The Sycamore | Spring 2024

Catherine W. Etherington President & Executive Director

Julie S. Graham Associate Executive Director BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John Stoviak | Chair

Leanne M. McMenamin | Vice Chair

Meg Tegler Hardesty | Vice Chair

Michael Burg, Esq. | Treasurer

Elizabeth C. Hucker| Secretary

Clarke Blynn

Bryan D. Colket

Wendy Cozzi

Kimberley H. Galligher, VMD

Lindsay Scott Leisenring

Molly Love

Michael J. McGraw

Linda I. McIsaac

Britton H. Murdoch

Silenia Rhoads

Justin N. Thompson

David L. Unruh

Jeanne B. Van Alen**

Rick Warden

Jason D. Weckstein, PhD

**President Emerita

Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The simple three word phrase SAVE, STUDY, SHARE aptly describes what Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) does, namely: (a) save open space lands and critical habitats for wildlife, aquatic life and birds; (b) study, through the application of rigorous scientific efforts, the impacts and benefits of agroecology farming and open space and habitat preservation on birds, streams and aquatic life; and (c) share with the public the beauty and serenity of our preserves.

But the words SAVE, STUDY, SHARE do not fully capture the magic of WCT and its positive impact on our world. Indeed, the conservation of open space land is critical to the well-being of mankind. Open space preserves protect habitats that allow wildlife and birds to thrive. Open space preserves reduce the amount of sediment run-off impacting our streams and rivers further enhancing aquatic life. Open space preserves provide places of serenity and natural inspiration for all of us to enjoy. These fundamental truths are the bedrock foundation upon which WCT was founded and which guide us three decades later.

Molly Clark | Rushton Farm Part-Time Production Manager

Christina Classon | Accounting Associate

Aaron Coolman | Motus Technical Coordinator and Avian Ecologist

Mike Cranney | Director of Stewardship

Fred de Long | Director of Community Farm Program

Michelle Eshleman | Motus Avian Research Coordinator

Alison Fetterman | Avian Conservation Biologist

Blake Goll | Education Programs Manager

Eliza Gowen | Community Farm Outreach Coordinator

Noah Gress | Rushton Farm Field Manager

Gretchen Groebel | Director of Community Engagement

Michelle Havens | Development Associate

Erik Hetzel | Director of Land Protection and Public Grants

John Holback | Stewardship Manager

Heidi Hole | Campaign Manager

Lisa Kiziuk | Director of Bird Conservation Program

Kelsey Lingle | Director of Communications and Marketing

Lindsay Martin-Carlson | Event Support Manager

Lauren McGrath | Director of Watershed Protection Program

Lindsey McQuiston | Communications Specialist

Molly Scott | Events Coordinator

Anna Willig | Conservation Data and GIS Specialist STAFF

We hope all of the readers of The Sycamore find time to enjoy our magnificent preserves – Kirkwood, Rushton Woods, Ashbridge and the soon to be opened Kestrel Hill. A thirty minute stroll around any of these WCT preserves will warm your heart and inspire you with their beauty and serenity.

None of the magic of WCT would have been possible without the vision and commitment of the Founders of WCT – Bonnie Van Alen, Jim Van Alen, Alice Hausmann, Peter Hausmann, Peter Strawbridge, Bill Howard, Tana Wall and Tim Barnard.

Fortunately, WCT continues to be blessed with extraordinary leadership by our President and Executive Director Kate Etherington, Associate Executive Director Julie Graham and our amazing and dedicated staff of committed, positive difference makers. Thanks to the staff and our leadership for building on the legacy of WCT’s Founders in such a profound and positive way.

John Stoviak Chair, Board of Trustees

FRONT COVER IMAGE | Anna Willig

THE SYCAMORE | SPRING 2024 CONTENTS

Letter from the Executive Director

Rushton Nature Keeper Events

2024 Event Calendar

Birds as Barometers of Ecosystem Health

Rushton Woods Banding Station Year in Review 2023

Lessons from Rushton Farm

Water You Waiting For?

Dive into Macroinvertebrates and Stream Health

Updates on the Darby Creek Community Science Program

The Human Dimension:

A Novel Approach to Conservation

Help Save Migratory Birds

A Stinky Sign of Spring: Eastern Skunk Cabbage

Hello Radnor: A New Conservation Easement

Corporate Partnership Program

Movers and Shakers | Staff and Trustee News

Donor Support and Volunteer Recognition

2023 Financial Report

ALetter from the Executive Director

s I leaf through the pages of The Sycamore newsletters from years past, a journey through time unfolds, reminding us of the remarkable evolution of Willistown Conservation Trust. The Spring 2004 edition, now two decades old, provides a nostalgic glimpse into our humble beginnings and sets the stage for the transformative journey we’ve undertaken.

From a modest one-color paper newsletter, we’ve blossomed into a vibrant, professionally produced magazine that captures the essence of our conservation efforts. Our growth is not just evident in the colorful pages but also in the expansion of our staff, programs, protected acres of land, and the tapestry of community events that bring us all together.

While our outward transformation is undeniable, the core of WCT remains firmly rooted in the land protection work initiated in 1979. Over the years, we’ve cultivated a robust suite of conservation programs that continue to enrich our mission. As I reflect, it’s evident that our articles, though reminiscent of the past, have evolved into narratives that resonate with a deeper impact.

The Spring 2004 edition celebrated new conservation easements, reported on bird activity, and thanked supporters – elements that still echo in our present-day publications. Yet, the landscape of our work has evolved. Community bird sightings have grown into an international bird migration program; early watershed reporting has flourished into a science-based water quality monitoring initiative, engaging citizen scientists; Rushton Woods, once a new acquisition, is now a dynamic farm and community hub for education and outreach – the list goes on.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I find myself envisioning someone perusing this very edition in 2044. The contributions WCT will have made to the local and global conservation movement are bound to be monumental. While our programs and priorities may evolve, I am certain that the lands protected, habitats restored, and access to nature established will continue to be cherished by all.

Embrace the wonders of spring, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Catherine Etherington, President & Executive Director

Rushton Nature Keepers

Now Enrolling!

Rushton Nature Keepers (RNK) is our multidisciplinary environmental education club for children ages 8-11 years old. The RNK mission is to inspire a lifetime of caring about and protecting nature by first building a strong holistic foundation spanning four major conservation themes: birds and wildlife, regenerative farming, watersheds, and healthy habitat.

We believe these are the key focus areas that have the biggest impact on land conservation and earth stewardship. The more programs your children attend the more comprehensive their understanding of conservation will be. In turn, they will develop lifelong connections to nature as they explore the natural world at our preserves through a variety of unique experiences.

TESTIMONIALS FROM RNK PARENTS:

“The program is exceptional, and really encourages the children to think about their world around them.”

“The program is a top priority for my children — they truly get so much out of it!”

Scan the QR code or visit wctrust.org/rushtonnaturekeepers to learn more and enroll!

RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS PROGRAM

Monday, June 17 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Discover Wild Rushton

Tuesday, June 18 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Leaf Packs and Stream Life

Wednesday, June 19 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Diversity of Birds

Thursday, June 20 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Farming with Nature and Honeybees

Friday, June 21 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Into the Forest

Wednesday, June 26 | 7:30 - 9:30 pm

FAMILY*: Fireflies, Moths, and Your Yard in the Dark

Tuesday, July 23 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Wildflowers and Watercolor Workshop

Thursday, August 22 | 9:00 - 11:30 am

Summer Harvest

Wednesday, August 28 | 7:30 - 9:30 pm

FAMILY*: Bug Night with Academy of Natural Sciences

Saturday, September 7 | 8:00 - 10:00 am

Fall Songbird Banding

Thursday, October 17 | 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Monster Night and Autumn Hayrides

Friday, November 1 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding

Friday, November 15 | 4:30 - 6:00 pm

Rushton Junior Naturalist Celebration

*FAMILY events are OPEN EVENTS and not exclusive to Rushton Nature Keepers, so feel free to bring your family or a friend. Free for Rushton Nature Keepers, but there may be a registration cost for non RNK members.

Event Calendar

Visit wctrust.org/calendar or scan code for more event information and registration

APRIL

All Month | Rounding Up at the Register with Kimberton Whole Foods Malvern Location

When you check out at the register, you’ll have the option to round up to the nearest dollar, and the difference will be donated when you mention WCT in April.

April 18 | Mindful Birding at Dusk

April 19 | Pop-Up Picnic

April 20 | ECOcentric: Spring Songbird Migration

April 25 | Spring Forward Field to Feast Demonstration Dinner

MAY

May 4 | Rushton Farm Plant Sale

May 7 | ECOcentric: Otters in Our Waters

May 8 | Nature Walk with Gretchen

May 9 | State Rep. Shusterman Community Event

May 10 | Rejuvenate at Rushton Wellness Retreat

May 17 | WCT and Natural Lands Bird Walk

May 17 | Community Supper Series

May 28 | First CSA Pickup at Rushton Farm

JUNE

June 1 | Barns & BBQ

June 6 | Mindful Birding at Dusk

June 11 | ECOcentric: Exploring the World of Birds

June 12 | Nature Walk with Gretchen

June 13 | Field to Feast with Malvern Buttery

June 17-21 | Rushton Nature Keepers

June 21 | Community Supper Series

June 23-29 | Creek Week

June 26 | Fireflies, Moths, and Your Yard in the Dark

JULY

All Month | Plastic Free July

July 20-27 | Wildflower Week

July 24 | ECOcentric: Discovering a Native Wildflower Meadow

SAVE THE DATES

August 3 | Summer Tomato Celebration

October 5 | Run-a-Muck | 5k and 1 Mile Walk

Recurring Events

WEDNESDAYS

“Just Show Up” Volunteer Wednesdays at Rushton Farm

This is an opportunity to work in the fields with the farmers. You can show up at the farm from 9 am - 4 pm on any Wednesday during the season.

THURSDAYS

Stewardship Volunteer Days

WCT maintains public nature preserves, spanning more than 300 acres and we rely on your help to accomplish our mission. Stewardship Manager

John Holback leads Stewardship Volunteer Thursdays and all registrants will receive an email notification on the Tuesday before the workday with work details and location.

