The L e a f l e t N E W S B R I E F F R O M W I L L I S T O W N C O N S E R V A T I O N T R U S T | F A L L 2 0 1 2

2 | W I L L I S TO W N C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T

When we saw this “pocket” of open space with its diverse landscape, rolling hills, mature woodland and beautiful streams we knew it was a very special place. A refuge from urban life. On our first visit the spring buttercups were blooming everywhere and the children jumped out of the car and immediately began holding them under their chins. This farm would have been developed years ago had the previous owners not worked with the Trust to prevent that from happening by placing a conservation easement on it. They loved this land so much that they wanted it to be here for others to enjoy forever, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have the privilege of cherishing it as they did. Being part of a community that values land preservation, we hope our children grow up, not only to appreciate such rare beauty, but also to observe and teach others that careful stewardship of the land and sustainable agricultural practices can go hand-in-hand.

- Francine Sella

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LEFT: Francine and Roberto Sella (shown here with kids Luca and Leila and one of their pasture-raised Large Black heritage breed pigs) at their Paper Hill Farm in Willistown, where they plan to produce sustainably grown pasture-raised food on a small scale.

When I first visited the Willistown area, I was struck by the beauty of the countryside and the breadth of the Trust’s work to preserve it. While suburban sprawl has led to the loss of “sense of place” in areas throughout our country, remarkably, the Willistown area has maintained its unique character, thanks in large part to the Trust and this wonderful community who have been working together to preserve it for more than thirty years. As a mother of an eight-year old and a six-year old, I strive to instill in them an appreciation of nature. In a world that is becoming increasingly technological, it’s important to take the time to get outside to experience the natural world. Through its wonderful programs, beautiful preserves, and open space, the Trust encourages people to do just that. I am excited for the opportunity to help the Trust continue its crucial work of preserving the rural character of this community and connecting people to nature.

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- Laura de Ramel Director of Development and Community Outreach

SHOWN AT RIGHT

INSPIRED BY THE LANDTestimony from a Land Owner and New Director

Rushton Farm’s unique setting within the 80-acre Rushton Woods nature preserve makes a powerful outdoor classroom. It’s teeming with life and appeals to all the senses of a child, as beautifully captured in these two pieces created by kids in a recent Junior Bird Club poetry and art workshop. Over 800 children participated in education programs at the Trust’s preserves during 2012.

A Child’s Perspective Farm fields and wildlife at Rushton Woods Preserve spark imagination

FALL 2012 | 4

To many, “scrub” describes that bushy, brambly, shrubby area that tends to be underappreciated in the landscape. We often want to tidy it up or, in many cases, just plain clear it. But before you crank up the brush hog, we need to collectively understand that these areas are essential habitat, especially for newly fledged baby birds, and their removal can spell real trouble for our bird populations. Earlier this year, Valley Forge Audubon Society, in partnership with the Willistown Conservation Trust, Audubon Pennsylvania, The Achievement Project (“TAP”) in Chester, and the Melton Center in West Chester, received $20,500 from

the National Audubon Society and Toyota TogetherGreen Innovation Grant program to raise awareness of the importance of this early successional scrub habitat, which includes woody shrubs, small trees and grasses that are transitioning into woodland habitat. Three demonstration areas are under development at Ashbridge Preserve, Rushton Woods Preserve, and Ridley Creek State Park. Hands-on activities will include the removal of invasive plants, the addition of native shrubs, and the selective mowing of grassland plots to encourage colonization by native species. Community engagement and education will occur throughout the initiative, involving community volunteers as well as students from TAP and the Melton Center. “The volunteers from TAP and the Melton Center, representing a broad range of ages, races, and backgrounds will be an innovative

team with which to raise awareness of early successional scrub habitat,” said Audubon Pennsylvania Important Bird Area Coordinator Brian Byrnes. “By involving urban and suburban volunteers and landowners and promoting its importance and replicability through workshops and brochures, we hope to shift area residents’ suburban mentality to a mindset that sees the natural and ecological beauty of early successional scrub habitat.” Since 2008, over $5.5 million in TogetherGreen Innovation Grant funding has been awarded to more than 200 environmental projects nationwide. This year’s 41 Innovation Grant projects will receive over $1 million in funding and will involve more than 500 partner organizations.

