Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages Hartman Meadow, Ashbridge, Kirkwood, Kestrel Hill and Rushton Woods Preserves. We maintain these lands to preserve and enhance … Learn more about our nature preserves.
SOLD OUT Winter Bird Walk and Coffee Talk
This event is sold out! But don’t worry, we’re busy planning more bird walks for you soon!
Did you know the bird population in the United States and Canada has declined by almost 30% — a total loss of 3 billion birds — since 1970 with habitat loss as a driving force? Or that 75% of the world’s coffee is farmed with practices that leave no place for birds, or worse, actively destroy forest habitat? Bird-friendly coffee habitat ensures a mix of foliage cover, tree height, and biodiversity that creates quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. We as consumers can make a difference with our choices.
Join us at Rushton Woods Preserve for a short lesson on bird-friendly coffee with Blake Goll, Education Programs Manager, followed by a walk aroud the preserve with Aaron Coolman to practice our birding skills. Bundle up and bring your binoculars and coffee-loving friends; this bird walk is for people of any skill level. We’ll have some local bird-friendly coffee brewed for participants to taste as well!
Bird-friendly coffee from West Chester roaster Golden Valley Farms will be available for purchase for $20, payable by cash or check.
About Blake Goll | Education Programs Manager
As the Education Programs Manager at the Trust since 2010, Blake has developed the Trust’s Rushton Nature Keepers program and curriculum for children, as well as other various outreach education programs for all ages. She also assists with the daily operations of the songbird banding and owl banding stations throughout banding season, and provides outreach to help educate the community about conservation. Blake is a North American Banding Council (NABC) certified bird bander, and some of her favorite activities include doing yoga, gardening, hiking with her shepherd mix, reading, cooking, and interior designing!
About Aaron Coolman | Motus Technician and Avian Migration Ecologist
As his title suggests, Aaron wears a lot of hats. With a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University, experience in residential garden design, former work as a USFWS Biotechnician, and history as a volunteer for the Maryland DNR Heritage Program, Aaron is a perfect fit at our organization, and has been working with the Trust since 2022. A nature enthusiast, Aaron spends much of his free time birding, gardening, volunteering for various conservation groups, and photographing…you guessed it…nature!