THURSDAYS

Spring Migration Bird Banding

April 11 - May 16

Visit the bird banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve to observe the banding process, learn about the science of bird migration, and see the importance of land conservation for migratory birds. Space is limited. Please register in advance and stay within the designated viewing area for the safety of our staff and visitors.

ECO centric LECTURE SERIES

ECOcentric is defined as having a serious concern for environmental issues. It is a mindset that values the entire environment and all life within rather than only what is useful to humans. In other words, it is a deliberate shift toward the balance that can be achieved when we make nature our center rather than ourselves.

Through a variety of educational lectures and immersive field experiences with WCT staff and professionals, adults will gain a holistic foundation in four major conservation topics: birds and wildlife, regenerative farming, watersheds, and habitat stewardship.

RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)

RNK educational programming will resume in June! Check for registration details and the program schedule at wctrust.org/ rushtonnaturekeepers.

Events subject to change - check wctrust.org/calendar for the latest details.

Birds as Barometers of Ecosystem Health

Rushton Woods Banding Station Year in Review 2023

By Alison Fetterman, Avian Conservation Biologist and Blake Goll, Education Programs Manager

INTRODUCTION | As field biologists living in a human dominated world where wildlife populations have plummeted by 70% in the past 50 years — and birds, in particular, by 30% — the more biodiversity we can record, the higher our hopes. It turns out, bird banders are not alone in this innate need for birds. A recent study by the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research shows that connection to nature, especially bird life, is directly linked to our sense of wellbeing. The study linked greater bird diversity to increased life satisfaction for more than 26,000 people; the people who lived near natural areas with a greater diversity of birds were significantly happier.

But birds do more than simply enrich our lives. They are the ultimate environmental bellwether whose population changes can underscore global and local issues ranging from climate change to habitat degradation. At Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm, we strive to model restored landscapes where both people and wildlife thrive. Over 30,000 pounds of chemical-free food is produced annually on just a few acres of regeneratively farmed land within an 86-acre nature preserve. A total of 19,921 birds of 104 species have been documented (through banding) using the Preserve since 2010 (Figure 1).

Here, food and feathers exist in harmony; instead of dominating the land with sights set only on profit, the land is honored with our sights set on feeding the community while bolstering biodiversity and ecosystem health. Birds are free to use the farm to refuel during migration or even nest during breeding, and the farm, in turn, benefits from ecosystem services like pollination and pest control, thanks to the preservation of adjacent native meadows and shrublands. It is in these shrublands where we conduct our migration banding efforts at Rushton Woods Banding Station (RWBS).

SPRING MIGRATION | Aside from the first unseasonably warm week in April, it was largely a cold spring lacking in the southerly winds required to drive migratory birds north to their breeding grounds in a synchronous manner. We experienced our lowest migration capture in our station’s 14 year history: 237 total new birds. Many factors can affect capture including habitat change, global population declines, weather, and effort. Because we only band three days per week and spring migration is rapid (with birds racing to be the first back to the best breeding grounds), it is possible we missed some of the waves of birds moving through. Nonetheless, the data did show delays in spring migration with the highest season capture (49 new birds) occurring on May 9th, one of the latest peaks experienced at RWBS.

Figure 1. Total new birds from 2010-2023

Nonetheless, the Northeast’s dazzling diversity of warblers is never more evident than in May when they’ve donned their nuptial plumages and put forth their unique and soulful notes into the collective spring orchestra. Our catch included the wide-eyed Canada Warbler with her bohemian necklace of onyx, the zebra striped Blackand-white Warbler, the calico streaked Cape May Warbler with his striking orange face, the Magnolia Warbler with his stunning black mask and bright yellow throat, and the steel blue cloaked Black-throated Blue Warbler. Few artists could fabricate such a kaleidoscope of patterns and colors.

Some birds return to us year after year, exemplifying the importance of protected habitat, like Rushton Woods Preserve, as places birds can count on for refueling, overwintering, or nesting. One White-throated Sparrow, for example, was originally banded at Rushton in 2021, caught again in spring of 2022, and again in April of 2023. This bird likely overwinters at Rushton each year before returning to its northern breeding grounds in New England or Canada.

Baltimore Orioles are the impresarios of our hedgerows, belting out their whistle songs from the treetops once they return in May. Last spring we captured an adult male that we had originally banded in 2018, making him at least 7 years old! Each spring, he dutifully returns to Rushton to breed after overwintering in similar habitat in the tropics — quite possibly that offered by shade grown coffee farms — relying on the diversity of canopy structure offered by regenerative agricultural practices.

SUMMER BREEDING | Summer is the time when our banders retreat to the coolness of Rushton Woods to study the breeding populations of birds in our woodland for a national effort called MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship).

After a low catch of birds in 2022, we were up to a nearly all time high in 2023 with 155 birds of 17 species. We caught a record number of Gray Catbird (59), Carolina Wren (6) and Red-eyed Vireo (7). The former is unexpected as vireos are common breeders of the canopy where we cannot place our nets.

Another tree-top dweller that surprised us last summer was an adult female Scarlet Tanager. As we banded this beautiful yellow bird, her scarlet-colored mate impatiently scolded us from an uncharacteristically low perch. Though we hear males singing each summer, we were unable to fully confirm breeding success until observing this female in hand with a full brood patch (indicating a nest with young). As a State Responsibility Species, Pennsylvania plays a significant role in sustaining the global security of Scarlet Tanagers by hosting 10% of their breeding population.

Canada Warbler. Photo by Blake Goll Baltimore Oriole. Photo by Aaron Coolman

FALL MIGRATION | The fall procession of southbound neotropical migrants is slow and steady — with birds no bigger than a third of an ounce winging their way along ancient pathways stretching for hundreds of miles in the star studded dark of night. This goes on for almost a month longer than the hurried spring migration, creating multiple waves of species moving through (Figure 2). Like clockwork, as the radiance of the goldenrod fades and the leaves become one with the autumn wind, the bounty of bright warblers morphs into the more muted earth tones of sparrows and kinglets.

It was a relatively warm fall with the first week of September bringing an unprecedented heat wave during which temperatures soared dangerously high for safely operating mist nets. The health of the birds is our highest priority, so the station was closed for the entire week on account of heat for the first time ever. Once the season got underway, however, it turned out to be a successful one with the exception of a record low number of Ovenbirds (only one individual compared to our usual 15-30).

The catch included record high counts for Ruby-crowned Kinglet (113), Swamp Sparrow (33), Nashville Warbler (6), and Hermit Thrush (55). As one of the most intricate songsters of the bird world, the Hermit Thrush’s reedy tremolo echoes throughout woodlands of the mountains and the north. This shy bird is the hardiest of our brown thrushes and least dependent on tropical forests for wintering, often seen throughout the winter in our own PA backyards. For this reason, it is separated from the earlier migrating thrushes in the wave graph (Figure 2).

Birders also help us document the species waves of migration. Last September, a local birder captured a spectacular sight: a Cape May Warbler feasting on cherry tomato juice at Rushton Farm! Most warblers primarily eat insects, but this striped sprite has a specialized, slightly decurved bill that allows it to also probe flowers and fruits for nectar; their long, curled tongues allow them to imbibe from ambrosias not available to other birds —from black cherry and tulip poplar flowers to grapes and tomatoes.

Back at the banding station, we had some rare captures last fall including a Mourning Warbler (only the fourth ever for our banding station) as well as our very first Orange-crowned Warbler in late October.

Figure 2. Representation of of species groups during fall migration | 2010-2023

Orange-crowned Warblers are uncommon in the eastern United States during migration. As one might expect from the similarities of its fine, pointed bill to that of a Cape May Warbler, the Orange-crowned can also feed on nectar and sap, as well as berries and insects. In the west, they are known to dine from Red-naped Sapsucker wells! Its varied diet allows the boreal-nesting Orange-crowned to travel south later than other warblers.

The highest catch of the fall season occurred following a cold front on October 24th with a total of 126 birds of 17 species, including a Winter Wren. This magnificent little creature is a brown ball of plain, speckled feathers that has been gifted with one of the most stunningly spirited songs of the bird world — the ebullience of which has earned him the title of “heart of the forest.” Per unit weight, the Winter Wren actually delivers its song with ten times more power than a crowing rooster!

Last but not least, we ended the season with the first Fox Sparrow since 2017. Unmatched in elegance, the Fox Sparrow is a true bird of the north, nesting from Alaska east to northern Quebec and the Maritimes. Homeowners can provide suitable overwintering habitat for Fox Sparrows by creating or preserving thickets, early successional shrublands, and second-growth forests.

CONCLUSION | We do not take the temporary care of such wild beauty lightly, and it is the transient presence of these incredible trans-continental animals in our little preserve that casts a hushed reverence on banders as they begin their work in the mystical pre-dawn.

Bird banding is a powerful tool in bird conservation, allowing us to study species abundance and diversity, population patterns, survivorship, and productivity of migratory and breeding birds as well as ecosystem health. For a more in depth look, scan the QR code to view Rushton Woods Banding Station (RWBS) Songbird Banding Report 2010-2023.

Hermit Thrush. Photo by Blake Goll

Fox Sparrow. Photo by Blake Goll

Lessons from Rushton Farm

By Andrew Wraith, Agroecology Project Coordinator

As an Environmental Studies student, you might have guessed that I’m a lover and keen observer of the natural world. I love looking closely and seeing what’s hiding in plain sight. It could be a beautiful little critter, a weird goopy-green fungus, or a tiny perennial flower that predates the tree canopy and gives clues to the history of a forest.

The natural world is full of lessons for those who take the time to pay attention and reflect on the eternal questions: What happened here, why, and what is this telling me? For example, the cool little critter might share an inspiring lesson on resourcefulness, and that green jelly fungus might teach us how to go with the flow. Every lesson is a treasure and an invitation to a deeper relationship with nature.

Rushton Farm is no different. We are working in a close relationship with nature. Here’s one of my favorite revelations from the past two seasons: the connection between farming and working with kids.

Experienced gardeners may be aware that it’s best not to take a seedling straight from the greenhouse grow mat and stick it out in the field to weather the elements. We don’t tell our kids once they can walk, “Now that you’re on your own two feet, it’s time you moved out and started supporting yourself”. The process we take our plants through at Rushton, from seeding to the field, closely mirrors children’s journey toward adulthood in our society.

