Bat Update: July Count is Up 

Heritage Conservancy's Assistant Director of Development (and resident bat enthusiast!) Sandy Yerger has been involved in a summer "bat count" for Pennsylvania Game Commission for many years. The count has grown increasingly more important with the rampant spread of the fungus called Geomyces Destructans, or White Nose Syndrome, which has caused the death of millions of bats in the last four to five years. Summer bat counts provide information about maternal colonies and the successful birthing of baby bats (called pups). This data collection is important because bat experts across the country need it to determine the effects of White Nose Syndrome on the reproductive rates of bat populations.

The July count at a Bucks County maternal colony indicated an increase of about 33%; some mothers successfully produced healthy pups. Though this is good news, it must be said that in years past, the counts were much higher. The counts at this location in the past ranged from 1,900 to 3,000 bats at their peak.

If you have bats on your farm or property and you're not sure how to handle them, know that they will be leaving in late October or early November to return to their hibernation sites. There is also the option of placing a bat house on your property, which offers an alternate roosting site other than your house or barn during the summer months. 

Heritage Conservancy would not be able to complete important projects like the bat count without talented and dedicated volunteers. Our summer intern, Vanessa Curran, volunteered to count bats at the end of July. She said, "Counting bats was a wonderful experience! In a short time, I was able to understand how important these little creatures are to the environment. I have begun to hear more people discuss the fate of bats and it gives me hope! I am interested in seeing what happens to their progress against White Nose Syndrome."

Vanessa is a sophomore at Gettysburg College who is majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Writing. Vanessa hopes to find a job working in the field perhaps being a naturalist in our National or State Park system.

Lenape Sign Dedication

On July 8th, residents watched with interest as the Musconetcong River Management Council (MRMC) dedicated interpretive signs denoting the former location of two Lenape villages along the shores of the Musconetcong near Hampton and Hackettstown, NJ. The dedication was part of the Council's efforts to implement the conservation goals outlined in the Wild & Scenic River Management Plan for the Musconetcong. 

Chief Waddilove

 The ceremony included speeches by Heritage Conservancy's Landscape Architect, Karen Williamson, in her capacity as MRMC Chair; Bill Leavens, representing the Musconetcong Watershed Association; and other agency officials. Five members of the Munsee-Delaware First Nation of London, Ontario, Canada, were special guests. Chief Waddilove provided his insight on historical and recent tribal activities as part of the proceedings. The event included a tour of Winakung, a recreated Native American settlement at Waterloo Village and an exchange of gifts.

1859 Historic Map Project

A number of Bucks County municipalities were mapped in the period between 1858 and 1859 by Matthew, Michael and Thomas Hughes. The townships include Buckingham, Falls, Lower Makefield, Plumstead, Southampton, and Upper Makefield. Beverly Schaefer, a Heritage Conservancy intern from Bucks County Community College's Historic Preservation program, has undertaken the task of locating all the structures depicted on the maps, and then photographing them as they look today.  

According to Chief Preservation Officer Jeffrey L. Marshall, a surprising number of buildings from the 1800's have survived to the present time. "It is interesting to see the changes that have occurred over the last 150 years," Marshall said. "Porches, rooflines, and even sections of buildings have been modified in what appear to be well preserved examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings, but which have undergone alterations and later restoration to their original appearance."  

Maps like these help demonstrate the important role primary sources play in historic investigations.

Eco-man at Aldie Mansion

Ever wonder what you get when you combine Bill Nye the Science Guy with Mr. Rogers? Bucks County native Richard McLaughlin intends to show audiences just that when he stars as Eco-man in "The Eco-man Show." 

On Saturday August 13^th, Eco-man was at Aldie Mansion, along with an audience of children in pre-school through 4th grade, filming a pilot for a show he hopes will be aired by a television station and turned into a regular program for children. (McLaughlin's background is in Education and Child Psychology.) The theme of the pilot show is Watershed. McLaughlin says the goal of the show is to listen to kids and empower them to make a difference in their community, while teaching the importance of nature and the environment.

Why Aldie Mansion? McLaughlin says Eco-man was "born" here years ago, when he and a group of actors (in conjunction with Heritage Conservancy) performed a show called Haunted Earth on Earth Day, in which Eco-man saved the Earth from villains.

To learn more about Eco-man, visit his website HERE.

Heritage Conservancy's Third Annual Farm to Table Dinner

A Message from Linda J. Cacossa,   

Heritage Conservancy's Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Marshall, Chief Preservation Officer, Linda Cacossa, Chief Operating Officer and Marv Woodall, Chairman of the Board at Farm to Table on Sat. August 6th

~ * ~ 

"Open space makes our homes more valuable. It provides natural recreation areas for us to enjoy. It lowers taxes. Cleans our air, and provides a habitat for our native wildlife species. It adds to our quality of life."

"I don't believe produce should have to travel 3,000 miles to get to your plate. The foods used tonight in your meal were grown in local soil."

"As farmers, we love the land and care for it as if it were a part of us. This is our livelihood; this is our future."

"We pass this world onto our children. We have to make a conscious effort to think about what it is we are leaving to them."

~ * ~ 

These are just a few sentiments shared last week at our third annual Farm to Table dinner, where more than 130 guests joined us for what turned out to be an incredible evening of beautiful scenery, delectable food, and stimulating conversation about conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Supporting concepts such as 'food mile,' 'community supported agriculture,' and 'farm to table' are all part of Heritage Conservancy's mission to preserve our region's rich natural, agricultural and historic heritage.  

The food prepared by Earl's Bucks County and Jamie Hollander Gourmet was locally sourced and absolutely delicious. The picturesque scenery at Lindsay Farm in Warminster: breathtaking. Originally a large dairy farm with a history that dates back to the American Revolution, the Conservancy took possession of the farm in 1988 to preserve an important piece of Bucks County rural heritage. 

You can help us to continue to make a difference. Say that protecting our natural and cultural resources matters to you and become a member.

Because preserving land gives us clean drinking water, purified air and local food! 

Sincerely,

Linda Cacossa

P.S. - If you missed this year's sold out Farm to Table event, be sure to reply to this email and let us know if you'd like to be added to our Farm to Table mailing list. This way, you will be among first to know plans for next year's event!

To see more photos from this event, check out our Facebook album HERE.