Free programs being offered to the public

Doylestown, PA, May 10, 2013:  Heritage Conservancy has announced its upcoming Bristol Marsh BioBlitz in Bristol, PA, set to begin at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 17^th and conclude on Saturday, May 18^th at 4:00 PM. Featuring a schedule of free-to-attend outdoor programs that include an afternoon bird walk and hands-on discovery of plant and animal life in the marsh, the event will be open to the public on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The first event of its kind to be held by Heritage Conservancy, a BioBlitz is a 24-hour ecological survey during which teams of volunteer scientists, naturalists, students, teachers, and other community members work together to discover and identify as many species of plant and animal life as possible. The teams will consist of six areas of study that include birds, reptiles and amphibians, plants, mammals, invertebrates, and aquatics.  Each team will venture into the marsh and document every species it finds.

Located along the Delaware River just southwest of the historic district of Bristol Borough of Bucks County, the Bristol March is a 33-acre natural area preserved by The Nature Conservancy and Bristol Borough and locally managed by Heritage Conservancy. The Preserve includes a rare and important fresh tidal marsh, one of the few remaining in Pennsylvania. It is home to at least six rare plant species. The findings from the survey will help Heritage Conservancy make decisions about how to conserve and steward the natural resources for this important habitat.

“Our staff is excited to have the opportunity to host this scientific and educational event and we look forward to discovering the full range of biodiversity of the Preserve. We are very grateful to Bristol Borough, the Dow Chemical Company, Bristol Borough and Township School Districts as well as The Nature Conservancy for their assistance and support in the planning of the BioBlitz,” said Susan Myerov, Heritage Conservancy’s Senior Planner and BioBlitz coordinator.

For more information about the Bristol Marsh BioBlitz and volunteer opportunities, please contact Susan Myerov at 215-345-7020 x 101.

To join in on the excitement of this pioneer event, come to one or all of the free family-friendly programs listed below. 

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Hands-on Discovery – Watch scientists in action sorting and identifying specimens (ongoing all day).  Visit our TALLY BOARD to find out how many species are being found at the marsh, updated throughout the day.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Riparian Buffers in the Environment- Join watershed specialist Meghan Rogalus of the Bucks County Conservation District to learn about riparian buffer functions, characteristics and benefits. Participants compare riparian buffers to common household objects and then discuss how the different riparian functions are important to humans, aquatic life and water quality.

10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. – Skins and Skulls- Wildlife Educator Sarah Berg from the Delaware Canal State Park explores the various animal adaptations through this interactive program utilizing skins and skulls of various mammals.

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Riparian Buffers in the Environment- Join watershed specialist Meghan Rogalus of the Bucks County Conservation District to learn about riparian buffer functions, characteristics and benefits. Participants compare riparian buffers to common household objects and then discuss how the different riparian functions are important to humans, aquatic life and water quality.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Native and Invasive Plant Identification- Join US Forest Service Naturalist Sarah Low on a walk to learn how to identify common native and invasive plants within the marsh preserve.

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.. – Enviroscape© Demonstration #1 – Join environmental educator, Mary Ellen Noonan from the Bucks County Conservation District as she demonstrates the Enviroscape © Model. This 3-D interactive model demonstrates how pollution from houses, cars and factories affects our water. In addition to identifying non-point source and point source pollution, participants learn about various best management practices that can be implemented in the watershed to improve water quality.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.. – Native and Invasive Plant Identification- Join US Forest Service Naturalist Sarah Low on a walk to learn how to identify common native and invasive plants within the marsh preserve.

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.. – Enviroscape© Demonstration #2 – Join environmental educator, Mary Ellen Noonan from the Bucks County Conservation District as she demonstrates the Enviroscape © Model. See description above.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Afternoon Bird Walk – Join Laurie Gneiding, one of our expert birders on an educational and informative bird walk on the Bristol Marsh Preserve Property.  See if you can spot the nearby Eagle and Osprey nests and learn about the many different birds who visit the marsh during the day.

2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. – Amphibian Workshop – Wildlife Educator Sarah Berg from the Delaware Canal State Park illustrates the many types of amphibians common to Pennsylvania in this fun workshop.

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Final Tally of the 2013 BioBlitz – Come find out exactly how many different species we discovered at Bristol Marsh Preserve as we reveal our final tallies.

Event is rain or shine.

Event Recognizes Significant Contribution to Conservation

Heritage Conservancy honored Amy and Gary Manoff at its annual Business Member Reception on Thursday, April 18^th at the organization’s headquarters, historic Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Manoff were presented with the Conservancy’s 2013 Business Leader Conservation Award.

