Natural Lands Expands Stoneleigh: a natural garden in Villanova, PA

MEDIA, Pa., June 15, 2026 – Natural Lands today announced the acquisition of 10 acres of the historic Oakwell property from Lower Merion School District (LMSD). The land is immediately adjacent to Stoneleigh, Natural Lands’ beloved public garden and, in fact, was once part of the estate in the early 1900s. The land protection success marks the culmination of years of community advocacy, partnership building, and a shared commitment to preserving one of the region’s most significant cultural landscapes.

In a separate transaction, an additional three acres of the property, which includes the Oakwell mansion, was purchased by and will be carefully restored and preserved by the private Wyncote Foundation.

In 2018, LMSD purchased two parcels—collectively known as Oakwell—as a site for athletic fields for Black Rock Middle School. As development plans progressed, public concern grew. Over a period of years, community members campaigned for preservation of the property and its towering trees, historical structures, and horticultural legacy.

A turning point came early in 2024, when ongoing conversations between LMSD and Natural Lands led to a conservation solution. In August of that year, the two organizations announced an agreement: LMSD would sell 10 acres of Oakwell to Natural Lands to expand Stoneleigh and the remaining three acres to a separate entity whose use will be complementary.

Today, that agreement is reality.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to preserve all of Oakwell and to grow Stoneleigh for the benefit of residents and visitors from the entire region. We are immensely grateful to our generous funders, the community, and the leadership of the school district for making this possible,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “It is not an exaggeration to say that this is the culmination of years of work by our staff, our supporters, and members of the Lower Merion community.”

“None of this would be possible without the exceptionally generous support of the Wyncote Foundation,” Bass said. “Additional leadership support is being provided the William Penn Foundation,” he added.

Although Oakwell will require a period of preparation before opening to the public, its addition significantly advances Stoneleigh’s mission: to celebrate the beauty and importance of the natural world and inspire the cultivation of native plants for the benefit of all.

Dr. Frank Ranelli, LMSD superintendent, added, “We hope that this agreement, which came about after years of public discussion and collaboration with the purchasing parties, will enhance the quality of life for members of the Lower Merion community, which is so supportive of our schools. We look forward to future collaborations that might allow our students to explore and learn at Stoneleigh.”

A new Master Plan for the expanded Stoneleigh outlines a vision for thoughtfully weaving Oakwell and Stoneleigh together while creating inspiring new garden spaces, expanding educational capacity, elevating guests’ experiences, and honoring the properties’ historical significance.

“We are honored to reunite Oakwell with Stoneleigh in a way that pays homage to their shared and distinct histories while also incorporating new garden features,” said Ethan Kauffman, director of Stoneleigh. “Oakwell is a magical place with some truly spectacular trees and beautiful buildings, and we can’t wait to share it with the community when it’s ready. Honestly, I have to pinch myself to believe this opportunity is real.”

Highlights of the Master Plan for Stoneleigh include:

• Creating new garden features that honor the landscape legacy of Oakwell while furthering Stoneleigh’s commitment to showcasing the beauty and ecological function of native plants and habitats.
• Preserving healthy, mature trees that are a hallmark of the Oakwell property.
• Thoughtfully restoring historical buildings, which include a complex that once housed the greenhouses for the Stoneleigh estate, a former caretaker’s cottage, and a garden feature known as the Tea House.
• Constructing a new Welcome Center to greet and orient guests year‑round.
• Removing physical barriers like fencing and driveways to reunite the properties while also improving circulation and accessibility.
• Expanding educational programming through new indoor and outdoor classrooms.
• Enhancing community connections via gathering spaces, programs, and partnerships.

“Stoneleigh is growing in so many ways,” added Bass. “We look forward to the day we welcome everyone to experience all the joys of our expanded 52‑acre public garden.”

Stoneleigh will continue to welcome guests, free of charge, Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM -5 PM while work on the expanded portion is underway. To learn more, visit www.natlands.org/growing.

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

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By Kit Werner, Senior Director of Communications.

For more than five years, many watched nervously as the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) explored plans to build athletic fields on 13 acres adjacent to Stoneleigh: a natural garden. Instead, in August 2024, Natural Lands and LMSD entered into an agreement allowing Natural Lands to acquire 10 acres of the site—known as Oakwell—to expand Stoneleigh and reunite these properties that were once one. The remaining three acres will be sold to a separate non-profit organization that intends to conserve those acres and restore the historical buildings they contain.

