WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About
    • OUR STORY
    • HOW WE WORK
    • WHERE WE WORK
    • DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
    • OUR PEOPLE
    • OUR SUPPORTERS
    • OUR NATURE PRESERVES
    • JOBS
    • INTERNSHIPS
    • VOLUNTEER
    • FAQs
  • LATEST
    • BLOG
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • IN THE NEWS
    • PHOTOS
  • Our Work
    • LAND
    • BIRDS
    • FARM
    • HABITAT
    • WATER
    • EDUCATION
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • BARNS & BBQ
    • CRUISE FOR CONSERVATION
    • RUN-A-MUCK
  • Donate
    • DONATE to the ANNUAL FUND TODAY
    • JOIN THE SYCAMORE SOCIETY
    • LEGACY SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING
    • WAYS TO GIVE
  • You Can Help
  • Rushton Conservation Center

Welcome to the Willistown Conservation Trust Blog

News, ideas, questions, and observations from Willistown Conservation Trust Staff as we use local conservation to make a broad impact.

agroecology Farm Native Plants Nature Science

The Bees of Rushton Farm: A Pollinator Perspective on Willistown Conservation Trust & Environmental Education

Benjamin Reynard / February 13, 2021
One Sunny midsummer day in 2012 on Rushton Farm, the bees decided to swarm. Noah, a certified apiarist--and the sustainable...
Read More
Bird Conservation Conservation Flappy Hour

Flappy Hour: Black Vultures in the Backyard

Kelsey Lingle / January 15, 2021
We are excited to welcome Bracken Brown, Biologist-Naturalist at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, to join us and discuss the Black Vulture....
Read More
Conservation Lunch & Learn Science Watershed

Road Salt and Its Impact on Fresh Water

Evan Hunt / January 12, 2021
As winter quickly approaches so does the threat of salt pollution. Since the 1940s, salt has been the number one...
Read More
Stewardship

Winter Solstice

Andrew Kirkpatrick / December 21, 2020
Solar system planets set. The Sun and planets in a row on the universe stars background. Elements of this image...
Read More
Bird Banding Bird Conservation

Celebrating 11 Years of Bird Banding at Rushton Woods Preserve

Blake Goll / December 16, 2020
Established in 2009 with a grant from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC), our banding station has been a huge success over the years...
Read More
Bird banding, bird banding data, bird migration
Uncategorized

A New Path Forward – Our Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Communications Team / December 4, 2020
Dear Friends, It has been nearly six months since I wrote to you about the tragic death of George Floyd...
Read More
Uncategorized

Giving Thanks to the Okehocking People

Mike Cranney / November 23, 2020
With Thanksgiving approaching, it is an appropriate time to reflect upon our connection with the indigenous people who first lived...
Read More
Uncategorized

Flappy Hour: Secrets of the Saw-whet Owl

Communications Team / November 13, 2020
The Trust has been studying the populations of this small migratory owl for the past 10 years as part of...
Read More
Conservation Land Protection Nature Preserves Trails

Kirkwood Sign Dedication

Erik Hetzel / November 4, 2020
Fifteen years ago, the 83-acre Kirkwood Preserve was established thanks to a public/private partnership that included Willistown Conservation Trust, Willistown...
Read More
agroecology Farm

The Old Salt

Fred De Long / October 29, 2020
Noah and I have learned a lot from the “old salts” who entertained us as we grew up. We have also learned a lot about each other after twenty years in the field.
Read More
Uncategorized

Help Us Meet the Challenge!

Chelsea Heck / October 29, 2020
Are you a friend of the Trust but have never donated or have you supported the Trust in the past...
Read More
Nature Science Watershed

From Tops of Trees to the Base of the Food Chain

Lauren McGrath / October 13, 2020
There is a chill in the air and the leaves are starting to turn, signaling that fall is here! Have...
Read More
Bird Banding Bird Conservation Bird Events Flappy Hour Motus Nature at Night Uncategorized

Nature at Night: Flappy Hour, Using Motus to Track the Flight Path of an Avian Biologist

Communications Team / October 9, 2020
Meet Shelly Eshleman, our newest Motus team member and bird conservation biologist as she describes her path to working for...
Read More
Farm General Nature Preserves Sustainable Agriculture Trails Uncategorized

