The Importance of Wildlife Corridors

In celebration of fall bird migration, we will explore the importance of wildlife corridors during this amazing seasonal change. Wildlife corridors are also referred to as “green corridors”, “nature highways" and “wildlife bridges”.    Wildlife corridors have many benefits. They provide safe passage of animals traveling between forested ridges and valley floors. They increase genetic diversity of animals since they are able to travel in more places, and they provide habitat for many important plant and animal species.   Pennsylvania is a complex landscape, with the Appalachian ridge running north to south through central Pennsylvania. Its topography and geography allow for strong thermal currents and updrafts which make it possible for songbirds, raptors, and other bird species to travel along the Atlantic Flyway. Every fall and spring, millions of birds use this east coast flyway. Our connected forest ridge lines are vital to migration, allowing important bird species to thrive.

Learn even more about wildlife corridors & migratory birds!

At home activity!  Feeling the urge to have fun and create something unique that helps wildlife? Build a bird roosting box for migratory and winter birds to put in your backyard!

Explore your local wildlife corridor! Wildlife corridors, and the places they connect, are crucial to migratory birds during their long flights every year. Central Pennsylvania is part of the mid-Atlantic region, a major flyway for migratory birds. Our ridges and forested valleys provide important stopping places for birds on their journey to warmer winter destinations. The plants and trees in wildlife corridors provide roosting areas (places to sleep) and food, such as the berries from viburnums, elderberries and pokeweed. Check out your local wildlife corridors this fall! Enjoy the beauty of the changing colors and bring binoculars to watch for the birds above.   The Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor The Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor (B2BE) was conserved by ClearWater Conservancy in 2010. Thirty-nine acres are owned by ClearWater and protected with a conservation easement held by Halfmoon Township. An additional 64 acres is conserved and held privately by landowners Dan Dreibelbis and Barbara Spencer, who enrolled in the Halfmoon Township's Open Space Protection Program. Together, this 103-acre wildlife corridor connects the 6,500-acre Scotia Barrens (State Gamelands #176) to the Bald Eagle Ridge, supporting wildlife traveling between these significant ecosystems. The Barrens is the largest pitch pine-scrub oak barrens remaining in Pennsylvania and offers habitat to rare insects, beautiful songbirds, and amphibians. The Barrens is host to several extremely rare species including the Golden-winged Warbler, Appalachian cottontail, northeastern bulrush, and it supports a large diversity of migrating and breeding neotropical migrant songbirds. This area of land is a local treasure and wildlife experts agree that without the habitat provided by the Barrens, many species would disappear from our region.  The Barrens habitat is truly an ecological treasure.   ClearWater Conservancy and their volunteers work hard to connect, protect, restore, and steward this land. We hope you'll come out and join us to explore how we do this during our Annual Meeting on October 11th.

Join us for ClearWater's Annual Meeting! This year ClearWater celebrates 40!! We've planned a great way to celebrate ClearWater's past, present and future. Explore the fantastic space of the Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor hands-on during the onset of fall migration! Take what you've learned from these articles and see what you can find! Staff will be onsite to answer any questions. We are so excited to see you there! What: ClearWater's Annual Members Meeting When: Sunday, October 11th, 2-6 pm (arrive anytime and explore at your own pace) Where: Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor, Harness Downs Lane, Port Matilda The Corridor parking area is at the edge of a residential development. Please drive very slowly and cautiously through the neighborhood and watch for children at play. What to bring: Your cutest mask Long sleeves, high socks, and pants are recommended Comfortable walking shoes Difficulty of hike: The .66 mile hike follows a mowed path and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Hike Times: Arrive any time between 2 and 6 pm, hike and explore on your own. Additional Information: This is a pet friendly destination. Please keep your pet on a leash and clean up after your pet. Portable restrooms will be available at this destination.

Let us know you're coming!  Click here to RSVP

Can't make the Annual Meeting?  Click here to check out our Virtual Tour Trailer

Look out for the extended version the week of October 11!

Want more places to explore? Choose your own adventure! We are excited to be able to offer a series of self-guided hikes at a variety of partner locations throughout the area! A Centred Outdoors ambassador will be present on-site to answer any questions you may have about the location and what there is to see and do while you explore that week’s feature. While these hikes aren’t guided, we will be able to offer recommendations on what trails to explore at your own pace. Bring some water and a good pair of shoes and we’ll show you where to explore!

Coyler Lake Oct 18, 1 PM – 5 PM 211 Lake Rd, 211 Lake Rd, Centre Hall, PA 16828, USA Cruise around one of the few large bodies of water in our region and explore all the inlets and coves available at Colyer Lake. Look out for migrating waterfowls such as geese and ducks!

Jo Hays Vista Oct 25, 1 PM – 5 PM Jo Hays Vista, Jo Hays Vista, Ferguson Township, PA 16865, USA Trek along the top of one of our ridges starting at the Jo Hays Vista parking lot and see dueling vistas looking both south and north. This is an excellent viewing area.

Click here for more information and self-guided adventures

STAY CONNECTED

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ClearWater Conservancy | 814-237-0400 | contactus@clearwaterconservancy.org web: www.clearwaterconservancy.org