FALL 2008
The Leaflet Newsbrief of
Willistown Conservation Trust
Local Students Bring Talent and Enthusiasm To the Trust W
hether they are raising a flock of laying hens, analyzing deer data, planting native trees, or helping to harvest summer crops, local students have contributed considerable talent and energy to the Trust’s activities this year. Coming from a range of backgrounds and agegroups, they have participated in a variety of ways: through our internship program, stewardship days, school partnerships, Community Farm volunteer program, and more.
Penn State student Kristi Gabriel helps serve at the Rushton Farm Mid-Summer Harvest Celebration and Tomato Tasting.
The Trust was fortunate to have two wonderful interns this year: Kristi Gabriel, a West Chester native attending Penn State University, and Tori Strange, a recent graduate of Elon University and resident of Malvern. Working at different times of the year, they each focused their internship in Land Stewardship, helping with the establishment of the Deer Management Program and other stewardship projects.
Farmer Ashley Brister and Shipley senior Drew Gardner take a break from trellising a row of tomatoes at Rushton Farm.
Drew Gardner, a senior at Shipley, was one of many enthusiastic volunteers at Rushton Farm this summer. He helped with a range of
farm activities, including bed preparation, planting, and harvesting. The farm has also offered a wonderful market to some our area’s young growers. Margaret Thompson, of Berwyn, grows beautiful sunflowers in her backyard garden and offered them at the farm during July and August. Westtown high schoolers Will and George Cauffman sell their “Cauffman Brothers” eggs that their flock of Buff Orpington hens lay in their Malvern backyard.
Thanks to partnerships with local Boy Scout troops and schools, many area students have had a direct hand in planting native trees and shrubs in critical areas. Two local Boy Scouts, Zach Rankin and Harry Swartout, are planning and executing native tree plantings at our Ashbridge and Kirkwood Preserves as their Eagle Scout Leadership Service Projects. Students from Goshen Friends School, Shipley School, and Episcopal Academy have partnered with the Trust to plant native trees and shrubs on both on Trust preserves and on their respective campuses. The Trust looks forward to working with more students over the coming year!
George and Will Cauffman worked in the fields and sold their “Cauffman Brothers” eggs as add-on products to Rushton Farm CSA members.
T h e L e a fl e t is an interim publication to supplement our annual newsletter, The Sycamore. Through The Leaflet , we bring you interesting and timely information about Willistown Conservation Trust activities, stewardship news and upcoming events.
The Leaflet
Deer Management Plan Kicks off the 2008 Hunting Season The Trust’s Deer Management
Plan (DMP), which utilizes managed hunting to bring the deer population back into balance with the ecosystem, has entered a new and exciting phase with the commencement of the 2008-2009 hunting season. After many months of meetings with the steering committee, we are finally ready to start implementing the plan.
In addition to the cooler, the Trust is in the process of raising funds to help offset or completely subsidize the $15 processing cost borne by the hunter. We believe that by simplifying the logistics of donating excess venison combined with the prospect of eliminating any associated cost to the hunter, a greater number of deer will be culled and a greater number of people in need of a meal and improved nutrition will benefit.
The 7,000 acre DMP Focal Although much has been Area has been divided into accomplished over the past year, 12 Hunting Co-ops, or zones. we have much work to do as we Two key volunteer positions move forward with implementing were created for each zone: a the DMP. Our thanks to all of Landowner Advocate (LOA) Hunter Subcommittee members (l to r, back row) John Fossbenner, you who have volunteered to help and a Hunter Coordinator Craig Hacker, Mike Siddons, (l to r, front row) Walt Dowling, put this plan into motion, and (HC). The Landowner Advocate Mike Starecky. Missing from the picture is Jay Lankford. a special thanks to our hunting is a landowner within the zone community for its cooperation and hard work. who is responsible for communications with fellow landowners, while the Hunter Coordinator will oversee the hunting activities within the zone. The steering committee has developed a number of policies and guidelines which are intended to provide hunters with a broad operating framework. These address key issues such as expected hunter conduct; the importance of safety, respect for the land and landowner; and the program’s emphasis on the principles of Quality Deer Management (QDM). QDM is a nationally recognized management practice with specific harvesting guidelines which are designed to optimize the health and balance of the herd. Detailed guidelines provide recommendations for harvest recordkeeping, pre-season scouting, the handling of harvested deer and preferred hunting methods. The guidelines grew out of the hunter subcommittee, a group of devoted local hunters who, like the LOAs and HCs, have volunteered their time to the program. Finally, we continue to work diligently on the venison donation component of the program. Food banks tell us that a single deer can provide meals for 200 hungry Pennsylvanians. To facilitate participation in Pennslvania’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, the Trust will be purchasing a refrigerated cooler unit to be located centrally within Willistown which will provide an easily accessible place for hunters to store their excess harvested deer. Following this step, the harvested deer will be delivered to a an HSH-participating processor who will butcher the venison and deliver it to CityTeam Ministries in the city of Chester, who will utilize the venison for its food services program, providing meals to those in need.
