SycamoreSpring2004

Vol. V, Issue 1 Spring 2004Newsletter ofW I L L I S T O W N C O N S E R V A T I O N T R U S T

For the preservation of the natural resources, rural character, and cultural heritage of the Willistown area.

Bonnie Van AlenPresident

T H E S Y C A M O R E

A s I write, a March wind issending a late flurry of snow acrossthe pond where a small group ofringneck ducks have settled on theirmigratory route nor th. In themeadow beyond, a red fox huntsfor mice in the long grasses nowbeginning to turn green withimpending spring. The bogs andwetlands of the Willistown area arecoming to life with the unfurling ofthe skunk cabbage, the song of thespring peeper and the flash of theredwing blackbird in emergingcattail swamps along the Ridley,Crum and Darby Creeks.

Spring is clearly a time tocelebrate the diversity and richnessof life. As we look back over the pasttwenty-five years of conservationin our area, what better cause forcelebration than the preservationof more than 5,000 acres of ourprecious natural and scenicresources, and the remarkableconservation ethic of the commu-nity that has made it happen. From the earliest conservationeasement donated in the late 1970’s by our dear friend andinspiration, Frances Ellen Paul, to the pending completion thiscoming June of the Ashbridge Farm project involving three yearsof work and many diverse partners, the benefits of our manysuccesses are far reaching, and affect not only this communitybut many communities downstream and well beyond the Trustprogram area.

Celebrating Twenty-five Years of Conservationand the Remarkable Willistown Community!

1979 ~ 2004

The Board of Trustees and staffof the Willistown ConservationTrust are pleased to invite youto share in celebrating theseaccomplishments at a number of funevents we have scheduled throughout2004. We especially hope you willjoin us at our Countryside Bash!on Sunday, June 13th, a real old-fashioned “hoedown” plannedto highlight twenty-five years ofcommunity conservation and to justplain have a lot of fun (some specialsurprises included)!

While we are greatly look-ing forward to this year ofcelebration, all of us remainacutely aware of the urgent need tocontinue preserving our remainingcritical lands before it is too late.With the tremendous supportof this remarkable community —landowners, land managers, easementdonors, investors, conservation buy-ers, donors, and volunteers alike, weare committed to working toward

doubling the number of preserved acres in the next few years. Itis because of all of you that we are encouraged to set our goalshigher, and to go far beyond what any of us had dreamedpossible twenty-five years ago in preserving the richness of thisspecial Willistown area for the benefit of present and futuregenerations.

Future conservationist Georgie Rubin discoverscreek critters at our Ashbridge Preserve.

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W I L L I S T O W N C O N S E R V A T I O N T R U S TSpring 2004

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Details on Pages 10 and 11

Countryside Bash! Sunday, June 13

Willistown Township “Freedom Festival” Saturday, July 3

Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance Friday, September 10 – Sunday, September 12

Radnor Pro Bull Riding Championships Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11

3rd Annual “Golf and Good Nature” Tuesday, October 19Outing at Applebrook Golf Club

“Enchanted Woods” Masquerade Ball Saturday, October 23

Watch t h e ma i l fo r inv i tat i on s t hroughou t t h e year !

Message from the Chairman “Thank you!”These words are the essence of the message that I want to express to Sycamorereaders and everyone who has been so wonderfully supportive of the WillistownConservation Trust, its mission and activities during the past year. Workingclosely with the marvelous team that our president, Bonnie Van Alen, has puttogether, I am personally aware of how very important your support is.I believe that the accomplishments of the Trust are being increasinglyrecognized and appreciated by residents of the area and that as each additionalacre of open space is preserved in perpetuity, a kind of snow-balling effect is

taking place. Success breeds success. Conservation minded buyers and/or owners are jumping onthe bandwagon and taking steps to add to the critical mass of open space in the Willistown area thathas been saved from encroaching development. How exciting it is to see all that has been achieved.Yet those of us working with the Trust know that there is a great deal more to be done to furtherprotect the rolling hills, lovely meadows, woodlands and streams which mean so much to all of usand bring such joy to so many lives. So to each of you, whether you are a landowner, volunteer,young friend, trustee or supporter interested in what we do at WCT … thank you.

Peter StrawbridgeChairman, Board of Trustees

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CONSERVATION

C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

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WILLISTOWN TOWNSHIP

EASEMENTIn order to permanently protect thenatural resources and open character ofits 25 acre Spring Road property,Willistown Township recently donated aconservation easement to the WillistownConservation Trust on 16.2 acres of thetract. The property is located betweenProvidence Road and Spring Road in thevillage of Sugartown and contains openmeadow, wetlands, and mature wood-lands. The property is separated into twoconservation easement areas; a 15 acrearea is restricted to recreation and openspace uses only, and a 1.2 acre areaallows for structures that are compatiblewith architecture of the SugartownHistoric District. A protected trailcorridor will ensure a connection to thenetwork of trails in the community.

