A possible 20-house subdivision was avoided, and a 57.4-acre property owned by Timothy and Amanda Maxwell was preserved forever by French & Pickering Conservation Trust. Located in West Vincent Township in northern Chester County and adjacent to another 50 acres under easement with French & Pickering, this property provides an important connection of undeveloped land and is in close proximity to 1,100 conserved acres at Bryn Coed Farm and an additional 100 acres under easement with French & Pickering. Together these lands are critical to protecting the headwaters of the French Creek and the Pickering Creek, both tributaries of the Schuylkill River.

The Maxwell property is visible to the public for more than one quarter of a mile along Saint Matthews Road, which is a designated scenic road in the West Vincent Township Open Space and Recreation Plan. The property also offers scenic views from Kimberton Road. The easement was funded by West Vincent Township and the Chester County Open Space Fund.

This preserved property contains perennial and intermittent streams, which are tributaries to the French Creek. The French Creek and its tributaries are designated as having Exceptional Value and High-Quality waters by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“Thanks to the Maxwells’ generosity, their property will continue to provide, maintain and improve water quality in our area, as well as reduce the need for public services required by development,” noted Pam Brown, French & Pickering Conservation Director.

A variety of land and aquatic creatures, including Bald Eagles nesting nearby, will benefit from 3.7 acres of protected woodlands that provide habitat to them and to numerous other plant and animal species.

There are 49.7 acres of rolling pasturelands which will prevent the loss and depletion of soils considered to be “Prime Agricultural Soils” by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This area will also protect biologically diverse meadow and grassland habitat, especially where it is comprised predominantly of native species.

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust is grateful for the Maxwells’ generosity and for the opportunity to protect this biologically valuable and beautiful property.