Though endowed with incredible natural beauty, Upper Bucks County has extremely limited public space for its residents to enjoy. For this reason, Heritage Conservancy’s ~100-acre Fuller-Pursell Preserve in Springfield Township is a true community asset and is one of our most-visited preserves. Fuller-Pursell provides a place where both local residents and distant visitors can go […]
Endangered Monarchs and Our Role in Helping Them
Monarch butterflies were added to the endangered species list this year due to their rapidly declining populations. MONARCH BUTTERFLIES One of the most famous butterfly species, the Monarch butterfly, is not just known for its iconic orange and black coloration but also their unique life history. These butterflies make some of the most spectacular migrations […]
The Land is Our Lifeline
Your support is key to ensuring the completion of the 22 active land conservation projects, totaling 1,200 acres (that’s the size of Central Park in NYC)! CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS EFFORT Since 1958, Heritage Conservancy has worked to protect more than 16,000 acres of the most beautiful and important lands in our region. […]
Trees for Bees
Pollinator meadows are great, but what other horticultural options are available for saving the bees? THE PROMPTING QUESTION Earlier this spring, the owner of some forestland with an emerald ash borer problem asked me, “I really care about saving the bees, so how can I manage my forest for bees and other pollinators?” That question […]
Teachers Experience at Croydon Woods Preserve
Croydon Woods Preserve is just a short walk from Keystone Elementary, and nature is an incredible resource for learning and wellness. Our event aimed to collaborate with the teachers and show them how to utilize the woods as a resource to supplement their in-class learning and engage students. Since we can’t be there every day […]
Heritage Conservancy and Fairmont WaterWorks Launch Guide for Social-Emotional Learning
Heritage Conservancy and Fairmount WaterWorks are excited to launch their Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Nature Guide for teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and peers interested in providing nature-related activities. The guide consists of thirteen activities, handouts, tools, and resources designed to use children’s experiences in nature as a doorway to encourage and support SEL in and […]
Fall Mushroom Hike at Hart’s Woods Nature Preserve With Luke Smithson
Have you ever wondered about the mushrooms you come across locally? Are they poisonous? What value do they provide to us? To our environment? Which mushrooms can you eat? On Sunday, October 9th, Heritage Conservancy hosted its Fall Mushroom Hike at Hart’s Woods Nature Preserve––a mature forest that was inducted into the nationwide Old Growth […]
River Days Cleanup at Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve
In honor of National Public Lands Day, we gathered together on Saturday, September 24th, to help clean Bristol Marsh: an important freshwater tidal marsh. Volunteers could choose to join crews removing trash from the marsh banks and trails or join DCNR guides with kayaks for a cleanup of the river and marsh. The more waste […]
Meet the Marbled Salamander: Autumn’s Best-Kept Secret
Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum) are enigmatic amphibians who belong to the Ambystomatidae family, more commonly known as the “mole salamander” family. INTRO It’s plausible to assume that when most people think of autumn, pumpkins, colorful leaves, and costumes come to mind. But for amphibian enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic, the fall season marks the peak activity […]
Invasive Species Meet & Eat Classes
Participants explore examples of local invasive plant species during our Meet & Eat class series. Photo courtesy of Heritage Conservancy. Conservation easements are a strong land conservation tool in Heritage Conservancy’s toolbelt as a land trust, but the larger objectives of protecting regional biodiversity and combating climate change require proactive work beyond easements. That’s why […]