It begins when we drop the seeds into the “seed flat” (an array of small wells in which we can plant up to 200 seeds at once). From there the seed flats go to rest on top of a heat mat, cozy and warm, and their journey begins. This is the “nursery” stage, a term used in both childcare and plant husbandry. As the seedlings emerge, they remain on the heat mat until they are ready to graduate to kindergarten, i.e., being taken off of the heat mats. In the greenhouse, they stay for a while learning elementary lessons, but mostly they’re busy growing up healthy. A full greenhouse is an exciting and high maintenance place to be. The needy seedlings require watering multiple times a day. Many plants require transplanting as they outgrow their old wear and prepare themselves for middle school. Those awkward tomato plants can be gangly, smelly, and pubescent at this stage.

Andrew planting seedlings. Photo by Eliza Gowen Andrew and Noah working on seed flats. Photo by Eliza Gowen

Eventually, the day comes when they graduate to the high tunnel (the small greenhouse). Here they continue to be protected from the elements such as wind and rain, however, they are less insulated from the season’s changing temperatures, and learn to cope.

Right about the time when they start feeling like confident masters of their environment, they’re off to high school! High school for plants is outside of the greenhouse, where they finally feel the freedom of fresh air and direct sunlight, however, the transition can be tough as they learn to deal with the sometimes harsh weather and deer exposure. The plants can start to feel very antsy to get out of their seed flats, or transplanting pots and into the ground, where they can finally stretch out their roots. They can start looking a bit downtrodden, but before too long they’re on the move again and off to college!

It’s an exciting time when plants are going into the ground. To set them up well requires hard work! We take time to settle them in place and help them by setting up their dorm (placing metal hoops over the rows and insulating the plants with covers). The greenhouse can feel like a strange place as the season progresses, empty, yet full of memories. You hope that your seedlings are thriving, weathering the challenges, protected from groundhogs and deer, while being ready to help in times of need.

When the time comes to remove row covers it can feel like the plants are stepping out of a time machine - my how they grow up so fast! The farmers give them a few final weedings, and before you know it, they’re the ones supporting us and helping us grow.

At Rushton Farm, this successive process is referred to as “hardening off”. As with raising children, we expose the plants to greater pressures and freedoms resulting in strong plants. The majority of my professional experience has been working with kids and to my surprise I’ve found that many skills apply to both professions!

ANDREW WRAITH | Andrew has worked as an outdoor adventure camp counselor for over a decade, which sparked his passion for helping kids fall in love with the outdoors and the infinite adventure of natural experience. After graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Andrew headed west to pursue work as a hiking guide in the Santa Monica Mountains in addition to playing music in Los Angeles. He ultimately returned east and found his way back to working with kids in the outdoors at Germantown Friends School where he has served in many roles including Adventure Camp Director, After School Program team member, Environmental Action Club Leader, and Lower School Assistant teacher. He is a current graduate student in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and is very excited to be joining the team at WCT.

Maria, Rhys, Andrew and Farmer Fred. Photo by Eliza Gowen

Water You Waiting For?

Dive into Macroinvertebrates and Stream Health

By Sally Ehlers, 2023 Watershed Protection Program Co-op

For over a century, macroinvertebrates have been our partners in understanding the intricacies of stream health, providing us with valuable insights that shape the conservation efforts of our aquatic ecosystems.

Macroinvertebrates are small organisms lacking a backbone that are visible to the naked eye, which inhabit aquatic environments. They form a diverse and abundant group, but their significance extends beyond mere existence – they are crucial to ecosystem function. By converting organic plant matter into animal biomass, these tiny marvels create a foundation that supports the intricate web of life in our streams and lakes. The diet of larval amphibians, fish, other aquatic insects, and birds are all supported by macroinvertebrates.

Macroinvertebrates are also reliable indicators of environmental health in our streams and lakes. Their presence – or absence – illustrates the overall wellbeing of these water bodies, making them an asset in bioassessments. Their widespread distribution, sensitivity to changes in water quality, and diverse abilities to tolerate environmental stress make them indispensable tools for monitoring and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. These remarkable organisms help us learn about what is happening in our waterways.

Certain taxa (insect groups) are known to be sensitive to environmental changes and are considered pollution-intolerant. Mayflies are known for their short adult lifespan and are highly sensitive to pollution, making their presence a highly valuable indicator of pristine or recovering water systems. Stoneflies are also sensitive to water quality, especially oxygen levels. Therefore, they are typically found in clear, well-oxygenated streams. Caddisflies are known for their case-making larvae and can tolerate a range of water quality conditions, but some species within this group are also sensitive to pollution.

In addition to these sensitive insects, there exists a cast of pollution-tolerant taxa in these freshwater environments. Some examples that are found in local waterways are midges, worms, and black flies. While not standalone indicators of water quality, their presence and abundance, paired with pollution-sensitive taxa, contribute to a more comprehensive picture of the ecological health of aquatic systems.

Each spring, the Watershed Team heads out to ten sites in Ridley, Crum, and Darby Creeks to collect macroinvertebrate samples using a Surber sampler (a modified net for collecting insects), a scrub brush, and lots of hard work (Map 1). Since these critters hang out at the stream’s bottom, we scrub rocks, letting the stream flow guide the macroinvertebrates into the net. As a Watershed Protection Program Co-op, I had an amazing time assisting with the 2023 sample collection.

Now, my capstone project involves analyzing the data from past years to turn raw survey data into meaningful results. Macroinvertebrate Aggregated Index for Streams (MAIS) scores were calculated which combine several types of data into a single score that is used to classify stream health as “Good,” “Fair,” or “Poor.” Results suggest that on average, most sites are moderately impacted, with “Fair” health (Figure 1). However, DCWM1 (Darby Creek) and WBRC1 (West Branch Ridley Creek) had low MAIS scores, suggesting that these sites are in “Poor” health.

Development on the landscape helps explain why DCWM1 and WBRC1 rank lower in MAIS scores as these sites have 20% impervious surface coverage, the most out of all sample sites. Impervious surface cover refers to structures that are water-resistant such as paved roads, parking lots, and buildings’ roofs. Water cannot penetrate these surfaces and flows directly into waterways, picking up

MAYFLY STONEFLY CADDISFLY

Figure 1. Average MAIS score for all sites. Eight out of ten sites within the study area were in “Fair” health on average. DCWM1 and WBRC1 were in “Poor” health. Stream health was classified based on their MAIS Score, with scores of 13.1-20 being classified as “Good,” scores of 6.1-13 being classified as “Fair,” and scores of 0-6 being classified as “Poor.”

Figure 2. Linear Regression Analysis of Intolerant Taxa Richness and Percent Impervious Surface Cover. p < 0.05 indicates a significant relationship. As the percent impervious surface cover increases, the number of pollution sensitive taxa decreases.

Lauren McGrath Anna Willig

Jennifer Mathes

contaminants as it travels. In contrast, forested land allows water to seep into the ground and trees can help reduce the amount of runoff into the stream.

There is a significant negative correlation between percent impervious surface cover and intolerant taxa richness (Figure 2). This means that as impervious surface cover increases with more development, the number of pollution-sensitive macroinvertebrates decreases. Increased impervious surface cover leads to more runoff and contaminants, such as road salts, entering our waterways, and only macroinvertebrates that can withstand these changes can survive.

This preliminary data highlights the importance of WCT’s land conservation efforts. Protected open space is critical to keep local streams healthy and macroinvertebrates thriving.

While it will take more sampling years to spot clear trends over time in local streams, the current data from 2018 to 2022 begin to shed a light on the state of these streams from the viewpoint of our macroinvertebrate community, and so far, aligns with existing water chemistry data. Follow along on WCT’s blog to take a deep dive into the data set and learn more about the results of the ongoing macroinvertebrate research effort!

SALLY EHLERS | Sally is a senior at Drexel University where she is majoring in Environmental Science with minors in Biology and Writing. Before joining the Watershed Protection Program, she spent six months working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Lab in Highlands, NJ. There, she assisted with two ecotoxicology projects, focusing on the early life stages of local riverine and estuarine fishes. As a Watershed Protection Program Co-op over this past spring & summer, she helped collect water samples, run water quality analyses in the lab, maintain equipment, and practice science communication through WCT’s blog and Instagram stories.

Updates on the Darby Creek Community Science Program

The Darby Creek Community Science Program (DCCS) is a collaborative research project between Darby Creek Valley Association and WCT’s Watershed Protection Program. Launched in 2021, this program has grown rapidly, with over 30 volunteers collecting monthly data about the health of Darby Creek and its tributaries, including Cobbs Creek. Volunteers visit sites once a month and measure key indicators of water quality. Frequent monitoring at sites throughout the watershed enables the identification of healthy areas that should be protected and areas in need of restoration.

Learn more about the DCCS Program at our new website, darbycreekcommunityscience.com.

Scan here to explore an interactive map of sites and see the data.

COMMUNITY SCIENCE VOLUNTEERS

Anders Back

Bill and Jonathan Baumann

Dan Beniker

Lauren Braun

Ginny Brown

Lloyd Cole

Rob Connaire

Charlie Coulter

Kate Goddard Doms

Ian Duncan

Hayden Effron

Charlie Ferguson

John Ferri

Kyle Gaumann

Bridget Gavaghan

Dierdre Gordon

Sal Grippi

Gretchen Groebel

Bonnie Hallam

Gerry and Jesse Hart

Heidi Hiteshue

Mary Eileen Johnston

Harry Kalish

Pam Kosty

Susan Lea

Matt Morse

Jennie Mullen

Mary Ann Sandone

Megan Shipley

Dale Weaver

Jennifer Yopp

Chris Zito

2023 DARBY CREEK

Photo by Gretchen Groebel

The Human Dimension: A Novel Approach to Conservation

By Aaron Coolman, Motus Technical Coordinator and Avian Ecologist

In January, the Bird Conservation Team traveled to West Virgina to join 150 of North America’s most prominent ornithologists. Attendees came from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and regions of Central America. Winter’s blessings were clearly in our favor, greeting us in the mountain highlands of West Virginia in a soft, fleece covering of snow. Dark-eyed Juncos scattered the campus in contrasting shades of charcoal and snow-white bellies atop pink legs, and Carolina Chickadees served as tour guides, escorting the hurried scientists between adjacent buildings. We gathered to meet in person for the first time to discuss the Road to Recovery (R2R) movement which focuses on the effort to recover bird species in rapid decline throughout the U.S. and Canada.