The agreement of sale was the first step in a lengthy process that Natural Lands expects to culminate in a transfer of the property in summer of 2026.

Under the plan, the additional acreage would create space for expansive new garden areas at Stoneleigh and provide more opportunities to showcase the beauty and benefits of gardening in an ecologically sustainable way. Early 20th century landscape designs by the famed Olmsted Brothers span both properties and would be connected again for the first time since Oakwell was subdivided in the 1930s.

The buildings on the property will be restored and adapted, creating exciting improvements to the guest experience at Stoneleigh. As Stoneleigh is now, the portion that Natural Lands seeks to acquire would be placed under conservation easement with the Lower Merion Conservancy.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand Stoneleigh and immensely grateful to the leadership of the Lower Merion School District,” added Oliver. “They have worked diligently with us to explore options for the property. Together, we’ve identified a plan that, if successful, will preserve the important natural and historic resources—including the much-loved trees and mansion—and grow Stoneleigh from its current 42 acres to more than 52.”

It’s rare that a botanic garden has the opportunity to expand by nearly 25 percent. It is even more rare to reunite properties that were subdivided nearly 100 years ago, but that’s exactly what will happen soon at Stoneleigh: a natural garden.

Stoneleigh’s 42-acre footprint will grow to 52, marking the reunification of two historic landscapes. The 10-acre addition represents the majority of an adjacent property known as Oakwell, which was subdivided from the Stoneleigh estate in the 1920s and 30s. The view into Oakwell from Stoneleigh’s northernmost garden path is remarkable in its similarity—towering trees, stately architecture, and remnants of significant garden designs.

What had once been a cohesive landscape has been divided by a property line and a tall fence for more than a century.
The reunion story began in an unusual way and involved an unanticipated partner. In 2018, Lower Merion School District purchased the 13-acre Oakwell property from three private homeowners to create athletic fields for a planned middle school nearby.

Five years after they acquired Oakwell, the school district’s plans changed as they faced public concern about the loss of the historic landscape and buildings. The district began conversations with Natural Lands focusing on alternatives for the property. One year later, the two parties announced they’d reached an agreement. The school district would sell 10 acres of the Oakwell property to Natural Lands to be added to Stoneleigh and the remaining three acres to the Wyncote Foundation, which will restore and preserve the Oakwell mansion.

Very shortly, those sales will be finalized.

Oakwell is saved, and Stoneleigh is growing.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to preserve Oakwell as part of Stoneleigh. We are immensely grateful to the current leadership of the Lower Merion School District and to the community for its support,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “It is not an exaggeration to say that this is the culmination of years of work by our staff, our supporters, and members of the Lower Merion community. The township commissioners dedicated countless hours to public engagement and decision making to help protect this historic landscape and ensure it would be available for public use.”

While it will be a few years before this new addition to Stoneleigh is open to the public, this expansion will further Stoneleigh’s mission: to celebrate the beauty and importance of the natural world and inspire the cultivation of native plants for the benefit of all. A new Master Plan for Stoneleigh offers a blueprint for weaving the two properties into one, adding capacity for expanded educational programs, enhancing guest amenities, and honoring the history of the landscape.

“We are honored to reunite Oakwell with Stoneleigh in a way that pays homage to their shared and distinct histories while also incorporating new garden features,” said Ethan Kauffman, director of Stoneleigh. “Oakwell is a magical place with some truly spectacular trees and beautiful buildings, and we can’t wait to share it with the community when it’s ready. Honestly, I have to pinch myself to believe this opportunity is real.”

Highlights of the Master Plan for the expanded Stoneleigh include:

• We will limit disturbance in areas with healthy, mature trees. For example, an expanded parking area will wind around mature specimens to create “parking rooms” among the trees rather than one large lot. A detailed study of significant trees informed this approach.
• We will construct a new Welcome Center to greet and orient garden guests every season of the year.
• We will create new garden spaces to inspire guests, offer new learning opportunities, and support local wildlife.
• We will remove physical barriers between Stoneleigh and Oakwell, truly reunifying the two properties. Removing some of the old, asphalt driveways will improve circulation while new pathways will reduce overlap between garden guests and operations traffic.
• We will add capacity for educational programming by creating both indoor and outdoor classrooms.
• We will develop opportunities for community connections through new gathering spaces and innovative partnerships.
• We will honor the history of the landscape, which has been shaped by some of the most influential landscape architects of the 19th and 20th centuries.

