Stone Hills Preserve

We'll take a cup of kindness yet with all our trusty friends, new and old. Photo: Adam Hribar

We’re not in the business of acquiring land to save the buildings, but we can save buildings to service the land, said Longenecker. I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to work on this exciting project which restores and adapts a significant historical structure, preserves a piece of Chester County’s past, and serves the Natural Lands mission.

We are now accepting applications for the Force of Nature class of 2021! This program teaches land stewardship techniques that are put into practice across Natural Lands nature preserves. Learn more about becoming a Force of Nature on our website.

This series of photos taken by staff member Steve Eisenhauer document the two-month period during which female owls lay and incubate eggs and rear the young until they fledge.

Like Bryn Coed’s eagles and songbirds? You can help improve habitat! Complete the Wilson Challenge for Bryn Coed Preserve. Double your gift. Before December 31st. Do it for the preserve. natlands.org/bryncoedchallenge... Photo: Greg Grimshaw

We are hiring! The Stewardship Assistant is responsible for assisting Preserve Managers and Building Stewardship staff. Duties include land management and maintenance of equipment. Learn more about this position on our website.

The $500,000 Wilson Challenge for Bryn Coed Preserve is a dollar-for-dollar challenge to raise support for much-needed projects including habitat management, tools for our preserve managers, and two miles of trail expansion. Double your gift. Before December 31. Do it for the preserve.

Snow removal is a big job for our preserve managers and the more snow we get, the bigger the job we have. We plow parking lots as we are able, but it may take us a little longer depending on the amount of snow. Please note that if the parking lot is not plowed, it is not open. Thank you for your patience as we care for our winter wonderland! Photo: Mae Axelrod

It's a chilly winter morning on the trail at Stone Hills Preserve. Photo: Mae Axelrod

We are asking you to raise your voice in support of the Keystone and Growing Greener Funds! Make two simple phone callsone to your state senator and one to your state representativeto express your support of the funds, ask them to oppose any budget proposal that seeks to undermine these critical programs. https://natlands.org/growing-greener-keystone-funds.../

Hike to give. Donate now during Giving Trails Week. natlands.org/givetotrails

Dudley Edmondson has been a pioneering role model for African-Americans in nature, working to make the outdoors more inclusive. Explore the issues faced by minorities in the great outdoors and the importance of connecting to our conservation heritage.

"When you hear the phrase, endangered species, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Most people think of an endangered mammal. I think of an endangered bird. But birds and other wildlife aren’t the only endangered species out there; there’s plenty of native plants under threat, too."

Join Horticulturist Sam Nestory as she shares the process behind selecting native species for Catalpa Court at Stoneleigh: a natural garden and how they will offer food, shelter, and nesting space for a myriad of birds and other wildlife.

"To our north the foliage season is off to an early and spectacular start, veteran leaf-watchers report. And given the recent weather around here and the forecast for the next several days, prospects are excellent that the show will be quite dramatic when our turn comes, probably in about three weeks."

On October 21 join Stoneleigh: a natural garden Director Ethan Kauffman to learn how to add native vines to your garden. These climbing, creeping, or trailing plants can become a backdrop for other plants and food for wildlife.

You choose the race, you choose the place, and you choose the pace at Natural Lands' virtual ChesLen Chase. Register by 5pm Wednesday, September 23rd to receive your swag in the mail by race week! http://ow.ly/ExNF50BsBSl

If birds need bugslots and lots of themthe best way to support bird populations is to provide more habitat where insects can thrive.

Natural Lands is seeking a Vice President to lead its conservation efforts. This is an exciting opportunity to join the senior leadership of a multi-faceted conservation organization and extend its impact in open space preservation. Learn more about this position and Natural Lands on our website.

With this study, we have finally managed to come up with a way to estimate the number of birds in North America, to get to a point where we trust the math. And it turns out, over less than a single human lifetime, we’ve lost almost a third of our birds.

Pennsylvania has led the nation in confirmed cases of Lyme disease for the last decade, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With most camps closed, pools shut down and resorts shuttered because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, there’s one often-overlooked option still available to kids this summer: nature.

The biggest threat to the Wood Thrush, and many other songbirds, is the loss and fragmentation of deciduous forests, on which they rely for breeding and overwintering. Which is why the continued permanent protection of places like Meng PreserveNatural Lands’ newest nature preserveis so important.

