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Heritage Happenings  
April 2013
 
 
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All Star Award
Heritage Conservancy's 2012 Annual Report is now available!
  Annual Report 2012
To view the report, click here.
Honey Hollow Watershed Symposium
Honey Hollow Logo
Saturday, May 4

9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
 
Bucks County Audubon Society Visitor Center at Honey Hollow
2877 Creamery Road
New Hope, PA 18938
 
Join us as we explore how the rich legacy of cooperative stewardship that began at Honey Hollow can be used today to inspire a new generation! 
 
To register, contact Joyce Austin at 215-345-7020 ext. 114. 
Click HERE for more details.
BioBlitz

Saturday, May 18 

7:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The Bristol Marsh Preserve, 

159 Basin Park, Bristol, PA 19007

  

A 24-hour event, we are discovering and documenting the various plant and animal life living in Bristol Marsh Preserve!

 

We will hold free workshops open to the public from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  For a schedule of the day, click here.

5th Annual Farm to Table Event!
Save the Date
Saturday, July 27 
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM 
Lindsay Farm in Warwick, PA

Join us for farm fresh food prepared by the best in Bucks County served in a rustic and picturesque outdoor setting.
 
This event sold out last year, so don't miss out!
 
Contact Katie Paone at 215-345-7020 ext. 108 for more information. 

We are applying for accreditation!

Accreditation

The Land Trust Accreditation Program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Heritage Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.

 

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant's policies and programs. 

 

Out of approximately 1700 land trusts nationwide, Heritage Conservancy are one of only 201(about 12%) that have received accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. This prestigious designation means that we have achieved national standards for excellence, trust and permanence

 

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Heritage Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, see http://landtrustaccreditation.org/tips-and-tools/indicator-practices.

 

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commision, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183, (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Heritage Conservancy's application will be most useful by June 30, 2013. 

Any time of year is perfect for a wedding at historic  
Aldie Mansion!



Visit our
for details.
Heritage Conservancy Welcomes Its Newest Members from The Conservancy of Montgomery County  
Cake Cutting  
L to R: Melissa Cahill (CMC Chairwoman), Marv Woodall (HC Chairman), Jeff Marshall (HC President), Mary Lou McFarland (CMC President)
 

On Wednesday, April 3rd, we hosted a successful welcome event at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, PA, for our newest members who hail from the Conservancy of Montgomery County (CMC). This occasion comes as part of the merging of CMC's programs and conservation easements with Heritage Conservancy, which we originally announced in December of 2012.

 

The event, which hosted over 60 guests, allowed CMC members and Heritage Conservancy's board and staff to mingle and discuss their passion for conservation. Like Heritage Conservancy, the Conservancy of Montgomery County focused on a dual mission of preserving both natural and historic resources, so CMC members found that their concerns will continue to be met. Heritage Conservancy has worked in Montgomery County for over ten years and will continue to use its skill set to add value to the community. CMC members were provided with educational materials that explained more about their new membership and programs that are offered throughout the year.

 

Mary Lou McFarland, President of CMC and newly appointed Senior Conservation Specialist for Heritage Conservancy, Marv Woodall, Chairman of the Board for Heritage Conservancy, and Jeff Marshall, President of Heritage Conservancy, welcomed the group and spoke about how beneficial the merger is in preserving the beautiful natural landscapes and historic resources of Montgomery County. Jeff Marshall reminded everyone that working together is the best way to achieve a common goal. "We need to see other organizations in this field not as competitors but as cooperatives working alongside each other. Heritage Conservancy is pleased to continue the good work of The Conservancy of Montgomery County."

 

As with any union, the merger was celebrated by the cutting of the cake. Marv, Jeff, Melissa and Mary Lou participated in this symbolic gesture, signifying a successful lifetime together.

Sad News for Heritage Conservancy's Preserved Durham Bat Hibernaculum

Cute bats

Bats get a bad "wrap," but these cute bundles show another side!

 

Once said to be the last hope for saving our local and regional bat population, biologists from the Pennsylvania Game Commission discovered at winter's end that the entire colony of bats living in the Durham bat hibernaculum has been decimated. The property on which the hibernaculum resides was acquired in 2002 by Heritage Conservancy for the purposes of ensuring the protection of the bat population's hibernating haven. Even with this protection from disturbance, the bats were unable to withstand the winter as a result of contracting the fatal infection that is devastating bat populations across the entire Northeast known as White Nose Syndrome (WNS).

 

One of the last hibernacula (winter roosting sites) in the region to become infected with the disease, White Nose Syndrome was confirmed at the Durham bat cave in the fall of 2009. In 2008, it was estimated that the cave hosted 8,000-10,000 healthy hibernating bats; this winter, 23 bats were found living in the cave, half of which had signs of WNS.

 

First documented in Albany, NY in 2007, White Nose Syndrome is an infectious disease that affects all hibernating bat species and has a 96% total mortality rate. The infection has since spread to sixteen states along the East Coast and Midwest, as well as four provinces in Canada.  WNS causes bats to lose their fat reserves, making it impossible for them to survive a winter in hibernation. They eventually starve to death. The fungus Geomyces destructans, believed to have been brought to the United States by hikers from Europe, has been identified as the causative agent. Infected bats have a white, cottony fungus present on their noses and wings. Since North American bats have no natural resistance to the fungus, and with no cure in sight, entire colonies have fallen victim to this disease at an alarming rate.

