WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
DONATE
  • About
    • HOW WE WORK
    • WHERE WE WORK
    • OUR STAFF AND TRUSTEES
    • JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
    • VOLUNTEER
    • RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER
    • STRATEGIC PLAN
    • DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
    • FAQs
  • LATEST
    • BLOG
    • IN THE NEWS
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • PHOTOS
  • PROGRAMS
    • BIRD CONSERVATION
    • COMMUNITY FARM
    • EDUCATION
    • LAND PROTECTION
    • STEWARDSHIP
    • WATERSHED PROTECTION
  • NATURE PRESERVES
    • ASHBRIDGE PRESERVE
    • HARTMAN MEADOW
    • KESTREL HILL PRESERVE
    • KIRKWOOD PRESERVE
    • RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • BARNS & BBQ
    • RUN-A-MUCK
    • WILDFLOWER WEEK
    • ECOCENTRIC EXPERIENCE
    • RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)
    • ACCESS Program
  • Support
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • SPONSOR THE TRUST
    • CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
    • JOIN THE SYCAMORE SOCIETY
    • LEGACY SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING
    • DELCO Gives 2025
  • CAMPAIGN FOR KESTREL HILL PRESERVE

Meet our Corporate Partner: Veritable

March 27, 2023 By Communications Team

By Wesley Yamamoto, Veritable Partner

With a long-shared history of preserving the natural beauty and fostering a sense of community in Willistown, Veritable is proud to be the inaugural corporate partner of Willistown Conservation Trust.

Over 37 years ago, Veritable was founded by Michael Stolper, a University of Pennsylvania ornithology major turned investment industry entrepreneur. He set out to create a new model in the investment business that was free from the traditional conflicts of the industry and better aligned his goals and values with those of his clients. The principles of independence, client advocacy, and intrepid innovation resonated with successful families in the Philadelphia area, the northeastern United States, and soon across the country. Today, Veritable proudly serves as investment advisor and family office to over 225 clients and their collective $17+ billion in assets under management. Veritable is now one of the largest, independent investment advisory firms in the nation with clients in over 35 states. However, Willistown remains home to its national headquarters and many employees.

In the firm’s early years, Michael sought out new office space to house his rapidly growing team. Counter to the conventional approach of a financial firm renting a downtown office in Philadelphia or New York City, Veritable — then known as Stolper and Co. — embraced the idea that independence from the traditional bank and brokerage model environment could extend beyond a business model to the firm’s actual physical presence as well. In 1992, the firm found its permanent home at 6022 West Chester Pike: a 22-acre campus featuring a turn-of-the-19th century farmhouse backed up by hilly woodlands.

Veritable’s Farmhouse Office
“Farside,” Veritable’s newest expansion to their office

As the plans for the farmhouse office conversion were drafted, Veritable’s relationship with Willistown Conservation Trust officially commenced. Michael made the decision to ease 10 acres of Veritable’s campus in perpetuity with WCT. For over 30 years now, Veritable and Willistown Conservation Trust have only strengthened ties. Many of the firm’s 80+ employees have embraced and frequently participated in WCT’s programs and offerings. Some highlights cited by partners and staff were: Northern saw-whet owl banding, hiking and exercising in the preserved lands, the CSA program, and the lecture series. Beyond Veritable’s corporate support over these many years, several senior investment team members at Veritable have served in official and unofficial capacities at the WCT. Of note, former board member Matt Taylor is an investment team leader and partner at Veritable. He served on the finance committee of the WCT for several years. Current board member Justin Thompson is a senior member of the investment team at Veritable. He succeeds Matt as current Chair of WCT Finance Committee, and he serves as Co-Chair of Run-A-Muck.

Across Veritable’s staff and leadership, there is a palpable appreciation for nature and the importance of sustainability. As the firm approaches its 40th anniversary, it continues to invest in its people and its business here in Willistown. With a campus adjacent to preserved lands and supported by a close-knit community of stewards, the firm’s investments are always made with intention. For Veritable, there is no starker example of both the time that has passed and the commitment that remains than the newest expansion to the office. A geothermally heated, 10,000 square foot, modern office building equipped with floor to ceiling windows for employees and visiting clients to forest bathe and birdwatch as they go about their business.

To learn more about Veritable’s services visit veritablelp.com.

Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner?