With attendees that included over 60 of the Conservancy’s valued business members, as well as members of Heritage Conservancy’s staff and Board of Directors, the event showcased Amy and Gary Manoff’s significant and profound contributions to conservation. Founders of Manoff Market Gardens, their farm encompasses many facets of environmentally sustainable business practices, including the adoption of a Soil Conservation Plan to preserve the farm’s rich soil and the creation of waterways and terraces to control and reuse rain water runoff. The Manoffs also installed a water conservation irrigation system to hydrate crops while minimizing water waste. Another exercise in sustainability, the farm uses agricultural tunnels that house climate sensitive fruits such as strawberries. These tunnels extend the growing season and reduce the need for pesticide use. As if these efforts in conservation weren’t already impressive, Manoff Market Gardens actually resides on a protected property that was preserved and is owned by Heritage Conservancy! This represents a pioneer example of a model partnership between farmers and land trusts that Heritage Conservancy would like to replicate with other properties.

Linda Cacossa, Heritage Conservancy’s Chief Operating Officer, and Jeff Marshall, Heritage Conservancy’s president, offered their congratulations to the Manoffs. “Manoff Market Gardens continues to cultivate new techniques and revise plans to ensure that their farm runs with the utmost commitment to conservation,” said Jeff Marshall. “As a business member and supporter of Heritage Conservancy, we are pleased to recognize Amy and Gary Manoff with the 2013 Business Leadership Conservation Award.”

Amy and Gary accepted their award by presenting a slideshow that highlighted their journey from humble beginnings in 1984 to a successfully run farm market. Attendees were entertained and informed while engaged by this heartfelt acceptance. It was clear to everyone that the Manoffs love what they do. 

The reception also honored the many business members who continue to promote the Conservancy’s mission through their advocacy and generosity. Heritage Conservancy hosted a special evening where guests felt enthused to support local agriculture.

Sponsors of the event included Eiseman Construction Company Inc., Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, Univest Bank, Brooks and Barber Tree Management, Bucks County Bank, Hill Wallack LLP, Milestone Bank, National Penn Bank, Susquehanna Bank, Omnia Group Architects, The Weimer Group, Van Cleef Engineering Associates, Curtin & Heefner LLP, Dear Garden Associates Inc. and Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn.

For more information – and to become a business member – contact Katie Paone at (215) 345-7020 x108 or via email at kpaone@heritageconservancy.org. Or visit the Business Membership page on our website: http://www.heritageconservancy.org/giving/business-membership/

One of the last hibernacula (winter roosting sites) in the region to become infected with the disease, White Nose Syndrome was confirmed at the Durham bat cave in the fall of 2009. In 2008, it was estimated that the cave hosted 8,000-10,000 healthy hibernating bats; this winter, 23 bats were found living in the cave, half of which had signs of WNS.

First documented in Albany, NY in 2007, White Nose Syndrome is an infectious disease that affects all hibernating bat species and has a 96% total mortality rate. The infection has since spread to sixteen states along the East Coast and Midwest, as well as four provinces in Canada.  WNS causes bats to lose their fat reserves, making it impossible for them to survive a winter in hibernation. They eventually starve to death. The fungus Geomyces destructans, believed to have been brought to the United States by hikers from Europe, has been identified as the causative agent. Infected bats have a white, cottony fungus present on their noses and wings. Since North American bats have no natural resistance to the fungus, and with no cure in sight, entire colonies have fallen victim to this disease at an alarming rate.

The ramifications of the decline in bat population could take a devastating toll on our ecosystem. One bat eats about 1,200 insects per hour in the summer; without bats to control pest levels, insects will fly rampant. Farmers will have no help from bats in repelling bugs, which could increase the use of insecticides. With insects such as mosquitoes that carry diseases, we could see an increase in human disease contractions.

Heritage Conservancy will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in keeping with protocol for the preserved Durham bat hibernaculum. Greg Turner, Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist, said optimistically of the hibernaculum, “Since we know the Durham mine was a special site that attracted thousands of bats before the disease, along with the fact that it is a protected site, it will likely be avery important site for those few survivors out there, and into the future should we see some stabilization in numbers and actual recovery.”

“Heritage Conservancy will continue to protect this valued resource for the bat population. If they rebound, it will remain a haven to repopulate the colony,” stated Jeff Marshall, president of Heritage Conservancy.

 If you would like more information on White Nose Syndrome, visit the PA Game Commission website at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/. Or click HERE for a FAQ sheet. If you come across a bat that appears to be infected, please contact your state wildlife agency at WhiteNoseBats@fws.gov.

Event is free for the public by reservation only.