TORNA/DISIMONE

EASEMENTWillistown Township sold 3 acresof the Spring Road property toneighboring landowners Patricia Tornaand Ronald DiSimone. The Torna/DiSimone family have added the 3 acresto their existing property and havedonated a conservation easementrestricting its use to pasture and openspace. Patty and Ron are long timefriends of the Trust, and we are verygrateful for their important contributionto the protection of the Spring Roadtract.

EXPANSION OF THE

OKEHOCKING PRESERVEBy once again leveraging its open spacefunds, Willistown Township has been ableto acquire an additional 23 acres toexpand the Okehocking Preserve to atotal of 159 acres. Upon acquisition ofthe 23 acres the Township extended theprevious 136 acre conservation easementto protect the new parcel in perpetuity.The Okehocking Preserve, located onWest Chester Pike between DelchesterRoad and Garrett Mill Road, is prizedfor its ecological, scenic, recreational,agricultural and historical features.Its creation is the result of a highlysuccessful par tnership betweenWillistown Conservation Trust,Willistown Township, Chester County,and the Commonwealth of Pennsylva-nia. The Preserve is being managed toallow for the continuation of ecological

processes and services, to provide recre-ational and educational opportunities,and to restore and maintain its historiccharacter. The trails on the Preserve areopen to the public during daylight hours.

THE WALL HISTORIC

FACADE AND CONSERVATION

EASEMENTIn 1993, Tana and Michael Wallgenerously donated one of the earlierconservation easements in the area ontheir 21.6 acre property on WarrenAvenue. Since then they wanted to revisethe original easement in a way that wouldprotect forever the special architecturalfeatures of the historic house. Last year,the Walls “re-eased” the propertyincorporating in the new easement bothland conservation and historic facaderestrictions. The classic residence wasbuilt in 1872 and is known as the “Amos

“Amos and Anna Garrett House” — facade protected in perpetuity by Tana and Michael Wall.

Conservation Report continued on page 4.

Conservation ReportEight New Conservation Easements Protect 285 Acres ~ Thirty Acre Woodland Becomes

Bird Preserve ~ Ashbridge Farm Project Nears Completion

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Conservation Report continued from page 3.

and Anna Garrett House.” It is partof the “Garrett Farmstead” which, withthe assistance of historic preservationconsultant Robert Wise and theWillistown Conservation Trust, wasrecently listed on the National Registerof Historic Places. The Garrett Farm-stead is significant as a representativeexample of Chester County farmsteadsin the mid-18th to early 20th century.The Second Empire style residence isindicative of the prosperity of the farmand reflects the prevailing architecturaltrends of the time. Thanks to Tana andMichael, this historic house along withthe rest of their beautiful property willbe protected for the edification andpleasure of future generations.

WCT PARTNERS

TO PRESERVE

SUGARTOWN BARRENSIn an extraordinary and complextransaction, 109 acres of land between

Sugartown Road and Line Road inthe northeastern part of WillistownTownship have been preserved througha partnership between WillistownConservation Trust, Natural Lands Trust,Willistown Township, Greater ChesterValley Soccer Association, ChesterCounty, the PA Department ofConservation and Natural Resources(DCNR) and Main Line HealthSystems. These partners workeddiligently over a period of years toprotect this significant property whichincludes a highly sensitive serpentinebarren, athletic fields, farmland, wetlandsand two important tributaries of theRidley Creek. The property is adjacentto other protected lands and is locatedacross Line Road from the ApplebrookGolf Club conservation easement area.

The transaction resulted in the follow-ing three new conservation easementsheld by the Willistown ConservationTrust:

Natural Lands Trust ~61 acre easement

The Natural Lands Trust acquisitionincludes 61 acres of serpentine barrenscontaining a globally rare plantcommunity and farm fields. Theconservation easement purchasedby WCT through a $750,000 grant fromDCNR precludes further developmenton the land. NLT will manage theproperty to promote the regeneration ofthe serpentine plants, and convert thefarm fields into a native meadow aswell as to protect a small Ridley Creektributary and related wetlands.

Greater Chester Valley SoccerAssociation ~ 21 acre easement

Greater Chester Valley SoccerAssociation (GCVSA) purchased the21 acre athletic field parcel that it hasbeen leasing for years. The conservationeasement donated to WCT by GCVSAensures that these lands stay open forrecreation and protects the water quality

of Serpentine Run, animportant tributary to theRidley Creek.

Willistown Township ~27 acre easement

Willistown Township,through its Open SpaceFund program, purchasedthe remaining 27 acres ofthe tract comprisingmostly farm fields acrossthe Serpentine Run fromthe soccer fields. Throughan arrangement withGCVSA, a portionof these fields may beconverted to athletic use

Serpentine barrens are home to a globally rare plant community that includes speciessuch as serpentine aster and round-leafed fame flower.

