The Valish, Gerding, and Wigand Properties join our long list of preserved properties.

This past December, Heritage Conservancy preserved a total of 60 acres of Bucks County natural and farmland in three separate conservation easements. All of them closed in the same week! This brings our 2024 total to 335 conserved acres.

Conservation easements put in place by Heritage Conservancy and other accredited Land Trusts allow private owners to protect their property for generations to come. Our work helps keep Bucks County and the surrounding area green and beautiful, protecting the natural areas, agricultural fields, and bucolic views that make this region special.

Read more about the properties and the people who make it happen.

Heritage Conservancy's Senior Preservation Specialist Mary Lou McFarland is suited up for a property monitoring.

Join us for a visit to a Montgomery County animal sanctuary on a farm that is protected under a conservation easement held by Heritage Conservancy. We monitor all conserved properties annually.

Mary Lou McFarland tracks this historic farm and helps share information that bridges the gap between owners, all while inspecting the grounds and finding a little time to pet the resident camels and baby goats.

Read more and see the photos.

At an education conference in Pittsburgh, the Community Engagement Team presented a poster on the reclamation and cleanup of Croydon Woods.

When they are not busy providing environmental education programs and opportunities for all ages, Heritage Conservancy's Community Engagement Team attends conferences and trainings to keep their skills and knowledge sharp. As standards, curriculum, and environmental science fundamentals evolve, this ongoing education is critical.

The team recently traveled to Pittsburgh for the North American Association for Environmental Education Conference. In addition to attending workshops and seminars about the latest research and future of environmental education, they presented a poster on the revitalization of Croydon Woods Nature Preserve.

They have also joined a few members of the Alliance for Watershed Education for their Standards of Excellence in Community Engagement training. The program is designed to help deepen connections and relationships with local communities using a model developed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and partners. Throughout the year, they are attending multiple training sessions coordinated by John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and will use these strategies to improve program offerings and strengthen connections with local communities and partners.

The Green Frog is among the creatures who find habitat in springs and seeps.

Not all water freezes in nature each winter. Springs and seeps originate from below ground and are absolutely vital for a diversity of local animals, including a variety of salamanders, frogs, and invertebrates that are food for other critters.

Read more about these winter waters and the threat they face.

Aldie Mansion's historic fireplace designs.

As the weather chills and you start spending more time inside, you may be enjoying the warmth of your fireplace – just like the Mercers did. William Mercer was a talented artisan known for his stunning work, which was also reflected in the historic fireplaces at Aldie Mansion.

With a knack for detail and a love for preserving the past, he carefully crafted the intricate designs that make these fireplaces so special. His craftsmanship brought life to the mansion, and these beautiful features continue to shine and tell their stories to this day.

Learn more about Aldie Mansion's history.

"We are proud to be a part of an organization that has protected over 16,000 acres in Bucks and surrounding counties. We are inspired by all the hard work of the team in preserving and protecting our open lands and natural resources.”

– Julia R. Toner and Robert M. Maxwell

Thank you to the following Platinum Business Leaders for supporting Heritage Conservancy's mission and making accomplishments possible through their generosity:

And to the following Business Partners for their new and renewed support:

Ally Financial Inc.

Back Porch Jug Band

Bucks County Magazine

Bustamante Engineers Inc.

Cooper Mechanical Inc.

Del Hunt LLC

Jarrett Vaughan Builders, Inc.

Mid Penn Bank

Mind Your Design

Thompson Organization

Bird Habitat Walk at Aldie

Thursday, February 7th at 9 - 10:30 AM

The winter season brings a magic of its own at Aldie Mansion! Learn more about the significance of native plants in winter and how to support the birds at this time of year with Conservation Easement Steward Sebastian Harris.

We’ll sip warm beverages and explore the beauty and importance of Aldie Mansion’s native gardens in winter.  Learn more...

100 Wild Words Nature Writing Contest & Celebration

February 15 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Grundy Library, Bristol

Celebrate the untamed words of young Lower Bucks authors as we challenge people of all ages to write about local nature in 100 words or less. Submissions are welcome now!

Learn more and get writing...

Supporting Environmental Literacy Across the Curriculum with the MWEE Framework

We are partnering with the Bucks County IU for these teacher trainings that offer time in the field and six hours of ACT 48 credit.

April 9 at Bucks County Intermediate Unit and Silver Lake Nature Center

Learn more.

May 8 at Nockamixon State Park Environmental Education Center

Learn more.

Heritage Conservancy|215-345-7020| 

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