Join Us for a Pop-Up Picnic Dinner to Help Kick Off Art on the Trails

Kelsey Lingle / October 8, 2020
A week-long event Art on the Trails: Preserve Gallery Walk with a pop-up picnic dinner on the lawn at the Rushton Conservation...
Read More
Nature Nature Preserves Stewardship Trails

Trails Workshops (Part 1 & 2)

Communications Team / September 28, 2020
Do you love trails? We do! Willistown Conservation Trust is offering virtual trails workshops! Hosted by Andrew Kirkpatrick, Director of...
Read More
Nature Stewardship Tree Planting

Mapping the Ashbridge Tree Planting

Evan Hunt / September 23, 2020
The most important part of a tree planting usually comes after the trees are in the ground.  Recently planted trees...
Read More
Conservation Land Protection Nature

Legacy of the Land: A History of Land Conservation in Willistown

Communications Team / September 23, 2020
Trust’s Executive Director and co-founder Bonnie Van Alen, co-founder Alice Hausmann, and Director of Land Protection Erik Hetzel, discuss the...
Read More
Nature Nature Preserves Stewardship Trails Volunteers

History of the Trails Team

Communications Team / September 23, 2020
Besides its abundance of over 7,500 acres of countryside permanently protected from development, Willistown has long been known for its...
Read More
Conservation Land Protection Uncategorized

Fifteen More Acres Protected Forever!

Communications Team / September 22, 2020
The final conservation chapter to the 15-acre Stonehedge Farm at Plumsock and Goshen Roads in Willistown has finally concluded. The...
Read More
Bird Banding Bird Conservation Bird ecology

The Wings of Change

Blake Goll / September 19, 2020
Our banding station has been operating for fall migration for the past three weeks, and change is evident...
Read More
Bird banding, Connecticut Warbler, fall migration, land conservation, migration
{"dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":3000,"speed":600,"loop":"true","design":"design-1"}

Feeding Our Community
agroecology Farm Sustainable Agriculture

Feeding Our Community

Fred De Long / May 27, 2020
In these uncertain times, food insecurity has moved front and center as a primary issue...
Read More
food donation, food insecurity, food systems
Our Native Wildflower Meadow: An Example of How to Heal Nature from Home
Native Plants Stewardship wildflower meadow

Our Native Wildflower Meadow: An Example of How to Heal Nature from Home

Blake Goll / May 27, 2020
Not only are native wildflower meadows elixirs to human health, they also promote ecological health...
Read More
Native Plants, wildflower meadow
Rain Gardens – Digging Deeper
Conservation Native Plants Stewardship

Rain Gardens – Digging Deeper

Andrew Kirkpatrick / May 26, 2020
Rain gardens are popping up everywhere. You will find them on college campuses and office parks, in mall parking lots,...
Read More
Video – 7 Ways to Give Traveling Birds a Boost – Flappy Hour Recap
Bird Conservation Bird ecology Bird Events Conservation

Video – 7 Ways to Give Traveling Birds a Boost – Flappy Hour Recap

Communications Team / May 20, 2020
On May 14th the Trusts’ Bird Conservation field team held a virtual flappy social hour. They shared short talks about ways you can support...
Read More
Tag the Trust, Win Some Swag!
Nature Nature Preserves Photography

Tag the Trust, Win Some Swag!

Communications Team / May 14, 2020
CONTEST DETAILS How do I enter? -Snap a photo at of one of Willistown Conservation Trust’s three preserves Ashbridge PreserveKirkwood...
Read More
Clean Water Science Pioneer – Ruth Patrick
Watershed

Clean Water Science Pioneer – Ruth Patrick

Watershed Protection Team / May 13, 2020
Dr. Ruth Patrick was one of the most important scientists to study freshwater systems.  She was a pioneer when it...
Read More
Moving Targets
Bird Banding Bird Conservation Motus

Moving Targets

Communications Team / April 29, 2020
If you’ve ever run a 10K, a marathon, or a turkey trot, you’ve probably pinned a bib to your shirt...
Read More
Seeking the Healing Power of Nature on Earth Day
Conservation General Nature

Seeking the Healing Power of Nature on Earth Day

Bonnie Van Alen / April 22, 2020
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.-John Muir In 1970, millions of Americans pledged to...
Read More
Stewardship Volunteer Program
Stewardship Volunteers

Stewardship Volunteer Program

Mike Cranney / April 20, 2020
We hope to resume weekly volunteer sessions at our preserves in June.
Read More
Plants Want to Live
agroecology Farm Sustainable Agriculture

