SEPTEMBER 2023 STREAMLINES:
News and Events from BWA
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 19, 2023
BWA Annual Members and Friends Celebration
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
BWA is hosting its Annual Members & Friends Celebration on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM - held at the historic Skytop Lodge.
This event is held to recognize the contributions of our conservation partners, members, and friends while celebrating BWA’s continued efforts to promote and protect the clean, abundant waters and forested landscape of the Brodhead and Cherry Creek watersheds.
We're pleased to announce Dr. Paul Wilson, Associate Professor of Biology at ESU, as our Keynote Speaker for this year. For his address, Wilson will focus on restoration and resiliency within our watershed amidst a changing climate.
The evening will also feature Special Guest Ron Dickey, Ph.D, professional photographer, who will feature captivating imagery and present an engaging dialogue which will focus on one of the most beloved and sought-after backyard birds in the Poconos and beyond – the Hummingbird.
Live musical entertainment will be provided by Joe O'Malley Music
CASH BAR - DINNER BUFFET - DESSERT
Reservations are required. Tickets are a $60.00 donation for BWA members; $65.00 for nonmembers. Please register by October, 17, 2023.
For more information about the evening's programming, CLICK HERE
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BWA ONLINE AUCTION FUNDRAISER
- LIVE AT FIVE! -
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WANT TO BID TO PROTECT CLEAN WATER?
In conjunction with our Annual Celebration, BWA hosts our biggest fundraiser of the year: OUR ONLINE AUCTION - bringing the outdoors online. There's some pretty awesome outdoor experiences and adventures, artwork, gift certificates, special products, services, and more.
Our auction opens for bidding this afternoon - September 25th at 5:00 PM and will remain open for bidding through the night of the celebration.
Funds raised from each bid go directly towards the continuation of our mission: working to preserve and protect the clean, abundant waters and forested landscapes of the Poconos. We couldn't do what we do without the support of our members, friends, and community.
Visit our BWA auction landing page for details on how to register, view items, and begin bidding. Be sure to check in on our auction page often as new items may be added weekly up until the night of the celebration!
For questions or more information, please reach out to Stephanie by email at
admin@brodheadwatershed.org or by phone at 570-839-1120.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 - SHERWOOD FOREST |
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On Saturday, October 14th at 10:00A, we'll be out and about exploring Sherwood Forest - guided by staff from the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.
We've got a few spots left! Come hike with us!
*Day of hike details will be emailed to registrants the day before.
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LOOKING BACK - A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO RAMBLE |
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This year, mother nature offered Ramble-goers a gorgeous afternoon to hike the trails of the Spruce Lake Retreat Center, learn about native tree species with geologist Keith Robinson, and check out the macroinvertebrate life in the lake water with environmental educator, Brittany Coleman.
Thank you to all who came out to RAMBLE with us! The weather, the grounds, and most importantly, the company - made for a memorable afternoon and a great way to spend one of the last days of summer as we shift into autumn and welcome the fall season.
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THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR'S RAMBLE SPONSORS |
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All images taken by Kenneth Schurman at VIP STUDIOS Inc. can be found on his website in a BWA gallery. Visit HERE
Thank you Ken for capturing some great moments and group photos for us!
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Hawthorne Mount Pocono Resort Decision |
In July, BWA's 16 page Brief on the Hawthorne Mt Pocono Resort, was submitted in a timely manner to Paradise Township.
On August 14th, the Township Supervisors approved Conditional Use, with numerous conditions, including protections for existing forests and water quality of Exceptional Value (EV) streams of Swiftwater Creek and Indian Run.
BWA will report to our members the specific provisions adopted once the final decision is published.
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Municipal Action Applauded |
BWA congratulates the Supervisors of Coolbaugh, Greene, Price, and Stroud Township(s) for their recent adoption of the Act 167 Stormwater Ordinance.
This ordinance maintains protections for the sensitive vegetated buffer areas along freshwater resources for the purpose of stormwater management. For decades, research has shown that protecting these critical buffer areas is the gold standard for maintaining existing water quality, while simultaneously allowing for strong economic growth in the region.
BWA encourages all municipalities to adopt the updated Act 167 Ordinance.
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Promoting the Plan for Clean Water |
BWA's Executive Director, Dr. Alex Jackson, spoke at State Representative Maureen Madden's Town Hall on Saturday, September 16th to discuss the topic of resource-based planning.
BWA promoted the importance of the utilization of resources like the Plan for Clean Water to help guide zoning decisions and land use policy.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - NEWS & EVENTS |
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!! THIS WEDNESDAY !! - SEPTEMBER 27
Your Voice, Your Neighborhood: Why Local Government Matters for Our Environment and Our Right to Vote
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Pennsylvania environmental groups will host an informative webinar on how local government works and what it can do for us. This November, you’ll be able to vote for these local government positions! The hosts of this event are excited to discuss how community members such as yourself can voice their opinions and get involved, and where to find resources about making a difference.
