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To preserve and protect our natural and historic heritage
 
Heritage Happenings  
Early-summer 2014
  
 
Help us name our gargoyle!

You might recall the mysterious reappearance of our missing gargoyle back in May. We are thrilled to have it back, and we're looking forward to reinstalling it on its perch at the front of Aldie Mansion. Before we do that though, we need your help in naming it! Email Alex at [email protected] 
with your name suggestions. We'll take a vote on our top 5 favorite names in the next issue of Heritage Happenings!
Quick Links

    @lisabethweber snapped this shot of this group of talented musicians before performing at our Concerts in the Garden event on June 18th. 

Follow us on Instagram and use #heritageconservancy on your posts that capture our area's natural and historic heritage, and we might feature your photo in an issue of Heritage Happenings!

Foraging for Edible Mushrooms
Saturday, July 12th
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 
Location at a Heritage Conservancy preserved property TBD(Call for details)
 
Which mushrooms can we eat? Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods and Catering chef, Luke Smithson, will lead a hike to find wild edibles and provide a light picnic lunch for attendees. 
 
$15 for members; $20 for non-members. Cost for this event will be credited toward your Farm to Table ticket. Please register with Tammy at 215-345-7020 ext. 107 and mention if you will be purchasing Farm to Table tickets. Click HERE for more information. 
Concerts in  the Garden
Wednesday, July 16th
6:30 to 8:30 PM
Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901
 
We had such a lovely evening and a wonderful turnout for our first concert...don't miss the second concert of this three-part series! Enjoy music in the backyard garden of Aldie Mansion under a summer sky.
 
Performing musicians are the Bucks County Playhouse Youth Company (with songs from Beauty and the Beast!), a barbershop quartet from Bucks Country Gentlemen, Faith and Practice, and a jazz duet with Art D'Angelo and Bob Miles.
 
 Alcohol is prohibited, and child supervision is required. Bring your own chair or blanket. Registration not  necessary. Cost is free for everyone; members do receive special benefits. 
Click HERE for more information.
To view photos from the June 18th Concerts in the Garden, click HERE.
 
Save the date for the last concert in the series: August 13th
Tracks and Tales
Saturday, July 19th
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM 
Forest Grove Presbyterian Church
1856 Forest Grove Road
Forest Grove, PA 18922
 
Who made these tracks?! Engage in an exciting exploration to find and identify animal tracks on one of our preserved properties. This is a great event for the whole family!
 
Free for members and children under 12; $5 for non-members. Please register with Tammy at 215-345-7020 ext. 107.
 Click HERE for more information.
6th Annual Farm to Table
Saturday, July 26th
Beginning at 6:00 PM
Lindsay Farm in Warwick(Jamison), PA
 
Join us at our picturesque Lindsay Farm Preserve and enjoy a meal prepared by Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering made using fresh food 
from local farms. 

For more information, contact Katie at [email protected] or 215-345-7020 ext. 108, or click HERE to purchase tickets.
"Green Futures: Connecting Students and Communities" Forum 
Wednesday, July 30th
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
and
Thursday, July 31st
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901

 

Join us at Aldie Mansion for a forum and field trip that will help you to better understand the forces and choices that shape a community and region through environmental planning. This is a great two-day seminar for municipal representatives and teachers!  

 

To learn more, or to register, click HERE.  Contact Kris at 215-345-7020 ext. 101 if you have any questions.

The Art of Preservation: A Farm to Table Dinner Party
Art of Pres 2013 Saturday, September 20th
4:00 to 8:00 PM
Historic Kirkland Farm
2510 Old Bethlehem Road
Springtown, PA 18081 
 
Join us for an elegant evening of cocktails and locally sourced delicacies on a historic farm at our 3rd annual Farm to Table event in Upper Bucks County. 
Proceeds will benefit land preservation efforts, including farmland, in the 
Upper Bucks area. 
 
To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Any time of year is perfect for a wedding at historic  
Aldie Mansion!



Visit our
for details.
A BioBlitz at Bristol Marsh
 Students from Bristol Junior High School discovering plant and animal life
 at Bristol Marsh
 
On May 22nd and May 23rd, we held a BioBlitz at the Bristol Marsh for over one hundred 7th grade students from Bristol Junior High School. Over the course of 24 hours, the students discovered and documented as many species of plants and animals living in the marsh as they could find. This event provided the students with hands-on fieldwork experience, and it taught them about the importance of the truly unique freshwater tidal marsh that they have right in their backyard. The first day of the BioBlitz was humid and mosquito-ridden, but the students were not deterred and they came back the next day with just as much enthusiasm as the first. And how could they not be enthused? Among other wildlife, the students sighted a bald eagle, an osprey, and a turtle hatchling the size of a quarter!
 A baby turtle that was found at the marsh  
We received an outpouring of thanks from the students who participated in the BioBlitz. It is very important to us to shape the younger generation of environmental stewards and to foster a strong connection with nature, so receiving handmade thank you cards meant so much to us! One of our favorites: "We and the Bristol Marsh grow every day thanks to you." The BioBlitz was a fun educational event for everyone, including our staff! 

