An additional 780 feet of the Crum Creek are protected forever. Another view of the newly protected stretch of creek. Therese, David, and Carter Rawson. prepare to color their property green on the Trust’s protected lands map as Erik Hetzel and Bonnie Van Alen look on. Another 10 acres of land are now permanently protected from development, thanks to the generosity and foresight of David, Therese and Carter Rawson, who donated a conservation easement conserving the land on October 22. What is remarkable about the easement is that this is the second easement the Rawsons have donated to the Trust, creating a total of 35 contiguous acres of Rawson family land in permanent protection. The newly protected 10-acre parcel includes 780 feet of Crum Creek and densely wooded floodplain near Kirkwood Preserve. The easement protects the sensitive areas near the creek, establishing a riparian buffer zone that ensures continuing protection for the area’s delicate ecology. With one primary residence existing on the property, it limits the size of the residence and prohibits the construction of additional primary residences and subdivision of the land. Restrictions on architectural details of future improvements, lighting, and fencing further ensure that the property will always be compatible with Chester County rural architecture. The easement also encompasses an equestrian and pedestrian trail easement, which leads to the Crum Creek. The Rawson’s generosity represents an significant gift to nature, contributing to clean water and providing healthy habitat for wildlife. As with all conservation easements, the protection granted in the easement will remain in perpetuity, even if the land is sold. As part of its mission, Willistown Conservation will visit the land annually to monitor its condition and ensure that the terms of the easement are upheld. People like the Rawson family, true heroes of the countryside, have permanently protected over 7,200 acres of the Willistown area from development. As shown by a recent census, efforts by land trusts like Willistown Conservation Trust have conserved a staggering 56 million acres across the nation, an area of protected land that is double the size of all the land in national parks across the lower 48 states. For more information about how we protect land, visit our land protection pages.

Ben and Kate Etherington The barn at Rooster Run Farm. Two of the Etherington children and the vegetable garden at Rooster Run Farm. Just a few of the farm animals at Rooster Run Farm.

The Trust added 10 more acres to our growing collection of permanently conserved lands when Kate and Ben Etherington granted a conservation easement to the Trust in mid-October.  The conservation of their idyllic ten-acre Rooster Run Farm, located within the 316-acre “Leopard Tract” on Grubbs Mill Road, is a true gift to the community.

“I grew up on this farm, and I am truly fortunate to be able to raise my own family here. This conservation easement ensures that Rooster Run will remain intact forever, and continue to be home to creatures and wildlife for future generations,” said Kate Etherington. “And to be able to share it, by protecting the view of the landscape, and with an equestrian trail easement, is especially important to us.”

The conservation easement protects the scenic views of the landscape on the property and prevents future subdivision or construction of additional primary residences. The protection also includes an equestrian trail easement that will link to a future trail network envisioned for the area.

Kate and Ben live on the farm with their three young daughters. Rooster Run is also home to a menagerie of animals, including chickens, turkeys, ponies, goats and a pig named Daisy. Ben and Kate are keen vegetable gardeners, tending a large cultivated plot on the farm.

The Etheringtons have worked with the Trust to create an easement that can both protect their land and be used as a model by other Leopard Tract landowners, simplifying the process for those who wish to similarly conserve their land. It is our hope that they will be inspired by the Etherington’s generosity and vision and follow suit, granting their own easements to further protect the ecological resources and rural character of the area.

As with all conservation easements, the protection granted in the easement will remain in perpetuity, even if the land is sold. As part Willistown Conservation Trust’s mission, the land will be visited annually to monitor the condition of the property and ensure that the terms of the easement are upheld.

As shown by a recent census, land trusts like Willistown Conservation Trust have conserved a staggering 56 million acres across the nation, an area of protected land that is double the size of all the land in national parks across the lower 48 states. Learn more about how we protect land here.

The last 30 acres of the beautiful 55-acre Hi Bid Farm were permanently protected from development today, when conservation buyer Caroline Moran signed a conservation easement at the Trust’s office. The land will remain privately owned by Ms. Moran, and the easement limits the number of primary residences permitted on the land to just two, instead of the seven which would have been permitted without the conservation easement. The easement specifies the locations of any future buildings and ensures that the existing woodlands and sensitive streamside areas near the property’s headwaters to the Ridley Creek remain undisturbed in perpetuity. Two new trails are also outlined in the easement, which make important permanent connections to the wider trail network to the north and to the east.

“Caroline is a true hero of the countryside”, stated Trust Executive Director Bonnie Van Alen. “She loves this land and has made a remarkably generous commitment to protect and care for it so that future generations of people and wildlife can enjoy it forever. “

The entire 55-acre Hi Bid farm was purchased by a partnership of private individuals organized by the Trust and Delchester Group, Inc. in January of 2015 to hold the land until conservation buyers like Ms. Moran could be located. The Hi Bid project represents the 15^th Community Conservation Partnership, resulting in nearly 2,000 acres of the Trust’s focal area protected in this way. These partnerships are a testament to the extraordinary commitment of the Willistown community to come together to preserve critical properties that might otherwise have been developed.

As is true of all conservation easements, the protection afforded by Hi Bid’s conservation easements remain with the land perpetually, even if the land is sold in the future. And as one of the most important parts of its mission, Willistown Conservation Trust stewardship staff will visit the land annually to monitor the condition of the property and provide management suggestions as requested.