“None of this would be possible without the exceptionally generous support of the Wyncote Foundation with additional leadership support provided by the William Penn Foundation,” said Oliver Bass. “Stoneleigh is growing in so many ways. We look forward to the day we will welcome everyone to experience all the joys of Natural Lands’ now 52-acre public garden.”

the power of community.
Deb Robbins insists she isn’t a hero. Nor did she have any previous experience in community organizing. But that didn’t stop the Lower Merion resident from co-founding a groundswell of supporters that banded together under the banner of Save Oakwell.

“It started with just a few of us talking about how significant the loss of this place would be and it snowballed,” said Deb. “There was no hierarchy. It was just a growing group of neighbors who wanted to raise awareness in the community about this issue.”

Concern about Oakwell’s future grew as plans for development received more public attention. Friends and neighbors were dismayed at the thought of the property’s towering trees, historic buildings, and horticultural legacy being lost. For two years, students, parents, and residents spoke out at school board meetings, protested in public spaces, and activated attention on social media.

Deb recalls the fledgling Save Oakwell group gathering at Stoneleigh to peer through the fence at Oakwell’s centuries-old trees and historic buildings. The then owner invited them to tour the property and see its treasures up close, including a 150-year-old dwarf blue spruce, a 200-year-old maple, and a 250-year-old oak.

With the owner’s permission, public tours led by Save Oakwell began in earnest. “We knew if more people experienced the peace, natural beauty, and specialness of Oakwell, they’d want to fight to save it, too,” said Deb. Thousands of visitors showed up, including students from the very school district that wanted to turn Oakwell into ball fields.

“I remember my first visit to Oakwell and I was simply blown away,” said Erin Betley, a conservation biologist, Lower Merion resident, and mother of Lower Merion School District students. “The history there… so much of it had been forgotten. I became really determined to unearth these lost stories and share them with the community.”

Erin was particularly moved by the students who began to speak out against the property’s development. Together with young people, local educators, scientists, and community activists, they co-created a complementary effort called Grow Oakwell. Their website—created by fellow advocate Julia Steinberg Agnew—contained a wide range of information, including the history of Stoneleigh and Oakwell, tree species lists, community BioBlitz findings, maps, a virtual tour, media articles, a petition, and much more.

Lower Merion students packed the aisles at a November 2022 School Board meeting, all cheering on 12 student speakers ranging from 4th to 12th grade from four different schools. In coordinated presentations, they shared compiled information as well as their own original research and a proposal for an alternative, transformative vision for Oakwell’s future. Erin Betley wells up recounting this. “They’d never spoken at a formal meeting like this before. I know they were nervous, but they were so passionate, articulate, and spoke from the heart. It was so moving then and still moving to me now.”

“There was a lot of talk about what not to do with Oakwell, but very little about what to do,” said Erin. “Grow Oakwell wanted to envision what it could be for the students and the community. That was the impetus behind the proposal for the Action Center for Organizing Resilience and Natural Sustainability Education (ACORNSE).”

Spearheaded by the Lower Merion High School Environmental Club, the ACORNSE proposal envisioned Oakwell as an educational space for hands-on learning in the sciences, history, and agriculture, and as a gathering place for the broader community.

How fitting, then, that this vision is mapped out in the Master Plan for Stoneleigh.

voices of young conservationists.
“Oakwell stands as living proof that individual action can make a difference; your imagination and voice hold a lot more power than you think. Chances are, other people care about change as much as you do, so get to know those within your community, mobilize, and speak up.”
– Noa Fohrer, Lower Merion HS class of 2023, now at College of the Atlantic

“Oakwell is my “why” when people ask me today how I got into my field of climate education. Being a part of such a strong team of students was the most inspiring experience I’ve had.”
– Willa Godfrey, Lower Merion HS class of 2024, now at Northeastern University

“Save Oakwell was my first foray into social movement work and it gave me the foundation I’ve used on a lot of campaigns since. Oakwell shaped the way I think about the world. It showed me that the world is mostly beautiful, people are mostly kind, and, at their core, everyone wants to do good.”
– Sam Donagi, Lower Merion HS class of 2025, now at New York University

“I got involved when I was in 4th grade. I went on a tour of the property and was immediately upset that it would be destroyed. I decided to speak in front of the superintendent and school board. Knowing that I, among others, could produce that amount of change really empowers me.”
– Greta Agnew, Lower Merion HS class of 2031

Stoneleigh & Oakwell timeline.

