The Heritage Conservancy conservation stewardship interns from this summer.

Each summer, Heritage Conservancy hosts four conservation stewardship interns who assist our stewardship staff in managing the nature preserves we own while learning from various professionals in the field.

These college students aim to pursue careers in conservation and are introduced to a variety of tools and techniques for stewarding preserved land to benefit both the ecosystem and the public. Throughout the summer, the interns learn to identify species on the preserves and the best methods to protect them for future generations. They work alongside Jim Drennan, our Land Conservation Manager, and Tyler Kovacs, our Senior Conservation Biologist.

The interns also manage invasive species to restore habitats and ecosystem services on Heritage Conservancy properties across Bucks County. From identifying tree species to banding young falcons, these students gain a unique and hands-on experience in conservation and environmental stewardship.

What were the best parts of summering as an intern? Read more.

The Oleksa Property adds to a 500-acre swath of protected farmland and open space.

Heritage Conservancy worked with Williams Township and the Oleksa family to protect critical forested wetland habitat in the township's scenic Stouts Valley. 

A new conservation easement, held by Heritage Conservancy and co-held by Williams Township, permanently protects this 22-acre property, situated in the forested headwaters of Fry’s Run, a PA DEP-designated High Quality-Cold Water Fishery stream that winds through idyllic farmlands into the Delaware River. 

Through the generosity and collaboration of our partners, this project has established an area of 500+ contiguous acres of farmland protected by Northampton County's Farmland Preservation Program and over 2 miles of Fry's Run stream. Woodlands feature oaks, Black Birch, Tulip Poplar, and Red Maple.   

Autumn transforms our landscape into a canvas of vibrant colors, from the fiery reds of Red Maples to the deep purples of Sweet Gum.

There's incredible beauty in the autumn season, when a seemingly uniform blanket of green transforms into a vibrant array of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns.

These colors are certainly dazzling, but to what extent do people truly understand and appreciate the specifics of what they see? How familiar are we with the reasons behind these colors?

In this month's Nature Notes, Conservation Easement Steward Sebastian Harris highlights some of the major contributors to the variety of colors we see in autumn.

Learn more about The Colors of Fall.

Our kayakers had a wonderful time out on the Delaware River.

Our Delaware River Kayak and Hendrick Island expedition turned out to be a fantastic success! Everyone had a blast paddling along the beautiful Delaware River and checking out the gorgeous scenery on Hendrick Island, one of the oldest populated islands in the region.

It was an ideal day for connecting with nature while learning about conservation. Everyone left with big smiles and a newfound appreciation for the river and local environs. It was a memorable day that fostered a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Resident of the historic Bryn Gweled community gather regularly for meetings, fun events, and work days.

Bryn Gweled is more than just a place of natural beauty and strong community bonds. It is also Heritage Conservancy’s first conservation easement (settled in 1973) and a model for preserving a thriving natural environment.

The storied intentional community in Upper Southampton Township is widely considered an “oasis” in an increasingly developed suburban area. Residents and neighbors enjoy wandering through the thick woods, along streambanks and trails that make up the 45-acre easement.

Their communal values and conservation work persist through generations.

Read more about the values and history of this sustainable community.

"Truly appreciating what the stewardship team does sometimes requires a tolerance for delayed gratification. When we installed the Jackson Pond pollinator meadow, we knew it wouldn’t reach its full potential for seven years. Well, here we are, all these years later, and it has not disappointed. It is truly spectacular right now— arguably the best I’ve ever seen it."

– Jim Drennan, Heritage Conservancy's Land Conservation Manager

Heritage Conservancy's stewardship team works diligently to protect and restore local habitats, keeping local land and ecosystems in excellent condition to fulfill our mission of community-wide conservation. The Jackson Pond pollinator meadow is a prime example of these efforts.

The meadow has been planted and meticulously maintained by our team of experts and includes a variety of native plants that attract pollinators, benefiting the ecosystem as a whole!

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:

Blue Haven Pools

Bucks County Women's Journal

Clemons Richter & Reiss, PC

Ellen Happ Architect

Fehrenbach Black Forest Clocks

Fox Rothschild LLP

Gino's Native Nursery

Harris & Harris

Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering

Jarrett Vaughan Builders, Inc.

Millham Insurance Agency

National Sign Shops, Inc.

Professional Recruiting Associates, LLC

Silverman Family Partnerships

The Friends of Kauffman Farm

The Thompson Organization

Warren Weiss Insurance Agency, Inc.

A Hike Through Hexenkopf Preserve

Saturday, September 21st at 9:30 AM

Join us for an early autumn walk through Hexenkopf Preserve – an area rich in both spooky folklore and biodiversity! Register now.

Learn about the preserve's foliage, mushrooms, habitats, and migrating birds with Heritage Conservancy's Sebastian Harris. Learn more...

Pawpaw Festival

Saturday, October 5th from noon to 2:00 PM

Join us at our Russell-Mandel Preserve for our inaugural Pawpaw Festival! Discover North America’s largest native edible fruit and sample delicious pawpaw-inspired dishes.

Explore native gardens and our newly established 5-acre pollinator meadow. We’ll have native plants for sale, including pawpaw seedlings. 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...

Glow Hike

Friday, October 18th from 6:45 - 8:15 PM

Experience Croydon Woods Nature Preserve like never before during this year’s Glow Hike! Join our guides for a safe and enchanting after-hours adventure. Register now.

Each group will receive a blacklight, and we’ll make stops along the trail to discover the hidden wonders of plants, animals, and fungi. Learn more...

Flora and Folklore

Saturday, November 16th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Enjoy storytelling and insights into Lenape traditions on this guided walk through Croydon Woods. Register now.

You’ll learn about the local ecology and native plants that were essential to the Lenape way of life. Learn more...

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