Brinton Run Preserve

Brinton Run Preserve located a 6 Oakland Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania was acquired in March 2021 by North American Land Trust (NALT) with grant funds from Delaware County, Chadds Ford Township, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, American Battlefield Protection Program, American Battlefield Trust and Mt. Cuba Center.  This property has been permanently protected by a Conservation Easement, held by Chadds Ford Township.  Immediately after acquiring Brinton Run Preserve, NALT converted the agricultural fields to grasslands, then to present-day pollinator meadows. The modern house was removed, and the footprint was restored to a natural condition with native tree and shrub plantings. The only structures on-site consist of a 2-car garage, which is being converted to an Interpretive Center and a 3-car garage which serves as our maintenance facility, protecting equipment used to maintain the preserve. The future Interpretive Center will serve as a learning space with content relative to the history of the Battle of Brandywine, indigenous Lenape tribe, and natural resource education.

Brinton Run Preserve opened to the public in spring of 2022, allowing park users to traverse a 3-mile trail system through the meadows for passive recreation. NALT continues to develop visitor amenities at the preserve, which consist of new trails, interpretive signs, benches, picnic tables, bird boxes, and an outdoor classroom. Native tree planting volunteer events have taken place, serving a multitude of purposes of re-establishing riparian buffers, restoring native habitat, and engaging the community through volunteer opportunities. The overall goal of these enhancement projects is to maximize community use and learning at the Preserve. This goal supports NALT’s mission to build a sense of community and promote land stewardship activities. NALT showcases Brinton Run Preserve as a model for Community Based Land Stewardship (CBLS) programs. This program promotes sustainable and environmentally favorable land management practices. The preserve educates the public about native landscaping, riparian corridor restoration, and sustainable storm water management. It is the desire that community members learn at preserve events and replicate these best-use practices on their own properties. Additionally, we connect people to a healthier natural ecosystem and build a sense of community while promoting a sustainable environment.