off to college!

It’s an exciting time when plants are going into the ground. To set them up well requires hard work! We take time to settle them in place and help them by setting up their dorm (placing metal hoops over the rows and insulating the plants with covers). The greenhouse can feel like a strange place as the season progresses, empty, yet full of memories. You hope that your seedlings are thriving, weathering the challenges, protected from groundhogs and deer, while being ready to help in times of need.

When the time comes to remove row covers it can feel like the plants are stepping out of a time machine – my how they grow up so fast! The farmers give them a few final weedings, and before you know it, they’re the ones supporting us and helping us grow.

At Rushton Farm, this successive process is referred to as “hardening off”. As with raising children, we expose the plants to greater pressures and freedoms resulting in strong plants. The majority of my professional experience has been working with kids and to my surprise I’ve found that many skills apply to both professions!


ANDREW WRAITH | Andrew has worked as an outdoor adventure camp counselor for over a decade, which sparked his passion for helping kids fall in love with the outdoors and the infinite adventure of natural experience. After graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Andrew headed west to pursue work as a hiking guide in the Santa Monica Mountains in addition to playing music in Los Angeles. He ultimately returned east and found his way back to working with kids in the outdoors at Germantown Friends School where he has served in many roles including Adventure Camp Director, After School Program team member, Environmental Action Club Leader, and Lower School Assistant teacher. He is a current graduate student in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and is very excited to be joining the team at WCT.