Crowds came out in record numbers to the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, and the Trust congratulates and thanks the 2008 committee for a smashingly successful event. Willistown Conservation Trust, along with our friends at Thorncroft Equestrian Center, were once again the beneficiaries of this three day event showcasing the most elegant and historic automobiles in the country. Here Mike Tilson, chairman and founder of the event, shows off one of the beautiful cars.
The Leaflet
Mary Hunt Davis
What a Bash!
Hats off to our hosts Brit and Janice Murdoch and to our friends at Glenmede for sponsoring the Countryside Bash in June. A good time was had by all, and we netted close to $58,000 for the Trust’s community outreach programs and the ongoing maintenance of our Preserves. Thank you!
To see additional photos of the Bash, or to order your own copies, please contact Babby Davis (610-644-2672 or mhd947@ verizon.net). You may also stop by the Trust office to look at the contact sheets.
We’re Among The First In The Country!
We are proud to announce that the Willistown Conservation Trust is one of only 39 land trusts nationwide to be accredited by the independent Land Trust Accreditation Commission established by the Land Trust Alliance. There are almost 1,700 land trusts in the nation, so our accreditation confirms that we are among the most highly effective land preservation organizations in the country.
The land conservation professionals on the Accreditation Commission scrutinized our files, examined our records, and reviewed each of our policies, and in the end, we received their
seal of approval. The accreditation seal (shown left) is a mark of distinction in land conservation and we will display it with pride. We are grateful for the support given through the years by the Willistown community and our many conservation partners. Our accredited status should reassure our contributors, easement holders, project partners and other stakeholders that we are meeting the highest standards of performance and procedures. In other words, not only are we protecting important lands, but we’re doing it in the right way and for the long term.
The Leaflet
It was a cold spring day
First Season at Rushton Farm
farm produce. October featured a harvest in late March when the festival with pumpkin first ground was broken at carving and hayrides Rushton Farm. There was and seemed a fitting end nothing on the site except to a productive season. a newly built greenhouse and the first beams of Throughout the season what would become our the farm staff of Fred farm shed. You had to de Long, Aaron de Long look long and hard at the and Ashley Brister had fields to envision what a host of helpers at the they would look like farm, all of whom were come summer. Looking gratefully welcomed. at the farm on this brisk Ellen Simmons showed October morning it is up two days a week to hard to believe that this do heavy-duty weeding. ground was weed strewn Roger Bennett was and fallow just six months our ace weed whacker. ago. Today the fields are Cauffman family bursting with late season members were diligent crops and summer crops workers not only doing beginning to fade back (L to r) Farmers Ashley Brister and Fred de Long, intern Kristi Gabriel and field time but also into the soil from which Trust staff member Jodi Spragins admire the beautiful array of Rushton Farm bounty supplying the farm with at the Mid-Summer Harvest Celebration and Tomato Tasting. they were born. These honey and eggs. Karen fields have not only Petrauskas was our “meeter and greeter” providing a friendly produced thousands of pounds of fresh produce but they have face to those coming to pick up their shares. Finally there were served as a meeting place for the members of the Rushton Farm our young interns Margaret Thompson and Drew Gardner. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and the Willistown The Rushton Farm Staff did not expect to find such capable community. The farm has also served as a model for sustainable young talent volunteering in the first year and it gave great agriculture, utilizing regenerative and organic farming practices. promise for the future intern program. This land has gone from unused open space to the birthplace of the Willistown Conservation Trust Community Farm The end of a season brings reflection and a glimpse of what Program in less than a year. What a year it has been with field lies ahead. The first season saw the realization of a successful production and community support exceeding our expectations farm with production that exceeded expectations. The CSA and helping to make this first year a tremendous success. was a success and the community not only shared in the harvest but in the experience of a season on the farm. Next year we Early in the season a lottery was held to select 35 families from will focus on developing the other components of the the many community members who had applied to be inaugural Willistown Conservation Trust Community Farm Program, members of the Rushton Farm CSA. These families paid a including educational programs, engagement with area fee that was used as the literal seed money for the first season. restaurants and donation of food to area shelters. After all, In return each family received a “share” of the farm’s harvest for isn’t that what community is all about - sharing with others 22 weeks from June to October. The share consisted of seasonal so that all of our lives may be enriched? vegetables from the farm such as peas in spring, tomatoes in summer, and broccoli in fall. Local honey, eggs, cheese and Last Call for 2009 Rushton Farm beef were offered for additional purchase. The season featured memorable events and memorable people. A community potato planting in May had kids and adults alike planting what would be a beautiful crop of red, white and blue potatoes. July featured a tomato tasting where a number of the 15 varieties of tomatoes grown on Rushton Farm were sampled. There were several community dinners including a potato harvest dinner where the potatoes were dug up and grilled right on the farm. The highlight of the season was a CSA potluck dinner where members brought dishes made from
CSA Membership!