• 1877 – Edmund Smith and Arabella Barnes Smith acquire 65 acres of land for a “gentleman’s farm,” complete with a c.1878 Eastlake-style residence designed by Philadelphia architect Joseph Wilson. They call their estate Stoneleigh. Other improvements include a garden, icehouse, stable, tenant house, and curvilinear carriage pathways designed by landscape gardener Charles H. Miller, who trained at Kew Gardens in England and later served as chief gardener for Fairmount Park.
• 

  1914 Map showing Olmstead Brothers’ plans at Oakwell

  Circa 1900 – Samuel Bodine and Eleanor Gray Warden Bodine acquire Stoneleigh and steer the gardens to a more formal “Beaux Arts” style with the designs of landscape architects Pentecost & Vitale. The Bodines build the Tea House, Superintendent’s Cottage (later known as Acorn Cottage), and Greenhouse Complex, the latter two designed by Frank Miles Day and Brother. They demolish the Smith residence and build the Tudor Revival-style building that exists today as the Main House.

• 1908 – The Bodines hire the preeminent landscape architects of the early 20th century, Olmsted Brothers. They transform Stoneleigh over the next 50 years, guided by a strong commitment to preserving the property’s heritage trees.
• Circa 1916 – Eleanor Bodine creates a gardening and horticultural training program for young women. She directs the establishment of community war gardens totaling more than three acres to supply produce during WWI.
• Circa 1920 – Samuel Bodine conveys nearly seven acres to his son and daughter-in-law, William and Angela. William Bodine constructs a Tudor Revival-style mansion, designed by architect William Wayne Jr., on a portion of the property and names it “Oakwell.”
• 1935 – After Samuel Bodine’s death, the Stoneleigh estate is subdivided. Twenty-two acres are sold to Otto and Phoebe Waterman Haas. Approximately 12 acres revert to William Bodine, including the Greenhouse Complex, Acorn Cottage, and the Tea House. The interior greenhouses at the Greenhouse Complex are mostly removed and replaced with a tennis court, yet the exterior brick walls remain. The remaining subdivided acres change hands over the years.
• 1964 – Otto and Phoebe’s son, John, and his wife, Chara, take up stewardship of Stoneleigh and live there for the next five decades, raising their family.
• 1986 – The Bodine family sells the then 13-acre Oakwell estate.
• 1996 – John and Chara Haas place the then 42-acre Stoneleigh under conservation easement with Natural Lands.
• 2016 – The Haas family gifts Stoneleigh to Natural Lands following John’s and Chara’s deaths.
• 2018 – Stoneleigh:  opens to the public, showcasing the use of native plants in a formal setting.
• 2026 – Stoneleigh will grow to 52 acres when Natural Lands acquires 10 acres of Oakwell from the Lower Merion School District.

 

Every fall, Monarch butterflies across eastern North America travel thousands of miles to spend the winter in the mountaintop forests of central Mexico. They cluster by the hundreds in oyamel fir trees, waiting for early spring when they’ll begin the journey back to our region. For the past two decades, scientists in Mexico have estimated the population of Monarchs overwintering there by measuring the acres of trees occupied by the butterflies.

Last winter, the population of winter Monarchs in Mexico occupied about 4.4 acres, double the area of the previous year, giving hope for this beloved pollinator that has faced decades of decline. Experts believe the surge in numbers was due to favorable weather conditions during fall migration, unlike the previous couple of years when there were extended droughts and major storm events.

But, before we start to celebrate this nearly 100 percent increase, scientists believe 15 acres of roosting Monarchs is needed for the population to stabilize. While planting native milkweed species—the only plants on which adult Monarchs lay eggs and larval Monarchs feed—is critical, it’s only a part of the complex puzzle of this species’ survival.

avoid captive rearing.

One recent study, which aggregated about 2,600 community scientists’ observation of Monarch “roosts” along the fall migration route, showed that roost sizes declined from north to south along the flyway. These data show the roosts in Texas are about 80 percent smaller than they were 17 years ago. This indicates an issue during migration.