When you participate in WCT’s Corporate Partnership Program, not only do you receive exposure and recognition among our broad network of supporters and visitors, but you are also given direct access to nature. Choose from our three Corporate Partnership Levels — PRESERVE PARTNER ($25,000), PROGRAM PARTNER ($10,000) and COMMUNITY PARTNER ($5,000) — to enrich your employees’ lives, support local science, and make a far-reaching environmental impact. Learn more about our Corporate Partnership Program here.

Filed Under: General, Volunteers

Introducing WCT’s Strategic Plan

February 14, 2023 By Communications Team

STRATEGIC PLAN | 2023-2025
Saving, Studying, and Sharing Land, Water, and Habitat


WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

Land conservation efforts have been underway in the Willistown area for over 40 years. A satellite program of Brandywine Conservancy, formed in 1979, was known as the Willistown Area Conservation Program. With the encouragement of the community and key local conservation leaders, Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) became an independent, community based land trust in 1996 with a committed and active Board of Trustees.

Using the Crum, Ridley, and Darby Creek watersheds as a boundary guide, WCT’s traditional program area encompasses 28,000 acres in Chester County and portions of Delaware County, and is located approximately 20 miles west of Philadelphia. Despite tremendous growth pressures that have converted many neighboring communities into vast tracts of sprawl development, the WCT program area still remains largely an oasis of green space.

Successful land conservation and stewardship paved the way for major growth within the organization. Since its founding, WCT has grown to include a suite of activities focused on science, stewardship, education, and community engagement. In addition to Land Conservation and Land Stewardship, these core activities include Bird Conservation, Community Farm, Watershed Protection, and Outreach and Education. This holistic approach to conservation explores the connections among land, birds, habitat, agriculture, and water, and educates the public on these connections.

Our land protection and stewardship efforts have been focused on the Willistown area; however, our work has a regional and national impact on conservation.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Over the next three years, as our land protection efforts thrive and new opportunities in our traditional program area diminish, we anticipate a growing emphasis on habitat conservation and restoration, education and community outreach. Within these conserved lands, we will use our growing body of research in bird, water, and agro-ecology to inform best practices and engage with the community to educate and inspire an ethos of conservation and care of our land, waters, and habitat where wildlife thrives. In addition, we will identify and consider land protection and conservation opportunities outside of our traditional program area that fulfill service gaps in surrounding communities and meet vital conservation needs, as we interact and collaborate with new communities and organizations.

We will continue to be a robust organization that is well established, broadly supported, and attracts leaders at the forefront of the conservation field. Our science-based programs will contribute research to inform conservation priorities and best practices on a regional, national and international scale. We will attract a diverse group of staff, Trustees, and volunteers who are deeply committed to the mission of WCT and bring a variety of perspectives, skills, and experiences to our work. We will offer robust community and educational programs that attract a wide swath of participants. We will use our established expertise and connections for the conservation benefit of communities outside our traditional area of focus.

To read our Strategic Plan in full, click the cover below:

Filed Under: Bird Conservation, Education, Farm, General, Land Protection, Staff, Stewardship, Watershed

Honoring Bonnie’s Legacy and Looking to Willistown Conservation Trust’s Future

October 5, 2021 By CommIntern

Within the ever growing area of Chester County lies a hidden swath of land that sits in stark contrast to the noisy highways and developments that surround it. Here, the rolling hills dotted with an abundance of wildlife, luscious pastures, and scenic woodlands offer a quiet reprieve to passersby, one that has remained nearly untouched since the early settlers first arrived. Today, this special place is known as Willistown, and its rural charm and 7,500 acres of protected open space would not exist if it weren’t for Bonnie Van Alen.

Born in Chester Springs, Bonnie Van Alen (née Bartholomew), grew up on her family farm, where she spent her time working and riding her pony across the countryside. She describes her childhood as “free range,” one without boundaries aor constraints that afforded her a deep connection with nature and the great outdoors. “I loved every aspect of it: the animals, the wildlife, and the freedom,” she says. Following her education at Agnes Irwin School and later at Penn State University, Bonnie returned to Chester County with her sweetheart, Jim Van Alen. The two married and settled in Jim’s childhood home of Willistown in 1969 where they lived next door to Jim’s family on Delchester Road. It was there that they raised their three boys — Jimmy, Alex and Rob — who spent their younger years exploring creeks and woodlands around the farm.

