The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance honored David Shields, retired associate director of the Brandywine Conservancy, for his efforts to permanently preserve close to 5,000 acres of the King Ranch property in Chester County, writes Fran Maye for the Daily Local News.

Shields received the coveted Clayton M. Hoff Award at the Alliance’s annual meeting.

“During his career, his tireless efforts and leadership helped preserve approximately 60,000 acres of pristine land, most of it in the Brandywine Valley,” said Jim Jordan, CEO of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance.

The 5,367-acre King Ranch was at risk of being developed in the early 1980s. Shields worked tirelessly and was successful in preventing its loss.

His overall efforts resulted in the permanent conservation of many acres of prime land. When he started with the Brandywine Conservancy, it owned 375 acres of land and had 3,755 acres in protection. Now, it owns 2,870 acres and has close to 38,000 acres under protection.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said Shields.

Read more about David Shields in the Daily Local News.