A sleepy Great Horned Owl, normally hidden, stands out quite easily on a leafless branch. Winter has arrived, and for many, this means that time spent outside will more or less cease to exist. Frigid conditions don’t compare well to the warmth and comfort of the indoors. Yet, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) has an affinity for a few different plant species. INTRO Pennsylvania is home to an abundance of incredible bird species. Yet many, if not most, go overlooked. One such species is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Every spring/summer, they migrate north from Central America to participate in the breeding season. […]
A healthy riparian buffer consists of a diversity of native plants that help protect the waterway as well as its inhabitants. INTRO A riparian buffer is an area of land that borders a stream, pond, lake, river, etc. A healthy riparian buffer consists of a wide section of vegetation, preferably forest, that buffers a waterway from […]
Our stewardship team is gearing up to plant 300 trees and shrubs, thanks to the 2022 Southeast PA TreeVitalize Watersheds grant. Starting this spring and continuing into fall, the plantings will occur along tributaries of the Pidcock and Neshaminy Creeks at two of our preserves. All trees will be tolerant of moist soils and flooding, […]
Late February marked the launch of Heritage Conservancy’s new Community Science project! A virtual kickoff meeting was held over Zoom, where 24 interested individuals listened to a presentation by staff members discussing the future of the group and why this work is so important. What is the best part? Anyone can be a Community Scientist! […]
One of the best ways to attract birds to your yard is to plant native trees and shrubs. INTRO A common question we get from landowners is “what can I do to attract birds to my property?” And while the answer may vary depending on what kinds of birds you’re hoping to see, one strategy […]
Join our Community Science Team! Are you interested in helping to protect the plants and animals on Heritage Conservancy preserves? How about collecting data that contributes to real science? To start the new year, we are very excited to announce the launch of our Community Science Program! Community Science involves people, like you, who contribute […]
