What and Where is the Schuylkill Highlands? On Sunday, Jan. 8, Carol DeWolf, Director of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative will present an overview of this 929,057-acre landscape, the significant investment in its preservation and the opportunities the landscape offers for the future. The free program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Hopewell Furnace Conference Center.
Administered by the non-profit Natural Lands Trust (NLT), the Schuylkill Highlands is one of seven Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI) regions in Pennsylvania and includes the majority of the Schuylkill River Watershed, the southeastern most section of the Pennsylvania Highlands and the Hopewell Big Woods – the largest remaining unbroken forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. Covering 4 counties, the landscape features extraordinary resources including Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park, French Creek State Park and the Oley Valley.
Carol DeWolf has led the Schuylkill Highlands CLI since its inception in 2009. In addition to her work for NLT, she also has served on the Westtown Township Board of Supervisors since 2003, and has rotated on the WEGO Police Commission. Prior to being elected to the Board, Carol served on the Westtown Planning Commission. Carol is also on the Board of the Chester County Association of Township Officials, and the West Chester Area Council of Governments. She has a BA from the University of Colorado in Environmental Conservation and Planning; attended the University Of Colorado Graduate School of Public Affairs and Kutztown University, and received a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Political Science.
Established in 1994, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is the official non-profit fundraising arm of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. A 501(c)3 citizen organization, its mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and programs of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Donations to the Friends may be tax deductible according to the rules set by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information visit the Friends web site at www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org.
While at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site visitors are encouraged to go into the village, tour the buildings and learn about iron making and why Hopewell Furnace is important to our nation’s history. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday thru Sunday, the park is located five miles south of Birdsboro, PA, off of Route 345. For more information stop by the park’s visitor center, call 610-582-8773, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/hofu, or contact the park by e-mail at hofu_superintendent@nps.gov.
