French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust preserves additional 7.5 acres

PHOENIXVILLE » French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, in partnership with Charlestown Township, has protected another 7.5 acres in northern Chester County.

The conservation easement of the Green Lane Road property, owned by Frances Rodgers, was funded through the township’s Open Space Initiative dedicated tax dollars and expanded the total protected lands along Green Lane to 175 acres.

Frances Rodgers and her late husband, Mike, raised nine children on their Green Lane Road property in Charlestown Township. Mike was a five-term township supervisor and a great supporter of the open space initiative. When Fran decided to move to one of her daughter’s homes, she contracted with her neighbors, Rick and Holly Bernhard, to purchase the property, but wanted to place it under easement first.

Charlestown Township Supervisor Kevin Kuhn brought in French & Pickering and the easement was completed on June 14.

“The Rodgers’ property is surrounded by three other French & Pickering easements, including the Bernhards’,” noted Pam Brown, French & Pickering conservation director. “A yield plan indicated that two additional houses could be constructed, but all were eliminated through the easement agreement. The Bernhards would like to extend their pasture to raise cattle, so this was the perfect solution for both parties,” Brown added.

The Rodgers’ property is located within the Pickering Creek watershed which is designated as having high-quality water by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. There are 1.25 acres of mixed-aged woodlands that provide habitat to numerous plant and animal species, as well as 4.5 acres of grassy fields.

French & Pickering Creeks

“The Rodgers’ property is surrounded by three other French & Pickering easements, including the Bernhards’.”

— Pam Brown, French & Pickering conservation director

Conservation Trust is grateful for Frances Rodgers’ generosity and for the opportunity to protect this beautiful property with the support of Charlestown Township.

Land preservation

Since its establishment in 1967, French & Pickering has protected more than 13,350 acres in northern Chester County through purchases, conservation easements and public/private partnerships. The nonprofit organization works with landowners, townships, foundations and the state and county to purchase and monitor conservation easements, create parkland and preserve environmentally sensitive land.

Public access to preserved lands

Now more than ever, outside recreational opportunities are important to our mental and physical health. These French & Pickering properties are open to the public and contain miles of marked hiking trails and scenic views:

The Templin Woods Preserve (formally known as the Great Marsh Preserve) in East Nantmeal Township is over 550 acres of woodland wildlife habitat. This valuable natural space houses many species of birds and mammals and is an important source of clean water for the Great Marsh ecosystem.

The Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve in East Nantmeal and Warwick townships is a 108-acre site that includes the ruins of the Warwick Iron Furnace and the Exceptional Value south branch of the French Creek.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The newest open space to be preserved in Chester County.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Fran and Elisa Rodgers are supporters of land preservation.