R2R was started on the heels of the famous 3 Billion Birds article published in the journal Science. This groundbreaking publication presented the most comprehensive and up-to-date population trend analysis for 529 species of birds known to breed in the U.S. and Canada, and the results were staggering. Since 1970, nearly 3 billion breeding birds have vanished from our continent. Furthermore, 112 species have experienced a global population decline of 50% over the last 50 years and are expected to continue declining over the next 30 years. These birds have been dubbed the “Tipping Point Species”. As a frame of reference, there are approximately 700 bird species that regularly breed in the U.S. and Canada on an annual basis. This report on impacted species wasn’t a gut punch- it was an abdominal rupture.

The R2R team recognized that the current conservation efforts weren’t working, so they called on a new group of talent to enhance their efforts. Social scientists were hired, and quickly new strategies for on-the-ground conservation were implemented. Instead of remaining siloed in echo chambers of technical language and research publications, social scientists emphasized the importance of engaging community members and local stakeholders early in the planning stages of new or existing projects. As a result, the main theme of this movement is that the “human dimension” is critical to success, yet is frequently left out of the equation by scientists. When time is taken to include those who are impacted by conservation initiatives, projects can move towards a common goal of co-production rather than scientists being seen as “luddites” or enemies of societal progress. Preserving a critical wetland hosting native amphibians, reptiles, and fishes; changing a developer’s plans to include wildlife-friendly designs; convincing a forester to leave a selection of mother trees to promote reforestation and early-successional habitat- all of these scenarios and more come to life when scientists extend beyond their labs and into real conversations with key stakeholders.

After the first day of presentations, I quietly said to my coworkers: “Doesn’t WCT already implement many of these practices?” Lisa Kiziuk, Director of Bird Conservation Program, chuckled and replied: “We absolutely do.” And it’s true. We are oftentimes reaching beyond the boundaries of our preserves to meet the community where they are at. The Grassland Bird Collaboration (GBC) is a prime example. For more than a decade, Zoe Warner, GBC Program Manager, has been monitoring breeding birds utilizing the vast hay meadows of Doe Run in southern Chester County and building relationships with the local landowners and farmers. In 2022, WCT officially created the GBC and has since hosted bi-annual meetings in Doe Run to further engage the community responsible for these grasslands. Farmers and landowners, together with conservation partners, have been invited to share their thoughts and experiences with the program which has produced invaluable feedback. This engagement has been crucial to the success of the program, and since its inception ecosystem indicator species such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow breeding numbers have noticeably increased throughout Doe Run.

R2R emphasizes that conservation biology requires scientists to work collaboratively. Our efforts are immeasurably stronger when people with diverse skillsets work towards a common goal. These efforts can be focused on single-species recovery, such as the Golden-winged Warbler Working Group or Evening Grosbeak Working Group championed by the R2R movement. Or they can support a hemispheric suite of species, like the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. Motus is a network of Automated Telemetry Receivers that are built and monitored by independent researchers primarily across the Americas, Europe, and Australia. WCT first became involved in this global network in October, 2016, with the first station of many being installed right in our backyard at Rushton Farm. Thanks to our dedicated partnerships with Powdermill Avian Research Center, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources,

and many others, the Northeast Motus Collaboration has installed, upgraded, and actively monitors over 160 Motus stations.

As the coverage of this network continues to expand, researchers can now study animal migrations at national and international scales. Our own Shelly Eshleman, Motus Avian Research Coordinator, has been using Motus to analyze migration patterns and habitat use of Eastern Towhees, an early successional or “shrubland” habitat specialist whose population is in precipitous decline. Our colleagues from western Pennsylvania are using the network to investigate migration patterns and population declines of Evening Grosbeaks, perhaps the most charismatic of the winter finches. The GBC has spearheaded an effort to study migrations of Bobolinks in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine to compare how different populations migrate using Motus.

The impetus for our involvement in Motus was an idea from Scott Weidensaul and David Brinker, who together with Lisa thought Motus would be an exceptional opportunity to study the migration patterns of Rushton Farm’s favorite owl: the Northern Saw-whet Owl. I am thrilled to announce that in autumn of 2024, I will be bringing our 7-year Motus journey back to the place it started. Through a collaborative effort with Project Owlnet and the University of Delaware, I will be leading a project alongside Scott and David to study the migration patterns of Northern Saw-whet Owls using the Motus network we have worked so hard to build. I am inspired every day to work with as talented a group of dedicated conservationists and scientists as those at WCT and I am delighted to bring this new project to our organization. The Road to Recovery conference in Shepherdstown taught me many things, but the one that stands out is that we can’t accomplish our goals alone, and certainly not without support from a community. The one we have in Willistown is special.

Zoe Warner, Lisa Kiziuk, Alison Fetterman, Aaron Coolman, and Shelly Eshleman at the Road to Recovery Conference in Shepherdstown, WV. Northern Saw-whet Owl. Photo by Jennifer Wall

HELP SAVE MIGRATORY BIRDS

Protect tropical forest habitat by choosing Bird Friendly® Coffee

BIRDS ARE IN TROUBLE

Since 1970, bird populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by 29%, or almost 3 billion birds, signaling a widespread ecological crisis. Habitat loss has been identified as one of the key factors causing these declines. Since the invention of sun-tolerant coffee in 1972, most of the world’s coffee production now results in large-scale deforestation in the tropics that has countless global impacts including the decline of migratory birds that depend on rainforest habitat.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THAT

Make your coffee count. In addition to being organic, Bird Friendly® coffee is grown under a shade canopy of native trees, shrubs, and other plants that provide critical refuge for migratory and local birds as well as the diverse flora and fauna of the tropical forest. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center certifies coffee farms as Bird Friendly® if they demonstrate 100% compliance on mimicking natural, undisturbed forest.

Scan to explore more about Willistown Conservation Trust Bird Friendly® Coffee Coalition, learn about our bird conservation initiatives, and discover where to buy Bird Friendly® coffee locally.

BIRD FRIENDLY® COFFEE COALITION PARTNERS

Bird Town Pennsylvania

Gryphon Coffee Co.

Kimberton Whole Foods

Muse Artisan Boutique

The Coffee Scoop

Pour Richard’s Coffee Co. and Distillery

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT

Thanks to the efforts of one exceptionally dedicated volunteer, Kirsten Snyder, who has immeasurably compounded the efforts of our limited staff, we now have seven partners including roasters, cafés, stores, and bird conservation organizations!

“This has been a wonderful, expanding, challenging journey for me — full of learning and connecting and giving back to WCT and Rushton Woods Banding Station where I have been so privileged to learn so much from so many wonderful people over the past nine years. I feel inspired to grow this into something even more impactful; the dream just gets bigger and brighter with each success,” Kirsten said.

Common Yellowthroat by Celeste Sheehan

A Stinky Sign of Spring: Eastern Skunk Cabbage

By John Holback, Stewardship Manager

When I think back on the springs of my youth in southern Chester County, I think of muddy boots and dirty pant legs. I think of those relished lingering snow patches that disappeared slowly in the lowlands and the heavy snowballs that could be made from them. I think of prying free ice sheets from the edge of creek side gravel beds and throwing rocks to break the bergs as they floated down stream. I think of the crocuses coming up and later seeing sprouting daffodils, marking where my dad once made my brother and me “help” bury the bulbs. Spring was, and is still, good in southern Chester County. Now, with several decades of life lived, I have new thoughts of spring; spring cleaning, days getting longer, work getting busier, and taxes. Still, childhood memories endure, and one that perennially returns, especially during muddy lowland hikes, is that of trying to find an uninitiated victim to sniff some freshly sprouted skunk cabbage. I thought I was very clever then and sometimes still do, as I now try to get my nieces and nephews to take a whiff.

I know I am not the only one to opine on this interesting and charismatic plant, but I hope to offer something of a fresh perspective. A little background: Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a member of the Aroid family, Araceae, and is endemic to eastern Canada down to Tennessee and North Carolina. It is an obligate wetland species, meaning that you will only find this plant growing in wetland conditions. Starting in late winter you will first see the plant’s flowering parts poking up like purple and green alien growths through often still frozen mud and snow due to its thermogenic properties (it creates its own heat). The hood like spathe opens to reveal the spadix – a spike covered by tiny crowded flowers. Sound familiar? That’s because you are likely familiar with other Aroids like Peace Lilly, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and the new social media favorite, the Corpse Flower. Like many other Aroids, the plant is reasonably toxic. Should you taste it

Photo by John Holback

(please don’t), you will learn that the calcium oxalate crystals present in the plant have prominent tasting notes of hot needles and broken glass.

Though there is plenty of skunk cabbage in our region, in Tennessee, it is considered endangered. It might seem strange that a plant that is so abundant here can be considered endangered just several hundred miles away but because many of Tennessee’s lowlands are being destroyed for development, skunk cabbage is now at risk of disappearing there. Our lowlands are at risk too. Development, landscape degradation, and fragmentation cause harm to our natural areas and ecosystems. Excess runoff leads to soil erosion that can fill in and alter the soil chemistry of low areas, making it hard for the plants and animals that have evolved there to survive. According to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Bay’s watershed continues to lose forest land at a rate of 70 acres a day, and while not all of that is skunk cabbage habitat, the impacts trickle down. Next door in the 13,539 square mile Delaware River basin, where we are located, nearly 15 million people and the region’s diverse flora and fauna, require access to clean water – something healthy, intact wetland ecosystems play a critical role in providing.

Perhaps you do not have the attachment to skunk cabbage that I do but I bet you do have a favorite plant, bird, or insect. “Charismatic megafauna” (yes that’s a thing) like the blue whale, gorilla, or bald eagle have served as a rallying point for conservationists everywhere and for good reason. My argument is that “regular ol’ flora and fauna” can be just as charismatic and serve as a rallying point too. I hope this spring, when you find yourself in the wetland areas at Ashbridge Preserve, Rushton Woods, or in your backyard gully, you take a moment to convince someone to sniff the skunk cabbage and remember that it and the wetland ecosystem it depends on are charismatic and important too.

