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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2012

Kirsten Werner, Director of Communications

610-353-5587, ext. 267

kwerner@natlands.org

-- Continued --

The Stars Align for June 15th Dedication of Lenfest Center

at Natural Lands Trusts ChesLen Preserve

Media, Pa.On the evening of Saturday, June 15as the constellation Hercules, a bright

first quarter moon, and the ever-amazing Saturn grace the night skyNatural Lands Trust

will host an event to commemorate the opening of the new Lenfest Center at ChesLen

Preserve. The celebration will pay tribute to two stars of a more earthly

variety: philanthropists Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest, whose generous support madepossible both the ChesLen Preserve and the new Center.

ChesLen Preserve, in Newlin Township, was established in 2007 as a result of a donation of

land by the Lenfests and a transfer of parkland from Chester County. A later purchase of

195 acres expanded the preserve to its current 1,263 acres. The state-of-the-art Lenfest

Center provides a base of operations for management of the preserve and a wonderful new

public space for visitors to the preserve and community groups.

The Lenfests are among the countrys leading philanthropists and we are remarkably

fortunate that Gerry and Marguerite have made their home region the focus of so much oftheir generosity, said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. We were deeply

honored to be given the opportunity to steward the ChesLen Preserve. Not only is it a

natural gem, it is a lasting legacy of the Lenfests commitment to land conservation.

Gerry and Marguerites philanthropy has had a pronounced impact on our broad quality of

life in the Philadelphia region, but, for those of us who care deeply about land conservation,

ChesLen Preserve and the Lenfest Center are stunning examples of care and generosity,

said Jeb Hannum, event co-chair. The dedication of the Center provides an opportunity to

celebrate the new facility and say thank you for everything the Lenfests have given current

and future generations.

The 9,300-square-foot Lenfest Center was designed by Archer and Buchanan Architecture,

Ltd.whose work includes facilities at the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College and the

Whip Tavern renovationand features green design elements such as geothermal heating

and cooling, high-efficiency lighting, and recycled materials. While the majority of the facility

is dedicated to storage and maintenance of preserve management-related equipment, it

also includes offices for our preserve staff and accommodations for volunteers as well as a

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modest meeting room, an outdoor pavilion for occasional events, and restrooms for

preserve visitors.

I give great credit to Molly Morrison and Natural Lands Trust for presenting me with the

opportunity to preserve this land in perpetuity, said Gerry Lenfest. Marguerite Lenfest

added, TheLenfest Center is a great vision with a great team of people behind it.

Constructed within the general footprint of an old cannery that was a remnant of the

preserves mushroom production history, the building site takes up 10,000 square feet less

built area than before and one-third less paved surface. The architects designed the building

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 buildings integration with the site. Twenty

acres of gardens, designed by Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, include native

grassland meadows, rain gardens, and more than one hundred native trees and shrubs.

The Saturday, June 15 dedicationwhich is co-chaired by Katharine Fisher Maroney and

John B. (Jeb) Hannum, IIIis from 6 to 9 PM and includes 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 at natlands.org 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 PM. Visitors can explore the preserve grounds and the state-of-the-art facility onguided tours, and enjoy refreshments and activities for the whole family. Pre-registration is

not required for the open house.

Celebrating its 60thyear, Natural Lands Trust is the regions foremost land conservation

organization and is 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, Natural Lands Trust has preserved more than 100,000 acres, including

41 nature preserves totaling more than 21,000 acres and 20,000 acres on which it holds

conservation easements. For more information, visitwww.natlands.org.

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