While experts don’t fully agree on the reasons for this decline, many point to a dramatic increase in captive-bred Monarchs. On the face of it, rearing Monarch caterpillars in predator-proof enclosures seems like a great way to help the species. Yet, captive breeding—which has increased apace with concern for the threatened species—can negatively impact overall species health. It can spread disease, reduce genetic diversity, and create competition for limited resources. Several studies have shown that captive-bred Monarchs have lower survival rates.

plant only native milkweed.

A little protozoan parasite, Ophryocystes elektroscirrha or OE for short, is causing big problems for these imperiled pollinators. High OE levels in adult Monarchs have been linked to lower migration success as well as reduced lifespan, mating success, and flight ability. The parasite travels with Monarchs, and, as they sip on milkweed flowers, the butterflies inadvertently deposit it on the plants’ leaves. When caterpillars hatch and feed on the tainted foliage, they ingest the OE.

When native milkweed species die back, the parasite dies along with them. However, non-native tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) remains evergreen through winter, allowing OE levels to increase year over year. Additionally, emerging research suggests that tropical milkweed may become toxic to caterpillars when the plants experience the warmer temperatures associated with climate change.

As a way to help feed Monarchs, more and more people have been planting tropical milkweed. Ironically, much like captive breeding, well-meaning people are contributing to the butterfly’s challenges.

plant lots of natives, in addition to milkweed.

Native milkweed species—which include common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)—are essential for Monarch caterpillars. In fact, milkweed is the only species of plant the caterpillars can eat. It is also a great source of nectar for all pollinators.

But milkweed alone is not enough for adult butterflies. Planting a diversity of summer- and fall-flowering native plants ensures there are food sources throughout the adult stage of their life cycle. This not only helps Monarchs, but also beneficial native bees, wasps, and flies. Top choices include goldenrods, coreopsis, monarda, purple coneflower, Joe Pye weed, asters, phlox, and ironweed.

“At Stoneleigh, we’ve observed a few nectar superstars that draw an impressive number of pollinators, including wild mint (Mentha arvensis), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium),” said Ethan Kauffman, director of Stoneleigh: a natural garden. “These plants enrich biodiversity and are incredibly beautiful—great additions to any yard, garden, or container.”

add your observations.

The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is a call to action for anyone interested in the species’ conservation to contribute to community science conservation efforts. The information collected by thousands of volunteers each year helps researchers assess population trends. For example, gathering data on the number of both Monarch caterpillars and milkweed plants allows for the calculation of a “cat”-to-milkweed ratio. Researchers use this ratio to estimate the size of the Monarch population.

continue to support conservation.

By supporting Natural Lands with your membership, you help Monarchs and other pollinators. The land conservation and stewardship work that is core to Natural Lands’ mission ensures native species have access to flower-filled meadows, clean water, and biodiverse flyways.

Your financial contribution also underwrites engagement programs that introduce children and adults to butterflies, moths, and other insects as well as conservation concepts. By providing impactful experiences with the wonders of nature, you help cultivate future generations of caring conservationists.

counting winged things.

A fifth (22 percent) of U.S. butterflies have disappeared since 2000. About 33 percent of species underwent “significant shrinkage” in populations.

The study, published in the journal Science this past spring, combined data from 76,000 surveys including those by community scientists. Of the 554 species included, the scientists had enough data to make conclusions about 342 species. Their results revealed 13 times more species declined than increased, with 107 species losing at least half of their populations.

For the past three decades, volunteers and staff at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary have been counting butterflies as a way to evaluate species populations and biodiversity. The participants count an average of 17 different species per year at our Easton, PA, nature preserve.

“There are some species that were noted in years past that are now absent, but we’ve also seen new species show up,” said Zane Miller, preserve manager.

“For example, last year was a huge year for Huron Sachem, a southeastern U.S. species that migrates north each year. They seem to be expanding their northerly range due to climate change. Red-banded Hairstreaks are another southern species that have started showing up more frequently in recent years.”

The Mariton community scientists have noted a steep decline in Monarch butterflies that correlates with regional observations.

“Observers counted only two Monarchs in 2015,” Zane said.

“But the past couple of years have been more hopeful. This past summer, we recorded 20 of them. Maybe the attention this poster-child pollinator has received in recent years—and the increase in milkweed many folks are planting in their yards—is helping turn the tide for Monarchs.”