Photo by Kate Etherington

Hello Radnor: A New Conservation Easement

By Erik Hetzel, Director of Land Protection and Public Grants

On December 5, 2023, WCT accepted its first-ever donation of a conservation easement on a property located in Radnor Township, Delaware County. Thanks to the conservation vision of H. Ross Watson, his 5.6-acre property on Langdale Road known as “Frog Hollow” will be preserved for the benefit of its scenic, historic, and natural attributes and forever protected from further development. As natural areas and wildlife habitats in our communities become more and more fragmented due to increased development pressures, we are grateful for the generosity of private landowners like Mr. Watson who have chosen to preserve their land for the enjoyment of future generations of wildlife and people.

In another first for WCT, this conservation project was accomplished in partnership with the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, which concurrently accepted the donation of a preservation easement protecting the property’s historic buildings. The Preservation Alliance notes that Mr. Watson’s 18th-century home and other buildings on the site “contribute to the historic sense of place and feeling of the property, and represent a valuable example of a historic architectural style worthy of preservation.”

The conservation easement held by WCT will complement the work of the Preservation Alliance by protecting the property’s important ecological features and wildlife habitats, which include native and non-native noninvasive plant species, riparian resources associated with an unnamed tributary of Darby Creek, a spring-fed pond, wetlands, open grasslands, and steeply sloped woodlands.

Contact Erik Hetzel (ewh@wctrust.org) for more information on conservation easements.

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT?

| A conservation easement is a flexible tool that protects land while leaving it in private ownership. It is a legal and binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization such as Willistown Conservation Trust. The easement is recorded with the deed to the property, applies to all future owners, and exists in perpetuity. As the holder of the easement, Willistown Conservation Trust agrees to see that the restrictions detailed in the easement are upheld forever. The landowner retains title to the property and continues to have all rights and obligations of ownership except for those rights specifically restricted under the terms of the easement. The retained rights include the right to sell, lease, bequeath, and subdivide the property subject to the terms of the easement.

The main dwelling on the property faces southeast toward the pond. The two story building was constructed in multiple phases, with the earliest being 1767. Photo by Sue Costello

This unnamed tributary of Darby Creek is a prominent feature of the property. Photo by Sue Costello

Corporate Partnership Program

Willistown Conservation Trust is thrilled to have the philanthropic support of businesses in our community who participate in our Corporate Partnership Program. This diverse group of corporate citizens has expressed endorsement of our mission and acknowledges WCT’s important role in the local community. Each firm has engaged with our organization and staff and their employees have been exposed to the work we do to conserve open space and study the benefits of land conservation on the environment.

WCT is pleased to announce Shreiner Tree Care as our most recent Corporate Partner. Located in King of Prussia Shreiner has been caring for trees since 1986.

For nearly 40 years, our arborists have recognized the importance of preserving natural habitats and biodiversity in our community We proudly support the Willistown Conservation Trust’s environmental efforts Our shared commitment to sustainability and ecological stewardship drives us to contribute to their mission of protecting open land, small forest systems, and the beautiful trees in Willistown

Your dedication as a Corporate Partner makes our work possible and impactful.

Scan the QR code to learn more about our Corporate Partnership Program!

Steve Shreiner, President ISA Certified Master Arborist

WENDY COZZI | Wendy Cozzi (née Strawbridge) grew up in Willistown before settling in Westfield, New Jersey with her husband, John, where they raised their two children, Emily and Peter. While in Westfield, Wendy was a board member of the PTA, as well as a trustee for the Westfield United Fund. She volunteered for the College Women’s Club of Westfield as a member of the scholarship fund committee. Wendy was a part of the tutoring program at the KIPP Charter schools in Newark, New Jersey. In addition, she worked part time at the local independent Town Book Store.

Wendy graduated from The Shipley School and received her BA in English from Trinity College in Hartford, CT.

Wendy and John returned to Willistown three years ago and are thrilled to be “home”! She enjoys gardening, spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters, and exploring Kirkwood Preserve.

MOLLY LOVE | Molly grew up on a working farm in Baltimore County, Maryland in the company of four sisters and many animals; it took her just a few decades to find her way back to that life, on a small farm in Willistown. She was introduced to WCT almost immediately and has had the complete pleasure of spending mornings at the bird banding station, helping out with trail maintenance, and getting to know many of WCT’s wonderful staff over the past five years.

Molly graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with undergrad degrees in Biology and Nursing and a graduate degree in Nursing. She and has spent much of her professional life as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia among other sites. Most recently, she practiced as a clinical research nurse at Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine working on novel therapies for naturally occurring diseases in client-owned dogs and cats.

Over the past several years, Molly has been involved with land trusts in Pennsylvania and Montana and was president of Bridlewild Trails Association in suburban Philadelphia. She currently volunteers at Quest Hippotherapy Center in West Chester and with the Citizens Corps of Delaware and Montgomery Counties in their medical reserves corps.

Molly can be found with her dog, Gus, happily exploring trails in Willistown and beyond or working on the farm with her husband, Adrian Castelli and taking care of their goats and chickens. Their two sons have moved on to even larger landscapes in Montana and Colorado.

CHRISTINA CLASSON, Accounting Associate | Christina was born and raised in Pennsylvania and has lived in Chester County for over 25 years. She graduated from Boston College. She worked as a Controller for a telecommunications company, eventually transitioning into Public Accounting and earning her CPA license. Her clients spanned numerous industries including professional services, manufacturing and airplane parts distribution. She has enjoyed volunteering in her kids’ schools in roles such as a Girl Scout Troop leader and Hand Writing Helper aide. She also enjoys travel, walking and gardening.

MIKE CRANNEY, Director of Stewardship | Upon joining us in 2020, Mike quickly got to work managing the Trust’s many acres of public land. Thanks to his Masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a background in gardening at Morris Arboretum, he has developed a passion for native plants and ecological restoration. He has passed on the value of good stewardship while working with our many volunteers, and aims to do the same throughout the community as he manages the Trust’s Conservation Easements held on private properties. When he’s not at the preserves, you can find Mike at the movies or watching Philly sports.

GRETCHEN GROEBEL, Director of Community Engagement | Gretchen recently served as Radnor Conservancy’s Executive Director for the last nine years, where she established strong community relationships through educational programming, volunteer opportunities, fostered a beloved native tree giveaway program and helped grow fundraising efforts to support mission driven initiatives.

She holds an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and an MFA in Book Arts/ Printmaking from The University of the Arts. Her early career was in fine art printing and publishing. Gretchen lives in Wayne with her family and enjoys travel, hiking, photography, and her husband’s cooking and also loves sharing the benefits of native plantings and meadows!

SAVE THE LAND

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose when over 200 acres of farmland was listed for sale in the heart of Willistown Township in 2022. Zoning would have allowed construction of 40 houses on this magnificent property, but widespread consensus formed quickly that it was both urgent and imperative to protect the land from development.

SHARE THE LAND

To that end, Willistown Conservation Trust proposed a bold and ambitous plan, to acquire 90 acres of the property, conserve the land, and establish a new public nature preserve: Kestrel Hill Preserve.

NOW AND FOREVER

With your help, we can now save the undeveloped open space, protect wildlife, habitat, and waterways, and share the land forever with everyone.

OUR WORK HAS JUST BEGUN

We invite all members of the community to help WCT establish public access, create walking and equestrian trails and restore native habitat.

Make history and establish your legacy at Kestrel Hill Preserve, today.

CONTACT |

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Kate Etherington, Executive Director, or Heidi Hole at (610) 353-2562, ext. 103, or hdh@wctrust.org. We look forward to welcoming you soon to Kestrel Hill Preserve!

DAVE TAVANI

DONOR SUPPORT | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

CAMPAIGN FOR KESTREL HILL PRESERVE

The inception of the Campaign for Kestrel Hill Preserve has been funded by the following public grants and leadership contributions:

GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDS AND PROGRAMS

Willistown Township, Parks & Recreation, Open Space Fund

Chester County Parks and Preservation, Preservation Partnership Program

GIFTS AND PLEDGES

Anonymous (3)

Steven Aardweg

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Timothy and Meredyth Barnard

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde D. Beers

Clarke and Barb Blynn

Michael and Linda Burg

Adrian Castelli and Molly Love

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket

Raymond and Sandra Collins

Mr. and Mrs. Paolo P. Costa

Wendy and John Cozzi

Phaedre Doukakis-Leslie, in honor Of Kaia and Emerson Leslie

Dick and Nancy Eales

Kate and Ben Etherington

Kimberley and Russell Galligher

Juan Gil

Allison M. Graham

Julie S. and K. David Graham

Mrs. Perry C. Gresh

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Hamilton, Jr.

Meg and Chris Hardesty

Wes and Mary Hardin

Peter and Alice Hausmann

Leslie Hempling

Chris and Allison Henderson

Jamie and Heidi Hole

Elizabeth C. Hucker

Kevin and Jennifer Julian

Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger

Adam and Kelly Loew

Ted and Lindsay Leisenring

David and Mary Luckner

John and Nima Marsh

Kimberly R. McCarthy

Michael McGraw

Linda and Chris McIsaac

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin

Art and Joanna McMorris

Chris and Jennifer Moller

Britt and Janice Murdoch

Mike and Anne Rhoads

John and Silenia Rhoads

Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Rohr

Andrew and Gabriela Snyder

Skip and Deirdre Snyder

Steve and Holly Spinner

Mr. Brook Gardner and Ms. Jodi Spragins

Mr. and Mrs. Randal Steinhoff

Elizabeth Stone

John F. and Holly H. Stoviak

Peter and Liz Strawbridge

Doug and Jeanne Swope

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Justin N. Thompson

Mark and Katherine Thomson

John and Gerry Tuten

Jim and Bonnie Van Alen

Rick and Kathy Warden

Jason D. Weckstein, Ph.D.

Paul West

The Wike Family Fund

Alex and Janine Zozaya

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Michael S. Burg, Esq.

Mr. David J. Falcone, Esq.

Saul Ewing, L.L.P.

MATCHING GIFT DONATIONS

Janney Montgomery Scott, L.L.C.