Conservation Reportcontinued on page 5.

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and will include walking trails accessibleto the public. The conservationagreement further protects the waterof Serpentine Run and limits the con-struction of buildings on the property.

THE RUSHTON WOODS

ACQUISITION

BY AUDUBON PENNSYLVANIAThanks to the vision and generosityof Janet and John Haas and the HaasCharitable Trusts, a 30 acre tract ofwoodland known locally as the “RushtonWoods” has been recently acquired bythe Pennsylvania chapter of the AudubonSociety with the mandate that it beprotected forever as a bird preserve. Janetand John first visited the woods onDelchester Road early in 2003, and wereinspired by its majestic beech, hickory,oak and other hardwood trees, some morethan 200 years old. At the same time,experts from Audubon Pennsylvaniahad identified the Rushton Woods asone of the most critical sites for birdconservation in Audubon’s newlydesignated Important Bird Area.By further restricting the existingconservation easement to eliminate thebuilding of any structures, and bydevising a management strategy with theWillistown Conservation Trust,Audubon will assure the continuance ofthe “Rushton Woods Preserve” as a primestopover and nesting habitat for the manymigratory neotropical songbirds that visitit each year.

THE SORDONI FAMILY

CONSERVATION EASEMENTJust before Christmas, 2003, Claireand Stephen Sordoni and their childrengathered to celebrate the signing ofa conservation easement preserving inperpetuity their 26 acre property on

Since moving to Delchester Roadin 1995, the Sordoni’s have been ardentsupporters of the Trust and its activities.We are so grateful that they have now madethis generous conservation easementdonation significantly furthering theTrust’s mission to preserve the remainingcritical lands in the Willistown countryside.

ASHBRIDGE FARM

PROJECT NEARS

COMPLETIONThe permanent preserva-tion of the beautiful 176acre Ashbridge Farm, amulti-year, multi-partner,multi-million dollarproject, will finally becompleted in June whenconservation buyers, Janiceand Danial Potts, acquirethe last two parcels. Since2002, the Trust has been

Delchester Road. The Sordoni land isespecially important not only for itsscenic beauty and special natural featuresbut also for its location as a critical linkof open space joining the new RushtonWoods Preserve (see above) with manysurrounding acres of protected land.

Conservation Reportcontinued on page 6.

Colby Van Alen and Koa enjoy the view from Gramercy Farm, protected by conservation easement,to the Rushton Woods Preserve recently acquired by Audubon Pennsylvania.

Stephen Sordoni with sons Chason, Owen and Winston colortheir easement “green” on the Trust’s map of protected lands.

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working with Ashbridge FarmAssociates (a community conservationpartnership formed to acquire the farm)to find conservation buyers for largetracts and to acquire the AshbridgePreserve which comprises 55 acres of themost environmentally sensitive landsalong a mile-long stretch of RidleyCreek.

After acquiring the last two parcels(37 acres) the Potts intend to donatea conservation easement limitingconstruction on their land to oneprimary residence and associated out-buildings. This generous donation by thePotts will wrap up the conservation planfor Ashbridge Farm originally envisionedby the Trust.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all of ourpartners whose foresight, commitmentand perseverance helped make our visionfor Ashbridge Farm a reality: thefourteen Ashbridge Farm Associatespartners; the PA Department of

easement with the Trust. The farm isrich with incredible natural features,including 1,500 feet of the Ridley Creek,vast floodplains, sloping fields andextensive woodlands. By protecting thesefeatures, as well as the viewshed alongGarrett Mill Road, the Hitschlers havesecured a critical link between protectedlands in the Upper Ridley CreekGreenway. We welcome the Hitschlers tothe community and applaud their com-mitment to protecting their new home.

WARDEN EASEMENTMary and Bill Warden, long timeWillistown residents and enthusiasticsupporters of the Trust, have completeda conservation easement on theirPlumsock Road property. The easementprotects 7.4 acres of fields and wood-land, 850 feet of road frontage, andseveral hundred feet of Hibberd Run,a tributary to the Ridley Creek. Theproperty is an important link betweenPlumsock Road and surrounding easedlands and will help protect the ruralnature of Plumsock Road in perpetuity.

Conservation Report continued from page 5.

Willistown Conservation Trust gives a big“Thank You!” to Bryan Allard of Boy ScoutTroop 14 (West Chester) for taking a leadershiprole in completing two walking bridges overthe small creeks in the Trust’s Ashbridge Preservewoodlands. Bryan worked with a group of fellowBoy Scouts, fathers and community members tobuild these sturdy structures designed to protectthe waterways from erosion and to keep visitorsfrom sliding in the mud. Additionally, Bryan andhis group cleared about 1,500 feet of trail throughthe woodlands. These projects are a great improve-ment to the Preserve, and we greatly appreciateeveryone’s efforts.

