Heritage Conservancy Receives Award for Environmental Excellence – Technologist

News release shared by Heritage Conservancy, May 21, 2024. Photos courtesy of Heritage Conservancy.

Andrea Szyper – Heritage Conservancy has been honored with the 2024 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its Nature Preserve Species Surveys and Educational Programs at its Croydon Woods Nature Preserve. The reclaimed Superfund site has become a neighborhood jewel, with trails used by community members and students.

The award specifically recognizes community science, education, and biodiversity surveys in this Lower Bucks County Nature Preserve that connect neighbors and students to vital local nature and biodiversity.

Croydon Woods is one of the last remaining Coastal Plain Forests in southeastern Pennsylvania. The 80-acre preserve is home to over 350 species of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects, including endangered plant species.

Heritage Conservancy’s surveys and education efforts in the Croydon Woods Nature Preserve have furthered restoration and management of the site while engaging the community in its care.

The BioBlitz wildlife survey and Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower projects have used community science to track biodiversity in these woods and educate the community.

The projects are a culmination of cleanup efforts and stewardship by Heritage Conservancy, and community engagement that has brought new life to this natural area.

Heritage Conservancy Vice President Kris Kern joined and Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller to accept the award at a dinner and reception in Harrisburg on April 30. They were joined by environmental organizations from across the state for the celebration.

Learn more about Croydon Woods Nature Preserve (and come visit).

The BioBlitz and Motus Tower projects were funded by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Coastal Zone Management Grant  and made possible with funding from the Alliance for Watershed Education and the William Penn Foundation. 

Media inquiries, reach out to Andrea Szyper, Communications Manager, Heritage Conservancy.