Bass said there’s a new urgency to that work now. There’s been this interesting intersection of the pandemic, which has brought more people to our nature preserves, more people to the outdoors than ever before and then the overlay [of] how that access is not equitable.

Over the past few months, as the coronavirus turned things upside down, we’ve watched people flock to the outdoors for exercise, relaxation, and comfort, said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. It’s extremely rewarding to be a part of these projects, which have added critical open space to Nockamixon State Park that everyone can enjoy.

Photo: Bill Moses

"Fireflies alternatively known as lightning bugs in much of the United States are neither flies nor bugs. They’re soft-winged beetles, related to click beetles and others. The most dramatic aspect of their biology is that they can produce light; this ability in a living organism, called bioluminescence, is relatively rare."

The spring/summer issue of the Natural Lands magazine is up on our website. Check it out!

Have you ever hit a pile of dog poop with a weed whacker? Well, ask anyone on our stewardship staff how quickly a nice day can turn horrible.

Great news: We've cleared the damage from the storm and Stone Hills Preserve is now open for visitors again. Thank you for your patience while we cleared the trail. Happy hiking!

Seeking out birds helps my kids sharpen their observational powers, gets them away from screens, and lets them bathe in nature when most of the day is spent indoors. Our bird walks not only give us something to search for when we’re outside, they may be helping my kids learn.

There are real reasons, both historical and contemporary, that can make stepping outside in your free time while black or brown a politically charged move.

nature for all. https://natlands.org/news/nature-for-all/

Our preserve staff are working to clean up storm damage as quickly as possible. Please observe temporary trail closures. Thanks for your understanding!

"The good news is that even small actions by individuals can help. A key to making native pollinators more abundant is increasing native plant abundance. " via The Nature Conservancy

As nature continues to go about its business, so does Natural Lands. Whether working from their tractors or kitchen tables, our staff has never felt more committed to our conservation mission and to you. https://natlands.org/donate

Natural Lands’ Trek-a-Thon won’t beam you to another planet, but it will help lift your spirits and get you moving. It’s simple: hike, walk, or run either at our nature preserves, in your own neighborhood, or on your treadmill. Log your miles and submit them to us each week. Can we reach 6,000 miles as a (safe, socially distant) community goal? 6 feet apart.... 6,000 miles together. See more

"There are almost 130 million parcels of residential land in the United States that together can restore lost biomes. If everyone started to reduce that biological wasteland known as the lawn in favor of native plants, including trees, Tallamy says we could create one big connected habitat for species we are driving to the brink."

Summer has arrived at Stone Hills Preserve! Photo: Mae Axelrod

Whether you’re a new memberor you’ve recently renewed your place in our White Oak Societywe’re immensely grateful for the dedicated and caring conservationists who took the #PreservePledge. With friends like you by our side, nature can meet any challenge. Thank you for the invaluable work you make possible.

You did it! Thanks to you, we've raised 100% of the #PreservePledge Challenge goal! On behalf of us all at Natural Lands, we're grateful for all the dedicated members who gave big and joined the land for life, nature for all movement. You've all made a widespread impact, close to home. Thank you.

Mounting research shows that spending time in nature even just 20 minutes per day can lower stress hormone levels and improve your sense of well-being. These positive effects are so well-documented that some doctors issue nature prescriptions to treat anxiety and depression.

Calling all NEW preserve visitors! Did you hit the trails this weekend to enjoy meadows, forests, and fields? We need YOU to make these places possible. Take the #PreservePledge to help secure support for each property on the map. Leave the trails better than before. Share if you agree! natlands.org/preservepledge

During these challenging times, Natural Lands Lands is more committed than ever to our mission and to you. Explore nature remotely with a myriad of fresh, flexible, and fun online content. No mask required.

Don't want to miss a thing? Want to know what's open, what's closed, and what our plans are? Subscribers to our free newsletter are the first to know. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates from Natural Lands https://natlands.org/signup/

High five to all who have taken the #PreservePledge! Have yet to pledge your support? State your commitment now to receive a LIMITED EDITION DECAL for your hiking gear. Click the link below to trek the preserves in style. natlands.org/preservepledge

Stone Hills needs a friend! The preserve is searching for 20 visitors to take the #PreservePledge by May 1. Click the link to view the map, lend a helping hand, and pledge for the land you love. natlands.org/preservepledge

On your mark, get set, GO! Operation conservation begins NOW. Take the #PreservePledge by May 1 to state your place in the land for life, nature for all movement. We have 7 days to unlock the land from the map and complete the challenge. TAKE THE PLEDGE Pick a preserve. Pledge your support. Protect land for life, nature for all. ... CLICK THE LINK to learn more! natlands.org/preservepledge See more

Nature is holding office hours! We’re bringing the experts from Natural Lands online to answer your questions about the outdoors.