Conservation and Natural Resources;the Chester County PreservationPartnership; and the TownshipSupervisors and residents of EastGoshen Township. It is because of yourparticipation that, what could have beena 180 unit housing development withassociated negative impacts of traffic andsprawl, will now remain conservationlands and a nature preserve to provideprotection and nourish the spirit offuture generations.

CONSERVATION BUYERSPROTECT

GARRETT MILL FARMIn early Spring of 2003, the Menghettifamily approached WCT to find conser-vation buyers for their 79.5 acre farm onGarrett Mill Road. The Trust had beenworking with Lynn and Tony Hitschler,who had been looking at many proper-ties in the area. The Hitschlers fell in lovewith the beautiful Garrett Mill farm,purchased it in the Spring of 2004 andimmediately placed it under conservation

Eagle Scout Bridges Completed at Ashbridge Preserve

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The Willistown Conservation Trust program area is blessedwith a plethora of natural beauty, ecologically importantareas, historic features and recreational opportunities. Our threewatersheds, Ridley, Crum and Darby, provide much neededcontact to the outdoors not only for the residents thatlive here, but also for those from the surrounding, more denselypopulated region. Our landscape maintains habitat for anabundance of wildlife, and as you have likely read in one ofour recent publications, it has been recognized by AudubonPennsylvania as an Important Bird Area. This vast mosaic ofopen land also provides critical ecological services for theregion, such as cleaning air and water, storing water to preventflooding downstream and abating light pollution.

This vast mosaic of open landprovides critical ecological services

for the regionWithin the WCT program area, there are five golf coursesthat total more than 800 acres in land area. They areApplebrook, Aronimink, Edgmont, Waynesborough andWhite Manor. Historically, golf courses have been viewed asdetrimental to the environment; land that is manicured tosterility and laden with pesticides. Often, that was the truth,and in too many cases that remains the case. However, there isa groundswell of interest in managing these recreational areasin a way that is sensitive to the environment, and in a waythat these areas can provide important ecological services.Recognizing that proper management of land is a criticalcomponent of WCT’s mission, we have initiated, encouragedand supported some exemplary activities that local golf coursesare taking. Following are some examples.

Recently, White Manor Country Club was redesigned.During the replanting phase, the grounds crew imple-mented a plan that includes using native plants thatproduce food for wildlife, redesigning ponds topromote habitat for turtles and other reptiles andamphibians, and building nesting boxes for woodducks, kestrels, blue birds and screech owls.Areas that had been mowed regularly have been

Golf Course Management and Ecological Health in the Willistown Area

By Alex Van Alen

planted in native grasses that will only be mowed one timeper year, thereby reducing fossil fuel use, money spent, andenhancing wildlife habitat and stormwater retention. Tocomplement these activities, WCT has introduced WhiteManor to members of the Valley Forge Audubon Society whowill be conducting breeding bird counts and offering adviceon additional enhancement opportunities. This partnershipwill be an educational opportunity for all involved, and wehope it will lead to more innovations and improvements.

Applebrook Golf Club, the newest course in the area, wasdesigned with the environment in mind. Mindful of thepressure placed on water supplies in our growing area,Applebrook took several steps toward reducing the needfor water, with the additional benefits of improving wildlifehabitat and reducing the use of fossil fuels. The Club’sirrigation system uses water from a treatment plant that wouldotherwise release directly into Ridley Creek. By being placedunderground, this system reduces evaporation and allows thelocal groundwater to be cleansed and recharged. With the useof drought-resistant, native grasses on much of the course,the club has further reduced water needs, improved wildlifehabitat, and because these grasses need to be cut infrequently,reduced its fossil fuel use.

The Upper Ridley Creek Greenway is an eight-mile stretch ofland that extends along the creek from Historic Goshenville,through Willistown Townhsip and out Ridley Creek State Parksouth through Tyler Arboretum. In analyzing these lands, WCTlearned that the Edgmont Golf Club, with several thousandfeet of frontage along the Ridley Creek and adjacentto Ridley Creek State Park, was receptive to improvedstewardship practices. Last summer we introduced the club tothe Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association (CRC)

resulting in the CRC developing a riparianmanagement plan for the golf club. The plan

will include riparian planting and otherrecommendations to protect the watersthat flow through the course and into theState Park.

Golf Course Managementcontinued on page 8.

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Staff UpdatesA warm welcome to Melissa Ingersoll who joined our staffas a part-time Program Associate in April. Melissa will beassisting with special events, grant proposals and advocacy work.A graduate of Villanova University and Temple UniversitySchool of Law, Melissa came to the Trust from BakerIndustries where she was involved in a variety of fundraisingactivities. She lives in Wayne with her husband, Warren, andher two young children, Jared and Elisabeth.

