Partnering organizations work together to plant streamside forest along the
Beaver Branch in Pennsylvania Furnace on Oct.19. Photo by Thomas Bathgate
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Greetings!
It has been a gorgeous fall season, and even as the month wraps up, the leaves are still putting on a colorful show. In fact, with Pennsylvania having a longer season for fall foliage than anywhere else in the U.S. or the world, now is a great time to walk, hike, bike, and drive around our region to admire the beauty of the season!
On October 17, ClearWater friends and supporters gathered at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center for our Fall Meeting and Celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a beautiful fall morning as we took a guided walk through Millbrook Marsh, enjoyed a cider toast to the organization's past, present, and future, and reelected ClearWater Conservancy board members Matt Marshall, Terry Melton, Kevin McGarry, Denise Quinn, Donnan Stoicovy, and Andy Warner.
You can view the photos from the event here, and see below for more ClearWater events we hope you can join us for, including Halloween in the Hollow this Sunday, and next year's Art & Chocolate!
We are also excited to announce that three new team members have joined the ClearWater team this fall to support the organization's Riparian Program, events, and volunteer efforts. Please join us in welcoming Maggie Anderson, Seth Young, and Sarah Kania to the team!
Sincerely,
Deb Nardone
Executive Director, ClearWater Conservancy
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Partners work together to install streamside forest along Beaver Branch |
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In the summer of 2018, the Sheridan Family contacted Centre County Conservation District about the stream on their property in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. The stream levels and wetland levels were rising, encroaching on their yard, submersing trees, and endangering the driveway bridge that crossed over the stream which is part of the Beaver Branch and flows into Spruce Creek, then the Little Juniata River, Juniata River, Susquehanna River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. |
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To address these issues, the following best management practices were installed:
- Four acres of wetland restoration, designed and installed by Partners for Fish and Wildlife Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and BluAcres LLC.
- The planting of over 800 trees and shrubs to create approximately two acres of streamside buffer, or streamside forest. The buffer was designed by Centre County Conservation District and Partners for Fish and Wildlife. The site was then prepared by Fruittown Land Stewardship, and the buffer was installed with assistance from Chesapeake Conservancy, ClearWater Conservancy and PA DCNR. Photos above are from a planting that took place with volunteers and partnering organizations last week, on October 19.
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The site is regularly visited by great blue herons, snowy egrets, red-winged blackbirds, American kestrels, a red-tailed hawk, and Eastern box turtles. In addition, the native seed bank is being released as the previously well-established invasive vegetation is reduced. Released species such as common milkweed, purple top vervain, monkey flower, sedges, rushes, and native grasses are visible throughout the project area, attracting pollinators and many other beneficial insects.
Photos above, from left to right: Partners work to plant trees and shrubs along Beaver Branch on the Sheridan Family's property on October 19. Photos by Thomas Bathgate.
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Welcome to the ClearWater team! |
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Maggie Anderson
Events & Volunteer Coordinator
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Seth Young
Riparian Project Coordinator
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Sarah Kania
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
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Please join us in welcoming three new ClearWater team members! Welcome aboard Maggie Anderson, events and volunteer coordinator, Seth Young, Riparian Project Coordinator and Sarah Kania, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator.
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Halloween in the Hollow
Sunday, October 31, 2-6 p.m.
Dry Hollow, Warriors Mark, PA
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Enjoy a family-friendly, festive afternoon!
- Stop by anytime between 2-6 p.m.
- Refreshments, snacks, and pumpkins will be provided.
- Pumpkin decorating activity for all ages
- Optional ghost tour at 5:30 p.m.
- Visit the landowners' table to talk and ask questions about managing woodlots and fields.
- Costumes welcome
- No cost to attend, but please RSVP and reserve your pumpkin today!
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2022 Art & Chocolate
February 4, 2022
Toftrees Golf Resort
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On February 4, ClearWater Conservancy will host its annual Art & Chocolate fundraiser at Toftrees Golf Resort. The event will feature the same delicious food, decadent desserts, and gorgeous local art you've come to expect, all while supporting ClearWater's efforts to connect and restore Central Pennsylvania's natural resources.
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Centred Outdoors in November |
Fall is a great time to enjoy fantastic views and great hiking conditions in Central PA! Join Centred Outdoors for self-guided adventures at the following destinations through November.
These events are self-guided adventures, so while there will not be a guided hike, the Centred Ambassador will be on-site from 12 - 5 p.m. to offer suggestions and answer any questions you have about the destination.
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Thank you for considering a gift to ClearWater! |
Will you consider supporting ClearWater Conservancy by giving a one-time, monthly, or annual gift? Support from friends and neighbors like you has made local conservation, stream restoration, and environmental outreach possible. While your gift will support the planting of streamside forests and conservation of local lands right away, the positive impacts of these efforts will grow and last forever.
Thank you for your continued support of ClearWater Conservancy!
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