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Property

Willistown Friends Meeting Conservation Plan

Over the years, Willistown Friends Meeting has been the beneficiary of a number of land gifts. Currently we have 42 acres in our care. The original grant of land which makes up the Meeting House property and the Burial Grounds was given to the Meeting in the 18th century. In recent years, land has been given to the Meeting by the Van Alen and Lutz families. Willistown Friends is committed to the preservation of these lands for future generations and has placed some sections of the property under conservation easements.



The large field immediately behind the Meetinghouse is close to 17 acres. It had been used by a local Quaker farmer to grow corn, soybeans, and sorghum. In 2002 the Meeting decided to return the field to native species grasslands. Our long term intention is to promote a healthy cover for ground nesting field birds and small animals.

Immediately surrounding the mowed yard of the Meetinghouse property is a strip of "Warm Season" grasses. These grasses include Smooth Broame, Orchard Grass, Alsike and Ladino Clovers. This combination provides a shorter cover which enhances visibility from the Meetinghouse grounds. Warm season grasses are native varieties that the early Quakers would have found when they settled in the area.

The efforts of generations of Quaker members of Willistown Friends Meeting made it very easy for two of the present members, both National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat Stewards, to achieve Certification of the property by the National Wildlife Federation as a Habitat worthy of supporting wildlife to NWF standards.

Visitors have an open invitation to walk the grounds during daylight hours. In addition to these fields, we have abundant woodlands with fine specimens of mature forest trees. The location of an old sawmill and its sluice can be seen among the tall Poplars along the creek area. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, possums, and many different birds can often be encountered while walking. We are happy to share our gifts with you.