This list includes all those who have pledged to support or already contributed to the campaign as of March 22, 2024. Those who pledge or donate after March 22 will be acknowledged in future reports.

The Sycamore Society recognizes individuals and organizations who annually contribute $1,500 or more to the Annual Fund.

PLATINUM SYCAMORES | $25,000 and Up

Anonymous Terryglass Foundation

GOLD SYCAMORES | $10,000 to $24,999

Timothy and Meredyth Barnard

Bob Berry and Laura Snead

Tally Foundation

Frank and Terry Buzan

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket

Anonymous

NFI Foundation, Inc.

MRM Foundation

Franny and Franny Abbott

Margaretta S. Brokaw

Frank and Terry Buzan

Mrs. Brice M. Clagett

Jennifer and Christopher Franklin

Ms. Linda M. Gordon

Anonymous (2)

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Clarke and Barb Blynn

Michael and Linda Burg

Wendy and John Cozzi

Mrs. W. Perry Gresh

Beth and David Hucker

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson

Francis Jennings and Terri Cappelli

SILVER SYCAMORES | $5,000 to $9,999

Alice and Peter Hausmann

Mrs. Anne G. Moran

Britt and Janice Murdoch

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Patterson

Julie Spahr

Frank Tobin and Ilene Chester

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Warden

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Layden, Jr.

Mrs. Seymour S. Preston III

Jim and Bonnie Van Alen

Don and Nancy Weaver

Mrs. Ethel Benson Wister

Kirkwood Foundation

The Giving Tree Foundation

First Cornerstone Foundation

The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins

The Le Vine Family Foundation

BRONZE SYCAMORES | $2,500 to $4,999

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Jameson

Mrs. Barbara M. Jordan

Hugh and Mary Lee Kenworthy

Catherine LaFarge

Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love

Vince and Kali Curran

Michael E. and Elizabeth S. Drummond

Eric and Susan Eichler

Ann Ercolani and Drew Conboy

Mr. Erik C. Evans and Dr. Marianna Evans

Steve and Debra Gautier

Charles A. and Patricia Genuardi

Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Good

Wes and Mary Hardin

Anonymous (4)

B & W Family Foundation

Caroline and Olin Belsinger

Lisa Hatcher and Charlie Bernard

Mrs. Caroline Claytor

Mr. Warren I. Claytor

Douglas and Catherine Davis

Emery and Bonnie Davis

Ray Dombroski and Colleen DeMorat

Deb and John Donaldson

Kate and Ben Etherington

John and Dolly Fisher

Kimberley and Russell Galligher

Dr. George T. Graham and Ms. Suzanne M. Roth

Mr. and Mrs. S. Matthews V. Hamilton, Jr.

Meg and Chris Hardesty

James Hetznecker and Sandra Cannon

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hofmann

Christopher Le Vine

Chris and Linda McIsaac

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. McKenna Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin

The Simkiss Family Foundation

Chris and Jennifer Moller

Ms. Caroline A. Moran

Mr. and Mrs. Marc Rash

Dr. Donald E. Red

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rorer

SYCAMORES

| $1,500 to $2,499

Gary and Patricia Holloway

Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard

Marybeth Hurley

L. Stockton Illoway

Jim and Mandy Kennedy

Nancy & Dick Klavans

Ted and Lindsay Leisenring

Ms. Victoria B. Mars and Mr. David R. Spina

John and Nima Marsh

Mary and Jay McElroy

Mr. and Mrs. Chip G. Morgan

Pam and Pete Nagy

Mr. and Mrs. Steve M. Oblack

Ned and Rachel Owen

Margot and Mac Patterson

Melissa and Michael Perticari

Conrad and Amanda Radcliffe

Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rawson

Mrs. Alice M. Sharp

Langhorne and Marilyn Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Spinner

Mr. and Mrs. Randal Steinhoff

Arthur and Doris Strawbridge

Peter and Liz Strawbridge

Doug and Jeanne Swope

Mr. Matt E. Taylor and Ms. Francie Ingersoll

The Hon. and Mrs. John C. Tuten, Jr.

Devin Wilkins and Kyle Wichser

The Wike Family Fund

Carolyn J. Wukitch and Anthony McCarley

Ms. Elizabeth Reilly

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rorer

Eric and Genevieve Snyder

Mr. Brook Gardner and Ms. Jodi Spragins

Elizabeth Stone

John F. and Holly H. Stoviak

Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Strawbridge

Morris and Boo Stroud

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Lance W. H. Taylor III

Mr. and Mrs. Justin N. Thompson

Cheryl and Wayne Tomlinson

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Warzecha

Ted and Susan Wentz

Andrew Yorks

Daley Family Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation

DONOR SUPPORT | ANNUAL FUND

CONSERVATIONIST | $1,000 - $1,499

Anonymous (2)

Mr. and Mrs. W. Thacher Brown

Tim Buckley and Elizabeth Norris

The Cruise Family

Vince and Kali Curran

Lynn and Steve Flynn

Danny Fruchter

Dr. Jan Taylor Gordon

Jeff and Diane Groff

Gary and Patricia Holloway

Margot and Bob Keith

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Knauer

Helen and Dick Leaman

Mrs. Jane E. MacElree

John and Nima Marsh

Art and Joanna McMorris

Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. McNeely

Jennifer and Bob McNeil

Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore

Nicole and John Meyers

Donna and Bill Oliver

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Piro

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Micheletti

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Rorer

Alice and David Sharp

Gary Sheehan and Sarah Hetznecker Sheehan

Mr. and Mrs. Lance W. H. Taylor III

Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Warzecha

Mr. David E. Watt

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Wicas

NATURALISTS | $500 - $999

The Brooklands Fund

Page and Betsy Allinson

Resolution Life USA

The Weeders

Dr. and Mrs. Barry H. Burkhardt

Mr. and Mrs. Vince Canzanese

Martin J. Cappelletti Custom Builders, Inc.

Mrs. Ruth M. Colket

Ron D’Angeli

Brad and Nadia DeHart

Mark Delestatius

Mr. Steve DiMedio

Dennis and Charlotte Elko

Russell L Etherington

Sharon and Tony Fernandes

Mr. and Mrs. James Fooskas Jr.

Heartwood Stables LLC

Ms. Vicki Gershon

Wayne and Jeannette Grabe

Allison M. Graham

Mr. and Mrs. Perry C. Gresh

Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin

Lyn and Harry Groome

Gil and Tracey Hanse

Erika and Azeez Hayne

Mr. and Mrs. A. Dunham Hollister, Jr.

Toni Ioppolo

Ms. Christine V. Kanter

Dr. Keith A. Kennedy

The Leggette Family

Jennifer and Chip Mathes

Wendy W. McLean

Jim and Judy Milne

Jay and Nancy Mossman

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Mostardi

Ms. Diane Murray

Jim and Kayo Nolan

Anna Quisel

The Catherwood Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

Jay Reinfeld

Catherine Rubenstone

George Elser and Angela Scully

John Shields

Wesley Spahr

Lyn and Peter Strickler

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Swirsky

Rick and Amy Thompson

Marnie and David Unruh

Mr. and Mrs. Rob B. Van Alen

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Vincent

Vicki Vinton and Wilson King

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Ward

Lee and Bill Warden

Joe and Jolly Waterman

Peter and Eliza Zimmerman

Thomas and Kathy Zunino

Broadacres Trouting Association

STEWARDS | $250 - $499

Anonymous (5)

Becker Family Charitable Fund

Corinne Ackerman and Warren Ingersoll

Norm and Sid Baglini

Judy Meinkoth and William Baxt

Sam Bedeian

Delia Biddison

Ms. Sarah Boucas-Neto

Maria Brooks and Reinhold Banchet

Tom and Kitty Cobb

Robin and Alan Crawford III

John and Mary Custer

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis

Fred and Paula de Long

Michael and Kim DeHaven

Dick and Nancy Eales

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Eichman IV

Mr. Michael P. Erdman

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty

Edward D. Frank II and Susan G. Lea

Diana and Matt Funchion

Mrs. Paul Gansky

Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Gerst

Rob and Kristi Gilfillan

Christina and David Hack

Lawrie Harris

Ronald G Henry

Tom and Libby Hipp

Jamie and Hollie Holt

Mr. Claude Kershner

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kreuzberger

Mrs. Janet Krevenas

Mr. and Mrs. Cam Lacy

Lisa and Chris Lawler

Mr. Peter K. Lee

Dr. and Mrs. W. Steven Mark

Lauren McCreary

Diane Merry and Steve Fakharzadeh

Anne and Gary Murphy

Laura Sauer Palmer and David W. Palmer

Jennifer Pavao

Bob and Susan Peck

Washburn Family Foundation

Mariana and Andrew Pesthy

Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Quinn

David and Bridget Rahr

Mr. and Mrs. Topper Ray

Nancy and Donald Resnick

Timothy J. Ross

Katrina Starr

Eric and Susan Swanson

Liz and Ken Tankel

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander S. Van Alen

Patty and John Werth

James G. Willson

Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson

Minturn J. Wright III

Christopher and Jean Wright

Naturescapes Landscape Specialists Countryside Consulting, Inc.

PROTECTORS | $100 - $249

Anonymous (10)

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Bonfire.com

Steven Aardweg

Mollie and Blake Allen

Kathryn S Anderson

Glenn and Carol Anderson

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Aneser

Jason Arbacheski

James Augusterfer

Dr. Deborah Batchelor

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Beckett, Jr.

Bob and Deb Bednar

Brian Binkley

Ms. Barbara L. Bird

Mr. Barry E. Blust

Nicholas and Kalt Boccella

Drs. Thomas and Melanie Boerner

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Borgh, Jr.

Mr. Rodger A. Bovenkerk

Henry and Martha Bryans

Betty and George Buckland

Mr. Leonard A. Busby

Cindi Carevic and Chris McConnell

Trayce Carr

George and Jan Cauffman

Deb Charlesworth

Sally and Jim Congdon

David and Wendy Cook

Elizabeth Coulter

Peter and Curry Cozzi

Bill and Colleen Cranney

Mr. Harry Cummings

Carol McCloskey and J. R. Delich

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Diehl

Patricia Dorian

Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Dougherty

Mr. Walter J. Dowling

Mary Lee Ely

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Enochs, Jr.