By Kit Werner

Before we talk about autumn’s arboreal display, let’s have a mini science lesson.

There are several types of pigment in leaves:

• Chlorophyll (green)
• Xanthophylls (yellows)
• Carotenoids (oranges)
• Anthocyanins (reds)
• Tannins (browns)

These pigments are always present in the trees’ leaves but are hidden by green chlorophyll spring and summer. In fall, shorter days and less sunlight are signals for trees to stop making chlorophyll and prepare for dormancy. As the green fades, the reds, oranges, and yellows become visible. Because they do not fade, brown tannins are the last colors to remain in a leaf before it falls.

Peak leaf peeping in southeastern Pennsylvania generally occurs in mid-October, though weather impacts both timing and the intensity of the color display. However, there are some native plant species that never fail to deliver vibrant fall leaf color, regardless of drought, deluges, and cold snaps. Here are a few of our favorites:

Trees:

• Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
• Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus)
• Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
• American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Shrubs:

• Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
• Witch-Alder (Fothergilla spp.)
• Sumac (Rhus spp.)

Perennials/Vines:

• Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)
• Spotted Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum)
• Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Happy fall, y’all! Now get out there into the woods and enjoy the autumn show while it lasts.

Fireflies are amazing insects! Did you know…?

• Fireflies and lightning bugs are the same thing! It’s just a different dialect and depends on where you grew up.
• Neither a fly nor a bug, fireflies are beetles in the order Coleoptera, family Lampyridae.
• There are 2,000 species of fireflies worldwide, 125 in North America, and 15+ in Pennsylvania.
• All fireflies emit some sort of bioluminescence at some point in their life cycle (every single firefly larva glows, aka “glow-worms”).
• There is fossil evidence of their light organ from 99 million years ago.
• Fireflies are diverse eaters; they can be cannibals, carnivores, and even nectar drinkers.
• Many fireflies exist in temperate, tropical habitats. In PA, you’ll find their peak is warm, humid nights in mid-June to early July. Once the night temps hit 60 F, they are less active.
• Adult fireflies only live for a few weeks. In their final moments, they will mate and lay eggs (when you’ll see their glow).
• Folklore incorporates fireflies as a spiritual symbol. Amazonian folklore tells that firefly light came from the gods, a symbol of hope and guidance. In Japanese legend, the light of two species represents ghosts of ancient warriors, or stars that left the sky to travel Earth. In Apache mythology, fire came to the people from trickster fox, who tried to steal it from the firefly village. Some cultures believe they are bad luck. In Victorian superstition, finding a firefly in your home meant someone would die soon.
• Fireflies glow through the enzyme luciferase, which catalyzes the oxidation of a luciferin, an organic substance, present in luminescent organisms.
• Scientists have employed luciferase to detect metabolic diseases, perform cancer research, test for life on Mars, in forensics, and to detect E. Coli and Salmonella in foods.
• Fireflies glow for different reasons, including warning of toxicity as larva, mating selection, and predation.
• The light produced by fireflies is the most efficient lighting in the world. It’s a cold light, emitting zero heat and no infrared or UV frequencies.
• Some things we can do to help dwindling and threatened firefly populations: plant native species; leave the leaves; reduce light pollution; avoid pesticides and herbicides.

 

One seed at a time, these volunteers are growing plants to increase the biodiversity both at Stoneleigh and yards, gardens, and patio planters across the region.

It’s Wednesday and a group of five volunteers gather in Stoneleigh’s greenhouse around a table piled high: bags of potting soil, plastic plant pots of varying sizes, trowels and tweezers, seedlings in tiny pots, and glassine bags filled with seeds of various kinds. The conversation is lively as they work methodically, transferring the seedlings from their starter pots to larger containers—a process known as “up-potting”—and placing seeds in grow trays filled with soil.

These are the Stoneleigh Potstickers, a humorous name they gave themselves as most of their work is to stick seeds or small plants in pots. When the plants get bigger, they stick them in larger pots, repeating this process until the plants are large enough to install outdoors or be sold at the annual Stoneleigh Native Plant Sale.
Though the work might sound tedious and monotonous, the Potstickers look forward to their Wednesday gatherings, which occur year-round.

