TH E S Y C A M O R E Newsletter of
Vol. XI, Issue 1
Spring 2010
W i l l i s t o w n C o n s e r v a t i o n Tr u s t
Preserving Willistown’s Rural Beauty Celebrating Thirty Years of Conservation And the “Heroes” Who Made it Happen
Who could have envisioned in the spring of 1980 what the Willistown countryside would look like today – thirty years later? The common view then was that this area of rural open space with its lovely rolling fields, mature woodlands and stream valleys rich with wildlife would inevitably be swallowed up by sprawl development, as was already happening at an alarming rate in southeastern Pennsylvania. So, how is it that, as we begin a year-long celebration of thirty years of community conservation, the Willistown Conservation Trust is able to share such remarkable success stories? These successes include: • The permanent preservation of over 6,000 acres of open space protected against sprawl development forever; • The creation of four publically accessible nature preserves (with a fifth in progress) making available more than 172 acres for everyone’s enjoyment; • The protection of an extensive network of walking and riding trails assuring the continuance of our traditional equestrian and recreational uses of the land; • The establishment of a Community Farm Program at Rushton Farm that is open to all, providing fresh local produce, education about food and nature, and sharing its bounty with those in need; • Land stewardship initiatives focusing on native grassland and wildflower meadows, stream corridor restoration, deer management, and the establishment of a critical Center for Bird Conservation at Rushton Woods Preserve.
The answer is that our thirty-year conservation effort has been uniquely ble s se d w it h h undred s
of friends, neighbors and supporters who have shared a passion for the land, and have made extraordinary com m it ments of ti me, energy and resources to see that Willistown’s precious resources are preserved forever. So many of you have played a special role, whether you are one of the 121 landowners who have donated conservation easements to protect your land from future development; one of the more than 350 supporters who contribute to our Annual Fund each year; one of our dedicated volunteers who help with activities from pulling weeds at Rushton Farm to stuffing envelopes at the Trust; an investor who has joined one of our thirteen partnerships to acquire critical properties in order to secure positive conservation outcomes; or a caretaker on a local property making the Willistown countryside a richer more beautiful place for locals and visitors alike … you are all “Heroes of the Countryside” and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! All of us at the Trust hope you will bring your family and friends and join us on Sunday September 25th at the Run-a-Muck & Countryside Bash! It promises to be the most festive event of the year, so be sure to save the date. Plan to come “kick up your heels” and help celebrate thirty remarkable years of conservation and the many heroes who have made it happen! Bonnie Van Alen, President
For the preservation of the natural resources, rural character, and cultural heritage of the Willistown area.