Heritage Conservancy, an accredited not-for-profit land conservation organization located in Doylestown, PA, has announced its partnership with the Bucks County Audubon Society, a non-profit organization that works to promote the sustainability of human activities, in presenting “A History of Protecting the Future: The Story of the Honey Hollow Watershed” Symposium. A free-to-attend educational extravaganza for nature lovers, historians and scientists alike, this event being held on Saturday, May 4^th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the beautiful Bucks County Audubon Society Visitor Center in New Hope is expected to fill up quickly.

The Symposium, which aims to inspire a new generation to protect our natural resources, will explore the rich legacy of cooperative stewardship that began at Honey Hollow Watershed, the nation’s only National Historic Landmark dedicated to conservation, and how we can address existing and future threats to the health of our local and regional watersheds by working collaboratively. The day will feature a walking tour of the property led by lifetime resident, Malcolm Crooks, who will review Honey Hollow’s unique soil and watershed conservation practices. During several lively historical, agricultural and conservational themed workshops, presenters will discuss topics such as how gardeners and farmers can improve their soil to grow healthier plants and better food, how landowners can prevent streambank erosion and how homeowners can utilize their own backyards to reduce pollution.

This educational event will feature close to a dozen speakers, a few of whom include keynote speaker, Jean Cutler, Director of the Bureau of Historic Preservation for the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, Mark Goodson, State Agronomist of the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Jeff Marshall, President of Heritage Conservancy.

“Unlike many historic sites, Honey Hollow is a living landmark,” describes Marshall of the special watershed. “It respects the past while looking forward to a future worth preserving.”

To attend this symposium and learn how to protect our soil and watersheds, please register at http://www.heritageconservancy.org/registration-for-honey-hollow. For any additional questions or to register by phone, please contact Joyce Austin at 215-345-7020 ext. 114.

RSVP deadline is Friday, April 26^th.  Event is rain or shine.

Heritage Conservancy, an accredited not-for-profit conservation organization that specializes in preserving our natural and historic heritage, was honored to co-host, alongside MileStone Bank, a bank that specializes in serving small businesses with a focus on women-owned businesses, the “Heritage of Heart and Home Luncheon” on Thursday, March 14, at the organization’s headquarters, historic Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, PA. The event was held as a way of bringing businesswomen together to build friendships and to collaboratively preserve the heritage of our home, Bucks County. Heritage Conservancy and MileStone Bank were honored to host special guest speaker, best-selling author and Bucks County native, Mary Lou Quinlan, who shared her personal heritage and the legacy of faith, life, and love.

With over 75 women in attendance, Linda Cacossa, Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Conservancy, greeted the group with an opening speech that referenced the beautiful land and meaningful historical sites that we have right here in our area. “This place matters,” Cacossa said of Bucks County, and Heritage Conservancy works to preserve it.

 Linda Bishop, Senior Vice President of Specialty Markets for MileStone Bank, introduced Mary Lou Quinlan and her newest book, The God Box. Each attendee was treated to an autographed hardback copy with the inscription, “We hope you enjoy this precious story and use it as a source of inspiration to strengthen your own personal heritage.” Bishop reminded us all to leave our legacies in Bucks County.

 After she was introduced, Mary Lou Quinlan read to the group from The God Box, a memoir about her mother’s gift of faith, love, and letting go. When Quinlan’s mother passed away, she left behind ten containers filled with prayers for family, friends, and even strangers that she had written on scraps of paper, each one a window into her mother’s mind and soul. The luncheon was filled with laughter and tears as Quinlan’s performance took the audience along with her on an emotional journey of her relationship with her mother, her best friend.

 Quinlan concluded with a passage from her memoir about the restoring power of nature. When Quinlan wants to feel more connected to her mother, she goes out to The Sanctuary, a garden that she and her father planted and dedicated to her mother. She feels her mother’s presence as she sits on the river stone bench in the middle of the garden.

Her mother’s heritage, her legacy, was felt by everyone in attendance.

The God Box is a must-have for mothers and daughters alike. If you’d like to see Mary Lou perform, please visit www.thegodboxproject.com for upcoming local events where she acts out her story with grace and beauty.

Riparian buffers are areas of trees and shrubs along the banks of rivers and streams that filter polluted runoff, increase wildlife habitat, and cool the water in creeks while providing a vital transition zone between water and human land use. As development occurs, natural woodlands along streams are often destroyed, leaving stream banks without adequate riparian protection. Identifying and restoring these areas can lead to improved water quality, stream bank stability and wildlife habitat.

In 2000, we developed a program to identify and map forested riparian buffers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, completing the first analysis in 2002. The results of the project indicated that 30% of the region’s riparian corridors lacked certain types of forested vegetation, which is critical to stream health and watershed function.