LEFT: A young Yellow-bellied flycatcher at the Rushton Woods Preserve banding station. The survival of many young birds depends on early successional scrub habitat comprised of woody shrubs, small trees, grasses and wildflowers, like those shown here at Rushton Woods Preserve. The dense cover provides protection from predators and provides rich food sources for newly fledged birds, during the most vulnerable year of their lives.

While the Willistown area enjoys

vast expanses of protected open

space that attract large numbers

of nesting birds, many landowners

unknowingly eliminate critical

bird habitat by clearing these vital

patches of “scrub-shrub” growth.

For The Sake of Baby BirdsTRUST AND AUDUBON RECEIVE GRANT TO PROMOTE VITAL SHRUB HABITAT

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJeanne B. Van Alen

President/Executive Director

Douglas C. WalkerHon0rary Chairman

Mark T. LedgerChairman

Alice E. HausmannVice Chairman

Elizabeth C. Hucker Treasurer

Langhorne B. SmithSecretary

James L. Van Alen IIAssistant Secretary

Timothy B. Barnard, Esq.Bryan D. ColketV. Richard Eales

W. Anthony HitschlerWilliam T. Howard

F. Arthur McMorris, Ph.D.Collin F. McNeil

Jennifer C. MollerJanice Murdoch

Arthur E. NewboldChristine S. Seving

Peter S. StrawbridgeAnson W. H. Taylor, III

Tana Wall

STAFFJim Boerckel

Director of Finance

Sue R. CostelloGIS Coordinator

Fred de LongDirector of Community Farm Program

Laura de RamelDirector of Development and

Community Outreach

Elaine C. GilmartinDirector of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Blake GollNature Education Coordinator

Noah Gress Rushton Farm Field Manager

William R. Hartman, Jr.Director of Stewardship

Lisa KiziukDirector of Bird Conservation Program

Susie MacDonnellEvents and PR Coordinator

Nancy K. RosinAssociate Director of Development

Joyce D. SpraginsCommunications and Technology Manager

John G. TurgeonDirector of Land Protection and Public Grants

Joannah WhitnahRushton Farm Assistant Field Manager

Willistown Conservation Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)3 of the I.R.S. Code. Donations are tax-deductible. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

W I L L I S T O W NCONSERVATION TRUST

WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST925 Providence Rd.

Newtown Square, Pa 19073610.353.2562

LAND@WCTRUST.ORG

What a Glorious Evening

On June 2nd 200 supporters honored all of those who helped complete the acquisition of Rushton Woods Preserve at a farm dinner with local food fresh from the fields, a live auction of unique items, and dancing to Ward Marston.

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RUN-A-MUCK 2012 BY THE NUMBERS

ON THE COVER AND ABOVE: Enjoying the Run-a-Muck Trail500 run-a-muckers came out on September 22nd to run or muck (walk) the beautiful 5k trail that wandered through hill and dale of the beautiful Willistown countryside. The Run-a-Muck trail and Countryside Bash take place in a beautiful part of Willistown not normally open to the public. It is the Trust’s largest fundraiser of the year and supports our ongoing programs to preserve Willistown’s rural beauty and inspire in others a lifelong love of the land and nature.

500 Runners, Muckers, and Spectators

50 Leashed Dogs

28 Business Sponsors

67 Patrons at $500 & Up

21 In-Kind Sponsors

$90,000 Raised to Preserve Willistown’s Rural Beauty

Celebrating Rushton

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Presented by

The Leaflet WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST925 Providence RoadNewtown Square, PA 19073

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DSOUTHEASTERN, PA

PERMIT NO. 96

SYCAMORESOCIETY

...the Leadership Giving Society for Willistown Conservation Trust comprised of a community of leaders who have chosen to invest in the mission of the Trust with an annual gift of $1,000 or more. Their generosity enables the Trust to advance its mission to preserve land and instill in people the importance of open land and the natural treasures of the Willistown area. It’s easy to see the direct results of the Sycamore Society by just looking out at the unchanged landscapes of the Willistown countryside.

If you have not already done so, please consider joining the Sycamore Society. Join now and be-come a member of the leadership group that provides over 80% of the Trust’s Annual Fund which helps to sustain our land conservation efforts. To join, visit www.wctrust.org or call Nancy Rosin at 610.353.2563, ext 19.

The Sycamore Society is...

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