Back for the 6th year in a row!

 

Our highly anticipated From Farm to Table event is back with an opportunity to provide guests with a uniquely Bucks County dining experience! Taking place on Saturday, July 26th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, the event is located at the picturesque Heritage Conservancy-owned Lindsay Farm Preserve in Warminster, PA.

 

This BYOB event boasts a farm-fresh meal, creatively prepared by acclaimed chefs from Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering. Hors d'oeuvres followed by a buffet-style dinner will be served in a rustic and a beautiful outdoor setting. While indulging in these mouthwatering delicacies, guests will have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions for a variety of exciting items provided by local artisans and vendors. 

 

This event is perfect for the foodie who has a passion for sustainability, local agriculture, and protecting the land that our farmers depend on. Proceeds from Farm to Table benefit will land conservation efforts in our community.

 

Tickets are selling fast but are still available. Click HERE to purchase tickets, or contact Katie Paone at 215-345-7020 ext. 108 to reserve yours today!

For the Birds

L to R: Elizabeth Grietzer, Larissa Babicz, Diane Allison, and Jennifer New

 

Over the course of two weeks in the beginning of June, we managed a nesting bird survey of the Quakertown Swamp. Diane Allison, a dedicated Heritage Conservancy volunteer and avid birder, led the charge in completing a comprehensive study of the breeding bird population in the Quakertown Swamp. Along with other volunteer birders and students from Delaware Valley College who were shadowing the experts, the group took multiple visits a day at various times over the two weeks to observe and record species of birds that were exhibiting nesting behaviors in the area. 

 

Quakertown Swamp has long been recognized as an exceptional wetland habitat, encompassing an area of approximately 518 acres of land in Richland, East Rockhill and West Rockhill Townships. It is among the largest inland wetlands in southeastern Pennsylvania and is home to diverse plant and animal communities. (You might recall our Amphibian Rescue Partnership in the Quakertown Swamp.) Quakertown Swamp supports several rare bird species and has been designated by the National Audubon Society as one of 70 Important Bird Areas in the state. In fact, it is home to what may be the largest Great Blue Heron rookery in eastern Pennsylvania. 

 

With a focus on our 84-acre wild plant sanctuary located in the heart of the swamp, the group sighted over 50 different species of birds during their outings. Several of the species that were found nesting in the swamp included the red-bellied woodpecker, the tree swallow, the house wren and the eastern bluebird. This is a small sampling of the overall number of species in the swamp. Since birds are migratory, a survey performed in a different season would most likely bring a whole "flock" of different species, which is why we plan to perform a migratory survey in the fall. 

 

It's important to monitor our natural resources to understand their development and any changes or fluctuations in wildlife that might occur, so we performed this survey to help us better understand what we have living in the swamp. The results of the study will be used to enhance best management practices in stewarding the unique habitat and vital natural resources in the Quakertown Swamp. We'll also develop an educational brochure on the birds of Quakertown Swamp using our results. As part of the overall project to encourage birding and ecotourism in our area, we will host several workshops to educate our community about different bird species and how to identify them and how to develop healthy habitats for birds that encourage nesting in your own backyard. We will keep you updated as we progress with these adventures! 

Fuller Preserve Cleanup
Volunteers and staff on the Jere Knight Trail 

In honor of National Trails Day on June 7th, we held a cleanup of the Jere Knight Trail located on the Fuller Preserve in Springfield Township. Jere Knight, wife of novelist Eric Knight who wrote Lassie Come Home, was a strong advocate for open space in Bucks County. The 1.2-mile namesake was previously used as a tree identification walk, but storms have taken their toll. Thanks to the assistance from volunteers and staff, the restoration and cleanup has begun. Once trail restoration is complete, small signage on some of the varieties of tree species along the trail will be added for a self-guided tree identification walk.

Annual Members Garden Party 

 L to R: Jacob Danko, Tammy Schane (Membership Coordinator), and Callie Danko. Jacob and Callie received the Youth Award for the dedication to environmentalism.

 

 

On Thursday, June 12th, we hosted our annual Members Garden Party, a member appreciation and donor recognition event, at historic Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, PA. Rain may have prevented guests from partaking in the "garden" part of the celebration, but imperfect weather did not stop nearly 125 people from enjoying an inspiring evening where we honored members of our community with Heritage Partnership Awards for their extraordinary commitment to conservation of our natural and historic heritage. 

 

As guests dined on delicious hors d'oeuvres from Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering,we presented an awards ceremony that paid tribute to individuals and groups that continue to make a significant impact for conservation and the environment. 