In case you missed the pink balloons on White Horse Cornerin March, we are delighted to announce the arrival ofMolly Hundt McLoughlin on March 16! The Trust’s nextgeneration of staffers continues to grow, as Betsy Block gavebirth to son Rory in August, 2003 and Alex and Landi VanAlen are expecting their first baby in June.

And not to be outdone, Trisha Dougherty recently announcedher engagement to Jim Lambert, a mechanical engineer forthe Navy (civilian status) at the Philadelphia Naval BusinessCenter. After a June wedding, Trisha and Jim will spend theirhoneymoon in British Columbia and Napa Valley.

Willistown Conservation Trust is excited toannounce the recent formation of a new initiative ...the Young Friends of the Willistown ConservationTrust! The Trust anticipates this group of youngpeople and families will participate in variousactivities including special events and countrysideoutings and will help raise public awareness andsupport of the Trust and its mission.

The first Young Friends event, held in September2003, was an outdoor bonfire party hosted by Debbieand Jeff Warden at their historic property, “MillHollow,” located in Edgemont. Approximately 80Young Friends and families enjoyed live music,delicious food and drinks, and roasted marshmallowsover an open fire.

In January of this year, Alexandria and George Hundtgraciously hosted a kick-off party for the YoungFriends Steering Committee at their beautifullyrestored Malvern home. The Steering Committeeincludes Caroline and Warren Claytor, Catharine Cox,Alan Crawford, Robin Gansky, Frank Herz, KateHollos, Alexandria Hundt, Jason Ingle, AlexandraLammers, Morgan Simpson, Jeff Warden, Colby VanAlen and Landi Van Alen.

If you are interested in becoming involved in theYoung Friends program, please contact CarolineClaytor, Young Friends Coordinator, at the Trust(610-353-2562, ext. 18, [email protected]).

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These projects are a sampling of what the area’s golf coursesare doing to improve the local ecology. Applebrook has takenthe lead in land protection by donating a conservation ease-ment to WCT on its 170 acres. This easement will keep the

land open in perpetuity and spell out guidelines that ensureits proper management into the future. As protection andstewardship of the land become more important due to sprawl,WCT looks forward to working with local golf courses tohelp protect and manage our common natural resources.

Meet Our Newest TrusteeRichard A. “Deacon” Shorr

Though relatively new residents of the Willistowncommunity, Deacon and his family are committed to protect-ing the area’s natural resources. The Shorrs moved to the areafrom London in 1999, purchasing a thirty-six acre farm onGarrett Mill Road and donating a conservation easement tothe Trust. Deacon brings a wealth of management experienceto the Board and is currently President of Ferrell Resources,an international LPG trading firm in Radnor, and ManagingDirector of Ferrell International LTD (London). He grew upin Ohio and is a graduate of Western Reserve Academy andUniversity of Colorado Boulder. Deacon and his wife, Sheila,have three children who attend Westtown School.

Golf Course Management continued from page 7.

Young Friendsof the

Willistown Conservation Trust

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Thank you for callingand emailing yourSightings. We reallyappreciate hearing fromyou and want to encour-age you to continue toshare your observations.

So often early springtricks us into believingthat the warm weatheris just around thecorner, only to be

walloped with a quickSpring snow storm —

just so we don’t think we have the upper hand. With the thaw,we begin to see old friends coming back to our local ponds,meadows and woodlands. The Red-winged black bird hasalready returned to our feeder — a true harbinger of Spring.

We have had several interesting sightings in recent weeks. EdieParnum, who has been involved in the Audubon bird census atthe Okehocking Preserve, passed on an email from, as shedescribes, THE best birder in our area, Nick Pulcinella. Nick sawan immature Northern Goshawk (Accipter gentilis)at the Okehocking Preserve back in February, along withimmature Coopers Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, a pair ofKestrals and Cedar Waxwings (Nick said he was still searchingfor Bohemian waxwings, but no luck yet). This was especiallygood news for Alex Van Alen who had also seen the Goshawksand was no doubt pleased to have such a distinguished birderconfirm his sighting.

Edie who is the Ornithology Chair at the Valley Forge AudubonSociety, and Lynne Neefe who is Vice President at VFAS,are working on a census for the Okehocking and AshbridgePreserves. The Ashbridge count is in its incipient stages so wehave little to report, but so far the Okehocking Preserve countis up to about 130 species. The Okehocking Preserve censusbegan in October of 2000. Not surprisingly, the species withthe greatest representation is the Canada Goose.

More good news to share: George Heim has seen the eagleonce again at Kirkwood Farm, and the Meadowlarks have

Sightings!by Alice Hausmann

returned or, as may be the case, resurfaced. It is always a treatto see Meadowlarks and even more thrilling to hear theirlovely call.

