Our gorgeous Russell-Mandel Nature Preserve. Photo by Megan Close.

Over 200 guests gathered at Heritage Conservancy’s Russell-Mandel Nature Preserve last month for the annual Farm to Table fundraiser. From happy hour with music to plein air painting, an auction, and farm-fresh dinner in the fields, it was a night to remember!

The event is one of Heritage Conservancy’s biggest fundraisers of the year, and the generosity of guests helped bring in vital funding. We exceeded our $100,000 Farm to Table Mission Appeal goal. The fundraiser raised over $170,000 in total, vital funds for our land conservation, historic preservation, community outreach, and environmental education work.

Check out the photos and read more.

A wildflower meadow, like this one on the grounds of Aldie Mansion, supports local pollinators and changes with the seasons.

Lawns are one of the most ubiquitous landscape designs in the US today, but should they be? A growing number of homeowners and businesses are getting tired of that hyper-manicured, wildlife-deficient look and are turning to a more ecologically-minded landscaping style.

Here are some arguments and ideas for a more beautiful and sustainable landscaping approach that supports local wildlife and the balance of nature.

Learn more about habitat landscaping.

Heritage Conservancy's Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller addresses local educators at a three-day immersive training in environmental literacy.

At the end of June, Heritage Conservancy collaborated with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to host a teacher training at Aldie Mansion and out in the field, at Heritage Conservancy's local nature preserves.

The program immersed educators in local environmental literacy topics. Over three days, they learned how to develop PA STEELS (science, technology, engineering, environmental literacy, and sustainability) storylines to implement with their students. The STEELS standards are new and go into effect across Pennsylvania starting in the summer of 2025.

Some education leaders in attendance began to develop action plans to support environmental literacy and sustainability across their school district, including incorporating improvements to their school buildings and grounds.

This program comes on the heels of a high-impact spring for Heritage Conservancy's Community Engagement Team, who were also busy with their Watershed Connections program, running Motus wildlife tracking tower assemblies at Keystone Elementary in Croydon, and hosting their first field trip to our Fuller-Presell Nature Preserve for Tinicum Elementary School.

In April and May alone, Community Engagement Programs Manager Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller estimates her team reached over 3,000 people through public programming, education efforts, and tabling at community events.

The Shipley Lester House in Quakertown has joined our Register of Historic Places.

With links to Fries's Rebellion and the War of 1812, the Shipley House is a worthy addition to Heritage Conservancy's Register of Historic Places.

On recent visits to the property, a relic hunter uncovered interesting artifacts and items from past residents, including 19th-century jewelry, a War of 1812 2nd Regiment officer’s button, and a child’s toy police shield from the early 1900s.

Take a look and read more.

The Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is just one of the more interesting-looking varieties of moths you will find.

They may not be as flashy as fireflies, as colorful as butterflies, or as lucky as ladybugs, but don't overlook the beauty and importance of moths! From nighttime pollination to their critical place in the food chain, moths are an invaluable part of our ecosystem. Some varieties are quite beautiful too. Learn more about moths and how you can support them.

See the photos and learn more.

"Heritage Conservancy is truly deserving of recognition and praise for its commitment to the preservation of this Commonwealth's natural resources."

– Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, House of Representative Citation

Rep. Tim Brennan (above center) recently visited Aldie Mansion to present Heritage Conservancy with a House Citation to honor the environmental work, education, and community science work that earned us a Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. He met with CEO Bill Kunze and Vice President Kris Kern to learn more about our work and current projects.

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:



Bee, Bergvall and Company, P.C.

Bucks County Herald

Holly Hedge Estate

Indian Valley Appraisal Company

Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering

Jeffrey A. Miller Catering Company

Mikula Web Solutions, Inc. & Bucks County Alive!

Phillips & Donovan Architects, LLC

The Steve Darlington Team--Berkshire Hathaway / Fox & Roach

Moth Night at Jackson Pond

Wednesday, August 7th from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Join our community science volunteers and staff as we discover the incredible diversity of moth species at our pollinator meadow! Register now.

We will set up lights to attract these nocturnal pollinators where we can take pictures and identify them. Learn more...

Pollinator Palooza

Saturday, August 10th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Celebrate the summertime with us at our Jackson Pond Nature Preserve and immerse yourself in the beauty of the nature. Register now.

Join us for games, nature activities, and family fun alongside the busy pollinator meadows. Learn more...

Delaware River Kayak and Hendrick Island

Saturday, September 7th from 9:15 AM to 2:00 PM

Join Heritage Conservancy and the Delaware Canal State Park as we kayak from Bull’s Island to Lambertville and stop for a short hike along the shore of Hendrick Island. Register now.

This is noted as one of the oldest inhabited islands in the area, with archeological findings from the Lenape, circa 500 A.D. Learn more...

In the Zone, Part 1: Seeing the Forest for the Water

Saturday, September 7th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Join the Master Watershed Stewards for a picnic and nature talk about riparian buffers, their importance, and their ecology.

Early registration is now open for landowners with a Heritage Conservancy conservation easement. Learn more...

In the Zone, Part 2: Caring for the Water Through the Forest

Saturday, September 14th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Learn about establishing and maintaining riparian forests with Conservation Easement Stewards Sebastian Harris and Katie Toner. Plus, get hands-on experience planting and protecting tree saplings.

Early registration is now open for landowners with a Heritage Conservancy conservation easement. Learn more...

Aldie Mansion and Tree Tour 2024

Thursday, October 17th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Heritage Conservancy is throwing open Aldie Mansion’s doors and garden gates! Register now.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to tour one of Doylestown’s hidden historic gems and learn about the conservation work underway on the grounds. Learn more...

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