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 sight of thousands of fireflies flickering over the Bryn Gweled pond on a quiet summer evening took Cathie Forman’s breath away. It’s that feeling — and a respect for the living landscape that inspired it — she wants to pass down to future generations. Bryn Gweled is more than just a place of natural […]
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 […]
What a day we had at Pollinator Palooza! Our amazing partners and volunteers turned the event into a vibrant celebration of nature, creativity, and community. Kids at the Lego table had a blast building their own aquatic worlds, crafting everything from bugs to plants and imagining their very own ecosystems. Nearby, our hand-blown glass […]
As you enjoy some late summer hiking, don’t forget to update your travel tools. Outdoor apps offer us a wealth of knowledge and information we can hold in our pockets, even for our time off the grid and in nature. Here are a few staff favorites to download and enjoy on vacation and even on […]
Appreciating the Familiar In the spring of 2019, I studied abroad in Madagascar, an island where people live with some of the world’s most unique species. One of those incredible animals is the Panther Chameleon. This chameleon is endemic to northern/northeastern Madagascar and they absolutely thrive there. Seeing one of these large reptiles in the […]
Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus). Moths are one of the many forgotten but ever-important insect groups that we have. Their more apparent and charismatic kin, the butterflies, seem to garner somewhat lopsided attention and appreciation, as do bees, ladybugs, lightning bugs, and praying mantises. Many of our moths aren’t particularly eye-catching, and most are active at […]
Right now, if you look out the nearest window, I bet you can see a lawn. Or at the very least, you can walk a short distance to find one. As of 2005, NASA Earth Observatory estimated that the US has about 31.6 million acres of lawn across the country’s vastly different climate and soil […]
As spring fades into summer, many of us are busy in our gardens. While you are tending yours, why not consider using native plants? Most are resilient and easy to care for, and they are uniquely qualified to support local wildlife and host pollinators while adding beauty to your landscape. Here is a list of […]
Heritage Conservancy has been honored with the 2024 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its Nature Preserve Species Surveys and Educational Programs at its Croydon Woods Nature Preserve. The reclaimed Superfund site has become a neighborhood jewel, with trails used by community members and students. The award specifically recognizes community science, education, and biodiversity […]
