Celebrating our Summer Interns: The Next Generation of Conservation in Action

This summer, five conservation interns joined Heritage Conservancy to get hands-on experience by restoring habitats, monitoring wildlife, and learning directly from experts in biology and land stewardship. 

Their hard work made a measurable difference at our preserves, and their reflections highlight the impact of a summer well spent protecting nature. 

Read more about their summer projects and hear their stories. 

Connections to Change

Manoff Market Cidery: A Story of Local Connection

From root to bottle, the Manoff family brings generations of care and sustainability to every variety of their handcrafted hard ciders served in their scenic New Hope tasting room. With land originally leased from Heritage Conservancy, the farm is now owned by the Manoffs and is a thriving testament to resilient, conservation-focused agriculture and community.  

We walked the orchard with daughter Chelsea Manoff who, among other things, helps to manage the hard cider production. “Local is really the driving force for me and my work here at the farm," says Chelsea. "And the more people that I meet in the area who have a similar mindset, the more it feels like we are at a turning point where something sustainable could come of it.”  

Read how this family farm continues to grow in Bucks County.

Connections to History

Barn Voyage! Take a Self-Guided Tour of Central Bucks County's Historic Barns

Hit the back roads of Central Bucks County and explore our region’s iconic barns on this self-guided historic barn tour. Along the way, you'll encounter 19 barns, each with its own character and distinct architecture. 

Some of these historic barns are still working, while others have been reimagined, but they all have stories to tell. This tour showcases the landscapes and classic barn structures that make our preserved Bucks County countryside so unique and full of history. 

Learn more and take the barn tour.

Connections to Community

Check Out a Nature Backpack at a Library

Near You!

Looking for a fun way to explore nature with your family? Thanks to Abigail, our Alliance for Watershed Education summer fellow, you can now check out our new and improved Nature Backpacks from local libraries in Lower Bucks. Abigail worked with two libraries to reassess the contents of the existing backpacks and update the tools and materials inside. 

Whether you’re birdwatching, identifying trees, or just curious about the world around you, these backpacks make it easy for explorers of all ages to connect with nature close to home. 

Learn more about the Nature Backpack program.

Connections to Nature

Buyer Beware: Popular Non-Native Plants to Avoid

Not all plants are good neighbors. Some non-native species might look pretty in a garden center, but once planted, they can spread quickly, outcompete native plants, and disrupt ecosystems. 

Our Conservation Easement Steward, Sebastian Harris, highlights a few of the most common species to avoid (we're looking at you, Butterfly Bush), while offering alternative native species that support pollinators, wildlife, and add to an ecologically valuable landscape. 

Learn what to avoid and which native species to plant instead.

Volunteer

Do you care about your community?

Volunteer with Heritage Conservancy and help protect the places you love.

Connections to Land

Renewing Our Commitment to Conservation Excellence

We’re proud to share that Heritage Conservancy has renewed our accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission! In 2008, we were among the first group of land trusts in the nation to earn accreditation, and this marks our third renewal. 

This rigorous process involves a review of our policies, practices, and track record to ensure we continue to meet the highest national standards for land conservation and nonprofit excellence. Accreditation is earned and is not permanent. It must be renewed periodically to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting the land and natural resources that we have been entrusted to care for.

Connections to Our Mission

Perennial Partners Monthly Support

“My monthly donation to Heritage Conservancy is an investment in the beauty, health, and sustainability of my community. I love seeing Heritage Conservancy signs in Montgomery County and knowing that those woodlands and farm views will still be there for my grandkids to enjoy. Giving monthly helps us budget, and the Conservancy can count on that support for its planning.” 

– Randy Kester

Perennial Partner 

Join Randy and become a Perennial Partner.

Upcoming Events

Pollinator Picnic Garden Party

Saturday, September 27, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

Join Heritage Conservancy for a laid-back Pollinator Picnic at our Russell-Mandel Preserve to celebrate you - our Members! Enjoy strolling through the preserve, family-friendly activities, live music, and a picnic lunch. 

Membership must be active to register for this event. Learn more and join.

Nighttime Glow Hike

Friday, October 24, 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm 

Step into a magical world only revealed through the illumination of blacklights at Croydon Woods! We will discover the tracks and traces that nocturnal animals leave behind, while also experiencing the hidden wonders of plants and fungi. 

Learn more and register now.

Fall Frenzy

Tuesday, November 11, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and/or 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Help us get Aldie buttoned up for winter! We will trim bushes, rake leaves, and complete other projects in the gardens. Your work aids in the preservation and protection of this historic property and its grounds.

Learn more and register now.

Thanksgiving Bird Count

Saturday, November 22, 9:00 - 10:30 am 

Join us for our very first Thanksgiving Bird Count at our Russell-Mandel Preserve! During this Member-exclusive event, Conservation Easement Steward Sebastian Harris will lead participants on a walk through our meadow, counting and collecting data on all of the bird species present. 

Learn more/join and register now.