Help Us Continue Our Efforts in the Quakertown Swamp

 

Wetlands play a vital role in our environment and provide significant benefits. For many years, we have been involved in the preservation of this vital habitat in one of our region's most significant wetlands, the Quakertown Swamp, located southeast of Quakertown in Bucks County. In recent years, we have expanded our conservation mission in this area to not only preserve the land but also connect people to the land through education and community volunteerism.

The Quakertown Swamp is a unique wetland that provides critical habitat for beaver, fox, over 91 species of birds, and numerous species of amphibians. Most amphibians require both land and water, at different stages of their lives, to survive and reproduce. Amphibians are born in water as larval forms and eventually undergo metamorphosis, changing into an adult form. Many species leave the water to live out their adult lives in a terrestrial environment, but they must return to water to breed and lay eggs.

Amphibians are excellent bio-indicators. They have permeable skin that can easily absorb toxic chemicals from both air and water, making them very sensitive to any environmental changes, such as changes in air and water quality. A drop in population could be an indication of the degradation of the health of the surrounding environment. They are a vital part of the swamp's functioning ecosystem.

In the Quakertown Swamp, frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians indigenous to the area must cross a busy road in order to get to vernal pools to breed, and the journey can be quite dangerous. Passersby usually don't notice them on the road, and few cars slow down to allow them to cross safely. The impact on local amphibian populations has been drastic. During peak migration, drivers unwittingly kill hundreds every night.

To help move these creatures out of harm's way, our staff united with concerned residents and together formed the Quakertown Swamp Amphibian Rescue Partnership. In late February 2012, this dedicated team of staff and volunteers rescued almost 1,000 amphibians. We also used this opportunity to verify the type and number of species, and compiled a scientific report to help determine future conservation actions for these crossing locations. In tandem with the rescue, environmental programs were provided to the surrounding community.

Your extra gift now to our 2012 Annual Fund will help us continue our efforts to preserve this critical wetland for its environmental benefits to people and the wondrous animals that call it home.  

Click HERE to make your tax-deductible 2012 contribution.

A Story of Sustainable Farming

We have made great strides in our more than fifty year history, including the perpetual preservation of over 10,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We specialize in historic and open space preservation, and we are committed to preserving land for agricultural use.  

Gary and Amy Manoff began farming Heritage Conservancy's property on Comfort Road in Solebury, PA in 1984. Though the property was preserved for farming because it contained highly productive agricultural soils, the orchard and land had been overgrown for 25 years, and there was a lot of work to be done in order to sustainably farm the land.  

The Manoffs worked with us and preserved the soil, and erected waterways and terraces to control rain water runoff. They installed a well and connected drip irrigation lines to use the most effective and environmentally sound method available for keeping crops growing. Today, Manoff Farm raises some of the most sought after produce in the area, and is a living example of a sustainable agricultural project made possible by Heritage Conservancy.  

Join Us in Welcoming Five New Members to the Board of Trustees