Ten Acre Pond, Scotia Barrens, Port Matilda, PA |
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Greetings!
This summer has already been so memorable for so many reasons, but the thing I'll remember most is finally being able to see our members and friends in person after such a long time apart. We missed the exchange of good conversation, bright ideas, and smiles that are always guaranteed when we see our friends in person, and we look forward to even more opportunities to reconnect and catch up, including Otto's Golf Fest and our Par-Tee on the Patio on August 29 and 30.
Also, after a year-long pause on Centred Outdoors group events, we are offering guided hikes and walks at a variety of outdoors destinations this summer. We admired public art in downtown State College last week, and are visiting Colyer Lake this week. Check out our latest Adventure Guide for details about joining us for an upcoming event!
This summer our team has also been able to meet with volunteers and become more familiar with the Dry Hollow property and the important habitat there. Read below to find out some of the things our expert volunteers found while there, then join us the week of July 18 to see what you can discover!
Sincerely,
Deb Nardone
Executive Director, ClearWater Conservancy
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Staff and volunteers venture to Dry Hollow
On June 24, ClearWater staff and volunteers explored Dry Hollow in search of interesting plants, insects, and characteristics of the landscape. The group included volunteers from ClearWater's Land Conservations Stewardship Committee Members Ralph Mumma and Doug Wion, and ClearWater volunteer Harry Henderson. Ralph and Harry, a retired biochemist and meteorologist respectively, have both volunteered their expertise in plant identification in the past to helped collect biological inventory data. ClearWater staff members included Ryan Hamilton, Land Conservation Manager, Suzy Yetter, Ecologist, and Colleen DeLong, Habitat Stewardship Biologist.
It was a beautiful day for a field trip, and together the team covered several areas at Dry Hollow, each with their own unique characteristics. Between the fields, forest, and sand pit area, the group's findings included tiger beetles, indigo plant, trailing arbutus, pink lady slippers, and a notably large green ash tree.
Since February when Dry Hollow was permanently conserved by ClearWater and conveyed to PA-DCNR, researchers and DCNR experts have also been taking inventory of the plant and animals in the area. Taking inventory of the different species offers benchmark data that can be used to determine changes in biodiversity of a region over time.
If you're ready to explore Dry Hollow for yourself to see what you can discover, join us for our Centred Outoors events on July 18, 21, and 23. Complete details can be found below.
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Explore Dry Hollow with Centred Outdoors
Centred Outdoors will host three events at Dry Hollow the week of July 18. Visitors can explore the property at their own pace and learn about its ecological features from ClearWater staff. Jana Marie Foundation and Lucy Heggenstaller will also offer special wellness activities throughout the week.
Sunday, July 18
Explore the property at your own pace between 12-6 p.m.
Wellness activities: Mindful Rhythms Drum Circle at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Forest Bathing with Lucy Heggenstaller from 4-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 21
Explore the property at your own pace between 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wellness activity: Nature Card Making from 11:30 am - 1:00 p.m.
Friday, July 23
Explore the property at your own pace between 6-8 p.m.
Wellness activity: Peaceful Poetry
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Special notice from the Pennsylvania Game Commission:
Birdfeeders Should be Taken Down Due to Songbird Mortality Event
Nestling and fledgling songbirds -- mainly blue jays, starlings, and common grackles, but also robins and cardinals -- have been found with ocular and neurologic issues, and in some cases these birds have been found dead in large numbers. Cases have been reported from across the mid-Atlantic region, and most recently in Chester County.
What you can do:
- Report occurrences online
- Cease feeding birds and providing water in bird baths until this wildlife mortality event has concluded to prevent potential spread between birds and to other wildlife
- Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10 percent bleach solution
- Avoid handling birds, but wear disposable gloves if handling is necessary
- Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution
- Dispose of dead birds by placing them in a sealable plastic bag and discarding with household trash. This will prevent disease transmission to other birds and wildlife
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ClearWater is currently seeking candidates for three open positions:
Please see our website for complete job descriptions and application instructions. Deadline to apply is July 23, 2021.
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Equal Employment Opportunity ClearWater Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability as set forth by applicable state and federal laws. In addition, laws regarding veteran or military status are observed. This commitment is reflected in all our practices and policies regarding hiring, training, promotions, rates of pay, layoff, and other forms of compensation. All matters relating to employment are based upon ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once hired. |
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18th Annual Otto's Pub & Brewery Golf Fest
August 30, 2021
Mountain View Country Club
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Otto's Golf-Fest is an un-fore-gettable day where players get a chance to have unlimited fun on the golf course while supporting ClearWater's land conservation and stream restoration efforts. Great prizes, special contests, and refreshments from Otto’s Pub and Brewery make Golf-Fest a tournament like no other!
Foursomes are invited to register for the morning round of golf on August 30 (7:30 a.m. shotgun start). Registration is $860/foursome or $215 per golfer ($190 for Otto's Pub Club members).
To register, please email: rhonda1@clearwaterconservancy.org
We hope to see you there!
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ClearWater Conservancy's Par-Tee on the Patio
August 29, 2021
Mountain View Country Club
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We're excited to announce that we'll be back on the patio at Mountain View Country Club in Boalsburg for our Par-Tee on the Patio on Sunday, August 29 from 5-9 p.m.
With drinks from Otto's Pub & Brewery, live music by Anchor and Arrow, appetizers, and a chance to win great prizes, this event is a perfect way to support ClearWater and celebrate the end of summer with your fellow friends of conservation! Tickets are $15 each and the event is open to everyone.
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Nature Narratives Book Group |
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Beth Clark, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, is partnering with Centre County Library & Historical Museum to offer a nature-inspired book club that will discuss about nature while spending time in nature. The group will read the following books over the course of one year:
The Curious Naturalist: Nature's Everyday Mysteries by Sy Montgomery
Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas W. Tallamy
The Thing with Feathers: The Surprising Lives of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human by Noah Strycker
The Unlikely Thru Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey by Derick Lugo
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Thank you Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited! |
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ClearWater would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SCCTU) for donating tools and materials used for planting and maintaining streamside forests. This generous donation will be a great help to our staff and volunteers as we strengthen the streambanks that help keep our local streams clean and cool for fish and all wildlife. Thank you SCCTU! |
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