Plants Want to Live

Fred De Long / April 20, 2020
Plants want to live...
Read More
farm, greenhouse, regenerative farming, Rushton Farm, sustainable farming
How the Trust Helps Birds
Bird Banding Bird Conservation

How the Trust Helps Birds

Communications Team / April 20, 2020
How is a small land trust like Willistown Conservation Trust helping the global effort to help birds? Take a look...
Read More
Marvelous Macroinvertebrates
Stewardship Watershed

Marvelous Macroinvertebrates

Watershed Protection Team / April 20, 2020
Watch this video webinar of Lauren McGrath, Director of Watershed Protection, to learn more about the secrets of stream insects...
Read More
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Provides Grant to Track Species of Greatest Concern in Northeast
Bird Banding Bird Conservation migration Motus

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Provides Grant to Track Species of Greatest Concern in Northeast

Bird Conservation Team / April 20, 2020
A major grant gives wings to NE Motus Collaboration.
Read More
American Kestrel, Bird banding, Conservation, Monarch butterfly, Motus Wildlife Tracking, nanotag
Nature Escapes for Kids: Create Your Own Headdress
Nature Nature Education Rushton Nature Keepers

Nature Escapes for Kids: Create Your Own Headdress

Blake Goll / April 9, 2020
Role playing is such a wonderful way for children to mentally escape and be transported to a different time and place.
Read More
environmental education, kids and nature, nature activities, nature education, nature headdresses, nature play, rushton nature keepers
Meet Our Newest Watershed Team Members
Interns, Co-Ops Watershed

Meet Our Newest Watershed Team Members

Watershed Protection Team / April 8, 2020
The Watershed Protection Program is thrilled to introduce the newest members of our team: Evan Hunt, Jules Smith and Zack...
Read More
Designing the Future of Motus
Bird Conservation Rushton Conservation Center

Designing the Future of Motus

Bird Conservation Team / April 6, 2020
Birds are on the ropes in our rapidly changing world. One recent report suggests that North America’s bird populations have declined...
Read More
Nature Escapes for Kids: Healing Forest Art Walk
Nature Nature Education Rushton Nature Keepers

Nature Escapes for Kids: Healing Forest Art Walk

Blake Goll / March 26, 2020
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. "
Read More
art and nature, forest walk, healing forest, nature activities, nature and kids, nature art, rushton nature keepers
Nature Escapes for Kids:      Building Toad Abodes and Heart Space
Nature Nature Education Rushton Nature Keepers

Nature Escapes for Kids: Building Toad Abodes and Heart Space

Blake Goll / March 24, 2020
In doing something as simple as building a place for a toad to rest his head, a child is actually creating a healing space in his/her heart to return to as an adult.
Read More
children and nature, nature activities, nature education, nature play, rushton nature keepers, toad abodes
Create Your Own Meadow – Step 3: Preserve
Native Plants native wildflower meadow Stewardship wildflower meadow

Create Your Own Meadow – Step 3: Preserve

Stewardship Team / March 19, 2020
Early May – Early October: Once your wildflowers are planted, regularly inspect your meadow to ensure that invasive weeds are...
Read More
Update Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
General

Update Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Willistown Conservation Trust / March 13, 2020
Last updated 6/8/20 Our hearts go out to all of our friends, visitors and supporters during this unprecedented public health...
Read More
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 … 12 Next »

OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. We will keep them open as long as it is safe to do so. While visiting our preserves, please practice social distancing and wear a mask if you encounter another person who will be closer than six feet … Learn more about our nature preserves.

Upcoming Events

25 February

Nature at Night: Let’s Get Growing!

View Detail
01 - 31 March

Family Preserve Hike: Three Preserve Bingo!

View Detail
04 March

“Love the Land” Stewardship Volunteer Thursdays

View Detail
No event found!
Load More

CONSERVE. INSPIRE. RESTORE. DONATE.

The Trust's holistic approach to land conservation, with a focus on the connections among land, farm, birds, and water, protects native habitat and provides open space for our earth to heal. Please help the Trust continue to preserve our natural world for all  generations and consider making an impactful donation … Donate Today

CONTACT

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

OUR STORY

Willistown Conservation Trust's mission is to: "preserve and manage the open land, rural character, … read more

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 © 2021 · WCTRUST.ORG