Natural Lands - The Magazine of Natural Lands Fall/Winter 2018, Issue 153 | Page 20

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Graham Property (left),
Friends Hospital (right)
Natural Lands assisted Green Valleys Watershed Asso-
ciation in the purchase of 21 acres of forest to add to
Welkinweir, whose name translates to “where sky meets
water.” The public garden features a 55-acre arboretum
and historic estate house, as well as ecologically diverse
wetland, meadow, and woodland habitats.
In 1985, Grace Rodebaugh conveyed the deed to her
then 162-acre estate to Natural Lands. In 1997, the organi-
zation transferred ownership to Green Valleys Watershed
Association, which uses Welkinweir as a base for their
education and watershed protection mission. Natural
Lands now holds a conservation easement on 160 acres
of the property, ensuring its permanent protection.
The 21-acre addition to Welkinweir contains more than
1,000 feet of the Horse-Shoe Trail and will allow Green
Valleys Watershed Association to expand opportunities
for its educational programming, as well as protect
the property’s wildlife habitat and natural resources.
Welkinweir is located within the Hopewell Big Woods,
the largest remaining, unbroken forest in southeastern
Pennsylvania and one of the most important natural
areas in the region.
saving a piece of American history.
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Osborne Hill Farm
88 acres
Birmingham and Westtown Townships
Key Partners: American Battlefield Protection Program’s
Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants, which are funded
through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and
administered by the National Park Service; American
Battlefield Trust members; Chester County Preservation
Partnership Program; Mt. Cuba Center; Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania – Department of Community and
Economic Development with funds from the Marcellus
Legacy Fund; Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation; and
the landowner
The 88-acre Osborne Hill Farm is quintessential Chester
County countryside with rolling fields, early 19 th century
buildings, and pastures. But this landmark site is most
notable for its role in American history as the promon-
tory where British General William Howe surveyed the
Battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War.
“It’s hard to imagine such a peaceful, beautiful spot
being at the epicenter of the Revolutionary War’s longest
and largest battle,” said Natural Lands President Oliver
Bass. “Natural Lands is thrilled and honored to have
helped ensure this historic property will have a future
free of development.”
Now under conservation easement with Natural
Lands, Osborne Hill Farm is among nearly 500 battlefield
acres that have been protected within Chester County
alone. In a 2007 report to Congress on the status of Rev-
olutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields, the National
Park Service identified Brandywine as a national priority
for preservation because of its historic significance and
opportunities to preserve intact battlefield landscapes.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA
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Howard Property
42.86 acres
Silver Spring Township
Key Partner: Silver Spring Township
In 2013, Silver Spring Township’s residents approved an
open space funding program—the first in Cumberland
County—and hired Natural Lands to help determine
priorities for land preservation. Since that time, Natural
Lands has protected 227 acres of land through conserva-
tion easements.
The latest property to join this esteemed list is the
49-acre Howard property, located along the scenic Cono-
doguinet Creek. The Howard property occupies a sharp
bend in the Conodguinet, which is a Native American
word for “a long way with many bends.”
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PA
saving open space. city style.
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Friends Hospital
49 acres
Philadelphia
Key Partners: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth Financing Authority with funds from
the Marcellus Legacy Fund; Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources – Keystone
Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund; Virginia
Cretella Mars Foundation; William Penn Foundation
Founded in 1813, Friends Hospital is one of America’s old-
est hospitals and the first private non-profit institution of
its kind in the country. Located in the Frankford section
of Philadelphia, Friends Hospital is made up of historic
buildings, lawns, gardens, and a forest through which
Tacony Creek meanders. The property was designated
a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the
Interior in 1999.
Placing the property under conservation easement
safeguards this historic greenspace and the scenic views
from nearby Tacony Creek Park. The easement also
formalizes public access to the property’s woodlands,
which the Tacony Creek Trail traverses.
Watershed Initiative); Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation;
William Penn Foundation; an anonymous donor