ClearWater Conservancy plans tree planting at sheep farm
April 21, 2008
ClearWater Conservancy, a Centre County-based nonprofit land trust and natural resource conservation organization, will complete Phase I of the Penn State Sheep Farm riparian restoration project with its annual Beatty Memorial Arbor Day Celebration. Volunteers will work with community members to plant more trees and shrubs from 9 a.m. to noon Arbor Day, Saturday, April 26, at the site in Houserville, College Township. The event is rain or shine and open to all interested volunteers.
The Penn State Sheep Farm Riparian Restoration Project has been an ongoing effort for ClearWater and its partners since 1999. At that time, Joe Boston of Trout Unlimited, an organization dedicated to the preservation of coldwater fisheries and watersheds, was working to spearhead the stream habitat improvement effort for the Spring Creek chapter. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the group had received a Growing Greener grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and used these funds to conduct extensive stream assessments in the area. Their investigation led them to the sheep farm.
"We like to think of ourselves as environmental stewards," said Rob Cooper, the land manager and director of Energy and engineering at Penn State. "We had worked previously to improve this area, keeping animals from entering the stream and moving the fence back to create a riparian buffer zone, but, the stream restoration partners and volunteers have contributed and allowed us to do the same work on a larger, more lasting scale."
Since its inception, the project has been made possible with the help of many sponsors, including the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Spring Creek chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Centre County Conservation District, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, SPE Federal Credit Union and ClearWater Conservancy. Donors include PSU Forestry Management, Alan Metzler of Metzler Forest Products, G.O. Hawbaker and Stone Valley Construction.
Volunteers who would like to help with the planting should RSVP by calling ClearWater at (814) 237-0400. On the day of the event, they should wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring water, a snack, boots and gloves.
For information about ClearWater Conservancy or the Sheep Farm restoration project, or to view an upcoming schedule of events, call (814) 237-0400 or visit http://clearwaterconservancy.org.
Contact
Amber Gladys
ambergladys@gmail.com
610-739-8283