Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Our Aldie Mansion Green Thumb Gardeners | | Volunteers help keep Aldie's historic gardens looking good for the many wedding rentals that help fund our work and mission. | | |
From spring through early fall, a small but dedicated group of volunteers gathers on Wednesday mornings at our Aldie Mansion headquarters courtyard. For the next few hours, they will pull weeds, tend to flowerbeds, and care for the grounds of Heritage Conservancy’s historic gardens. Known as the Green Thumb Gardeners, this volunteer group plays a unique role in supporting our mission.
Meet our Green Thumb Gardeners and get inspired.
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Want to get involved?
Volunteer with Heritage Conservancy and join this or one of our other volunteer crews.
| | | Newly Preserved: 13 Acres of Forest and Wetlands in Moore Township, Northampton | | The Carpency Property is critical to the health of the Hokendauqua Creek Watershed and connects with part of a larger natural area. | |
Partnering with Moore Township, Heritage Conservancy has just conserved 13.26 acres of prime forest and wetlands in Northampton County. The Carpency Property holds valuable wildlife habitat, a diverse tree canopy, wetlands, and stream frontage that is vital to the health of the local watershed. Its wetlands have environmental value, helping to mitigate the local effects of extreme weather.
Moore Township is a co-holder on the conservation easement, which will protect it in its natural state now and for the future.
Read more about the property's vital habitats.
| | The History of Heritage Conservancy's Russell-Mandel Preserve | | Russell-Mandel Nature Preserve was assembled by two men with a long-term vision for conservation in Bucks County. | | |
When Robert L. Russell and William Mandel first discovered this circa-1775 farmhouse on 5 acres in the 1970s, they purchased it immediately. Over the years, they acquired the six adjoining parcels, which added up 55 acres.
Bob and Bill were passionate about preservation and conservation in Bucks County. In December of 1990, they donated their property to Heritage Conservancy, reserving life rights so they could continue to enjoy their lives on the property. With a proper endowment in place for ongoing care and maintenance of the property and its historic buildings, their vision was to preserve the home and countryside they loved.
Read more about Russell-Mandel.
Are you a Heritage Conservancy Member?
Join us at Russell-Mandel for our Pollinator Picnic Garden Party, September 27!
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Area Teachers Dive Into Our Watershed Education Training at Nockamixon State Park | | MWEE teacher training workshops include hands-on opportunities to learn outdoors. | | |
As the school year begins for students across Bucks County and the surrounding area, some local teachers will be bringing new environmental knowledge into their classrooms thanks to a hands-on professional development workshop.
This spring Heritage Conservancy partnered with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to host a special professional development workshop at Nockamixon State Park. The impact of a training like this is exponential, as each participant shares this knowledge with dozens – or potentially hundreds – of students and colleagues.
What is a MWEE? Learn more about our environmental education efforts.
| | Identifying Mushrooms in Croydon Woods with the Philadelphia Mycology Club | Fall is a great time to find mushrooms at Croydon Woods and Heritage Conservancy's other nature preserves. | | |
Heritage Conservancy recently hosted a Mushroom Identification Hike at our Croydon Woods Nature Preserve, one of the last remaining coastal plain forests in Pennsylvania. The event was co-led by Philadelphia Mycology Club and blended ecology and hands-on discovery, giving participants a new perspective on this unique habitat.
Check out the mushrooms our group found on their hike.
| | Business Supporting Community | | |
“At C&N, we believe we play an important role in supporting the communities that we serve. We enthusiastically advocate for Heritage Conservancy’s efforts in land conservation, natural resource protection, historic preservation, environmental education, and community building. Heritage Conservancy is a unique and local treasure whose impact has resulted in positive outcomes on protecting the valuable land in the Bucks County area and enhancing the character of our community.”
– Blair T. Rush
C&N Banking, Lending & Wealth Management
| | Thank you to the following Business Leaders for supporting Heritage Conservancy's mission and making accomplishments possible through their generosity: | | |
And to the following Business Partner for their new and renewed support:
Clemons Richter & Reiss, PC
C&N Banking, Lending, and Wealth Management
M&T Bank
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Pollinator Picnic Garden Party
Saturday, September 27, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm - RSVP by September 19!
Join Heritage Conservancy for a laid-back Pollinator Picnic at our Russell-Mandel Preserve to celebrate you - our Members! Enjoy strolling through the preserve, family-friendly activities, live music, and a picnic lunch.
Membership must be active to register for this event. Learn more and join.
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Second Saturday Stroll
October 11, November 8, December 13
10:00 - 11:00 am
Join our monthly guided walk through beautiful Croydon Woods Nature Preserve! These strolls are a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and discover plants and wildlife. Monthly walks highlight seasonal changes in the woods and provide opportunities to learn, explore, and enjoy the fresh air!
Learn more and register now.
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Nighttime Glow Hike
Friday, October 24, 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm
Step into a magical world only revealed through the illumination of blacklights at Croydon Woods! We will discover the tracks and traces that nocturnal animals leave behind, while also experiencing the hidden wonders of plants and fungi.
Learn more and register now.
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Fall Frenzy
Tuesday, November 11, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and/or 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Help us get Aldie buttoned up for winter! We will trim bushes, rake leaves, and complete other projects in the gardens. Your work aids in the preservation and protection of this historic property and its grounds.
Learn more and register now.
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Thanksgiving Bird Count
Saturday, November 22, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Join us for our very first Thanksgiving Bird Count at our Russell-Mandel Preserve! During this Member-exclusive event, Conservation Easement Steward Sebastian Harris will lead participants on a walk through our meadow, counting and collecting data on all of the bird species present.
Learn more/join and register now.
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