The Conservancy is exceedingly grateful to Paul Mueller for his support of over 23 years. In honor of his generous and significant support of the Conservancy, the recent 30-acre addition to Climbers Run Nature Center will be named Mueller Woods. This hillside addition, across from the barn, will soon have trails created through it for us all to explore and enjoy.
Paul Mueller looks out over Climbers Run.
Paul Mueller’s love for the outdoors began at a young age. His father was a member of the Tucquan Club, and his family would travel down to the Club’s headquarters along the Susquehanna River to picnic and explore. When he had children of his own (three daughters), he wanted them to be able to experience the outdoors the way he had, and so he purchased a tract of land along the river on which to build a small cabin. It became a place where his family would spend the weekends, hiking, swimming, and cooking out with friends.
His love of the outdoors and, in particular, the forested lands along the Susquehanna River inspired a desire to help protect them. As he says, “I always loved the beauty of the land along the river and believe in the importance of preserving what was originally created and given to us.”
Paul and Conservancy President Phil Wenger walk a trail at Climbers Run.
Over the years, he witnessed the growth of the Conservancy, and wanted to be a part of its growing movement and momentum. His interest piqued in Climbers Run Nature Center and the future vision for the preserve as a central hub for the Conservancy’s engagement and education efforts. The most recent addition of the 30-acre hillside across from the Barn seemed like the perfect fit for a namesake parcel to honor his significant and generous support of the Conservancy. With new trails planned to be built this year that will allow hikers to scale the hill, Paul looks forward to the new opportunity for our community to explore. “It will be just a wonderful hike up into the woods and along the stream, especially once the new footbridge is completed.”
Paul’s concern for the environment expands beyond our local community. As an avid traveler, he enjoyed spending time with his family exploring the natural world from the American mid-west to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It was this trip to the Great Barrier Reef that brought home for him the problems associated with what he sees as the biggest environmental threat we currently face – global climate change. “I was a skeptic at first,” he explains, “but not anymore! I see this as a significant reason as to why we need to preserve as much as we can.”
While he’s concerned for the future of the planet, he sees hope as well. “I have hope in the organizations, like the Conservancy, that are working so hard to preserve and protect our environment. There is a rise in awareness that I hope will translate into action.”
We are so very grateful to Paul for his continued support of the Conservancy and our mission. Says Fritz Schroeder, Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the Conservancy, “The impact of donors like Paul on the future of the Conservancy is immeasurable. We could not continue the work of protecting our natural lands for the benefit of our community and the creatures that rely on them without the generous support of all of our donors.”
