Rt. 113 Heritage Corridor Bike Ride
Scenic Cycling Along the Historic Route 113 Corridor
New Date:
Saturday May 14
Learn more and register today!
Based on popular demand, we've modified our already exciting bike routes to encompass three new rides:
10-mile family ride
30-mile ride loop: that parallels Rt.113 through historic Bucks and Montgomery Counties With a fully stocked rest stop and gourmet lunch afterwards
65-mile ride loop: that also parallels Rt. 113 through Bucks and Montgomery Counties With two fully stocked rest stops: one at the Irish Meetinghouse in Bedminster and the other at James Heckler Park in Harleysville. Return to the Souderton Mennonite Church for a sensational lunch prepared by the Lederach Tea Room.
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Friend Us on Facebook!
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Follow and recommend us to your friends on Facebook!
Now everyone can keep up-to-date with what's happening around the Conservancy.
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Weddings at Aldie Mansion
Any time of year is perfect for a wedding at historic Aldie Mansion!
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Our accredited status demonstrates our commitment to excellence, trust and permanence.
Out of about 1,700 lands trusts nationwide, we're one of only 113 to receive this recognition.
Learn more!
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Who We Are ...
Simply put, we are a 52-year "young," not-for-profit conservationorganization that has been a loyal caretaker to the places you call home.
Your continued support allows us to serve our community and its environs with a complete range of proven services that encompass open space and historic preservation as well as natural resource protection. Thank you for being such an integral part of our success -- and for your generous giving.
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Stay Informed!
Visit our website to learn more about our conservation efforts and how your support can make a real difference in our region's quality of life.
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New Member Special!
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| Membership Has its Rewards! |
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Become a new member of Heritage Conservancy and you'll receive a handy Conservancy tote bag!
Strong enough to haul groceries and other essentials, this great bag is made of 100% recycled material (of course!).
Click HERE to become a member today! Or contact Sandy at 215.345.7020 x103 to learn more.
Thank you for helping preserve our natural and historic resources! |
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Heritage Conservancy Celebrates William Hart Rufe's Commitment to Conservation
On Friday, April 15th, over 150 family members, friends, dignitaries, Conservancy staff and Board of Director members gathered at Aldie Mansion to celebrate William Hart Rufe III's 30+ years of service to Heritage Conservancy as past president and Chairman of the Board.
In keeping with Judge Rufe's life-long passion for birding, the mansion's ballroom was festively decorated with colorful birdhouses that were hand-painted by local Girl Scouts from Troops 2919, 22077 and 21447. AARK, the Bucks County wildlife rehabilitation organization, delighted guests by providing an opportunity to meet live owls and a downy woodpecker during the cocktail hour.  It was the desire of the Judge and his family that all proceeds from the event benefit the William Hart Rufe III Legacy Fund , which will support the internship program at Heritage Conservancy. That evening, the Conservancy announced that over $25,000 had been raised for the legacy fund. To contribute to the fund, please mail a check to Heritage Conservancy, 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA, 18901 or call 215-345-7020, ext. 128 for more information. Acknowledging Judge Rufe's 30-year legacy, the Honorable Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) presented him with a citation on behalf of all of her Bucks County-based colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Bucks County Commissioners Charles Martin and Robert Loughery awarded Judge Rufe a proclamation officially declaring April 15, 2011, as William Hart Rufe III Day. Additional citations honoring the Judge's work in preservation were also provided by State Congressman Chuck McIlhinney and US Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick.  | | Commissioners Loughery and Martin with William Hart Rufe III |
Read more...
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Last Call for Heritage Partnership Awards Nominations
Heritage Conservancy is still seeking nominations for deserving recipients for its 2011 Heritage Partnership Awards. Nominations must be received by the Conservancy either electronically or by mail no later than Friday, April 29, 2011 to be considered for this year's awards.
Our Heritage Partnership Awards Program pays tribute to and recognizes individuals, organizations, government agencies, community groups and leaders who have made significant contributions in the areas of land conservation, historic preservation, watershed protection, sustainable agriculture, livable communities and the environment at large.
Award Categories: Land Conservation, Historic Preservation and
Community Leadership/Grassroots Partnership
The awards will be presented at our Annual Garden Party, Thursday, June 9.
Click HERE for more information about each award category.
Click HERE to view or print the nomination form.
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Land Preservation Still High Priority In Springfield Township
In the first four months of 2011, Heritage Conservancy facilitated the preservation of three properties--totaling just over 100 acres in Springfield Township's Cooks Creek Watershed area.
The first of the three conserved properties is the 68-acre Harrington property, which is a combination of actively farmed land with numerous pockets of deciduous woodlands. The farm connects to over 1,000 acres of contiguous protected open space in Springfield Township.
The Sandy property is 22 acres of woodlands with a pond and an unnamed tributary of Cooks Creek running through it, thus providing an excellent habitat for the area's wildlife. This property is also adjacent to preserved land.
 | | Sandy Property Pond |
The last of the three parcels is the 13-acre Stefanik family property, which boasts prime farmland and woodlands and contains a portion of Tumble Creek, a sub-watershed of the Saucon Creek. This property is also in proximity to other preserved lands.
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The importance of preserving these properties lies in their location adjacent to or near other preserved lands. It is not enough to preserve isolated parcels of unconnected open spaces. Both plants and animals rely on large habitat areas for their survival. Maintaining large areas of open space through the preservation of contiguous parcels of land improves water quality and better supports our native plants and animals.
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April Showers Bring Wonderful May Flowers and (Produce!)
One of my most enjoyable activities as Heritage Conservancy's new Chief Operating Officer has been visiting many of our preserved properties and learning about their roles in the community. Recently, on a warm sunny April day, I had the pleasure of visiting with the proprietors of Manoff Garden Farms, Amy and Gary Manoff.
Gary and Amy began leasing the farm located on Comfort Road in Solebury Township from Heritage Conservancy in 1984. The Conservancy originally preserved the orchard when it had belonged to the Roberts family. Because the farm had been untended for many years, the Manoff's had to reclaim much of the land from weeds and invasive plants. With a strong desire to be good stewards of the land, Amy and Gary began their orchard project by following a Soil Conservation Plan to preserve the rich soil. They erected waterways and terraces to control rain water runoff. Then they installed a well and connected drip irrigation lines to use the most efficient and environmentally sound method available for keeping crops growing. "Our patrons truly appreciate that the farm has been preserved," noted Amy. "It's been a real benefit to our business," she added.
Following the history of the farm, Amy and Gary planted their first Peach Orchard block with White Hale peach trees as well as a few other varieties. White Hale peaches were made famous in the neighborhood years before when the Johnson family farmed the orchard. Today, the Manoff's many varieties of fruit include white and yellow nectarines, six varieties of strawberries and twenty different varieties of apples.
As I walked around the farm chatting with Amy and Gary, I admired their hard work and dedication to providing our residents with delicious home-grown fruits. Their love of the farm, their conscientious use of the land and their positive impact in the community made me proud of the role Heritage Conservancy plays in successfully helping farmers provide local foods to our communities in a sustainable manner. I look forward to leading Heritage Conservancy toward a greater role in conserving our lands while meeting the needs of our residents.
Linda J. Cacossa
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