“In the colder months, we spend time cleaning seeds,” explains Lin Hall, who proudly notes she was the original Potsticker. Stoneleigh’s Director, Ethan Kauffman, wild-collects seed from Natural Lands’ preserves and other places. The volunteers take apart the dried seed heads, separating the seeds from the chaff, sometimes using tweezers and magnifying lenses.
Like the other Potstickers, Lin fell in love with Stoneleigh after a visit some years ago. Her first volunteer role was as a Stoneleigh Ambassador, greeting guests when they arrive and helping orient them to the garden.

“I’m big on education,” Lin shared. “As an Ambassador, I get to talk to people about the importance of native plants. But what better way to experience the beauty and benefit of natives than to grow some in your own yard? So many of the plants we pot up and care for are sold at the Plant Sale, which brings me great joy. I have some physical limitations, but as a Potsticker I can still get my hands in the dirt.”

Fellow volunteer Martha Van Artsdalen agreed. A former writer and garden columnist, Martha loves that she can brush up on her Latin species names as she works. “We get to keep learning—from each other and the Stoneleigh staff. It’s such a positive experience.”

Martha particularly enjoys opening the brown paper lunch bags that Ethan uses to collect the wild-collected seed heads. “Cleaning the seeds is hard work but opening those bags with all those different species… it’s like Christmas morning!”

This tightknit group of volunteers used the old Stoneleigh greenhouse as their workspace for several years, which was cramped quarters. “You get to know each other well when you work in such a small space together,” Lin shared. “We have such camaraderie and regularly get together socially outside of our volunteer work.”

Built in 1935, Stoneleigh’s estate greenhouse was originally designed for vegetables and houseplants. Though this building served the garden well, Stoneleigh’s ongoing evolution as a public garden requires new infrastructure.

In late 2024, the old greenhouse was demolished to make way for a new one that will improve energy efficiency, increase production capacity, and host new programs.

The greenhouse is slated to be completed later this summer, and the Potstickers can’t wait to ramp up their work. Thanks in part to the Potstickers, the Plant Sale offerings have really grown over the years; in 2025, there were more than 280 different varieties for sale.

Said Lin, “Stoneleigh has given so much to me and others who visit. Volunteering is my way of giving back. These little seedlings are my babies. It’s rewarding to see them grow. As a Stoneleigh volunteer, I’ve grown, too.”

While this volunteer opportunity is at capacity, Stoneleigh welcomes new volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning at 8:30 AM. Garden tasks include weeding, mulching, planting, and other seasonal projects. No experience necessary. Visit natlands.org/gardenhelp to learn more and register.

VILLANOVA, Pa., August 20, 2024 – Natural Lands and Lower Merion School District (LMSD) announced today that the LMSD Board of Directors has authorized the sale of the 13-acre site in Villanova, PA, known as Oakwell. The property is directly adjacent to Natural Lands’ Stoneleigh: a natural garden. Natural Lands is the intended buyer for approximately 10 acres of the property, which would expand Stoneleigh and reunite two important landscapes. The buyer for the remaining three acres—including Oakwell mansion, which would be restored—is a separate non-profit entity whose use will be complementary to Stoneleigh.

LMSD purchased the properties at 1800 W. Montgomery Avenue and 1835 County Line Road in 2018 as a site for athletic fields for Black Rock Middle School. In response to community sentiment for preservation of those properties (“Oakwell”), in January 2023, Haverford Township, Lower Merion Township, and LMSD announced an agreement to allow baseball and softball teams from Black Rock Middle School to have priority use of two fields on the Polo Field, located at 109 County Line Road in the Bryn Mawr section of Haverford Township. With the addition of these fields, as well as continued use of Gladwyne Park, the District is confident that the needs of our athletic teams at Black Rock Middle School are currently being met.

The Board’s resolution makes way for an agreement of sale, the first step in what will be a lengthy process.  “Conservation projects like this one have many moving parts and take time and patience,” said Natural Lands President Oliver Bass. “This is just the first step, albeit an essential one.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand Stoneleigh and immensely grateful to the leadership of the Lower Merion School District,” added Bass. “They have worked diligently with us to explore options for the property. Together, we’ve identified a plan that, if successful, will preserve the important natural and historic resources—including the much-loved trees and mansion—and grow Stoneleigh from its current 42 acres to more than 52.”

Kerry Sautner, president of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, said, “We are proud to have partnered with Natural Lands and the Township in a shared commitment to preserving the Oakwell site. This agreement reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and our responsibility to honor the community’s and students’ desire to protect and cherish our natural spaces. Through collaboration, we can achieve outcomes that respect the environment and respond to the voices of those we serve.”

