Join Natural Lands Trust on Saturday, June 15, for an event to commemorate the opening of the new Lenfest Center at ChesLen Preserve! The celebration will pay tribute to philanthropists Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest, whose generous support made possible both the ChesLen Preserve and the new Center.
Constructed within the general footprint of an old cannery, the 9,300-square-foot Lenfest Center was designed to fit gracefully into the natural surroundings. Only one story of the building is visible from the road; a lower level was built into an existing slope so that it is not visible from most viewpoints. Landscaping further enhances the building’s integration with the site. Twenty acres of “gardens” include native grassland meadows, rain gardens and more than 100 native trees and shrubs.
The June 15 event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include wine, local farm-inspired edibles and music. Tickets begin at $150 per person. Close to 30 sponsors, including lead “Constellation Hercules” Sponsor Wawa, have helped support festivities associated with the Lenfest Center dedication and opening. Tickets and additional sponsorship opportunities are available online or by calling 610-353-5587, ext. 224.
A free Community Day open house is scheduled for the following day, Sunday, June 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can explore the preserve grounds and the state-of-the-art facility on guided tours and enjoy refreshments and activities for the whole family. Pre-registration is not required for the open house.
Now celebrating its 60th year, Natural Lands Trust is the region’s foremost land conservation organization. Dedicated to protecting the forests, fields, streams and wetlands that are essential to the sustainability of life in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, since its founding, the Trust has preserved more than 100,000 acres. For more information, visit the Trust website.
