12.7 More Acres on Twinbrook Road!
BERWYN, PENNSYLVANIA (NOVEMBER 11, 2019) The map of permanently conserved land in the Willistown area just got a little greener, thanks to Lawrie Harris. Lawrie donated a Legacy Conservation Easement to the Trust on November 11, 2019, protecting her 12.7 acres on Twinbrook Road from development forever. Located on Twinbrook Road in Easttown Township, in what is known as the Leopard Tract, the gently sloping site is primarily wooded and features a small tributary to Crum Creek named Grubb Mill Run. Read more.
Big Bird Banding Bender!
On October 30, 2018, the Rushton Woods Banding Station conducted the first Banding Big Day. During this 24-hour effort, banders opened the nets for songbirds before sunrise until dark. Closing the songbird nets while simultaneously opening the nets for migratory Northern Saw-whet owls, banders continued straight through the night until just before dawn on the 31st. The purpose of this is to ask whether the bird community shifts throughout the day here at Rushton, do birds change their foraging strategy later towards dusk, will we see different species throughout the day. Read the full report.
Ten More Acres on Grubbs Mill Road!
BERWYN, PENNSYLVANIA (Oct. 21, 2018) 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. Read more.
Thirty-Five Acres Near Kirkwood Preserve Now Permanently Protected
WILLISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA (Oct. 22, 2018)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... Read more.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Provides Grant to Track Bird Species of Greatest Concern in Mid-Atlantic Region
WILLISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA (Sept. 21, 2018) -- A research collaboration led by the Willistown Conservation Trust, in partnership with several state agencies and nonprofits, received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to dramatically expand a new migration tracking system across a five-state area. Read more.
Willistown Conservation Trust featured on Front Page of Philadelphia Inquirer
On June 19, 2018, Philadelphia Inquirer's lead article explored how land trusts have become a growing force for good in the region, together protecting thousands of acres of picturesque and environmentally sensitive lands from development. The Trust is honored to be included in this important recognition of what the land trust community has done for this region and beyond. Read more.
New Legacy Conservation Easement Protects Beautiful 5.6 Acres
May 2019, Willistown -This May, Jean Preston signed an official Legacy Conservation Easement at the Trust's office, protecting 5.6 acres of land. Her scenic property, off of Dutton Mill Road, features a wooded area and pond that drains to the Ridley Creek. Read more.
Willistown Conservation Trust and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Announce Collaboration Establishing Field Study Site
June 5, 2018, Willistown - Willistown Conservation Trust (the “Trust”) is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (the “Academy”) that establishes the Trust’s geographic focal area—encompassing the headwaters of four major tributaries of the Delaware River, the Chester, Crum, Ridley and Darby Creeks. Read more.
Migration Mystery - First State-wide Motus Array Installed
October 1, 2017, Willistown - Fueled by an unparalleled passion for birds, a remarkable team assembled by the Northeast Motus Collaboration completed the first state-wide array of receiver stations in Pennsylvania this past July, constructing 18 towers in 17 days. The network promises new hope for scientists who are working to save declining bird populations. Read more.
New Conservation Easement Protects Remaining 30 Acres of Hi Bid Farm
November 6, 2017, Willistown - 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. Read more.
Trust Receives William Penn Foundation Grant to Advance Watershed Protection
May 8, 2017, Willistown - Willistown Conservation Trust, whose founders have overseen the protection of more than 7,200 acres of open space in the Willistown area since 1979, has received a two-year $410,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation to increase its capacity for watershed protection. Read more.
New Plan to Boost Conservation and Protection of Open Space in Pennslyvania
September 28, 2016, Harrisburg - Bipartisan legislation to create a Growing Greener III program and provide $315 million in annual investments to protect the state’s water, land and other natural resources was introduced in the commonwealth capital of Harrisburg today. Read more.
Igniting Fascination Through Birdscaping
August 24, 2016, Willistown - Blake Goll, Nature Education Cordinator, was published in the September 2016 County Lines Magazine for her piece, "Igniting Fascination Through Birdscaping." Read more | Country Lines Magazine Article.
25 Additional Acres Protected Near Kirkwood Preserve
June 16, 2016, Willistown - David and Therese Rawson donated a conservation easement to the Trust which protects their entire 25-acre property. Located along the southeast border of Willistown Township, the property abuts hundreds of conserved acres, extending the contiguous area of protected land near the Trust's 83-acre Kirkwood Preserve. Read more.
Chester County Hits 'Odometer Moment' With Open Space
January 30, 2016, West Chester - Chester County’s open space odometer has rolled over. As of Dec. 1, 2015, the county government had used taxpayer funds set aside for open space preservation to keep 49,899 acres of land free from development. Read more | Daily Local News Article.
$8.55M Raised towards $10.5M Willistown Countryside Forever Campaign
January 25, 2016, Willistown - The Trust is gaining momentum with incredible community support as it nears the completion of its $10.55M capital campaign, Willistown Countryside Forever - A Campaign for Land, People and Nature. The campaign will ensure the future of the remarkable Willistown countryside. Read more.
Rushton Conservation Center Planned for 2016
January 15, 2016 - Willistown - A new education and research building at Rushton Woods Preserve is planned for construction beginning in 2016. The Rushton Conservation Center will serve as a gathering place and indoor classroom and research facility for the Trust's Community Farm, Bird Conservation, and Habitat Restoration Programs. Read more.
Rushton Woods Preserve Selected for Penn Bioblitz
June 4, 2015, Willistown - This weekend, Heather Kostick, a master of environmental studies candidate, will manage a team of at least 40 individuals in a “bioblitz” at the Willistown Conservation Trust’s Rushton Woods Preserve in Malvern, Pa. Read more | Penn Current Article.