Our Accomplishments

Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy 2008 Accomplishments (click here for 2007 accomplishments)

Overview: This was an exciting year as we demonstrated the quality of our practices and standards at a national level and received accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance. Highlights of this year’s many accomplishments include:

Land in Preservation:

• Accepted 8 new easements in Bedminster and Solebury townships, totaling over 330 acres (10% increase in acreage preserved from 2007).

• Conducted annual monitoring on all easements, currently 86 easements on nearly 3700 acres of land, including:

  • 12 donated easements on 378 acres in Bedminster and East Rockhill Townships, held by BRLC only;

  • 16 easements on 898 acres in Bedminster Township, coheld with Bedminster Township or the Township and Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program;

  • 56 easements on 2376 acres in Solebury Township, coheld with Solebury Township or the Township and Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program;

  • 1 donated easement on 18 acres in Plumstead Township, coheld with Plumstead Township;

  • 1 donated easement on 24 acres in Springfield Township, coheld with Springfield Township.

Easements and Easement Service:

• Continued to provide easement-monitoring services in 5 area townships to help protect their investments in land preservation, and continue to work to expand our service territory

Education:

• Continued to serve as a resource network for area residents, public agencies, and other groups.

• Corresponded with our legislators on important issues, and help to support national organizations on issues that impact our region.

• Developed and distributed 3 issues of The Conservator.

Fund-raising:

• Hosted 3 successful fund-raising activities, the proceeds of which benefitted our “Landowner Assistance Fund” (used to assist landowners with easement costs) and expand our community network and outreach:

  • Garden Tour (June) – our 10th;

  • Barns and Farms Tour (Oct) – our 4th; and

  • Traditional Artisans’ sale (Sept.) – our 3rd

Membership:

• Increased membership 10%

Organization:

• Received accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance (one of the first land trusts to achieve this status in the nation).

• Received $5500 in grant awards from 2 large companies on behalf of their employees’ volunteer efforts with the BRLC.

• Attended Land Trust Alliance annual meeting and training

• Recognized volunteer assistance of Ann McAuliffe, Mailing Committee and David Stone, Webmaster.

• Transitioned Assistant Treasurer to Treasurer and recognized Sue Delin for 11 yrs of service.

• Welcomed Eve Marschark to our Board of Directors.

• Welcomed and trained 3 new monitors to our easement monitoring program.