If you are interested in picking up fresh produce grown right here in Willistown every week from June to November, now is the time to let the Trust know of your interest. While we do have a waiting list for people interested in 2009 Rushton Farm CSA membership, we won’t know exactly where we stand until we finalize applications and membership options in early 2009. To place your name on the list, fill out the online form on the web site at www. wctrust.org after clicking on “Community Farm.”
The Leaflet
Trust Golfers Enjoy White Manor
Mary Hunt Davis
On
Monday, September 29, the Trust had its 6th annual Golf and Good Nature outing at White Manor Country Club. 72 supporters and sponsors were able to gather for an afternoon and evening of fun that provided terrific support for the Trust’s ongoing conservation and stewardship programs. As usual, we had great weather, and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to play on a new course this year.
The winning team was Gary Fritz, David Barnes, Chip Warren Claytor and Jason Ingle were among McCaffrey and Joe Charantona the golfers who came out to support the work of with a gross score of 141. the Trust at the 2008 “Golf and Good Nature” First low net was captured by outing held at White Manor Country Club. the Shipley Gators Golf team of Andrew Rollins, David Nichols, Ian Dombrowski and Dan Friedman at a net score of 115. Second and third low net were taken by Scott Brown, Richard Frysinger, Anthony Doerr and Jim Finlan; and Bill McKernan, Pete Stoll, Tom Price and Rob Nolek respectively. The closest to the pin winner was Shipley’s Andrew Rollins. Long drive winners were Shawn Carlin and Joyce Pinkston. And Frank Bresnan won the putting contest, taking home a backyard copper firepit as the prize. We wish to express our gratitude to our sponsors and supporters for their ongoing support, the great auction donations provided, and their participation in our 6th event. Hats off to our terrific golf committee, chaired by Tara and George Off, Tim Barnard, Donna Beers, Diane Campbell, Jane Davidson, Bonnie Davis, Edie Gitlin, Nima Marsh, Donna Oliver, Pat Reeser, Lang Smith, and Lynn Strange.
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Course January 24, 2009
Habitat Resource Network of Southeast Pennsylvania will offer a Homeowner Wildlife Habitat Course to be held at Willistown Conservation Trust on Saturday, January 24, 2009. Course topics will include: • How to restore and create wildlife habitat on your property • The importance of native plants to our local ecosystem • How to design for people (including children) and wildlife • Sustainable gardening practices that are good for the earth, people and wildlife • The process of Wildlife Habitat Certification through the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon, either of which will be recognized for “Willistown Wildscape” certification The course will run from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The fee is $40 per person or $50 per couple. Course materials and lunch are included. For more information or to register, go to: www.habitatresourcenetwork.org, email info@habitatresourcenetwork.org or call 484-678-6200. Connect your piece of the earth to the larger ecosystem, and nourish our local biodiversity!
Thank You Arader! Arader Tree Services donated a glorious maple tree for the entrance to Rushton Farm in October. Here Chris Arader delivers and sets the tree with a giant spade. (L to r) Trust Executive Director Bonnie Van Alen, Chris Arader of Arader Tree Services, Trust Stewardship Director Bill Hartman and Trust Community Farm Director Fred de Long stand proudly by the newest member of the Rushton Farm plant community. Our deepest gratitude to Chris Arader and the fantastic crew at Arader Tree Services.
The Willistown Conservation Trust is dedicated to preserving the open land, rural character, scenic, historic and ecologically significant resources of the Willistown area and nearby communities, with particular emphasis on the Crum, Ridley and Darby Creek watersheds.
The Leaflet
Staff
Jeanne B. Van Alen Executive Director
Elizabeth H. Block
Director of Development and Community Outreach
Dee Ann Bowman Director of Finance
Ashley Brister Field Manager
Sue R. Costello GIS Coordinator
Aaron de Long Field Manager
Fred de Long
Director of Community Farm Program
William R. Hartman, Jr. Director of Stewardship
He did it!
Patricia D. Lambert
Event and Volunteer Coordinator
Tara Off
Gifts Coordinator
Lisa Kiziuk Rubin
Associate Stewardship Manager
Joyce D. Spragins
Communications and Technology Manager
Elizabeth A. Stokes
Assistant Director of Development
Christopher A. Thompson Director of Land Protection
John G. Turgeon
Director of Public Grants and Associate Director of Land Protection
Our good friend Mike Steinberger of First National Bank of Chester County hiked 50 miles through Chester County on September 13th to celebrate his 50th birthday while raising awareness and donations for several Chester County organizations, including Willistown Conservation Trust. Here he is raising a hand in triumph at mile 25 at the Kirkwood Preserve with his sons Evan and Matt, Trust president Bonnie Van Alen, and hiking companion Ed Kovalchik. 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, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Willistown Conservation Trust 925 Providence Road 路 Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073 (610) 353-2562 ~ Fax: (610) 325-0869 ~ www.wctrust.org
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The Leaflet is printed on recycled paper.