Take the #PreservePledge. We're on a quest to secure support for all 20 of our public properties in 7 days. Become a member between April 24 and May 1 in support of your favorite placewe’re looking for 20 new members for each preserve. Your donation will help care for our preserves and advance our critical work to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors. Will your raise your hand for Stone Hills Preserve?... https://natlands.org/preservepledge

Mark your calendars! Tomorrow is the big day. Nature never closes and our conservation work continues. Join us here for the start of the Preserve Pledge Challenge. 20 preserves, 7 days. No mask required.

In honor of Earth Day's 50th anniversary, we're celebrating all week long! This Friday, we're launching a special opportunity to lend a helping hand to the natural lands you love. Join us here on Friday morning to learn what it's all about.

Preserve Manager Brian Johnson found this rare species blooming on one of our preserves. Swamp pink is currently listed as threatened due to encroaching development and pollution. Our preserves provide essential habitat for this and other rare species to thrive.

We’re bringing the outdoors online! Last week we launched nature at nine on the Natural Lands page with a post every weekday at 9am sharing nature activities for kids. Did you miss it? No problem. You can see all our posts over on our website. Every weekday we'll be sharing new ideas, activities, and fun for kids and caregivers to connect with nature. Head over to our website where we're putting the outdoors online for anytime. https://natlands.org/outdoorsonline/

Join Natural Lands staff in a habitat improvement project at Meng Preserve We’ll be cutting back multiflora rose and other invasive plants around the preserve’s small pond, and planting native species in their place. Wear sturdy boots and plan to get muddy!

"All living things exist within their own communities, or ecosystems - oceans, forests, deserts, ice caps and even cities. All this put together is biodiversity: the volume of life on Earth as well as how different species interact with each other and the physical world around them. The word biodiversity is a contraction of 'biological diversity'. The concept is broad and complex, but that complexity is what makes Earth a perfect place for humans to live." Fantastic article from Natural History Museum, London!

How do birds deal with the chill? Preserve Manager Tim Burris explains how birds have adapted to the winter and ways that we can help!

For the first time in its more than 50-year history, Pennsylvania's Nolde Forest state park has undergone an expansion. Natural Lands in partnership with Berks Nature, announced Monday that it has purchased two parcels of land in Cumru Township and transferred ownership to the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks as additions to the 665-acre Nolde Forest. via WFMZ

Welcome to a new year of trails, tree planting, forests, fields and fun at Natural Lands!

Wishing you sparkling snowfall, warm boots, and delightful days on the trail this winter season!

This week, the Environmental Stewardship Fundknown as Growing Greener Coalitioncelebrates 20 years of protecting clean water, reducing flooding, conserving and restoring land, and improving parks and trails. Congratulations! This includes projects with Natural Lands, like the 2015 project to protect 76 acres along Unami Creek: https://esfund.info//partnering-to-protect-a-conservation/

It's a chilly winter morning on the trail at Stone Hills Preserve.

Natural Lands is now accepting applications for the 2020 Stoneleigh Ambassador volunteer training program! Modeled on the incredibly successful Force of Nature program, volunteers attend five, hands-on training sessions at Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden to learn the history of the garden, principles of ecological horticulture, guidelines for engaging guests, and much more. Learn more and apply on our website!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Natural Lands!

Natural Lands is now accepting applications for our Force of Nature Class of 2020! Visit our nature preserves while learning about a variety of topics including land management, habitat restoration, native plant gardening, wildlife monitoring, and ambassadorship.

"A wealth of research indicates that escaping to a neighborhood park, hiking through the woods, or spending a weekend by the lake can lower a person’s stress levels, decrease blood pressure and reduce the risk asthma, allergies, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while boosting mental health and increasing life expectancy. Doctors around the world have begun prescribing time in nature as a way of improving their patients’ health. One question has remained: How long, or how frequently, should you experience the great outdoors in order to reap its great benefits? Is there a recommended dose?"