The Story of the Russell-Mandel Preserve

Nestled in the heart of Bucks County, the Russell-Mandel Preserve stands as a shining example of land conservation and preservation. This 55-acre preserve is a testament to the generosity of two longtime Heritage Conservancy supporters, Robert L. Russell and William Mandel. Their shared philanthropic vision has left a lasting mark on the region, ensuring that this landscape will be protected and enjoyed for generations to come.

The main house and farmhouse today.

When Bob and Bill 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 together make up the 55.31-acre property. Consisting of fields and woodland, the property is actively farmed and includes a small tributary leading to Pidcock Creek.

Both Bob and Bill were passionate about preservation and conservation in Bucks County, and Bob Russell was also a member of the Board of Heritage Conservancy for over 18 years. In December of 1990, the two decided to donate 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, their vision was to preserve the home and countryside they loved, while utilizing the space for community and educational gatherings.

Historical photo of the property. Estimated date late 50’s/early 60’s.

When the property was donated, it included the main house, a carriage house, barn, agricultural fields, and woodland. The main house on the property is listed on the Bucks County Register of Historic Places. Today, the property is still actively farmed. 

Bob and Bill were avid gardeners and collected many exotic plants, some of which remain on the property today. Our conservation team has worked to replace many of the exotic gardens with native plants, and our gracious volunteer gardeners continue to maintain these areas. If you walk around the native gardens today, expect to see Wood Poppy, White Trillium, Alumroot, and Foxglove Beardtongue, to name a few. 

Volunteers tending to native plant gardens at the preserve. Learn more about volunteering.

In 2022, Heritage Conservancy began the process of converting an agricultural field on the property to a native pollinator meadow. Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to many factors. Thirty native meadow species were spread using seed mix, plants cultivated in the nursery, and native plants transplanted from other preserves. However, some ended up growing naturally, giving the meadow about 40-50 species of plants. 

The meadow was hand-seeded by our conservation team and volunteers. It took about three years for the meadow to completely grow in, and it now provides ideal habitat for our local pollinators while giving the community an opportunity to learn about and connect with nature.

Before: former agricultural field. After: blooming native pollinator meadow.

The pollinator meadow includes a .4 mile loop hike that is open to the public. While on your walk, visitors can observe the interior of the meadow, which hosts two chimney swift nesting boxes (installed as an Eagle Scout project), Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes, and American Kestrel nesting boxes.

Bob and Bill at our annual Christmas at Aldie fundraiser. 

Today, the Russell-Mandel preserve is the headquarters for our Conservation Biologist team as well as our summer interns. Our annual summer Farm to Table fundraiser is also hosted here, along with our Member Appreciation Pollinator Picnic and other events for the public. We remember Bob and Bill fondly, and we are forever grateful for their generosity. It is a privilege to honor their gift and share this preserved property with the community for generations to come.

To visit the Russell-Mandel Nature Preserve, navigate to 1515 Holicong Rd. in New Hope. Follow the sign to parking, and find the pollinator meadow trail head at the back of the property. Please note that other parts of the preserve are only open to the public during special events.