During this period in the 1980’s, the Van Alens and their neighbors grew concerned over development pressures threatening to disrupt the important habitat and rural characteristic of this area. Bonnie took it upon herself to explore a new tool that the Brandywine Conservancy had been using to restrict uncontrolled development: conservation easements. Leaving her work with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Bonnie launched a satellite program under the Brandywine Conservancy with the purpose of conserving Willistown properties with conservation easements that would be held by Brandywine.

After a crash course in conservation easement law and easement drafting, Bonnie and her conservation partner Kathe McCoy got to work drawing a map by hand to identify their focus area within the headwaters of the Crum, Ridley, and Darby Creeks: about 28,000 acres. After systematically identifying strategic properties and their owners, the duo began approaching landowners with this new concept of conservation, and they found that many were thrilled to contribute to this greater cause. As Bonnie explains, “These first landowners who donated easements took a risk and a leap of faith. And as the years went on, this land ethic grew and developed to build a true community of conservation.”

  • The Inaugural Board Meeting
  • Top Row, Left to Right Alice Hausmann, Peter Hausmann, Bill Howard, Jim Van Alen, Bonnie Van Alen. Bottom Row, Left to Right: Tana Wall, Peter Strawbridge and Jane MacElree. Not Appearing in the “Now” Photo: Doug Walker who is no longer with us, and Tim Barnard.
    Photo by Jennifer Mathes

Of course, not every neighbor was moved to permanently protect their land. In 1995, a 200-acre, centrally located farm went on the market, and the owner submitted a plan to the township to construct 80 houses on it, along with the necessary infrastructure to support these homes. Gathering their neighbors, Bonnie and Kathe, guided by local attorney, Peter Somers, formed a community partnership of investors to acquire the property for resale to conservation minded buyers. This became the model for the nonprofit Delchester Group, Inc., which, under the leadership of Bonnie, Peter and Alice Hausmann, and others has since been used to create community partnerships to acquire and save 17 properties comprising over 2,000 acres that would have otherwise been bulldozed and developed within Willistown.

After completing 90 conservation easements with the Brandywine Conservancy, in 1996 Bonnie and Alice took the next steps to turn their satellite organization into its own independent 501(c)(3) charity with the support of the community and the blessing of friend and Brandywine Conservancy President, Frolic Weymouth. Called Willistown Conservation Trust, the organization soon began preserving public trail easements and three public nature preserves — Ashbridge Preserve, Kirkwood Preserve, and Rushton Woods Preserve — in addition to completing many more conservation easements with local landowners. Under Bonnie’s leadership, the Trust expanded to over 25 employees, 22 Trustees and hundreds of volunteers, and today it offers six nationally renowned programs for public engagement and research, including the Bird Conservation, Community Farm, Education and Outreach, Land Protection, Stewardship, and Watershed Programs.

  • Alice Hausmann and Bonnie Van Alen in 1996
  • Alice & Bonnie Today!
    Photo by Jennifer Mathes

Looking back on her many accomplishments, Bonnie declares, “I think the thing that I love the most about this organization is interacting with our remarkable staff, our wonderful board of trustees and our many volunteers and supporters. Our staff is above and beyond incredible. They are experts in their field and completely devoted to what they do, and I’m regularly inspired by their passion.”

Kate Etherington is one of the newer staff members at the Trust, though she has been engaged with the organization for many years, first as a volunteer getting her hands dirty at Rushton Farm, and later serving on the Board of Trustees. In 2020 Bonnie, inspired by Kate’s dedication and skills, invited her to join the staff as Associate Executive Director. Kate brought to the role a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a breadth of management experience within the nonprofit sector. Like Bonnie, Kate grew up in the Chester County area where she spent her time as an avid horseback rider and member of the Radnor Hunt Pony Club. Her parents instilled in her a love of nature and appreciation for open space, where she spent many hours exploring the local woods, trails, streams, and fields. Today, Kate lives on a small farm in Easttown Township with her husband Ben and their three daughters, Lucy, Maggie, and Alice.

  • Meet the Etheringtons: Ben, Kate, Alice, Maggie, Lucy

“The landscape of Willistown would look completely different had it not been for Bonnie’s foresight, hard work and determination,” says Kate. “Her capacity to grow a small land trust into the organization it is today, with thriving programs and community events, is amazing. It is inspiring to see and learn from another woman’s leadership in our community.”