WCT is working with local landownersto restore habitat

for nesting ground birds

Recently, Bonnie flushed out a pair of Meadowlarks whilewalking near Kirkwood. As we have reported to you in thepast, this is significant because the populations of ground birdssuch as Meadowlarks and Bobolinks are diminishing due tolack of habitat. As Alex Van Alen has described in pastSycamore articles, WCT is working with local landowners torestore habitat for nesting ground birds, primarily by settingup favorable mowing schedules and when possible, byplanting warm season grasses.

We are getting calls about waterfowl returning to local pondsas well. Now that the ice is gone, Buffleheads, Ring-neck Ducksand Green-wing Teals are showing up in good numbers.

There are plenty of creatures other than birdsthat serve as good indicator species for theecological health of our area. Rob VanAlen (is the Van Alen clan just moreobservant than the rest ofus?!) and Bill Howard reportedseeing Flying Squirrels(Glaucomys sabrinus). Thesenocturnal, forest dwellingsquirrels can glide up to 150feet from tree to tree, using theirtail to steer. Flying Squirrels are anendangered species with fragmentation and loss of habitatbeing their greatest foe (notice a theme here?), along with somepredators including foxes, hawks, and coyotes. If you want toknow more about these fascinating creatures, you may wish tovisit the Grey-Bruce Northern Flying Squirrel Research Projectfound at www.glaucomys.org.

This is an exciting time of year for viewing wildlife. Please letus hear from you so we can share your Sightings with others!Give us a call, send us a note or email us at [email protected].

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Activities and Events

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Join in Willistown’s Tricentennial Celebration!July 3rd ‘Freedom Festival’ Co-Sponsored by the Trust & the Township

The Radnor Hunt Concours d’EleganceNow in its eighth year, this nationally-recognized motor carevent attracts automobile enthusiasts from across the country.Event chairman Michael G. Tilson III, an expert on thesubject of classic sports and racing cars, first organized theConcours in 1997 and each year the event draws a bigger crowd.The weekend’s activities (September 10 – 12, 2004) include aroad rally, black tie gala and exclusive car show limited to 100carefully selected entries. For the fifth consecutive year theWillistown Conservation Trust has been selected as thebeneficiary of the Concours and we are grateful forthe continuing generosity and support of the ConcoursCommittee. Earlier this year, the Trust was presented with acheck for $7,500 from the proceeds of the 2003 Concoursand these funds have been put right to work to help retain therural character and natural beauty of the Willistown area.For more information about the Concours d’Elegance or topurchase tickets for the weekend’s events, please visit theirwebsite at www.radnorconcours.org.

Road Rally and Bucking Bulls WillBenefit the Willistown Conservation Trust

The proceeds from two unique Fall events—a classic car show and a bull riding competition —will benefit the Trust and its mission to protect the area countryside.

This year marks several unique milestones in ourcommunity. Not only are we celebrating the 25th anniversaryof conservation in our area, but Willistown Township iscommemorating its 300th Birthday! The Trust will join in thecelebration on Saturday, July 3rd at a Township-wide paradedown Sugartown Road, beginning at 1:00 pm, to be followedby a family-friendly festival at Spring Road Park from 2:00until 5:00 pm. The fair will feature children’s activities,

musical entertainment, antique cars, historical displays, and,of course, lots of tasty food! A fireworks finale at the GreaterChester Valley Soccer Association fields will wrap up thecelebratory day.

The Trust is underwriting a portion of the “FreedomFestival” and sponsorships are available. For moreinformation, please contact Betsy Block at 610-353-2562ext. 13, or [email protected].

Radnor Pro Bull Riding ChampionshipsIn its inaugural year, the Radnor Pro Bull Riding Champion-ships also will benefit the Trust’s conservation activities.Sanctioned by the World Bullriding Federation, the RadnorChampionships will feature 42 wild bulls and 30 professionalbull riders competing for $10,000. The objective in bull ridingis to stay on the bull for 8 seconds, holding on with just onehand and looking good while doing it. The bulls typically weighabout 2,000 pounds each and are very ornery by nature.Also featured at the event will be professional barrel racing onhorseback, as well amateur barrel racing for local equestrianenthusiasts. A temporary stadium seating about 750 willbe built on the grounds of Radnor Hunt. The PresentingSponsors of the event are Newtown Square-based GrahamPartners (a private equity investment management firm) andPhiladelphia-based Lubert-Adler (a real estate investmentmanagement firm). The event is by invitation only and isscheduled for Friday evening, September 10 and Saturdayevening, September 11. For more information about theRadnor Pro Bull Riding Championships, please contact BetsyBlock at the Trust at (610) 353-2562 ext. 13.

