Volunteers sought at Brinton Run Preserve

CHADDS FORD >> North American Land Trust (NALT) is seeking community volunteers to help plant trees, make improvements, and monitor wildlife at its Brinton Run Preserve, which NALT opened to the public in spring 2022.

The site of the 71-acre Brinton Run Preserve played an important role in the final engagement at the Battle of Brandywine. It is located at 6 Oakland Road in Delaware County, across the street from the historic Brinton 1704 House.

The conservation organization this spring is planning a community tree planting event at the public preserve. NALT is seeking volunteers to help plant approximately 225 native trees, which are being supplied by Octoraro Native Plant Nursery in Kirkwood, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

NALT last year received a $5,000 grant from GIANT Company and Keep PA Beautiful to purchase the trees. The plantings will improve water quality by reducing runoff and expanding the riparian buffer on the property.

In addition to the tree planting, NALT is seeking community volunteers to help its staff with regular maintenance at the public preserve, as well as invasive species removal. Volunteers also are needed to help build and monitor bird boxes at the preserve.

“There are a lot of projects at Brinton Run Preserve that are meaningful and fun for outdoor lovers,” said Steve Carter, NALT president. “This is a beautiful, historic property, and we are committed to its protection and stewardship.”

NALT in 2021 acquired the Brandywine Battlefield property, which is three miles from NALT’s Chadds Ford headquarters, and will protect the land from development through a conservation easement. The conservation group raised more than $4 million to acquire the property with support from historical organizations, environmental groups, and government agencies.

The American Battlefield Trust previously identified the historic battlefield site as one of the most important Brandywine Battlefield tracts in need of preservation. On September 11, 1777, American and British forces fought in a final battle that allowed General Washington and his Continental Army to retreat safely to fight another day.

In June 2022, NALT opened the preserve and its hiking trails to the public following months of preparation and renovations. NALT staff recently seeded two fields, each about 12 acres, with honeybee and monarch butterfly seed mixes. These fields will become diverse pollinator meadows that will bloom through the year. The honeybee and monarch butterfly seed mixes were supplied by the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund’s “Seed a Legacy Program.”

Those interested in volunteering at Brinton Run Preserve are asked to visit the NALT website or call the conservation organization at 610-388-3670.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Brinton Run Preserve, which North American Land Trust opened to the public in spring 2022.