Tom and Ali Farrell

John Ferri

Debra and Theodore Fetterman

Team Finnegan

Surrey and Malcolm Flint

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Frame

Wicker Francis

John and Suzanne Gaadt

Mr. and Mrs. William Gerhardt

Cherie Gerry

Jim and Dina Gibson

Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole

Ms. Laura Taylor Gorham

Daniel R Greenwood

Dr. Andrea S. Hanaway

Mr. Paul Nigel Harris

Barbara and Bob Heck

Ms. Leslie Hempling

Cathy Hetznecker

Susan W. Hodge

Heidi and Jamie Hole

Ardrossan Beagles, Inc.

Frances L. Hundt

Bert and Joelle Iams

Louise R. Johnston

Paul Justice and Joshua Young

John and Kathy Kichula

Colleen and Christopher King

Lin and Rick Koenig

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Lang

Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Lee

Rebecca and Gerald Leggieri

Pamela E. Lewis

Barbara S Lindsay

Laura Luker

Ms. Joan W. Mackie

Mr. Stephen Madjar and Ms. Meredith Haab

Cathy and Norman McAvoy

Robbi and Jim McErlane

Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Miller

Arthur P. and Marjorie L. Miller

Lisa Mitchell

Stephanie Moriarity

Lee Morris

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Morrissey

John Odell and Maryanne Buschini

Elizabeth Evert and Andy Orr

Judy and Rick Owens

Mr. and Mrs. Martin R. Page

Ms. Jane G. Pepper

Ms. Barbara M. Pettinos

David and Kathleen Phelan

Ms. Amy Piccola and Mr. Eric Kublius

Avery Rome and Jeff Price

Suzanne and Scott Pugh

Tracey and Mark Pulos, Team Pulos

Susan and John Rice

Rick and Nancy Richards

Gretchen Roth and William Roth

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Rugen

Craig and Elizabeth Rumbaugh

Mark and Emily Saks

Ms. Anne Satterthwaite

Bonnie Schaefer

Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schellenger

Mr. and Mrs. Karl R. Schoettle Jr.

Nancy Scholl

Maryellen Scott

Mr. John R. Silverthorne

Ken and Wendy Silverwood

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Smith

Ms. Pamela Smyth

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Snively Jr.

Andrew and Gabriela Snyder

Christopher Stafy

Jo-Ann Stephens

Mr. James K. Thompson

Bobbi Tower

Pete and Christina Townsend

Drew and Kristin Trautman

Scott Tuttle

Barton and Denise VanValkenburgh

Jeff and Cammy Wagner

Beverly Wallace

Albert and Meghan Pizzica

Dale and Cathy Weaver

Debbie Weger

Mr. H. Drake Williams Jr.

Sarah A. Willig and Family

George Wood and Nina Weisbord

The Pike Family

Chester County Fox Hunters Assoc.

AmazonSmile Foundation

Conlin’s Digital Print and Copy Center

FRIENDS | UP TO $99

Anonymous (7)

Charities Aid Foundation America

Mr. Timothy M. Beadle

Ms. Elaine Brody

Daril Browning

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Caniglia

Ms. Patricia Carson

Brian and Shannon Chilcote

Jamie Choate

Rachel Colello

Susan L. Cooker

Mr. Christopher B. Cryer

Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Daly

Lindsey Davis

Dr. and Mrs. Francis X. DeLone, Jr.

Mr. Eric Charles Delss

John deProphetis and Joanne

Dephillips

Karena Dileo

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Doering

Laura and Jack Murdoch

John R Embick

Deborah Fleming

Dona and Thomas Foerster

Dr. and Mrs. Edward F. Gilardi

Mr. and Mrs. Gareth E. Glaser

Ms. Pamela N. Gougeon

Ms. Penny Goulding

Mrs. Lisa Grosse

Carol H. Henn

Peter and Chloe Illoway

Mr. Francis B. Jacobs II

Wendy Kelly

Willaim Keyser and Pat Reeser

Kathleen Koons

Tim and Karen Lander

Zachary Leahan

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt V. Leininger

Steven Leonhardt

Hugh J. Lofting

Mr. and Mrs. Karl A. Malessa

Glenn and Deborah McCracken

Forrest McFaddin

Carol Pinheiro

John Plonski and Carol Meinhardt

Mrs. Gale A. Rawson

Zachary Ruch

Dr. and Mrs. Keith L. Sharkan

Heidi Shiver

Christopher Sides

Paula Singer

Cathy and Jim Staples

Debbie Stern

Ms. Marian A. Stevens

Mrs. Joan G. Thayer

Craig and Judy Thomas

Kathleen Tracy

Steven and Denise Treichel

Jane R. Vyverberg

Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Warner

Jason D. Weckstein, Ph.D.

Jennifer Zeien

Ashley Zwahlen

Pratt Household

The Frankenheimer Family

BARNS & BBQ PATRONS

Anonymous (3)

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket

Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Corrato

Dick and Nancy Eales

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Eldredge

Mr. and Mrs. Luke Etherington

Beth and David Hucker

Mark and Shanu Kurd

Lindsay and Ted Leisenring

Ms. Caroline A. Moran

Jane North

Mr. and Mrs. William Simkiss

Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge

Susan and Jonathan McEvoy

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II

BARNS & BBQ SPONSORS

Co-Presenting Sponsors

Pinemar, Inc.

Warren Claytor Architects

Bird Conservation Sponsors

Brandywine Realty Trust

CountryProperties/BHHS

Roots Landscaping, Inc.

Saul Ewing LLP

Habitat Restoration Sponsors

Bank of America Private Bank

Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie, Seelaus, & Kraft LLP Cherokee Construction

E.C. Trethewey Building

Contractors, Inc.

James Brown Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC

John Milner Architects

King Construction

Marshall Sabatini Architecture

Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC

The National Bank of Malvern

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Providence One Development

Ranieri & Kerns Associates, LLC

Refugia Ltd.

Shreiner Tree Care

Stoltzfus Construction

Stoney Bank Nurseries

The Mundy Wealth Management Group/ Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Program Book Sponsors

Austin Hepburn Windows, Pella

Cullen Construction Inc.

Dewson Construction Company

F.L. Bissinger, Architect

Jackson Lewis

Kreischer Miller Precise Buildings, LLC

BARNS & BBQ

RAISE THE PADDLE & AUCTION

Anonymous (3)

B & D Builders

Daniel M. Tabas Family Foundation

Laura Armstrong

Bob Berry and Laura Snead

Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love

Dr. and Mrs. R. Brannon Claytor

Drs. Craig Clifford and Rebecca Risbon

Kathleen Connors

Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Corrato

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D’Alessandro

Megan and Jeff Doble

Dick and Nancy Eales

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Eldredge

Kate and Ben Etherington

Mr. and Mrs. Luke Etherington

Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Fisher

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Flaherty

Kimberley and Russell Galligher

Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin

Lynn Hitschler

Joanne Hopkins

Beth and David Hucker

Rick and Sharon Jones

Mr. and Mrs. James P. Kennedy III

Josh and Emily Krueger

Mark and Shanu Kurd

Kyle Lissack

Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger

Ted and Lindsay Leisenring

Susan and Jonathan McEvoy

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. McMenamin

Tracy and Joe Przybylowski

Mr. and Mrs. William Simkiss

John F. and Holly H. Stoviak

Mr. Gary M. Tocci

Jim and Bonnie Van Alen

Mr. and Mrs. Rob B. Van Alen

Rick and Kathy Warden

Devin Wilkins and Kyle Wichser

Sam Whitaker and Jennifer Peters

Eliza and Peter Zimmerman

RUN-A-MUCK PATRONS

Mighty Muckety-Mucks

Francis Jennings & Terri Capelli

The Kraut Family

Magnificent Muckety-Mucks

Beth & David Hucker

Janice & Britt Murdoch

Muckety-Mucks

Joan & John Mullen

Effie Wister

Muckety-Mucks

Catherine & Gary Cox

Wes Hardin

Marybeth Hurley

Doris & Arthur Strawbridge

Liz & Peter Strawbridge

Forget-Me-Not

The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins and Mrs. Penelope Watkins

RUN-A-MUCK SPONSORS

Band Sponsor

Kreischer Miller

Meadow Sponsors

Claytor/Noone Plastic Surgery

Graham Media Partners

Quadratec

Trail Sponsors

Better Vet

Griffiths Construction Inc.

Lighting by Design & Beyond

Countryside Sponsors

Altus Partners

Austin Hepburn Windows

Bartlett Tree Experts

Benner & Sons Inc.

Bryn Mawr Landscaping, Inc.

Countryside Consulting, Inc.

Cover & Rossiter

Oliver Heating, Cooling, Plumbing

Penn Systems Group, Inc.

Robinson Anderson Summers, Inc

Spire Builders

Little’s of Downingtown

Nehrbas Wealth Management of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC

In Kind Donations

Arader

Amerasport

Hetzel Brothers Band

Out There Outfitters

Stoltz Hay Farm

Wrong Crowd Brewing Co.