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Activities and Events (Continued)

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SAVE THE DATE

“Golf and Good Nature”Willistown Conservation Trust’s

3rd Annual Golf Outingat

Applebrook Golf Club

Tuesday, October 19, 2004Sponsorships Available

Please call Trisha Dougherty at (610) 353-2562 ext. 16to receive an invitation

The Chester County Astronomical Societyholds classes on an ongoing basis atthe Flower and Cook Observatory onProvidence Road. Choose from “IntroductoryAstronomy” held February through May;“Backyard Observing” held Septemberthrough December; or “How to use your owntelescope” held each summer. Better yet,attend them all! For more information, callKathy Buczynski at 610-436-0821.

Explore the Skywith friends and neighbors at theFlower and Cook Observatory

On February 28, 2004,104 bird enthusiastsgathered at Radnor Huntfor the Trust’s annualdinner lecture. SteveHoffman, PennsylvaniaAudubon’s Director ofBird Conservation,provided an overviewof Pennsylvania’s uniquecontribution to bird

populations in the Western Hemisphere and summarizedthe most serious threats to birds in our area. He alsohighlighted the reasons Audubon designated approximately13,000 acres of the Willistown Conservation Trustprogram area as its most recent Important Bird Area.

104 Attend Dinner Lecture

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WCT Watershed Updateby Mary McLoughlin

THE CRUM CREEK WATERSHED

The Willistown Conservation Trust program area includesthe headwaters of Crum Creek, the northern most section ofa long and narrow watershed that begins in Malvern Boroughand Willistown Township and drains into the Delaware Riverat Eddystone Borough. The early Dutch settlers named theCrum Creek, meaning crooked creek. The Crum watershed isa 38 square mile area that drains into a total of 72 miles ofstreams. Of the 72 miles, 24 are “impaired” meaning they donot meet state water quality standards. Crum Creek is criticalfor its natural and recreational resources and as a local drink-ing water supply. The headwaters feed the SpringtonReservoir which provides drinking water to over 200,000Chester and Delaware County households. Crum Creek is thelongest free-flowing stream in the eastern United States.

Crum Creek WatershedConservation Plan

Today we know the economic andcultural importance of our water resourcesand how valuable fresh water is to ourquality of life. It is with this in mind thatthe Trust, with many partners, is workingtoward the protection and improvementof Crum Creek by developing a CrumCreek Watershed Conservation Plan. ThePlan will identify the existing conditionsof the watershed with the focus beingon water quality and quantity, criticalnatural resources, greenways, streamcorridors and recreational, historical andcultural areas. From the analysis and pub-lic input, the Plan will identify threats tothe Creek and will recommend methodsto conserve, enhance and restore the wa-tershed. When completed, the Plan willguide watershed initiatives and providemunicipalities and organizations withfunding opportunities for watershedprojects cited in the Plan.

The Trust is responsible for conductingthe public participation component of the

Crum Creek Watershed Plan, and has organized a series ofpublic meetings introducing the Plan to residents, businesses,municipalities and other watershed constituents. The projectteam is approaching the watershed in three sections based onthe different land uses: the upper watershed (semi-rural), themiddle watershed (suburban) and the lower watershed (urban).One public forum was held for the lower watershed andtwo for the upper and middle watersheds. All streamside land-owners within 50 feet of the Crum or its tributaries (closeto 600 households total!) were sent Streamside LandownerSurveys as another public input and data gathering technique.Streamside landowners often have the biggest impact ona watershed and are critical to its health. Keep in mind, how-ever, that each and every individual in a watershed, even thosejust passing through, have an impact on the health of the

Willistown Conservation Trust’s program area is comprised of20,000 acres of land and three major watersheds.

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wat e r-shed —we areall on thehook!

Other publicparticipationtools that theTrust is implement-ing include an extensivemunicipal survey and “keyperson” interviews of majorlandowners and influencing entitiesin the watershed. These programsprovide important information that willhelp us understand the watershed. They alsogive us the opportunity to facilitate publicinvolvement in the watershed by building adatabase of volunteers and people interested inobtaining watershed stewardship information. If youwould like to be included in our watershed volunteerdatabase or are interested in information regarding theCrum Creek Watershed Plan please contact MaryMcLoughlin at the Trust, 610-325-8098.

Funding for the Crum Creek Watershed Conservation Planwas provided by the PA Department of Conservation andNatural Resources with matching funds from the DelawareCounty Commissioners. Other key donors include LyondellChemical and Aqua Pennsylvania (previously PhiladelphiaSuburban Water Company). The project is slated to becompleted by Spring, 2005.

The Streamside Landowner Survey can be viewed on the Trustwebsite (www.wctrust.org). Many thanks for the generous vol-unteer assistance of two computer gurus: Ilya Lehrman, Prin-cipal of Xerox Global Services, Inc., for his designassistance and for loaning us his hosting equipment; andGary Cox, Technical Architect of Security at MicrosoftCorporation, for spearheading our effort to put the survey onour website (and for creating the Trust website in the firstplace!). Many thanks also go to Sidne Baglini for her generousvolunteer assistance with our critical public outreach efforts!

