Dear Friends and Supporters of the Tregaron Conservancy:
I hope that you have visited the Tregaron Conservancy’s landscape many times over the past year. If so, you have undoubtedly noticed the countless improvements.
In addition to the 34 new trees from April 2012, the Conservancy planted 53 new trees in March 2013 (thanks to a grant from Casey Trees). We are obligated to hand-water all of these trees, plus we maintain the hundreds of bushes and flowers around the lily pond, the overlook staircase and the Macomb Street entrance. Our maintenance crew regularly weeds, mows, and removes fallen limbs and entire dead trees, as well as continually mulches the trails and blows them free of leaves. In the winter, the crew clears the sidewalks of snow and ice. After wind and rainstorms, the tree damage is often severe and the crew is on site immediately.
Taking care of 13 acres of woodlands, meadows, gardens, streams, stone stairs, bridges, paths and pond is a constant challenge. When a tree falls in the forest, we hear it. The maintenance of Tregaron’s historic landscape grows more expensive every year. New trees to water, old trees to clean up. The rain of 2013 washed out our trails on a regular basis. Still, as good as Tregaron looks, we have so much more to do.
Our many upcoming restoration projects include: Replacing the ugly chain link fence along open Klingle Road with a historically accurate replicate of the original fence. Moving the Klingle entrance to the east to its original 1915 pedestrian entrance with a new path through the rhododendron grove. Returning the Twin Oak meadow to its original look as a cow pasture (we are not adding cows however and the pasture will be mowed). Building stone stairs to connect Tregaron’s trails to the South Lawn below the Mansion. Repairing existing stone stairs and bridges. Removing rusted old fencing in other parts of the property and installing new replicate fences in certain sections. Rehabilitating the north meadow (a.k.a. “sledding hill”) and the east meadow (a.k.a. “banana field”). Throughout all projects, the Conservancy works closely with DC historic preservation planners and officers and permitting authorities, while striving always to honor the vision of Ellen Biddle Shipman.
NEWSFLASH: The Tregaron Conservancy is working with web developer and neighbor Danna McCormick on a long-overdue overhaul of our creaky website. With Danna’s assistance, our new website will be a lively and user-friendly resource to alert our followers to events such as our ever-popular geology tours and community volunteer days, including upcoming spring vine-clearing sessions. We will also be offering tree talks by a certified master arborist. You will be amazed by the wealth and health of Tregaron’s trees!
The Conservancy had a number of organized events in 2013 including: Casey Tree Community Planting Day, an Easter Egg hunt, a BBQ and Garden Party at Twin Oaks to benefit the Tregaron Conservancy, a DC Architects tour, six community service projects, a nature playgroup, school field trips and many youth events.
The Tregaron Conservancy is open every day, all day, free to the public. Restoring and maintaining a historic landscape is expensive; opening up private land as a public park isn’t necessary, but we are committed to doing so. Please support our efforts. We depend on your contributions. Enclosed is a self-addressed envelope. Or visit our website and make an on-line contribution. Go to www.tregaronconservancy.org and click on the “Donate” button. It only takes a moment!
Sincerely yours,
Bonnie LePard, Executive Director