SPECIAL GIFTS

Bird Conservation Program

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Rebecca Esch

Gemma Rozmus

Cathy and Jim Staples

Cheryl and Wayne Tomlinson

Grassland Birds

Starr Cummin Bright

Dr. and Mrs. John T Moss

Jim and Bonnie Van Alen

Motus Fund

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Norm and Sid Baglini

Margaretta S. Brokaw

Dr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Charlesworth

Ms. Laura De Ramel

Dick and Nancy Eales

Kimberley and Russell Galligher

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gowen II

Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin

Meg and Chris Hardesty

Beth and David Hucker

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson

Leo Model Foundation, Inc

Mr. and Mrs. James O. Moore

Keith M. Pension

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Shafer

Gary Sheehan and Sarah Hetznecker Sheehan

The Garden Club of Philadelphia

The Nyssa Foundation

Stewardship

Marshall-Reynolds Foundation

GreenWeaver Landscapes, LLC

Mrs. Beverly S. Hattersley

Sara Williams and Tom Koester

Trail Fund

Raymond and Sandra Collins

E. Murdoch Family Foundation

Steve and Christina Graham

Rick and Sharon Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Brook

Liz and Ken Tankel

Terleckyj Family

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Vincent

Mr. Gilbert B. Weisman and Ms. Alane A. Becket

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Wicas

Community Farm

GBH Foundation

Cathy and Jim Staples

Watershed

Greg Baase

Deirdre Gordon and Lloyd Cole

Chris Mulvey

The Simasek Family

Event Programming

Anonymous (2)

AAUW - West Chester

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Karen Baitzel

John Barbis

Carolyn Cambor

Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love

Dave Charlton

Shipra Chauhan

Brian and Shannon Chilcote

Hannah and Steve Coates

Carol Cody

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan D. Colket

Katy Mae Colvin

Charlie Coulter

Robert and Karen Doyle

Emeleah Erb and Liam Plunkett

Ashley Fein

Ken Fitzgerald

Pete Goodman

Susanne and William Harrigan

Mr. Thomas D. Hooper and Ms. Melissa Weismann

Frances L. Hundt

Elizabeth Johnson

Beth Krishtalka

Mr. Peter K. Lee

Christopher Le Vine

Linda Lorenz

Dawn Mullen

Chris Mulvey

Dot O’Connor

Tu Packard

Jacqueline Paolantonio

Julia Sheehan

Sue Stein

Mr. and Mrs. James J. Tornetta

Jim and Bonnie Van Alen

David Walton

Ms. Alexandra West

Linda White and Eileen Connolly

In Kind Donations

Container Culture

TRIBUTES

In Honor Of Kaia and Emerson Leslie Phaedra Doukakis-Leslie

In Honor of Cathy Rubenstone

Stephanie Moriarity

In Honor of Steve Spinner NFI Foundation, Inc.

In Honor of Rob Van Alen

Douglas and Catherine Davis

In Honor of Debbie Weger

Pratt Household

MEMORIAL GIFTS

In Memory Of Bob DeLuca

Ronald Henry

In Memory of Don Jones

Thomas Weaver

In Memory of Sylvia Ramsey

Jamie Choate

In Memory of Louis C. and Barbara R. Washburn Washburn Family Foundation

In Memory of Margaret Williams

Debbie Weger

LEGACY SOCIETY GIFTS

Anonymous

The Estate of Rita E. Reves

The Estate of Margaret Williams

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

13th Street Cocktails

Nemours Children’s Health

Rittenhouse Builders

Stillwater Capital Advisors

Veritable LP

Legacy Society

Please consider joining the Legacy Society by adding simple bequest language to your will, or make Willistown Conservation Trust a beneficiary of your life insurance or retirement plan.

LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS

Anonymous (2)

Timothy B. Barnard

Susan L. Cooker

Mr. Adrian A. Castelli and Ms. Molly G. Love

Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Cox

Deb and John Donaldson

Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Duprey

Nancy and Dick Eales

Jeff and Diane Groff

Gwen Atlee and Gloria Steinmeyer

Alice and Peter Hausmann

Lynn Hitschler

Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Howard

Beth and David Hucker

Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Ledger

Art and Joanna McMorris

Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil

Chris and Jennifer Moller

Ms. Diane Murray

Keith M. Pension

Rita E. Reves*

Ms. Anne Satterthwaite

Fritz and Christine Seving

Deacon and Sheila Shorr

Langhorne and Marilyn Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Strawbridge

Mr. and Mrs. Lance W. H. Taylor III

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Van Alen II

Margaret and Tom Whitford

Margaret Williams*

Ms. Lida A. Wright*

VOLUNTEERS

Our sincere thanks to these individuals who offered their time and talents to help Willistown Conservation Trust. This list reflects volunteer activity between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

Corinne Ackerman

Jamie Aller

Altus Partners Inc.

Jeannine Alvare

Anders Back

Bela Banker

Erich Barchi

Sarah Barker

Meredyth Barnard

Tim Barnard

Amanda Bebel

Dan Beniker

Brandon Berry

Joanne Berwind

Emily Blackburn

George Blossom

Barb Blynn

Clarke Blynn

Grace Boueri

Lauren Braun

Linda Brook

Jennifer Brown

Lindsey Brown

Mike Burg

Patricia Busey

Brian Byrnes

Kathleen Cannon

Kayla Cannon

Adrian Castelli

Lan Chen

Ilene Chester

Mark Christaldi

Meta Christaldi

Siana Christaldi

Morgan Churchman III

Sonia Churchman

Warren Claytor

Sarah Claytor

Lloyd Cole

Bryan Colket

Jayme Colket

Louise Cook

Beth Coppola

Judy Corr

Donna Corrato

Rob Corrato

Mark Cortese

Angie Cosie

Joe Costello

Charlie Coulter

Catherine Cox

Gary Cox

Alan Crawford

Esmund Donbach

Ian Donbach

Morna Donbach

Ian Duncan

Gordon Eadie

Dick Eales

Jacqueline Emery

Bryan Ersek

Kate Etherington

Luke Etherington

Whitney Fairbrother

Etienne Falcone

Brett Farnsworth

John Ferri

Andrew Flaherty

Abbie Fries

Kevin Fryberger

Dr. Stephanie M. Fuller

Kim Galligher

Kimberley Galligher

Russ Galligher

Satvick Garapati

Brook Gardner

Marie Gazzillo

Phillys Gichuru

Gary Gittis

Carlos Manuel Gonzalez

Kat Gord

Steve Gord

Deirdre Gordon

James Gowen

John Grady

Joy Grady

Dave Graham

Ryan Green

Keiko Greenberg

Peggy Greene

Salvatore Grippi

Gretchen Groebel

Bonnie Hallam

Shaina Hamilton

Nat Hamilton

Ying Han

Meg Hardesty

Chris Hardesty

Suzanne Harrigan

Gene Harris

Margaret Hauler

Meg Hauler

Alice Hausmann

Haverford School Crew Team

Barb Heck

Kristen Henwood

Barlow Herbst

Heidi Hiteshue

Lynn Hitschler

Seth Hoffritz

Katie Hogue

Madeline Hopkins

Jenni Horan

DJ Horton

Annie Horton

Bill Howard

Lyn Howard

Beth Hucker

David Hucker

Sarah Hutchin

Bryan Hutchinson

Nate Jameson

Robyn Jameson

Kristen Johnson

Sheryl Johnson

Chelsie Johnston

Mary Eileen Johnston

Claire Jones

Marilee Jones

John Joseph

Andy Kerns

Joanne Kostick

Pam Kosty

Will Krohn

Emily Krueger

Marie Kurz

Susan Lea

Derron LeBrake

Mark Ledger

Lindsay Leisenring

Linda LeRoy

Molly Love

Garth Mahosky

Julie Malloy

Aleksandra Marcotte

Katherine Marshaleck

Jennifer Mathes

Doris McGovern

Mike McGraw

Linda McIsaac

Leanne McMenamin

Rob McMenamin

Art McMorris

Dianne McNally

Scott McNally

Diane McNally

Scott McNally

Collin McNeil

Allyson McTear

Chris Moller

Jennifer Moller

Charles Moore

Caroline Moran

Suzanne Morris

Kaitlin Muchio

Jennie Mullen

Britt Murdoch

Janice Murdoch

Pam Nagy

Peter Nagy

Johannes Nelson

Fred Nocella

Catherine Oblack

Steve Oblack

Leigh Oblack

Emily Ostrow

Homa Parsia

Keith Parsons

Kacey Plunkett

Tracy Przybylowski

Joe Przybylowski

Conrad Radcliffe

Amanda Radcliffe

Resolution Life

Rittenhouse Builders

Noelle Raezer

Silenia Rhoads

Nanette Robertson

Michelle Roche

Avery Rome

Tim Ross

Ashely Rothman

Zack Ruch

Elaine Sams

Mary Ann Sandone

Win Schaeffer

Cynthia Scheeler

Bob Scott

Elaine Scott

Edwin Shafer

Jessica Shahan

Tara Shanahan

Jeff Shanahan

Megan Shipley

Rachel Coxe Shoemaker

Nate Simsak

Victoria Sindlinger

Martin Sliwinski

Marilyn Smith

Sara Smyth

Kirsten Snyder

Gabby Solomon

Joanne Solomon

Ellyn Spragins

Jodi Spragins

Jamie Stapf

Tim Stapf

Debbie Stern

Brian Storey

John Stoviak

Holly Stoviak

Strath Haven High School

Doris Strawbridge

Liz Strawbridge

Art Strawbridge

Peter Strawbridge

Aidan Sudall

Gerard Sweeney

Joan Swirsky

Doug Swope

Jeanne Swope

Liz Tankel

Angel Taylor

Francie Taylor

Matt Taylor

Sharon Taylor

Carolyn Thompson

Justin Thompson

Rick Thompson

David Tidman

Drew Trautman

Kristin Trautman

Bonnie Van Alen

Rob Van Alen

Jim Van Alen

Elly VandeMerkt

David Velinsky

Maddie Vile

Barbara Vincent

Jeff Vincent

Ben Walsh

Mike Ward

Kathy Warden

Rick Warden

The Honorable Thomas D. Watkins

Penelope Watkins

Ciaran Way

Dale Weaver

Jason Weckstein

Anne Wenninger

John Whitty

Nelson Wicas

Beth Wicas

Kyle Wichser

Chantal Wildman

Devin Wilkins

Amy Willig

Anna Willig

Matt Willig

Claudia Winters

Effie Wister

Ethel Benson Wister

John Witty

Christian Wynne

Crew Wynne

Andrew Zerby

Christopher Zito

Alex Zozaya

Lists may be incomplete. Please forgive any omissions or errors.

We thank our generous donors, grant funders, corporate partners, CSA members, public program participants, and Barns & BBQ and Run-a-Muck attendees for the generous and consistent financial support which enables all the robust activities at Willistown Conservation Trust such as those featured in this edition of The Sycamore.

OPERATING REVENUE

WILLISTOWN

Saturday, June 1, 2024

BARNS & BBQ TOUR TICKETS!

Join us for an exclusive look at a variety of barns from the bucolic Chester County Countryside. Two self-guided tour opportunities allow access to beautiful barns and stunning farms. Guests can choose either a morning tour-only ticket or an afternoon tour ticket that concludes with a cocktail reception and bountiful barbecue celebration at one of Willistown’s premier properties.

Visit wctrust.org/calendar for ticket information.