THE RIDLEY CREEK WATERSHEDThe Willistown Conservation Trust program area alsocontains the headwaters of Ridley Creek, another long andnarrow watershed that begins in East Goshen and WillistownTownships and drains into the Delaware River between the

City of Chester and Eddystone Borough. Ridley Creek flows25 miles from the head-waters to the Delaware through

its 38 square mile watershed, which includesextensive natural, historic, recreational and

historic features. Happily, there are no“impaired” stream segments currently

identified in the Ridley Creek watershed.

WCT Assists in Formationof Ridley Creek Watershed

PartnershipThe Trust’s Mary McLoughlinassisted the Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association(CRC) in creating theRidley Creek WatershedPartnership by sharing herexperience in establishingand running the CrumCreek Watershed Part-nership, formed inSpring of 2000. TheTrust has committedMary’s time to theRidley Partnership as amatch to a PA Depart-ment of EnvironmentalProtection GrowingGreener grant received

by CRC. As we have found time and again, partnerships areoften the strength and stability behind accomplishing manyconservation priorities. Partnerships also lend longevity to longterm efforts such as watershed wide planning. Like the Crum,the Ridley Partnership consists of municipal representativesfrom throughout the watershed as well as conservationorganizations, governmental agencies and Aqua Pennsylvania(the water company). The success of the Crum Partnershipis being mirrored by the start up success of the RidleyPartnership, which has just completed prioritizing its concernsand issues for the watershed.

The Crum Creek eventually flows intothe Delaware River, a significantregional water supply source andthe longest free-flowing river in

the eastern United States.

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“Paper Hill Farm” is under conservation easement, helping to protect theHigh Quality waters of Ridley Creek.

MA

RY M

CL

OU

GH

LIN

WATERSHED MANAGEMENTStormwater Runoff is the Number One Pollutant of our Precious Waters.

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows acrossimpervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks and streets,preventing stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick updebris, chemicals, soil and other pollutants and carry them into a storm sewer system ordirectly into a water body. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged un-treated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and drinking water.

What can we do to keep our watersheds clean?• Recycle or properly dispose of household products

that contain chemicals such as pesticides, paint,solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids.

• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles itswastewater, or wash your car on your yard so thewater infiltrates into the ground.

• Sweep up driveways, sidewalks and roads –don’t hose them down.

• Inspect your septic system every 3 years and pumpyour tank as necessary (EPA recommends every 3-5years).

• Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria andexcess nutrients in local waters. Pick up after your pet.

• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly and onlywhen necessary.

• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.• Plant vegetated filter strips along roadways or streams.

They trap pollutants, allow water to infiltrate intothe ground and slow the water down.

• Plant areas designed to provide natural places forrainwater to collect and soak into the ground.

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In recognition of the Trust’smission to protect the area’swater quality, BroadacresTrouting Associationpresented the Trust with agenerous contribution.Pictured (left to right) areJeff Vincent, Bonnie VanAlen, Betsy Block, JohnRichards and Ted Beatty.

2003 “Golf and Good Nature” OutingRaises over $25,000

A total of $25,500 was raised at the Trust’s second annual golf outing held atApplebrook Golf Club on October 7, 2003. The combination of crisp autumn weather,a “birding” theme for the day and a beautifully designed golf course added to theevent’s success. Hosting the outing at Applebrook has particular significance becausethe Trust holds a conservation easement on the course, ensuring the preservation ofthe natural and scenic resources of the land in perpetuity.

On behalf of co-chairs Margot Keith and Donna Oliver,we would like to extend our gratitude and special thanks to our sponsors:

Kestrel” Sponsors / $5,000 eachClaneil Foundation, Inc.Harvey Insurance Group

TL Ventures

“Bobolink” Hole Sponsors / $500 eachThe Academy of Natural SciencesBrown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Warren Claytor ArchitectsPeter O. Hausmann, Jr.

Mackey Real Estate & Antique Map GalleryOliver Sprinkler Co. Inc.Walter J. Cook Jeweler

“Meadowlark” Sponsors / Goods and ServicesAdventure Camera ShopBrandywine Signs Inc.

The General Warren InneAdam E. Hausmann of Tweetyville Birdhouses

Donna and Bill OliverSimon Pearce

The day for the outing was made availableto the Trust through the generosity of

East Goshen Township andApplebrook Golf Club.

Local FishingClub Supports

the Trust

THE SYCAMORE is printed on recycled paper.

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Country BarbequeLive Country Western Music

Hot Air BalloonInvitation to follow in May

Round Up the Familyfor our

COUNTRYSIDE BASH!Sunday, June 13, 2004

5:00 – 9:00 PM

Kick up

your

heels!

Documents

SycamoreSpring2004