Long before Heritage Conservancy existed, and well before the Mercers crafted their legendary landmark homes in Doylestown, a special tree took root. For close to 300 years, this Bur Oak grew on a plot of land in Doylestown that went on to host William and Martha Mercer and the Aldie Mansion home and gardens they […]
Thanks to the work of Dr. Doug Tallamy and his lab of ecologists, oaks have become all the rage. Before the publication of his book, The Nature of Oaks, I knew I most enjoyed wandering through oak-dominated forests, but after I read his research, I understood why. When it comes to attracting and supporting biodiversity […]
Are you hoping to attract more pollinators to your land? When it comes to supporting pollinators, there are three plant families that deserve a shout out. Asters, Mints, and Legumes are similar in many ways, but they differ considerably in how they support pollinators. It’s important to understand family’s nutritional offerings. Here are a few […]
Did you know that Pennsylvania is home to three native magnolia species? These ancient flowering plants are known for their large flowers that originally evolved before most of the pollinating insects we see today. Umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) starting to flower at Croydon Woods Nature Preserve Heritage Conservancy owns and manages Croydon Woods Nature Preserve, […]
When hiking in the woods in winter, it is easier to see details one might overlook during the warmer months. In the absence of leaves and flowers, things like the textures of bark, the beauty of different shades of brown, and the shapes of rocks stand out more boldly. One such star of the bleak […]
Winter is the perfect time to cozy up and learn more about nature. Whether you are looking for gift ideas for the nature lover in your life, a downtime-friendly book for this winter, or have a specific nature-related research question, you’ll want to read this list of book recommendations from our Heritage Conservancy staff! These […]
On a sunny Saturday earlier this month, almost 90 people joined us for our first-ever Pawpaw Festival, a celebration of the local fruit and other native trees and plants. “I was inspired to start a pawpaw festival to share my passions for conservation, science, native plants, and work I do here at Heritage Conservancy,” says […]
These swamp rose mallows were photographed in bloom at Heritage Conservancy’s Aldie Mansion. Whether you are starting a new garden, expanding an existing one, or filling in a bald spot, many gardeners find themselves in need of beautiful plants that will fill a large area quickly. When selecting aggressive, fast-growing plants, going native is crucial. […]
The Heritage Conservancy conservation stewardship interns from this summer. Each summer, Heritage Conservancy hosts four conservation stewardship interns who assist our stewardship staff in managing the nature preserves we own, all while gaining insights from various professionals in the field. These college students aim to pursue careers in conservation and will apply the skills they […]
Aldie Mansion, Heritage Conservancy’s headquarters, bathed in autumn leaves. Some of us welcome the fall season with open arms, while others dread the onset of shorter days and frigid weather. However, I believe that both camps can appreciate just how beautiful our landscapes become each autumn. A seemingly uniform blanket of green transforms into a […]