August 25, 2016

Natural Lands Trust announced that it has protected a scenic 55.7-acre property in London Britain Township, preserving woodlands, rare plant species, and a valued part of the rural landscape.

The property was placed under a conservation easement last month, which means that it remains in private ownership but is protected from future development in perpetuity, said a press release from NLT.

“This beautiful property has been protected forever,” Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust, said in the release. “Special recognition goes to the Kraus family whose decision to conserve the property is a testament to their foresight and their willingness to contribute to a larger conservation vision for the White Clay Creek watershed.”

The Kraus property adjoins 1,800 acres of state parkland in Pennsylvania known as the White Clay Creek Preserve, and 1,752 acres of parkland in Delaware known as White Clay Creek State Park. This makes it especially important as a buffer to these two popular parks.

“To date, 29 percent of the watershed is preserved land,” Shane Morgan, White Clay Watershed Association coordinator, said in the release. “Protecting natural lands is one of the best and least-expensive stormwater controls available because they naturally act as filters, intercepting, slowing, and infiltrating stormwater that carries with it pollutants that would otherwise quickly run off the land directly to the creek.”

“We’re delighted to partner with Natural Lands Trust and the Kraus family to see this project come to fruition,” Aileen Parrish, vice chairman of the board of supervisors for London Britain Township, said in the release.

The easement was donated by the estate of Marjorie P. Kraus. Sisters Patricia Kraus Holt and Kathryn K. McClure generously facilitated the process, ensuring the property’s future as undeveloped land.

“The property was home to my parents, Philip and Marjorie Kraus, and their six children. The farm sustained us with a garden, orchard, and fields to pasture steers, sheep, chickens, and a horse,” sad McClure in the release. “Along with the needed hard work, this setting allowed endless hours of exploration and interaction with nature, and instilled in the entire family a love, curiosity, and appreciation of the natural world.”

The project was made possible by the support of London Britain Township, National Park Service – White Clay Creek National Wild & Scenic River, and the Kraus family, the release said.

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The YMCA of Greater Brandywine hosted its first Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Aug. 24, along with the announcement of an unconventional presidential candidate: Zoe, a 1-year-old toddler.

Zoe, a hypothetical contender for 2064, represents the potential that should be nurtured in every child through the support of the Y and the local community. At Wednesday’s event, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine introduced Zoe and her platform, which is focused on the Y’s youth development through early learning readiness, summer learning loss, and after-school programs, according to a YMCA press release.

“There are many children in need of support in Chester County. That’s why we are supporting the Zoe for President campaign as we continue to focus on leveling the playing field for every Zoe,” Denise Day, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, said in the release. “We award over $3 million in financial assistance to over 16,000 members of our community annually, much of which is focused on fostering youth development right here in our community.”

The event also featured a debate among three “vice presidential” candidates who are actively involved in programs at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.

Janiyah DeShields, who will be attending Pierce Middle School, has been enrolled at the Y for over 7 years and said the Y youth programs have helped her discover her inner talents. Onye Mazyck attends Stetson Middle School, where she is going into 8th grade; she has taken part in Camp Chestnut for five summers and has advanced from a camper to a leader-in-training. Wyatt Oatman goes to Fugett Middle School and is entering 7th grade; he started after-school programs at the Y in January, where he said the counselors have taught him the meaning of leadership, the release said.

The Zoe for President campaign highlights the potential the Y sees in all kids – like Zoe’s VP candidates. Through its youth development initiatives, kids at the Y have the opportunities to succeed, grow, and one day, maybe even become president. For more information on the local Zoe for President campaign, visit www.ymcagbw.org/zoeforpresident.

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Area farmers can now apply for 2016-17 Resource Enhancement and Protection program (REAP) tax credits, according to a press release from state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19.

“Pennsylvania farmers continue to make great strides in safeguarding our local streams and watersheds,” Dinniman said in the release. “This program can go a long way in helping farmers take advantage of tax credits while making conservation-minded capital improvements and incorporating best management practices in their operations.”

REAP is a tax-credit program for agricultural producers who implement best management practices or purchase on-farm conservation equipment that reduces erosion and sedimentation. The program, administered by the state Conservation Commission, gives agriculture producers an incentive to purchase conservation equipment and materials to protect the environment.

Farmers may receive tax credits of up to $150,000 per agricultural operation for 50 to 75 percent of the project’s cost. The most common projects approved are for no-till planting and precision agricultural equipment, waste storage facilities, conservation plans, nutrient management plans, and protecting heavy animal use areas like barnyards, the release said.

REAP can be used in conjunction with other funding sources such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program or the Chesapeake Bay Program for purchases. Private investors may also act as sponsors by providing capital to producers as a project is approved in return for tax credits. Any individual or business subject to taxation through Personal Income Tax, Corporate Net Income Tax, Bank Shares Tax or others is eligible to participate in REAP.

Since the program began in 2007, REAP has awarded tax credits to 3,900 projects totaling more than $50 million. Public and private enterprise investments in REAP have contributed to the conservation projects, worth more than $128 million. From 2010 to 2014, REAP has helped prevent an estimated 1.4 million pounds of nitrogen, 84,000 pounds of phosphorus and 9,000 tons of sediment from running off into Pennsylvania waterways, the release said.

Applications for the 2016-17 REAP program are available by visiting www.agriculture.pa.gov and clicking “protect,” then “State Conservation Commission,” then “REAP.” Interested applicants can also contact Joel Semke at 717-705-4032 or jsemke@pa.gov. For more information contact Dinniman’s district office at 610-692-2112 or acirucci@pasenate.com.

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