Cheers to 35 Years: Chris Chandor’s Impact on Heritage Conservancy’s Work and Mission

Chris Chandor recently celebrated 35 years on the Heritage Conservancy Board.

Chris Chandor has been a critical part of Heritage Conservancy's progress over the past 35 years, from the acquisition and restoration of Aldie Mansion to land conservation funding to meeting the practical needs of land stewardship. Chris has turned his love of the outdoors and concerns for family farming and future generations into a powerful legacy of natural beauty in Bucks County and beyond.


Read more about Chris and his impact.

Heritage Conservancy's Board of Directors, photo (and staff photo below) by Barbara Bell-Hawkey.

To Plant or to Protect? A Cost-Effective Alternative to Planting Trees

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is today, right?

Which is more likely to survive, a newly planted tree or a seedling that has “planted itself” and rooted naturally in the forest but that we then intervene to protect? Could “free” trees survive and grow as well as newly planted ones if they were tended and given the same low-cost protection, a cage or tube as a defense against deer browse?


We conducted a 2-year grant-funded study to answer these questions.


Read the results of our study.

Writing Contest: Nature in 100 Words or Less

Writers and community members gathered at Grundy Library to celebrate.

Our Community Outreach team challenged writers of all ages in Lower Bucks County to capture local nature in 100 words or less for our first writing contest. We received over 70 submissions, with entries from young school children, adults, and everyone in between.


We celebrated our nature writers at Grundy Library this past Saturday and presented awards from various local businesses to our favorite entries. We were impressed with the evocative writing and thoughtful observations and advocacy that writers shared. Mary Viall won our adult category:


Expression of Nature

Be still, and silent awaiting in the forest. For what? A surprise. In cyclical seasons, chaotic yet orderly, with budding red trees, leaves deep green in summer, fiery orange ready for falling, and barren in icy winter. Imagine the sky drenched in apricots, peaches, strawberries, and gold. A smile. Smells of lavender and peppermint. Water flows, trickling through rocks. A mother’s love dances with you. Only in observation can beauty be appreciated, like spotting deer on a rainy grey-skied morning, and squirrels hidden in oaks nibbling acorns. Nature is breathing; an inhale and exhale. A first kiss and last goodbye.


Read all the Nature Micro-Writer winner here.

MLK Day of Service at Bristol Marsh

Volunteers gathered on Monday to clean up trash.

Volunteers marked Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday on Monday with a day of service in Bristol. Our Cleanup Event at Bristol Marsh, co-hosted with Nature Conservancy, brought out a crew of helpers of all ages, including some hearty young folks.


It was a bitter cold morning on the Bristol Waterfront, but we removed several bags of litter from the woods around the swamp.


Hats off to everyone who volunteered on Monday, with us and on other projects throughout the region.


Volunteer with Heritage Conservancy.

Support Heritage Conservancy's Work in the Community

 New Additions to the Historic Register

The Thomas Ellicott House was among recent additions to our Historic Registry.

Heritage Conservancy has recognized nearly 700 local properties in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, adding them to its Register of Historic Places. Among its newest “inductees” is the Thomas Ellicott House in Carversville, Solebury Township. 


This historic stone home has been associated with a number of locally prominent individuals. Among its owners were Joseph Carver, who was instrumental in the founding of Carversville, and the prominent Ellicott family.


Take a look inside and read its history...

Testimonial

Considering Carbon Offsets


"At the end of each year, we calculate the carbon footprint we generate from trips taken by car and air in the past year. Using online calculators from sustainabletravel.org and atmosfair.de, we can estimate the amount of carbon produced by the miles we traveled and the cost associated with off-setting our carbon use. Investing in Heritage Conservancy's easement program to protect forest cover is a great way to help move toward a lower carbon future."


- Brad Andres and Heather Johnson

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 new and renewed business members:


Del Hunt LLC

Fox Rothschild LLP

Fred Beans Family of Dealerships

Friends of Kauffman Farm

Jane Ramsey Fine Art

Jeffrey A. Miller Catering Company

Malone Mechanical, LLC

Piper Group, Inc.

Professional Recruiting Associates, LLC

Renninger's Cabinetworks Inc.

Sir Speedy Newtown

Thompson Organization

Click HERE for a full list of Heritage Conservancy's business members.

Want to join next month's ranks? Click HERE to become a Business Member today!

The Art of William Mercer

Thursday, February 15th from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM


Join us at Aldie Mansion to discuss the art of William Mercer. Register here...


Much like William’s older brother Henry, William liked concrete. We will look at William’s concrete and plaster artwork, some of which we will be able to see right here in the mansion. Learn more...

Spring Garden Cleanup

Tuesday, March 26th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM


Come to Aldie Mansion and help prepare the grounds for the spring. We will clear out the gardens, cut down ornamental grasses, and prepare for mulching.


Your work will aid in the preservation and protection of this historic property and its grounds. Learn more...

Historic Window Repair Workshop

Monday, March 11th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM


Join our experts at Aldie Mansion for a Historic Window Repair Workshop! Register here...


The workshop will include a hands-on demonstration of various stages of disrepair and repair techniques for historic windows, including epoxy-based wood repair, glazing, and painting. Learn more...

Watch for winter hikes and other events coming soon.

Happy New Year from the staff of Heritage Conservancy!


Thank you for your generosity at the close of 2023. Your support makes our work possible and helps ensure our land conservation, nature education, and historic preservation programs remain strong in the coming year. We could not do it without you!

Support Heritage Conservancy With a Monthly Gift

Heritage Conservancy |215-345-7020

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