French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust is the recipient of the first grant issued through the newly-created Northern Conservation Initiative of Chester County.
The Trust will use the $158,500 grant, along with three other funding sources, to purchase a 91- acre conservation easement on "Why Not Farm" in East Nantmeal Township. Owned and operated by the Nestorick Family since the 1950’s, "Why Not Farm" is populated with Texas Longhorn and Scottish Highland cattle grazing its pastures. A farm store is located on the property selling eggs, beef and Mary Nestorick's goat milk soap.
Upon receiving the grant, Trust Conservation Director Pam Brown expressed her gratitude by saying, “I would like to thank Open Space Director Bill Gladden and the Chester County Commissioners for their vision in creating a new funding source for valuable projects that don’t quite fit into existing grant programs. The conservation project on "Why Not Farm" creates a buffer for the Hopewell Big Woods and the Great Marsh, enhancing the protection of environmentally sensitive habitat and water resources.”
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L to R: Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, Pam Brown FPCCT, Carol Nestorick Heilner, Larry Heilner, Commissioner Ryan Costello, Cathryn Nestorick, Ray Nestorick, Jr. Not pictured: Mary Nestorick.
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