Under the plan, the additional acreage would create space for expansive new garden areas at Stoneleigh, providing a broader platform from which to showcase the beauty and benefits of an ecologically sustainable approach to gardening. Early 20th century landscape designs by the famed Olmsted Brothers span both properties, which would be connected again for the first time since the portion known as Oakwell was subdivided off in the 1930s.

The buildings on the property would be restored and adapted, creating exciting improvements to the guest experience at Stoneleigh. As Stoneleigh is now, the portion that Natural Lands seeks to acquire would be placed under conservation easement with the Lower Merion Conservancy.  The nonprofit purchasing the subdivided portion intends to enter into a mutually agreeable conservation easement agreement with Lower Merion Conservancy

Andy Gavrin, Lower Merion Township Commissioner, added, ”Protecting this historically and environmentally important property while finding alternative solutions to the School District’s need for playing fields has been a major focus of mine for quite some time. This agreement, in conjunction with the recent partnership for the use of the Polo Field for the Black Rock Middle School baseball and softball teams, truly results in a win-win-win solution. I am grateful to Natural Lands and Lower Merion School District for coming together, as well as to the members of the Lower Merion community who put so much time and energy into this vital conservation effort.”

Stoneleigh is open free-of-charge to everyone, year-round and hosts myriad community groups, from students to garden clubs to nature enthusiasts. The 42-acre public garden celebrates the beauty and importance of the natural world and gardening with native plants. The public is invited to learn more at stoneleighgarden.org.

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 135,000 acres, including 40+ nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres. Nearly 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.).

Lower Merion School District (LMSD) serves the 67,000 residents of Lower Merion Township and Narberth Borough. Established as one of Pennsylvania’s first public school districts in 1834, LMSD enjoys a rich tradition of achievement, innovation and community partnership and a longstanding reputation as one of the finest school systems in the United States. The District’s six elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools provide a challenging, multi-disciplinary academic program and dynamic, co-curricular experience to about 8,700 students. LMSD.org

Media Inquiries:

Kirsten Werner, Senior Director of Communications
610-353-5587 ext. 267
267-222-0072 (mobile)
kwerner@natlands.org

Amy Buckman, Director of School & Community Relations
610-645-1978
267-473-1131 (mobile)
buckmaa@lmsd.org

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Early spring is the season for removing Chinese mantis oothecae (or egg cases) at Stoneleigh: a natural garden.

Introduced to the United States in the 1800s. Unfortunately, these large predators are generalists with voracious appetites that will eat anything they can catch, including butterflies and bees. Considering Chinese mantids are nearly twice as large as our native Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) and much more abundant, they can have a greater impact on our beneficial insect populations. Chinese mantids (Tenodera sinensis) are non-native insects that were accidentally introduced to the United States in 1896 in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania.

At Stoneleigh, we’ve been removing egg cases from our meadow and other perennial-dominated areas for several years. Our first year, we removed more than 350 Chinese oothecae from our meadow alone.

This year, volunteers and staff scoured several large garden areas and only found 68! By decreasing the population of this generalist, non-native predator and increasing the number of native plants, the garden is becoming more hospitable for our native butterflies, bumblebees, and pollinators every year.

At Stoneleigh: a natural garden, a London planetree—close cousin to the native American sycamore—has towered over the Main House for more than 150 years. Its pale, mottled branches have shaded the gardens below, inspired artists and poets, and offered shelter to songbirds and other critters.

Sadly, the tree is dying. Weakened by both sycamore anthracnose and canker stain, the London planetree was no longer safe and had to be scaled back dramatically earlier this spring. It now stands as an example of the value of dying and dead trees to the environment, a tree sculpture that will be planted with native vines.

A tree’s death can serve a purpose as vital as its life. Beetles and other insects bore into the softening wood, creating openings for fungal spores and bacteria. Over time, the core of the tree—the heartwood—softens and more insects arrive. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees tap holes into the crumbling wood as they feast on the bugs, creating cavities for other bird species and mammals to use as nesting space or protection from winter’s chill. Mushrooms sprout from the bark while, on the ground, new plant species emerge in the newly available sunshine.

Every gardener knows that change is part of tending a garden. We invite you to visit Stoneleigh to watch how the London planetree changes in this new phase of its existence.