We hosted our annual member appreciation and donor recognition event on Thursday, June 14th. Beautiful weather complimented the “Garden Party,” which included a cocktail reception on the Aldie Mansion terrace followed by an awards ceremony.
Over 150 valued members, business members, and Board of Directors were in attendance, as well as special guests of members who were interested in learning more about us! As part of the event, we presented our “Heritage Partnership Awards” to four local organizations and groups who have shown extraordinary commitment to conservation of our natural and historic heritage.
The first award went to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ruhle Jr. of Springfield Township. Because of their donation of over half of the market value of their 91 acre farm’s conservation easement to the Conservancy and Springfield Township, they were presented the 2012 Conservation Philanthropist Award. The second award went to Bushkill Township, which was one of the first municipalities in Northampton County to raise their own money for open space preservation. Bushkill Township received the 2012 Land Conservation Award for the tremendous strides they have made in the past five years in land preservation.
Our third award was presented to Newtown Historic Association, which has been performing educational walking tours of historical sites in Newtown, PA with 5th grade students. Since the program’s inception, more than 10,000 students have experienced this tour. We recognized Newtown Historic Association’s efforts of connecting kids with history with the 2012 Historic Preservation Award. The fourth and final award was given to the Quakertown Swamp Amphibian Rescue Partnership. Representatives from Richland and East Rockhill Townships, and from a group of dedicated volunteers (and amphibian enthusiasts) received our 2012 Grassroots Partnership Award for the coordination and rescue of over 1,000 amphibians in the Quakertown Swamp area during amphibian mating season.
“It’s a pleasure to honor and recognize these groups and organizations whose work directly reflects our mission of preserving our natural and historic heritage,” said Jeffrey Marshall, President. “We are so appreciative of these award recipients for their proactive work of protecting our natural resources and connecting people to the land in our community.”