Located adjacent to Historic Bristol Borough’s Waterfront Park, the 33-acre Bristol Marsh Preserve contains a freshwater tidal marsh and forest habitat with unique ecological significance. An asset to this area, the marsh helps protect the Delaware Riverfront from some of the impacts of flooding and stormwater pollution. Fresh water tidal marshes contain critical natural features that support a wide variety of plants, birds and animals. It is a unique and important environmental resource.

A large part of the marsh is owned by Bristol Borough and is under protection of conservation easements held by The Nature Conservancy. For the past five years, in many different weather conditions, this cleanup has been co-sponsored by Heritage Conservancy, Bristol Borough and The Nature Conservancy to raise awareness of the site’s unique historic and natural features. Heritage Conservancy’s restoration and educational programs in the marsh are financed, in part, through a Federal Coastal Zone Management Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“Our community volunteers and borough staff have been doing such a thorough job these past five years that I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough trash to cleanup,” said Susan Myerov, Senior Planner for Heritage Conservancy.  “This beautiful area is unfortunately used as a dumping ground for some. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and the staff of Bristol Borough public works, we hauled away a significant amount of trash and debris.”

“This annual day of service at Bristol Marsh is part of an on-going initiative to partner with community leaders, public officials and the public toward a common goal of good will to each other and the environment,” said Linda Cacossa, Chief Operating Officer for Heritage Conservancy. “Thank you to the volunteers who participated. Through their effort, we are better able to ensure the preservation of our land and natural resources.”

Help us continue our efforts in the Quakertown Swamp.

Wetlands play a vital role in our environment and provide significant benefits. The Quakertown Swamp, located southeast of Quakertown in Bucks County, is a unique wetland that provides critical habitat for beaver, fox, over 91 species of birds, and numerous species of amphibians. Most amphibians require both land and water to survive and reproduce. Amphibians are born in water and eventually undergo metamorphosis, changing into an adult form. Many species leave the water to live out their adult lives in a terrestrial environment, but they must return to water to breed and lay eggs.

In the Quakertown Swamp, frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians indigenous to the area must cross a busy road in order to get to vernal pools to breed, and the journey can be quite dangerous. Passersby usually don’t notice them on the road, and few cars slow down to allow them to cross safely. The impact on local amphibian populations has been drastic. During peak migration, drivers unwittingly kill hundreds every night. 

Amphibians are a vital part of a swamp’s functioning ecosystem because they are excellent bio-indicators. They have permeable skin that can easily absorb toxic chemicals from both air and water, making them very sensitive to any environmental changes, such as changes in air and water quality. A drop in population could be an indication of the degradation of the health of the surrounding environment. 

To help move these creatures out of harm’s way, our staff united with concerned residents and together formed the Quakertown Swamp Amphibian Rescue Partnership. In late February 2012, this dedicated team rescued almost 1,000 amphibians. We also used this opportunity to verify the type and number of species, and compiled a scientific report to help determine future conservation actions for crossing locations. In tandem with the rescue, environmental programs were provided to the surrounding community.

Your extra gift now to Heritage Conservancy’s 2012 Annual Fund will help us continue our efforts to preserve this critical wetland for its environmental benefits to people and the wondrous animals that call it home.  

Click HERE make your tax-deductible 2012 contribution.

The merger will result in Heritage Conservancy acquiring eleven conservation easements, totaling 126-acres in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, several historic building facade easements, as well as their historical research project and stewardship funds. Heritage Conservancy assumes responsibility of maintaining the conservation easements, preserved historic structures, and areas of land preserved in Montgomery County.

As part of the merger, Mary Lou McFarland, President of the Conservancy of Montgomery County, will join Heritage Conservancy in an important leadership role. As Senior Conservation Specialist for Heritage Conservancy, Ms. McFarland will oversee the continual maintenance of the eleven acquired conservation easements, in addition to the conservation easements in Montgomery County already preserved by Heritage Conservancy. With an extensive background in historical research, she will head historic preservation projects in Montgomery County and surrounding areas as well.

“We are very pleased to join Heritage Conservancy, which will assure the continued protection of the important preserved land and historic resources in Montgomery County,” said Ms. McFarland. “I look forward to continuing to work to promote preservation with Heritage Conservancy.”

“Heritage Conservancy and The Conservancy of Montgomery County share a common preservation mission. Working together, we will be stronger and more capable of fulfilling that mission,” said Jeffrey L. Marshall, President of Heritage Conservancy. “We welcome Ms. McFarland, as she brings local knowledge, experience and expertise to our professional staff. This union ensures the perpetual preservation of Montgomery County’s beautiful natural landscapes and historic resources well into the future.”