Newsletter-Fall '11FINALFINAL-REALLY - Tinicum Conservancy

THE PEOPLE PAGE
The Trustees and members of the Tinicum Conservancy would like to thank immediate past
President Rich Rosamilla for his many contributions of time, talent and energy to the organization.
Over the past eight years, Rich has brought strong leadership and deep personal commitment
to the mission of the Conservancy in his roles as Trustee, President and Treasurer. We
will miss Rich's day-to-day participation, but are grateful that he plans to remain involved behind
the scenes and in Committee-level activities. All the residents of Tinicum continue to benefit from Rich's ongoing
service to our community.
Wink Nessa: Volunteer
Rich Rosamilia: Outgoing President
You could call Wink Nessa the “poster child” of volunteer easement monitors.
She’s been in Tinicum for 38 years -- since she was about 10 years old. She went
away for college and a career in New York, but soon felt called back to her family’s
land on Iron Bridge Road, where she grew up. For the last 30 years, Wink
and her husband have lived here in the home they built on that same land. So,
it’s no wonder Wink was one of the first people Tinicum Conservancy asked to
be an easement monitor in the mid-1990s. She knows practically everyone and
every nook and cranny of this township. Currently, she’s responsible for monitoring
three conservation easement properties once each year.
When asked why she’s a monitor, she replies with gusto, “There’s no downside!
I get to be outside on some of the most beautiful properties and meet some of
the most interesting people in Tinicum. What fun is that?”
What makes a good monitor? In Wink’s opinion, “You have to be outgoing and
friendly. You can’t be afraid to meet new people. It helps to know the property’s
boundaries and what you’re looking for, and something about Tinicum Conservancy’s
mission. The annual monitor training is good for learning that stuff.
You also have to enjoy tromping around in all sorts of terrain and not be afraid
of the mud and the stickers. A good pair of boots is essential in Tinicum.”
Wink says the landowners are always welcoming when she comes for her monitoring
visits. Like Wink, most of Tinicum Conservancy’s volunteer monitors
also have conservation easements themselves, so they really understand and appreciate what it’s like to own protected
land and coordinate a visit with a monitor each year.
“Tinicum folks really don’t have a ‘precious’ attitude,” Wink adds. “People mostly come to be quiet and nest, or to get
involved with their local community. It’s still cowboy country out here.”
“Being a volunteer monitor,” she adds, “is a great way for me to be a part of and support the great work of Tinicum Conservancy,
to cherish and help protect what we have. It’s really not a bad gig!” Not a bad gig, indeed. Thank you for all
you do, Wink! - Article by Kelly Germann/Photo by ?
WHY ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE TINICUM CONSERVANCY?
We'd like to hear from you! Send a short (50 words or less) statement
of why you are a member of the Conservancy to tcadmin@epix.net
or mail it to us at P.O. Box 206 Erwinna, PA ,18920.
We will publish selected member comments in future issues of Common Ground.
Page 8 WWW.TI�ICUMCO�SERVA�CY.ORG Fall 2011