In 1995, at the age of 70, Barbara Yeaman spearheaded the creation of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC), a land trust based in Hawley, PA. Recognizing the rapid development taking over the region, Barbara was determined to make a meaningful impact.
She filed for non-profit status and, leading by example, demonstrated the conservancy’s mission by placing a conservation easement on her own 12-acre property in Milanville, PA.
Since then, the conservancy has preserved over 20,000 acres in the Upper Delaware River Region, encompassing Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania as well as Sullivan and Delaware Counties in New York.
Farm and Country’s Rosie Starr recently spoke with Barbara Yeaman as she celebrates her 100th birthday.
Image: Barbara Yeaman with Sean McGuinness
What a fantastic story!! My brother Henry and I are just finishing up our second time working with the conservancy. Just a fantastic organization to work with and thank you, Barbara!!
I agree with what my brother Gordon posted. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing some of your back-story on the eve of your 100th birthday. Knowing you’re reaching that milestone reminds me of what comedian George Burns said on his 100th birthday: “If I had known I’d live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” You have taken “better care” of more than just yourself. We who treasure the Upper Delaware region salute your legacy in taking such good care of the area’s land and water, and seeing that the Conservancy will continue doing so long after its first thirty years!
Thank you for your interview with Barb Yeaman. It brought back many fond memories of visiting Barb and Ed at her riverside farm in the 90’s. She hosted a weekend campout and paddle trip for the Northeast Group Sierra Club for a number of years. Our campsite was beside the huge maple tree she discussed during the interview. And the Maple provided the umbrella for our wonderful potluck meals, including produce from Barb’s garden. Sorry to hear the near-Champion maple died.
We would shuttle upriver on Saturday and end the day’s journey at Barb’s farm, just upriver from the eel weir, which recently stopped operating. Then Sunday mornings we would continue to paddle downriver to Narrowsburg, where our shuttled vehicles waited.
Those memories would not exist if it wasn’t for Barb’s tireless advocacy for the River and encouraging people to visit and explore the River’s nooks and crannies.
I want to offer my sincere gratitude to Barb for her good works. It is amazing that her dream of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy has flourished and conserved 20,000 acres since it’s formation. Barb’s example convinced me to work to establish a permanent 100 acre conservation easement for our Perry County farm called Greening Life Community. Knowing those acres can never be developed is a legacy for future generations.
Finally: thank you Barb for reminding us of the inner Clown we all need to bring out. Too often we enviros are perceived and gruff and unfriendly. Making people smile is another of Barb’s legacy. Happy Birthday Barb!
Jeff Schmidt