 

The ramifications of the decline in bat population could take a devastating toll on our ecosystem. One bat eats about 1,200 insects per hour in the summer; without bats to control pest levels, insects will fly rampant. Farmers will have no help from bats in repelling bugs, which could increase the use of insecticides. With insects such as mosquitoes that carry diseases, we could see an increase in human disease contractions.

 

Heritage Conservancy will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in keeping with protocol for the preserved Durham bat hibernaculum. Greg Turner, Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist, said optimistically of the hibernaculum, "Since we know the Durham mine was a special site that attracted thousands of bats before the disease, along with the fact that it is a protected site, it will likely be a very important site for those few survivors out there, and into the future should we see some stabilization in numbers and actual recovery."

 

"Heritage Conservancy will continue to protect this valued resource for the bat population. If they rebound, it will remain a haven to repopulate the colony," stated Jeff Marshall, president of Heritage Conservancy.

 

For more information on bats and White Nose Syndrome, click here.

Heritage Conservancy Honors Amy and Gary Manoff of Manoff Market Gardens at Annual Business Member Reception

Manoffs and Jeff

L to R: Gary Manoff, Amy Manoff, Jeff Marshall  

 

We held our annual Business Member Reception on Thursday, April 19th here at our headquarters, historic Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Manoff were presented with the Conservancy's 2013 Business Leader Conservation Award.

 

The event showcased Amy and Gary Manoff's significant and profound contributions to conservation. Founders of Manoff Market Gardens, their farm encompasses many facets of environmentally sustainable business practices, including the adoption of a Soil Conservation Plan to preserve the farm's rich soil and the creation of waterways and terraces to control and reuse rain water runoff. The Manoffs also installed a water conservation irrigation system to hydrate crops while minimizing water waste. Another exercise in sustainability, the farm uses agricultural tunnels that house climate sensitive fruits such as strawberries. These tunnels extend the growing season and reduce the need for pesticide use. As if these efforts in conservation weren't already impressive, Manoff Market Gardens actually resides on a protected property that was preserved and is owned by Heritage Conservancy! This represents a pioneer example of a model partnership between farmers and land trusts that Heritage Conservancy would like to replicate with other properties.

 

Linda Cacossa, Heritage Conservancy's Chief Operating Officer, and Jeff Marshall, Heritage Conservancy's president, offered their congratulations to the Manoffs. "Manoff Market Gardens continues to cultivate new techniques and revise plans to ensure that their farm runs with the utmost commitment to conservation," said Jeff Marshall. "As a business member and supporter of Heritage Conservancy, we are pleased to recognize Amy and Gary Manoff with the 2013 Business Leadership Conservation Award."

 

Amy and Gary accepted their award by presenting a slideshow that highlighted their journey from humble beginnings in 1984 to a successfully run farm market. Attendees were entertained and informed while engaged by this heartfelt acceptance. It was clear to everyone that the Manoffs love what they do.

 

The reception also honored the many business members who continue to promote the Conservancy's mission through their advocacy and generosity. Heritage Conservancy hosted a special evening where guests felt enthused to support local agriculture.

 

Sponsors of the event included Eiseman Construction Company Inc., Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, Univest Bank, Brooks and Barber Tree Management, Bucks County Bank, Hill Wallack LLP, Milestone Bank, National Penn Bank, Susquehanna Bank, Omnia Group Architects, The Weimer Group, Van Cleef Engineering Associates, Curtin & Heefner LLP, Dear Garden Associates Inc. and Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn.

Many Faces, One Voice:
Katie Paone, Executive Assistant
Katie2
Katie Paone began her career at Heritage Conservancy as a Membership and Special Events Intern in August 2012. Hard work and dedication led Katie to a full-time position when she was hired in December 2012 to fill the role of Executive Assistant. 

To excel in this position, one must possess exceptional organizational skills, and that's just what Katie has! As Executive Assistant, she acts as liaison in communicating with our Board of Directors as she plans Board meetings and compiles and sends out Board packets which contain the latest updates from committees within Heritage Conservancy. Katie schedules meetings and takes minutes for committees such as the Communications Committee, Development Committee, Christmas at Aldie Committee, Farm to Table Committee and Business Membership Committee.  

A crucial component to the mission of Heritage Conservancy, Katie handles all business membership by recruiting and maintaining relationships with our business members. Katie also plans special events here at Aldie Masion, one of which was our extremely successful Business Member Reception that took place this month! 

It is no surprise that Katie would flourish in a role that requires organization and planning. Katie received her Bachelor's degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Destination and Event Management from Temple University. 

Throughout her schooling, volunteering and interning within the industry, Katie felt inspired by Margaret Mead's famous quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 

"In a non-profit such as Heritage Conservancy, we would never make the progress we do without our volunteers, committee members and board members that donate so much of their time to furthering our mission. When I began working at Heritage Conservancy, I saw the meaning of this quote come to light," said Ms. Paone. 

Katie's commitment to Heritage Conservancy indeed means a great deal to the organization.