About French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust is a community-based organization whose mission is to preserve, steward, and connect people to the land in northern Chester County. French & Pickering works collaboratively with individual landowners, local and state government, and other conservation organizations to ensure the preservation of the French and Pickering Creeks watersheds, which contain some of the most scenic lands in Pennsylvania. Founded by Sam and Eleanor Morris in 1967, the organization has:

• Ensured the permanent protection of more than 12,500 acres of agricultural, natural, and park lands through donated and purchased conservation easements and public/private partnerships
• Created greenways and trails along the French and Pickering Creeks
• Continued to monitor and advocate stewardship of all lands protected by French & Pickering easements

We are formally accredited!

In February 2016, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust received accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance. This recognition formally confirms the organization’s due diligence in upholding national standards for excellence. Additionally, it proves French & Pickering upholds the public’s trust and ensures that the conservation efforts are permanent.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

A Note From Our Executive Director:

I used to live on a lake. When I say “on” I mean it literally, as our living room was built on pilings out over the edge of the lake, a no-no now, but not much thought of when my wife’s great uncle built the place over a hundred years ago. On hot summer nights, we would leave our bedroom on the upper floor, open all the windows and doors, throw a thin mattress on the living room floor and sleep there, a few feet above water level, and inches above the den a muskrat had carved out between the floor joists. As the cooling night air flowed down the hillsides around the lake it would also flow through the room bringing with it the raw scents of fish, frogs and muskrats. I loved those nights. We lay there anticipating the breeze, listening to the croaking bullfrogs and the small watery sounds of fish breaking the water surface searching after nocturnal bugs. I dreamt of bluegills…

In 2005, I attended a small conference in Garrison, New York, where I met a young marine biologist named J. Nichols. “J.” was just becoming known for his work with Mexican fishermen to protect sea turtles from overharvesting. In fact, J. was the first scientist to successfully track a loggerhead turtle igrating from the coast of Baja to Japan, a migration of 6,000 miles. J. told me how he captured and tagged turtles. Riding out to sea on small fishing oat, the captain would pull alongside a turtle. J. then leapt off the boat onto the turtle’s back. While he held tightly onto the shell, the turtle would dive, trying to lose this person on its back. J. would then pull up on the leading edge of the shell to steer the turtle back to the surface. Wow. Earlier this year J. came out with a book, Blue Mind—The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, & Better at What You Do.

In J.’s words “something mystical can happen to the mind and heart when we intersect with nature. Humans are surrounded by man-made buildings, objects, and environments, and it can become harder and harder to remember our intimate relationship with this beautiful blue planet. But magic can happen in the fleeting moments in which we notice the natural world—the sunset that causes us to catch our breath, the murmur of wind rustling through trees, the sharp, clean smell of rain on grass or the tang of salty air near a shore, the feel of sand or dirt underfoot. These moments reconnect us not only to nature, but also to our own nature; they carry with them the recognition that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.” (J. Nichols, Blue Mind) J. makes a convincing argument, one that resonates with my own gut feelings. It is fully consistent with both emerging science and the basic human tendency to live and vacation near the ocean, lakes and rivers. That special, calm feeling you get at the beach is real, healthy, and surprisingly, measurable. So, jump in! It may just make you happier.

Andy Pitz
Executive Director

For information on getting involved or how you might protect your land contact us here.

A Letter From Our President:

I am honored to have been elected to serve as the new president of French & Pickering. It is with admiration and appreciation that I follow the many years of dedicated service and terrific accomplishments of Cary Leptuck.

Many exciting things are going on at the organization. Our Board and Staff just completed a year-long strategic planning process and affirmed our new mission:

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust’s mission is to preserve, steward, and connect people to the land in northern Chester County. Our guiding principles are: Community, Wonder, Regeneration, Integrity and Excellence. Our vision is that the land trust will engage and benefit from the support of diverse constituents and will be regarded as an essential partner for mobilizing people to forever safeguard the health of our land, water, plants and wildlife. Click here to view our Strategic Plan.

With the help of our very generous private and government partners, French & Pickering is making great progress with the stabilization of the Warwick Furnace Ruins and the planning of the new Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve and the Preserve at the Great Marsh.

It’s our 50th Anniversary! To help us celebrate our 50 years, and learn more about French & Pickering and our Community, we’ve created a “treasure map” to help you identify activities you can do in our area to make the most out of our work in natural resource preservation. It’s because of Members like you that we have been able to permanently protect 12,500 gorgeous acres in our community. We look forward to what we will be able to accomplish in the next 50 years.

Please consider making your membership contribution today by clicking here. Contributions are tax-deductible. French & Pickering’s Federal EIN # is 23-6429095.

On behalf of the staff, Board of Directors, and the Community we serve, thank you so very much for your generosity, interest and support. A strong membership enables us to solidify our capacity and enter into our 50th anniversary year better than ever. Click here to give online. Please also tell your friends about the good work of French & Pickering.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Bob Willson
President, Board of Directors

Board of Directors: