A rare residential commission for the renowned Philadelphia architecture firm Mitchell/Giurgola Associates, the Dorothy Shipley White house is among the most distinctive of Chestnut Hill's noteworthy residences. It was constructed in 1963 and reinforced the architects' reputation as major figures in the Philadelphia School that influenced modern architecture in the latter half read more
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October
17
October
TNC Cove Mountain Preserve Now Open to Public
The Nature Conservancy acquired the Cove Mountain Preserve, a 353-acre property located just minutes from Harrisburg in Marysville, in February after it was under threat for development. Since then, the staff has developed a management plan for conserving the preserve’s native forest and local wildlife that includes the federally-threatened Allegheny woodrat, a grove of paw-paw read more
18
July
Heritage Conservancy Acquires 40-Acre Nature Preserve
With assistance from Springfield Township and the Bucks County's Natural Areas Program, Heritage Conservancy acquired 40 acres of woodlands in Springfield Township, Bucks County. The acquisition of the Jerry Pursell Nature Preserve, which is located along Slifer Valley Road, not only protects critical ecological resources in the Cooks Creek watershed, but creates a 100-acre read more
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June
TLC Adds to Stateline Woods Preserve
For the first time in seven years, The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC) is not celebrating the summer solstice with neighbors atop Crossfield Hill at its Stateline Woods Preserve. The land trust has something more perpetual than the fleeting seasons to celebrate: a gift of land, which will give back to the community for generations to come. This summer TLC read more
16
June
Philadelphia Recognized by National Trust for Historic Preservation
On June 15, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added Philadelphia to its list of "National Treasures." Though parts of three other cities--Louisville, Miami, and Detroit--have made the list, this is the first time the Trust has designated an entire city. The designation comes two years after the city became the first American city identified as a World Heritage read more
6
June
Lancaster County Conservancy Adds 44 Acres to Steinman Run Preserve
In June, the Lancaster County Conservancy announced the acquisition of a 44-acre addition to the 271-acre Steinman Run Nature Preserve in Martic Township. With this addition, the total contiguous protected interior forest is now 315 acres. Acquisition of this critical habitat, recreation, and water resource property was made possible by a generous donation from the owners Penny read more
17
May
Chestnut Hill Conservancy and Friends of the Wissahickon Preserve Stream Buffer
Chestnut Hill Conservancy, in partnership with Friends of the Wissahickon, acquired a conservation easement to preserve more than eight acres of open watercourse in Chestnut Hill. The conserved area is located near the headwaters of East Brook, which feeds Swan Pond at Morris Arboretum and is a tributary of Wissahickon Creek. This area is one of the very few remaining stream read more
10
May
Chestnut Hill Conservancy Preserves Historic Home
After 15 months of negotiation and discussion, Chestnut Hill Conservancy has finalized a preservation easement with Main Street Development Company on the property at 30 W. Chestnut Hill Avenue. Now, instead of five new townhomes on a cleared 1/3-acre site, this historic home will be renovated and a new twin will be constructed on its subdivided backyard. A groundswell of read more
7
April
Heritage Conservancy Adds Property to Register of Historic Places
Heritage Conservancy announced the addition of the Philadelphia Glider Council airport to its Register of Historic Places. Located in Hilltown, the property is important for its use as the oldest continuously operated airport in Bucks County. The Philadelphia Glider Council (PGC) was founded in 1941, and has been at its present location since 1944. "Whatever cares or read more
6
March
Natural Lands Trust Repairing Iconic Sculpture at Stoneleigh
Natural Lands Trust is restoring the iconic wooden rabbits that watch over County Line Road from their perch at the edge of Stoneleigh. These charming carvings were created by local chainsaw artist Marty Long in 2002. Long was commissioned by John and Chara Haas, the former estate owners, to depict the Haas family as hares (Haas means “hare” in German) for this playful read more
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January
Turkey Hill Dairy Helps Lancaster Farmland Trust Save Farm
As part of an innovative community partnership, Turkey Hill Dairy recently donated $42,500 to Lancaster Farmland Trust through its Preserve a Farm program. The program matched donations up to $42,500. Donations were made by fans on Turkey Hill's website. The Trust used the funds raised to preserve a 63-acre Amish farm in East Lampeter Township. The Preserve a Farm initiative read more
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November
Natural Lands Trust Adds 153 Acres to Bear Creek Preserve
On November 10, Natural Lands Trust announced the addition of 153 acres to the already expansive Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County. The acquisition of adjacent land located along the Francis E. Walter Dam Reservoir increases the size of the preserve to 3,565 acres, and will provide direct access to the reservoir for fishing and boating. The land, purchased from read more
15
September
Wildlands Conservancy Protects Final 1.5 Acres of South Mountain Preserve
In September, Wildlands Conservancy permanently protected the final 1.5 acre inholding of their Emmaus-based South Mountain Preserve. Situated in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, within the existing 350 acre nature preserve, the 1.5 acre tract is significant for the stewardship continuity it brings to South Mountain Preserve, a priority landscape for the Lehigh Valley and read more
8
October
WVWA Protects the Byrne Farm in Lower Gwynedd
In September, WVWA acquired the Byrne Family Preserve, a 15.9-acre farm located along Welsh Road adjacent to Lower Gwynedd Township’s Oxford Park and at the headwaters of the Trewellyn Creek, a major tributary of the Wissahickon. Purchased at a fraction of the market value, this preservation could only have been possible due to the generosity of Dr. Byrne and his family. As read more