Date: Wednesday, September 27
Time: 6:00pm
Location: On Zoom
Hosted by: Conservation Voters of PA, PennFuture, LEAD PA, TTF Watershed, PennEnvironment, Monroe County NAACP, Wissahickon Trails, and Safe Cities
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BOG BOARDWALK RESTORATION
RIBBON CUTTING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th
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On the grounds of the Pocono Mountain School District, collaborative efforts have been ongoing for the replacement of a deteriorating 1,100 ft loop of boardwalk that works its way through an old growth wetland located on the property.
The cranberry bog located on the grounds of the Pocono School District is a unique and interesting ecosystem. The presence of this renovated bog boardwalk provides the opportunity to bring students and community groups on-site to learn about wetlands, their environmental significance, and watershed function.
On Saturday, September 30 at 10:00A, there will be a ribbon cutting for the newly reconstructed bog boardwalk, an educational walking tour of the bog, and special remarks/thanks to the program partners involved in the project.
Register for the ribbon cutting HERE
Hurry! Registration for the ribbon cutting ends soon!
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October 2023
"Landscapes Near & Far"
Paintings by Don Baylor
Don's paintings will be on display and for sale throughout the month of October at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, October 8th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. The reception is free to attend - no RSVP required! It will also feature pottery for sale by Don Baylor's daughter - Jody Fry. For more information about Don, his artwork, and the gallery, please visit HERE
For BWA's auction, Don has generously donated an 18X24 giclee print of "Green River Lake" along with a separate donation for a Day of Fishing at Parkside Angling Association. If you'd like to bid on either items, be sure to register!
Thank you Don - for your ongoing support of BWA as a Board Member and beyond!
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MONROE COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7th
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Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority is holding a household hazardous waste collection event of Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 8:00 A - 2:00 P at the Military Road Recycling Site - rain or shine!
For more details and more information about the collection and what household items are considered hazardous waste, click HERE
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October 12 and October 26
PHLT Night: Owl Banding at Kettle Creek
7:30 - 10:00 P
Over the last few decades, the Pocono Avian Research Center, now part of Pocono Heritage Land Trust, has banded over a thousand saw-whet owls.
PHLT avian experts - Jackie and Darryl Speicher - will be hosting two public nights specifically for members and friends of Pocono Heritage Land Trust at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center. You do not have to be a paying member of PHLT to attend! Registration is required. For PHLT nights, please register by email to avianresearch@phlt.org
For more information about these owl banding nights, visit HERE
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ROD BUILDING 101
OCT 18 - NOV 8
Class Held on Wednesday of Each Week
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The Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be offering a fly-rod building class for interested folks. Participants will experience the joy of building their own fly rod from component parts. This year’s build is going to be a 7 1/2’ 4-piece 4 weight graphite rod. The blank is dark charcoal, the wraps charcoal, the hardware is almost all black. Think of it as a small stream “stealth” rod. |
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Don't miss out on the opportunity to build your own 7' 9" 4 WT fly rod! It's perfect for our smaller streams! |
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Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm - Harvest Festival - October 7 & 8th |
BWA has been graciously invited to attend this year's Harvest Festival - a two day event filled with with experiences and demonstrations akin to life in the 1800's. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click the link below. |
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Fall Festival at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, October 21
10:00 A - 2:00 P
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BWA will also be attending this year's Fall Festival, a FREE and family-friendly event hosted at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
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Activities include: apple cider press, archery lessons, bat house building, kid crafts, cider donuts, fishing lessons, live animal presentations, pumpkin painting & more!
For more information, click HERE
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PROTECTING CLEAN WATER TOGETHER:
Where is "away" anyway?
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Learn how to dispose of expired and unneeded meds safely.
Opioids. Steroids. Antidepressants. Contraceptives. Antibiotics. Serious prescription drugs like these can get into drinking water. (Yes, even well water.)
When we throw stuff “away” — by flushing expired or no-longer-needed drugs — it doesn’t magically vanish. Chemicals like these last. They move through the environment, get into waterways and aquifers, harm fish, plants, birds, and other creatures. And can return, like vengeful spirits, to haunt our drinking water.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Lots of places make it easy to safely, dependably dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medicine, both prescription and over-the-counter. Read more about how and where to dispose of unused pharma safely HERE
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NATURE AT RISK SERIES: HOW LATE IS TOO LATE?
Recovering America's Wildlife Act and What it Means
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Eagles have come back from the brink. Thousands more species can be protected from extinction with the passage of the Recovering American Wildlife Act of 2023. (Photo: Macaulay Library)
When the car is rolling toward the edge of the cliff, do you wait and see? Just hope for the best? Or slam on the brakes before it’s too late?
Waiting until a creature can be classified “endangered” before trying to save it means waiting until it’s teetering at the edge of extinction. A local example: when the American Bald Eagle was declared endangered, there were only two active nests in all of Pennsylvania. We got lucky. Cutting back on the DDT that was making eagles’ eggs too fragile to hatch was enough to slam on the brakes — just before eagles dropped off the cliff.
Plenty of other critters are in big trouble. Right whales and sea turtles. Tigers and orangutans. In some tropical forests, the insects are vanishing.
Not too worried about a few species of rainforest beetles? Read on to find out more about why you should be HERE
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BWA's Get Outdoors Pocono's Series is supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.
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