 

The first award was presented to the Keller Family. The Land Conservation Award was bestowed upon Jim and Dolores Keller and John and Linda Keller for the difference they've made in our community by preserving their properties that total over 400 acres combined. Jim and Dolores own the last remaining dairy farm in Springfield Township, and they had it preserved by the county in 2001. A few years ago, they allowed Heritage Conservancy to begin a habitat restoration project in the middle of one of their pasture areas; in order to do this, Jim and Dolores had to rearrange their pastures and grazing schedules for the cattle. They didn't have to agree to this project, but they cared so deeply about it that they were willing to disrupt their lives. Thanks to them, the Conservancy was able to enhance and further protect critical wetlands that contain rare and endangered species of plant and wildlife. Environmental conscientiousness runs in the family. John and Linda Keller preserved two farms in 2006 that totaled over 150 acres. With the proceeds they received from the sale of the conservation easement, they purchased a 70-acre property in Richland Township. On this property, they restored the old farmhouse, cleaned it up, and made it an important part of the scenic landscape in the township for everyone to enjoy. 

 

The next award was given to Jacob and Callie Danko. This brother-sister duo has already made a huge difference in our community, and they are just getting started! At 14 and 11 years old, their volunteerism and contributions to conservation earned them the Youth Award. As huge fans of Steve Irwin, the wildlife expert best known as the "The Crocodile Hunter," Jacob and Callie were motivated to take action after his unfortunate death. They contacted the Australian Zoo, and the zoo encouraged them to become Junior Ambassadors for Wildlife Warriors, a wildlife habitat conservation organization. Together, they have raised over $8,000 for the organization. As Junior Ambassadors, they promote conservation by speaking in front of classmates and holding educational booths at community events. Along with this, they attend many local property cleanups throughout the year to help keep our area beautiful. For historic preservation, an important component of the Conservancy's mission, they volunteer with the annual Boileau Festival at the last colonial farmstead in Upper Moreland Township, and they helped petition to save the stone barn circa 1802 on Illg's property in Warrington Township by obtaining over 80 signatures. Jacob and Callie are inspirations, and they are true testaments that you can make a difference at any age. 

 

 The Doylestown Food Co-op received the award for Community Leadership/Grassroots Partnership. This group started as a small but mighty group of individuals who believed in the importance of supporting local agriculture. The Co-op began as a pickup and distribution food club in 2009 that provided residents with better access to locally produced foods. After an influx in membership, it was apparent that there was a need for a brick and mortar store. It took years of hard work and dedication to get the Doylestown Food Co-op store up and running, but they persevered, and the community is benefitting as a result. Linda Cacossa, Chief Operating Officer for Heritage Conservancy, described niche roles in our community's ecosystem. "While Heritage Conservancy works hard to assure that there will be open space for our farmland, it doesn't end there. It's a partnership. If you stopped by the Doylestown Food Co-op this month, you would see beautiful strawberries from Manoff Market Gardens. The Manoffs grow their magnificent fruit on preserved land owned by Heritage Conservancy. These are partnerships that enrich our community." 

 

For a lifetime dedicated to preserving our beautiful open spaces, Bruce McNaught received the Lifetime Achievement in Conservation Award. In 1980, Bruce became Executive Director of Bucks County Audubon Society and Honey Hollow Watershed Association, which also operated the Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center. In 1989, he negotiated the merger of the two organizations into a single entity. Bruce also successfully helped negotiate a real estate transaction with PECO Energy to purchase 70 acres and place conservation easements on an additional 100 acres in the Honey Hollow Watershed National Historic Landmark to raise the total protected acreage to approximately 725 acres. He also coordinated the $1 million renovation of the circa 1936 R. Brognard Okie barn into an education and visitor center that attracts thousands of school children each year to genuinely experience the natural world. Bruce also had a leadership role in Heritage Conservancy's Significant Natural Area Protection Program (SNAPP). To this day, Bruce continues to leave a legacy through his work with conservation and environmental nonprofit organizations. 

 

"It is with great respect that we honor these individuals for their commitment to making a difference in our community through their volunteerism and contributions to conservation of our natural and historic resources," said Jeffrey Marshall, president of our organization. "Thank you to all of our members and supporters of our mission. Because you care about your community, you allow our organization to preserve and protect the unique heritage of our area."

 

To view more photos from this event, click HERE!

 

Supporters of the event include the following Business Leaders for Heritage Conservancy: Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, The Thompson Organization, Eiseman Construction Company, Inc., Penn Color, Inc., Cross Keys Place Shopping Center, Univest Bank and Trust Company, AmeriStructure LLC, Brooks & Barber Tree Management, Curtin & Heefner LLP, Dear Garden Associates, Inc., Hill Wallack LLP, Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering, National Penn Bank, PPL Corporation, and Zaveta Custom Homes, LLC. Sponsors of the Garden Party included QNB Bank, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, and Moore Cleaning, LLC.