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Category: Uncategorized
Artist-In-Residence
Deirdre Murphy is a contemporary visual artist whose work delves into the intricate connections between art and ecology. Through the mediums of painting, printmaking, and collaborative sculpture, she explores the effects of the climate crisis on avian migration, nesting structures, and ecosystems. Murphy’s artistic journey has been deeply intertwined with scientific inquiry, leading to collaborations with a diverse array of experts including ornithologists, biologists, neuroscientists, molecular scientists, and climatologist from esteemed institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh University, Washington College and Integral Molecular Laboratory.
Her artistic exploration has been enriched by residencies at renowned institutions including Penn State University’s Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Winterthur Museum, Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary, Powdermill Nature Reserve, and Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences. Throughout her career, Murphy has received recognition for her innovative work, earning grants and awards from prestigious organizations such as the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Percent for the Arts, CORE and Humanities Lab at Lehigh University, and the Leeway Grant. Murphy’s art has been showcased in prominent museums and galleries, including Winterthur Museum, Zillman Art Museum, Palm Springs Museum, Biggs Museum of American Art, New Bedford Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Philadelphia International Airport.
Deirdre Murphy holds an MFA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a BFA degree from the Kansas City Art Institute. She serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Lehigh University in the Art, Architecture and Design department. Her artwork is represented by Chimaera Gallery (Philadelphia) and Susanna Gold Gallery and can be viewed at www.deirdremurphyart.com.
Schauffele Plaza StoryMap
Place your cursor on the image below to scroll through the StoryMap or click here if nothing appears. The Conservancy relies on member support, if you like the StoryMap consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue our work.
Astronomy Night – A Guided Tour of the Evening Sky
New Date
Thursday, December 4th
5pm – 7pm
Rolling Hill Park (at the top of the park near the bathrooms)
Join us for an evening under the stars as the Conservancy welcomes back our friends from Rittenhouse Observatory. They will lead us on a guided tour of the night sky, including a laser-guided star talk and binocular tour, with telescopes provided for up-close views of Saturn and other celestial wonders. A star map will be projected to help you follow along.
Registration is required so we can keep you updated about any weather-related changes (this event can only run under clear skies). A $5 parking fee per vehicle will be collected during registration, please carpool if you can.
Birding with Bobo
Sunday, October 26
8 am – 10 am
The Conservancy Cottage in Rolling Hill Park
Free
Join the Conservancy and our guest, birder Andrew “Bobo” Grunwald, for a guided bird walk through Rolling Hill Park!
With over fifteen years of birding experience, Bobo brings skill and enthusiasm to the trail as he tunes in to the sights and sounds of our feathered friends. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
Meet at the yellow Conservancy Cottage in Rolling Hill Park, located left down the drive just before the main parking lot. Some binoculars are available, but please bring your own if you have them.
Schauffele Plaza Grand Opening
Saturday, October 4th
11am – 2pm
Schauffele Plaza
Free
Downtown Ardmore’s Schauffele Plaza is set for a transformation thanks to a community-led demonstration project. The Friends of Schauffele Plaza, in partnership with Ardmore Initiative and the Conservancy, with technical guidance and funding from Better Block, and additional support from Tired Hands and community volunteers, will be transforming Schauffele Plaza into a vibrant, welcoming, and comfortable public space.
The project will add mural art, native plants, seating, and community programming to provide residents and visitors with a much-needed third place in Downtown Ardmore. These changes will remain in place until construction begins on the planned permanent redesign of Schauffele Plaza, Lot 6, and Cricket Terrace.
The Conservancy provided the native plants, paid for with a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant, and a compiled a StoryMap with Ardmore Initiative about the history of the space. The Birdsong Mural was created by Deirdre Murphy, the Conservancy’s artist-in-residence.
The goals of the project are to demonstrate community desire for high-quality shared public spaces and imagine what’s possible for the future of Downtown Ardmore.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer or learn more can contact Craig Timberlake at [email protected].
Newsletter
Place your cursor on the image below to scroll through the newsletter or click here to read a pdf version. The Conservancy relies on member support, please consider making a donation to help continue our work.
New Logo
Last year, Lehigh University Graphic Design major Holly Fasching completed an internship with the Conservancy. We are thrilled to share the end result of her work – a new logo!
If you attended our Spring Gala you may have caught a sneak peak, we are thrilled to share the official reveal. The new logo folds together our work to conserve waterways, increase wildlife habitat, and preserve historic architecture.
At the center of the new logo is an oak leaf, a recognizable keystone species. Native oak trees provide food and shelter for thousands of beneficial insects and animals, create large canopies that keep temperatures cooler during increasingly hot summers, and absorb stormwater, reducing flooding and stream pollution. Encircling the leaf is the outline of a house, representing both our dedication to historic places and the power of everyday action in our own backyards—from uncovering neighborhood histories to supporting the growing network of neighbors transforming turf into native habitat.
Running through the oak is a branching network of tributaries flowing into a central river, echoing our commitment to watershed health and reminding us that small actions can combine to create change. Holly purposefully drew the river flowing beyond the boundaries of the house to symbolize how local impact can ripple outward.
The logo marks an exciting new chapter for the Conservancy, and we hope you love the new look as much as we do. Check out our new merch line and help support the Conservancy by repping our work out in the world. Thank you, Holly, for this wonderful new logo!
Insider’s Tour: Receiving Vaults at Laurel Hill West
Monday, September 8, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Laurel Hill West
225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Join the Lower Merion Conservancy and the Association for Preservation Technology – Delaware Valley Chapter for an early-fall tour of the Receiving Vaults at the historic Laurel Hill West in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion Township. The receiving vaults, the earliest of which were built in 1871, functioned as temporary places of rest for deceased persons who were eventually interred at the cemetery. Built into a hillside of the cemetery, these stone vaults were engineered to store bodies in cool and dry conditions.
These stylish buildings—Egyptian and Gothic Revival in style—are now in need of restoration. On our tour, cemetery staff will discuss a recent conditions assessment created for the vaults as well as a future plans for preserving these landmark buildings. As a bonus, they will also bring us inside a few of the cemetery’s mot architecturally significant historic mausoleums. The tour will be limited to 25 people and will last approximately one hour.
When you enter the cemetery, follow signs to the Conservatory, where we will meet up for the tour. Please wear closed toe shoes. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver from Laurel Hill West.
Rolling Hill Park Weeding
Wednesday, August 20
6:00pm – 7:00pm
The Conservancy cottage in Rolling Hill Park
Come by the yellow cottage in Rolling Hill Park to pull invasive vines and help native plants thrive. Please wear closed toe shoes, pants, and a long sleeve shirt (or bring one to keep in your car). We have gloves but recommend bringing your own pair.
To get to the cottage, follow the Rolling Hill Park driveway up the hill and make a left before you get to the parking area at the top of the park. Follow this road until you reach the cottage.
Email [email protected] with any questions.