$20,000 Grant Will Support Woodland & Meadow Restorations

MEDIA, Pa., July 7, 2026 – Natural Lands, the region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Foxwynd Foundation. The funding will directly support a critical, multi-phase ecological restoration initiative at Bryn Coed Preserve in Chester Springs, Chester County.

The grant will fund two major projects on 102-acre parcel of the preserve, which was recently acquired and expanded the preserve to a total of 612 acres. Natural Lands will install a new 10-acre native tree planting and establish a five-acre pollinator meadow. Both projects will advance environmental sustainability.

“Every acre we save and care for cools and cleans the air we breathe, soaks up floodwaters, provides wildlife with habitat, filters our water, and brings humans improved health and joy,” said Oliver Bass, President of Natural Lands. “This generous support from the Foxwynd Foundation allows us to take the next critical steps in turning this newly acquired land into an ecologically resilient habitat.”

Impact and Restoration Details

The $20,000 budget-enhancing grant will be leveraged alongside an additional $20,000 in matching donations. The combined funds will cover the following initiatives:

• 10-Acre Tree Planting:
  In the fall of 2026, 2,000 native tree seedlings will be installed by hand. As they mature, they will stabilize steep slopes, curb invasive plant species, and naturally blend into the existing interior forest.
• Five-Acre Pollinator Meadow:
  Natural Lands will seed a new five-acre meadow with native grasses and flowering herbaceous plants. This habitat will provide vital food and nectar sources for declining populations of bees, butterflies, and insects.

Said Preserve Manager Darin Groff, “Last year, we acquired 102 acres adjacent to our Bryn Coed Preserve. We’ve already replanted 66 acres of this new addition with cool season grasses to support insects and wildlife, including grassland nesting birds. The Foxwynd Foundation grant will allow us to move forward with additional improvements that increase interior woodland and establish more pollinator habitat.”

These projects build upon previous successes at Bryn Coed Preserve, which include 64 acres of newly planted trees and 17 acres of established pollinator meadows.

A Shared Commitment to Sustainability

The project directly aligns with the Foxwynd Foundation’s core pillar of environmental sustainability. By restoring native woodlands and creating critical insect habitats, the initiative addresses pressing modern challenges like species loss, climate change, and regional suburban sprawl.

“Foxwynd Foundation invests in organizations that combine a clear mission with the experience and organizational capacity to deliver meaningful results,” said Pamela Villagra, executive director of Foxwynd Foundation. “Natural Lands exemplifies those qualities, and we are proud to support their continued leadership in conserving and restoring the landscapes that benefit both people and wildlife.”

The Foxwynd Foundation Donor Advised Fund (DAF) funded the Foxwynd Foundation’s generous donation to Natural Lands.

Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands—which is member supported—has preserved more than 137,000 acres, including 40+ nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres. About five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.

Please note: “Natural Lands” is the organization’s official operating name and should be used instead of its legal designation (Natural Lands Trust, Inc.).

Media Inquiries:
Kit Werner, Senior Director of Communications
610-353-5587 ext. 267