Mission: The mission of the willistown conservation trust is to preserve and manage the open land, rural character, scenic, recreational, historic, agricultural and natural resources of the willistown area and nearby communities, and to share these unique resources with people of all ages and backgrounds to inspire, educate and develop a lifelong commitment to the land and the natural world.
Programs: Land protection & stewardship program - see schedule oland protection & stewardship program - the trust's highest priority is to permanently protect the open land, rural character, scenic, recreational, historic, agricultural and natural resources of the willistown area. We do this by identifying strategic properties, working with landowners, and preparing and negotiating conservation agreements to protect remaining open spaces. Once the land is protected by conservation easement, the trust monitors and enforces compliance with the agreement in perpetuity to ensure its continued benefit for the general public consistent with the easement terms. Through habitat restoration efforts and other stewardship activities, the trust strives to educate and instill an ecological conscience in landowners and others by which all people embrace their responsibility for the continued health and well-being of land and waterways.
bird conservation program - see schedule obird conservation program - the trust's bird conservation program works to enhance and promote bird conservation in the willistown area and beyond. Primary initiatives include bird banding, bird monitoring, habitat restoration and education of good conservation and bird management practices. Through these initiatives, the program strives to do the following: increase awareness and support of wct's basic mission; build general awareness of, as well as interest in, conservation of birds and other flora and fauna; and help conserve critical habitat and specific species through scientific research and conservation projects.
community farm program - see schedule ocommunity farm program - the trust's community farm program serves as a model for how sustainable agriculture and land conservation are mutually beneficial. The program's centerpiece is rushton farm, a six-acre portion of an 86-acre protected land preserve in willistown township employing the latest agricultural techniques, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and operated as a model farm and educational tool. The farm offers numerous opportunities to engage and teach people throughout the community demonstrating firsthand the importance of agroecology, a blend of sustainable agriculture and protection of natural resources. The farm serves as an example of how conserved land and ecologically appropriate farm practices can work together for the benefit of a community, while protecting land. The farm donates at least 10% of its overall harvest to local food banks.
various other programs undertaken to carry out the organization's mission.
Willistown Conservation Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Willistown Conservation Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Willistown Conservation Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
