BRANDYWINE VALLEY ASSOCIATION AND RED CLAY VALLEY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE PLANS TO MERGE IN SPRING 2015

The Boards of Directors of Brandywine Valley Association (BVA) and Red Clay Valley Association (RCVA) have agreed to merge  to form a new regional organization  to provide watershed conservation and education programs.

The decision to merge was announced in a joint statement from RCVA Board President Lisa Brubaker and her BVA counterpart Jim Nolan. “We are inspired and energized about joining these two strong, dynamic organizations and believe our members and the greater community will benefit from our combined forces. The boards of both organizations have recognized a need to increase efficiency and use donor dollars effectively to meet the growing needs of Chester County in Pennsylvania and Northern New Castle County in Delaware. The new organization will continue to pioneer innovative programs to improve our regions’ water quality and foster environmental stewardship through education programs for all ages to protect our precious natural resources.”

The organizations began discussions on how to increase their impact through collaboration earlier this year as part of a joint strategic planning process. Over the last four months a merger exploration committee comprised of board members from both organizations and facilitated by Sylvia & Carter & Associates met to discuss and research the option of merger. These discussions were made possible thanks to generous funding from the Welfare Foundation and the Chester County Community Foundation. On October 22, a special vote by BVA members empowered their board of directors to approve a plan of merger and complete the merger with RCVA as soon as spring of 2015.