The Process of Preservation

As an accredited not-for-profit conservation organization with over fifty years of experience... allow us to explain!

There are many steps to preserving a property. One of the basic ways is to place a conservation easement on a property. It protects the property, but allows landowners to continue to own and use their land or pass it on to heirs. Heritage Conservancy assists landowners through this process. This includes thoroughly explaining what the landowner can expect to happen throughout the preservation process. We explain the general restrictions of a typical conservation easement and the potential tax benefits associated with donating the full or partial value of a conservation easement. We always recommend that a landowner seek professional tax advice if they choose to complete a bargain sale or full donation of the conservation easement.  

Interns Make a Difference! 

This summer, Taylor Thompson, an intern from Dickinson College studying Environmental Studies worked in our Properties & Programs department. Taylor learned how to complete baseline documentations on properties going through the preservation process, and how to monitor preserved properties. Along the way, Taylor showed a lot of interested in identifying invasive species of plants, shrubs and trees on these properties, and spent time learning more about what can be done to remove or control the spread of some of these species.  

Invasive species are a concern because they are introduced from another ecosystem and can dominate and limit the diversity of native species. This can result in the reduction of native plant species, habitat and food sources for native wildlife. Identifying invasive species is the first step in learning how to control them. By end of summer, Taylor had assembled a condensed invasive plant, shrub and tree field guide specific to Heritage Conservancy preserved properties in Upper Bucks County, which will be used by staff on future property visits.  

To learn more about interning with us, click HERE.  

Inaugural "Art of Preservation" Event in Upper Bucks County

Event Showcased Land Preservation Work in  

Cooks Creek Watershed

On Saturday, September 22nd, we hosted our inaugural Farm to Table Dinner Party in Upper Bucks County at Historic Kirkland Farm in Springtown, PA. A forecast of rain and thunderstorms did not discourage nearly 200 guests from attending our"Art of Preservation" event, which included an outdoor cocktail reception and sit-down dinner underneath open tents amidst 180 acres of large open fields, pastures and woods.

Members, business members, board and staff were in attendance, as well as representatives and supervisors from Springfield Township, and guests who were interested in learning more about us. During the event, President Jeffrey Marshall presented Zach Fuller with an accolade in honor of his parents, landowners Peter and Joan Fuller, for their early leadership of Land Conservation in the Cooks Creek Watershed.

Robin and Marty Staff, owners of Historic Kirkland Farm located in Cooks Creek Watershed, graciously hosted the event as a way to showcase the land preservation work we have completed in the area. Over the past three years, we have assisted in permanently preserving over 4,460 acres of land in Springfield and Durham Townships in Upper Bucks County.