Nothing says fall quite like the Turkey Tail mushroom.

The landscape is transforming, as it always does this time of year. Vegetation becomes more nuanced, more colorful, and gradually returns to the earth. Within these new blankets of leaf litter, you’ll find a variety of interesting organisms, including amphibians, invertebrates, and perhaps most notably, mushrooms.

For National Mushroom Day this past Sunday, Luke Smithson, a head chef and field mycologist, and Sebastian Harris, a herpetologist and Conservation Easement Steward, led Heritage Conservancy members on a hike through Hart’s Woods to hunt for mushrooms and salamanders.

Read more and see what they found...

The unique late-season blooms and popping fruits of the witch hazel.

What was that pop in the woods?!

Witch Hazel is a truly unique native shrub species. Learn more about this trend-bucking plant and the surprising origins of its name. From its odd-looking blooms to its unexpected means of propagation, this is one seriously interesting native plant.

Read more about the Witch Hazel...

Development Associate Melissa Lee welcomes Jo Anne Rocke, one of our award recipients.

We recently gathered to celebrate, honor, and thank some of Heritage Conservancy's most loyal and helpful volunteers.

We enjoyed delicious local food, drinks, and socializing, and native plants were handed out to take home. Heritage Conservancy President Bill Kunze and Development Associate Melissa Lee shared a few words, followed by a brief awards ceremony.

Read more about the event, see who won, and enjoy more photos. 

Volunteers from Janssen gathered at Russell-Mandel for a tree planting

On October 4th, a group of volunteers from Janssen came out to help Heritage Conservancy plant trees at Russell-Mandel Preserve in Furlong for Janssen Cares Volunteer Days.

After a guided walk around a portion of the property with Land Stewards Tyler Kovacs and Jim Drennan, the crew got to work.

With the help of the incredible team of volunteers, we were able to plant 63 trees of various species along a riparian buffer zone. These tree plantings help improve stream erosion and aid our native ecosystem.

Click here to plan a volunteer day or find other ways to help.

The historic intentional community of Bryn Gweled was Heritage Conservancy's first conservation easement.

Heritage Conservancy's Senior Preservation Specialist Mary Lou McFarland recently visited the Bryn Gweled Community – our first ever conservation easement, acquired 50 years ago!

This cooperative community was founded by Quaker families in Upper Southampton Township in 1940. The name is Welsh for "Hill of Vision" and the community was meant to be both bucolic and forward-thinking, with shared decision-making and a concerted effort to be diverse and inclusive.

Over 75 homes were built here by students of Frank Lloyd Wright, and they are set on 240 acres of collectively owned land.

Learn more about Heritage Conservancy's historic preservation work.

"Serving businesses and families for over 150 years, Penn Community Bank knows what it means to grow with the community. As a values-driven institution, we are proud to support Heritage Conservancy and its mission to preserve and protect significant open spaces, natural resources, and historic places throughout Bucks County."

- Rick Battaglia and Jeane Vidoni

Penn Community Bank, our Business Partners

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:

Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists

Eiseman Roofing and Construction Company, Inc.

GreenHaus Design Group

Holly Hedge Estate

Mikula Web Solutions, Inc. & Bucks County Alive!

Silverman Family Partnerships

Warren Weis Insurance

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!

Upcoming Events

Planned Giving Breakfast

Thursday, November 9th at 8:30 AM

Join us for breakfast and learn about opportunities to make an impact in the greater community through estate planning and planned giving with Heritage Conservancy.



The event includes a panelist discussion with Heritage Conservancy supporters and Legacy Society Members, highlighting the steps they took to create their own lasting legacy and how you can do the same. Learn more...

Flora and Folklore

Saturday, November 11th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Engage in immersive storytelling as the Lenape share their ancestral tales, offering insights into their traditions and the significance of native plants in their culture. Click here to register.

This event offers a unique opportunity to discover history, deepen your connection with nature, and honor the heritage of the Lenape people. Learn more...

Fall Frenzy

November 14th to November 15th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and/or 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day

Come to Aldie Mansion and help prepare the grounds for the winter ahead. We will work to trim back bushes, rake leaves, and complete other projects in the gardens. Your work will aid in the preservation and protection of this historic property and its grounds.

Join us in helping to get Aldie buttoned up for winter! Learn more...

Autumn Birding at Columcille Megalith Park

Saturday, November 18th from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Join us at Columcille Megalith Park for an introduction to the wonders of birding through the fall and winter months.

As you take in the aesthetics of giant megaliths, Sebastian Harris will provide a guided hike through the park. This is a members-exclusive event. Learn more...

Save the Date: December 14 - Open House events at Aldie Mansion

A Family Open House event at 4:00 PM will include a scavenger hunt and crafts.

The evening event will include docent-led tours. (Adults only.) Details coming soon.

Heritage Conservancy |215-345-7020| 

social@heritageconservancy.org|heritageconservancy.org