Lycopodium, aka Ground pine, at the recently conserved Dry Hollow property in March 2021. |
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Celebrating women leaders in conservation
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Dear Friends,
As we reach the end of Women's History Month, I am grateful for the progress made and eager for the work ahead. There’s still much work to do when it comes to realizing a truly diverse and inclusive community of conservation leaders, and ClearWater is committed to advancing these efforts.
Looking back more than 40 years, there are many trail-blazing women who helped make it possible for me to be writing to you now as ClearWater's executive director. Barbara Fisher, our organization's co-founder, planted the early seeds of ClearWater Conservancy in 1978 after working with community members to protect our streams and drinking water from a potential threat. She helped launch ClearWater, which was officially established in 1980. Her work continues today. Beginning in 2015 Barbara envisioned and helped bring life to the Spring Creek Watershed Atlas, a set of online resources and tools that help everyone understand the interconnectedness of the region's water system. Below is a photo of Jen Shuey (left), presenting Barbara Fisher (right) with the Don Hamer Leadership award in 2016.
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Looking back more than 100 years, many have heard the name Joseph Rothrock, 'Father of Pennsylvania Forestry,' but do you know who holds the title of 'Mother of Pennsylvania Forestry?' Her name is Mira Lloyd Duck, and she is well known for her influence on the city of Harrisburg and beyond through her impactful illustrated lectures. One of her talks titled "The City Beautiful," delivered in 1900 to the Harrisburg Board of Trade ultimately led to a park system for Harrisburg, a water filtration plant, and many other projects. Her work continued on in many roles, including as a commissioner for the State Forest Reservation Commission in 1901, and as a key player in the establishment of a forestry school Pennsylvania in 1903, only the fourth to be established in the United States.
Today, there are many leaders in conservation actively working to ensure everyone can access and enjoy natural places. Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, led by Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, recently released their Recreation for All: Pennsylvania's 2020-2024 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Among many other goals, this plan includes a strategy to ensure that all people feel invited and engaged in our outdoor spaces by developing strategies to overcome real and perceived barriers through enhanced access, amenities, and programs.
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I am so inspired by these regional and statewide leaders, as well as global leaders such as the late Wangaari Maathi, founder of the Green Belt Movement. Since 1977, her movement has been empowering women to restore degraded and deforested land while earning income for their families and improving the health of local lands. Over 51 million trees have been planted in Kenya since the start of the movement, and in 2004 Wangaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work, the first African woman to be awarded the prize.
Together we can continue the work of these remarkable women and conserve and protect the places we love to visit and call home for future generations.
Thank you, I hope you can enjoy a springtime adventure or two soon!
Deb
Deb Nardone, Executive Director, ClearWater Conservancy
Sources:
Pennsylvania Heritage, http://paheritage.wpengine.com/article/womans-instinct-mira-lloyd-dock-mother-forestry-pennsylvania/
Green Belt Movement, http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/who-we-are/our-history
Photo of Wangaari Maathi: Green Belt Movement
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Choose your own adventure! |
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Jean Aron Path
Rothrock State Forest, near Boalsburg
A hike on the Jean Aron Path offers visitors a relaxing stroll through several dense stands of hemlock and mountain laurel. The path is named for the local author and poet and its serene nature is the perfect retreat into the natural world. The .6 mile path can be part of the larger Bear Meadows trail system or used alone for a quick mile-long hike.
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Tom Tudek Memorial Park
400 Herman Dr., State College, PA
Located off North Atherton Street
The Tom Tudek Memorial Park is a unique gem in our local park system. One of the first projects for the ClearWater Conservancy, the 91.5 acre park hosts the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden, an off-leash dog park, and horse pasture. Guests can actively recreate on the park’s 30 acres of multi-sport fields and playgrounds or simply explore the other 61.5 acres of passive land.
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DIY nature-inspired activity: Walking Sticks
Are you ready to get outdoors and explore?!
Prepare by creating a walking stick to assist you with our hiking outings!
Click on the image for details and send photos of your finished projects to adventure@clearwaterconservancy.org!
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Watershed Cleanup Day
Saturday, April 24, 8 am-12 pm
ClearWater Conservancy and our partners, the MS4 Partnership and Centre County Refuse and Recycling Authority, invite you and your family to adopt a site to clean up on Saturday, April 24 from 8 am-12 pm. This event is open to everyone and complete details and registration can be found on our website. Thank you for volunteering to keep our streams and community open spaces clean and beautiful!
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Seeking Wellness Activity Leaders for Centred Outdoors Season 5 |
Calling all forest bathers, yoga instructors and yogis/yoginis, Tai Chi & Qi Gong practitioners, artmakers, photographers, meditators, teachers, writers, and all around mental wellness enthusiasts! We are working towards expanding our offerings with Centred Outdoors to incorporate mindfulness activities as well as getting your heart rate going!
If you have strong leadership skills, or would like to build upon skills and practice in one of the areas above we’d love to work with you! If you have passion for your practice and would like to share with others through the act of service, we are in need of volunteers. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please send them our way!
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