Lower Merion Conservancy

Specialties

Conservation, historic preservation, and environmental education.

History

Established in 1995.

The Lower Merion Conservancy was formed in September 1995, when the Lower Merion-​Narberth Watershed Association merged into the Lower Merion Preservation Trust, and organizations joined forces as the new Lower Merion Conservancy.

Both the Trust and the Watershed held an abiding interest in landscape preservation, and entered merger discussions in spring 1995, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the Conservancy.

In 1994, Lower Merion Township agreed to purchase the former Walter C. Pew estate in Gladwyne, a 103-​acre property now called Rolling Hill Park. The trust served as a conduit for public fundraising for the park’s purchase; ultimately, more than 900 area families donated to the purchase this new park.

In 1997 the Conservancy began a campaign to restore the 1895 caretaker’s cottage at Rolling Hill Park. The cottage, completely restored by May 2000, serves as the headquarters of the Conservancy. Come see us in person!