What does it look like when the regions oldest and largest land conservation organization and Philadelphia’s Premier Contemporary Ballet Company collaborate? This summer, it looked like dancer Ashley Simpson posed in front of a curtain of wildflowers, stretching upward before bursting into a fluid dance in the summer sunshine. Protected by social distance and the ventilation of read more
Conservation Organization
26
October
24
August
Two Pennsylvania Land Trusts Receive Accreditation Renewals
In July 2020, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced that 47 land trusts have achieved initial or renewed accreditation. Among those renewing their accreditation were two Pennsylvania land trusts: Land Trust of Bucks County and Willistown Conservation Trust. Accredited land trusts must renew every five years, confirming their compliance with national quality read more
8
July
Pocono Heritage Land Trust to Merge with Pocono Avian Research Center
The Pocono Avian Research Center announced in July 2020 that they will be merging their mission and research activities with the Pocono Heritage Land Trust. The Pocono Avian Research Center, Inc. is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of Pennsylvania's native birds and their habitats through research, education and community involvement. All research projects are conducted read more
7
July
Natural Lands Receives Award for Coatesville Park Revitalization
Natural Lands announced the organization has been awarded the Green and Sustainable Parks award from the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society (PRPS). The award honors Natural Lands’ work—along with partners Brandywine Health Foundation and the City of Coatesville—to revitalize Coatesville’s Palmer Park. Once considered the “Pittsburgh of the East” because of its read more
4
May
Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Turns 30
On April 16, 2020, Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) celebrated a milestone - the organization turned 30 years old. It was on this date in 1990 that NPC was officially incorporated. A lot went on behind the scenes building up to this founding, including a chance encounter between two founding members on a paddling trip gone awry down Pine Creek; a public read more
14
February
Settlers Hospitality Guests Raise Funds for Conservation
On February 13, 2020, representatives from Settlers Hospitality properties presented the Delaware Highlands Conservancy with a check for $14,852 for funds collected in 2019 through the Green Lodging Partnership program. The funds were collected at The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, and Silver Birches, located in Hawley, PA, and Hotel Anthracite, located in Carbondale, read more
19
December
General Assembly Honors Lancaster Conservancy
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate recognized the Lancaster Conservancy in honor of its 50th anniversary with a citation from both chambers. The citations were presented to the Conservancy's executive committee by representatives David Zimmerman, Michael Sturla, and Brett Miller, and senator Scott Martin. “Land protection requires strong partnerships read more
19
December
Penn State–ClearWater Conservancy Partnership Takes Shape
Almost exactly a year after Penn State University President Eric Barron announced the university’s plan to investigate ways to conserve land it owns in the Musser Gap area in State College near University Park campus, Barron said on December 18 that Penn State is moving forward with conserving 355 acres for environmental protection and natural recreation. The plan was read more
18
November
Brandywine Conservancy Receives $80,000 Grant
The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art is thrilled to announce that it has received an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to conduct outreach and technical assistance within the Brandywine Creek Greenway; and coordinate and fund the 2020 Brandywine Creek Greenway (BCG) mini-grant program. As part of this grant, read more
28
October
Natural Lands Partnership Offers Outdoor Employment for Youth Facing Challenges
Nonprofit organizations Natural Lands and Trellis for Tomorrow are partnering together on a program that introduces Chester County youth who have faced social and economic disadvantages to real-world career opportunities in caring for nature. The program—called Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES)—began last year; the partners recently announced they are looking to expand the read more
22
August
State Historical Marker Dedicated at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will dedicate an official Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) roadside marker on Saturday, September 14 at 11 AM in the Visitor Center Gallery. Following remarks by Stephen Edge, the grandson of Sanctuary Founder Rosalie Edge, and others, guests will be invited to walk the short distance for the unveiling. The dedication honors the read more
14
August
Heritage Conservancy Earns Renewed Accreditation
Heritage Conservancy announced its national land trust accreditation has been renewed, proving once again that it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work. “Going through this rigorous process to earn our accreditation shows Heritage Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Bucks and read more
7
August
Brandywine Conservancy Earns Renewed Accreditation
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art is pleased to announce it has achieved renewal of its accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The prestigious land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national high-quality standards for protecting important natural read more
16
May
Brandywine-Christina Watershed Partners Roundtable
On May 10, 2019, regional transportation groups and the Brandywine-Christina Watershed Partners met for a lively roundtable discussion regarding roads and stormwater runoff. Key stakeholders, including state and local government, highway departments and regional transportation groups within the watershed, joined the conversation to address their shared concerns read more
1
May
Land Trust Accreditation Commission Extends Accreditation Term
On May 1, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced that it has extended the accreditation term from five to seven years. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has long advocated for an extension of the accreditation term. Per the Commission's new rules, the accreditation term will still begin at five years, but will extend to seven years at an accredited land read more