As Executive Director, Kate plans to continue focusing on land conservation and the critical properties in the Willistown area, as well as the smaller parcels that contribute to larger greenways. She hopes to further the Trust’s many robust environmental programs and to grow education and outreach efforts at the Rushton Conservation Center to reach a broader and more diverse group of people in the region and beyond.

In her transition, Bonnie will remain dedicated to the organization as President Emerita and by serving on the Trust’s Board of Trustees, assisting Kate with critical land conservation acquisition projects and fundraising endeavors to help the Trust reach its goal of conserving 4,000 more acres. She will also continue her work with The Delchester Group Inc., saving plenty of time for Jim and their beloved extended family, including six wonderful grandchildren.

  • Kate and Bonnie at Rushton Woods Preserve
    Photo by Jennifer Mathes

Filed Under: General, Land Protection, Staff

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

October 8, 2020 By Kelsey Lingle

A week-long event Art on the Trails: Preserve Gallery Walk with a pop-up picnic dinner on the lawn at the Rushton Conservation Center provided by our friends at Taste of Puebla. Wander the trails of Rushton Woods Preserve, enjoy the original Plein Air artwork by LandArt Events artists, and stay for a picnic with your group!

Pop-Up Picnic with Taste of Puebla
Friday, October 16th
from 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Rushton Conservation Center

Join us for a pop-up picnic dinner provided by our friends at Taste of Puebla held outside on the lawn at the Rushton Conservation Center. This event is BYOB, blanket, and chairs. There will be plenty of space to maintain social distancing while enjoying a menu featuring ingredients from Rushton Farm and other local Chester County farms. Guests are welcome to picnic on site or take their dinner to-go.

Ticket sales end at 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

Art on the Trails:
Preserve Gallery Walk
October 17th – 24th from 8 am – 6 pm
Kirkwood, Ashbridge, Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm

Explore the Trust’s preserves through a Plein Air artist’s eye during our week-long, self-guided gallery walk. Trail markers will display the artist’s artwork along the trails of Kirkwood Preserve, Ashbridge Preserve, and Rushton Woods Preserve for you to enjoy from the same location the artist set up their easel. The preserves are open from dawn to dusk for you to wander the trails and collect a canvas for your own home. Visit landartevents.com to purchase the original artwork. LandArt Events donates 15% of all sales to WIllistown Conservation Trust.

Pop-Up Picnic Dinner Menu
Art on the Trails

Filed Under: Farm, General, Nature Preserves, Sustainable Agriculture, Trails, Uncategorized

Troubled Times – Striving for a Better Future

June 10, 2020 By Communications Team

Dear Friends,

In the aftermath of the horrific murder of George Floyd, my heart aches for his family, for the Black community that he represents, and for the systemic racism that persists in America that enable such tragedies to continue to happen – to include the senseless murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

As individuals we can strive to make a difference by using our voices, our solidarity with peaceful protesters against police brutality, and our votes.

As an organization, we ask ourselves what the Willistown Conservation Trust can do to help heal the wounds of years of injustices and inequality that pervade our society. We recognize that we and the land trust community need to do better in taking up this challenge.

I believe that there is a lot more we can do to make a difference, and that with meaningful actions we will be not only helping the healing process but will be making our organization and the land trust movement stronger. Historically, the conservation of land and nature has been enjoyed primarily by the white segment of our society. We have had the privilege of feeling safe and free in nature while others feel threatened – as was evidenced by the experience of Christian Cooper, a Black birder who, on the same day as George Floyd’s murder, was falsely accused of violence while birding in Central Park.

We must strive to make our land, our natural resources and all of our programs, from Community Farm to Bird Conservation to Habitat and Watershed Protection, more widely accessible and welcoming to all. The opportunities for sharing and inclusion are many, and we pledge to renew our commitment to this goal, starting now.

As a first step toward developing a positive and intentional path forward we have begun to form a volunteer working group to address this complicated issue – starting with an introspective look at our own practices. The group will consist of staff, Trustees, and volunteers to include those who are passionate about the issues of Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Diversity in the conservation movement. We will share our progress with you in the next six months.

If you are interested in joining the conversation, please send me an email with your thoughts. All voices are welcome as we work together on this important topic.

With hope for a better future in these troubled times, I look forward to hearing from you.

Gratefully,

Bonnie Van Alen
President and Executive Director

Filed Under: Conservation, General

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

CONTACT

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

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Copyright © 2025 · WCTRUST.ORG