FALL 2007
The Leaflet
Newsbrief of W i ll i s t o w n C o n s e r v a t i o n T r u s t
Here’s to the Next Generation of Conservationists! What do parents owe their young that is more important than a warm and trusting connection to the Earth? –Theodore Roszak, The Voice of the Earth
Much has been written of
for children and families. We have recently par tlate about how essential early nered with the Riverbend experiences with nature are Environmental Education to a child’s healthy developCenter in Gladwyne to ment. Time in the outdoors provide more nature-based stimulates all the senses, offers educational opportunities. At a limitless canvas for the imagiour “Pollination Celebration” nation, and kindles creativin June, kids learned about ity which may last a lifetime. bees and butterflies and then Moreover, a recent study by donned their work gloves and Cornell researcher Nancy M. planted a butterfly garden Wells demonstrated that chilat the Trust’s headquarters. dren who have time for free We also held the 2nd annual play in nature grow up to be “Owl Prowl” and stargazing adults who care about their evening at Kirkwood Preserve natural environment and take in October, giving children of action on its behalf. Bee and butterfly hunters rejoice at the Trust’s Pollination all ages a chance to hike in the Celebration held in June. To deepen our children’s woods after dark and learn relationship with the natural environment, Willistown about local nocturnal creatures. Stay tuned for more similar Conservation Trust is expanding its outreach programs events in 2008!
Our Community Farm Program is Up and Running!
All of us at the Trust are excited to announce the launch
of our long awaited Community Farm Program. It was a year ago that the Trustees engaged five MBA students from the Temple University Fox School of Business to study the feasibility of developing a sustainable farming venture under the Trust umbrella. Led by Temple professor Jim Hutchin (a friend, neighbor and easement donor) the students first made the case that a sustainable farming program would align well
with and advance the mission of the Trust, and then spent the next several months developing a business plan to provide a road map for moving forward with the project. A Core Advisory Group of eighteen community members was formed to work with the MBA team throughout the study. We are grateful to this wonderful team (see inset) for their invaluable input and will be depending on their continued participation as the farm venture evolves. (continued on next page)
T h e L e a fl e t is an interim publication to supplement our annual newsletter, The Sycamore. Through The Leaflet, the Trust brings you interesting and timely information about Willistown Conservation Trust activities, stewardship news and upcoming events.