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Highlights of Heroes:

Ruth Galantino and Kay Davies,
Tim Draude, and Richard Light.

Ruth and Kay: Serpentine Barrens Restorationists

Ruth Galantino and Kay Davies have volunteered for The Nature Conservancy for six years, and their knowledge of southern Chester County’s ecology has become invaluable to us. During those six years, they have contributed more than 400 hours each to The Nature Conservancy.

Ruth and Kay at Chrome
Ruth and Kay at a Chrome Barrens workday

Ruth and Kay are known as our "Restorationists," working tirelessly to restore native grasses at Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens. In October of 2001 they led a seed collection workday, teaching volunteers how to recognize grasses like Little bluestem, Prairie dropseed, Big bluestem, and Indiangrass. They took seeds home and carefully planted them. Every day they watched for the seedlings to emerge—watering them, covering them when it was chilly, and eventually transplanting them to individual pots.

The careful nurturing was successful, and the tiny grasses were soon ready to plant. The next summer, Ruth, Kay, and a group of volunteers armed with hand trowels and determination planted the plugs in the rocky soil. Ruth and Kay returned several times to water the little grasses, and the seedlings have flourished!

Ruth and Kay contribute to other organizations as well, giving generously of their talents. Ruth's knowledge of birds and wildlife is extensive; she leads hikes for the Chester County Trail Club and has participated in a regional planning effort for the Oxford area. Kay volunteers weekly at the Plumpton Park Zoo in Maryland. She is an excellent self-taught naturalist, always sharing her love of nature with others.

These two women are dedicated volunteers, committed conservationists, and genuinely special people. They are a joy to work with, and we are grateful that they share their time, expertise, and passion so generously with us.

Tim Draude: A Passion for Native Plants

A gentle man with long, brown hair points to an unassuming succulent struggling to emerge from an inhospitable rocky outcrop.  "It looks like a great year for fameflower!"  The excitement on his face is evidenced by his broad smile and sparkling eyes.

Tim Draude is an excellent self-taught botanist. He is particularly knowledgeable about the strange and wondrous ecology of the Serpentine Barrens.  New Texas is his favorite site, and he knows each trail and meadow like the back of his hand.

"It's great to see the changes we have made over the years," he says as he surveys a newly-

created grassland at the end of a volunteer workday.  Tim has worked closely with staff and other volunteer leaders to identify the highest priority areas where the warm-season grasses will benefit the most from our restoration work.

As president of the Muhlenberg Botanical Society, Tim works on many fronts to advance the cause of native plants.  He has led countless nature walks for groups like the Lancaster County Conservancy and the North American Rock Garden Society.  He and his fellow native-floraphiles have gathered seed from native plants around Lancaster County and created the Muhlenberg Native Plant and Wildlife Meadow, an oasis of wildflowers and warm-season grasses enjoyed by both humans and wildlife.

Tim's efforts will be appreciated for generations to come.  We're really glad we have the privilege of knowing and working with this wonderful man.

Tim Draude at New Texas
Tim Draude takes a short break
from meadow-making at New Texas


Richard Light: Defender of Birds and Butterflies

Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard training site in Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, is home to a rare orange and white butterfly called the Regal fritillary. Nestled between Blue Mountain and Second Mountain, this is the Regal’s last stand in the east. But nectar species like butterflyweed and thistle are besieged by invasive plants. Enter our hero, Richard Light.

A member of the National Guard in the 1950’s, Richard easily navigates the Gap’s twisting roads. Invasives are no match for his relentless enthusiasm. Even when it's so cold you can see your breath, he arrives in his faded jumpsuit to annihilate multiflora rose and autumn olive.

His deep love of the land is evident as he pauses to describe his encounter with an Allegheny wood rat, a species he has helped The Nature Conservancy research. "They’re actually friendly. They’ll eat right out of my hand." Richard can be found banding saw-whet owls for another environmental group in the fall and mounting bluebird boxes each spring. "See how they have started to open their eyes," he says, excited to find a new nest.

Although Richard began volunteering before The Nature Conservancy diligently tracked volunteer time, we estimate that he has given more than 600 hours, which makes him one of our most dedicated volunteers!

There are a few people on this earth with a gift for seeing what must be done and quietly going about doing it. Richard Light shares this gift with The Nature Conservancy.

Volunteer Richard closeup

Volunteer Richard Light
Richard tackles multiflora rose on a bitterly cold workday. You can even see his breath!