From the Executive Director's desk
Dear Friends,
ClearWater Conservancy was born 40 years ago, when founding member Barbara Fisher and a group of like-minded neighbors wanted to have a voice about plans to convert a Ferguson Township farm into a shopping plaza. With deep concern about the loss of open space, and the mall’s impact on our water supply -- these visionaries shaped the future of conservation by starting ClearWater Conservancy.
It was people like Barbara, Don Hamer and Jim McClure who laid out the values for the Conservancy -- to accomplish our work in the spirit of partnership and stewardship, while caring for our natural resources for future generations.
Fast forward to 2020. Our communities face many unexpected and difficult challenges related to COVID-19. Yet, we find peace in the beauty of our natural surroundings. People everywhere are spending more time outdoors and enjoying this beautiful place we call home.
Whether appreciating our forested ridge lines from your front window, or venturing outside for a small family adventure to your local patch of open space, we understand the need for nature. The vision of our
founding mothers and fathers worked. They understood that we must conserve our irreplaceable resources – our land, water and important habitats – while protecting the natural beauty that makes this place so special.
Each day, you and I get to see their vision in real time. From that vision 40 years ago to today -- ClearWater still stands as a humble, yet hardworking, impactful accredited land trust in the heart of
central Pennsylvania. We protect the places you love.
We hope you continue to find peace in our surroundings, enjoy time with your family and get outside!
All my best to you,
Deb
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Get outside and enjoy our Annual Meeting
Tired of Zoom meetings? Need to get outside?
This year ClearWater Celebrates 40 years -- and while we can't host our normal annual meeting, we've got something even better planned!
Join us for a self-guided tour of the Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor. Say hello to ClearWater staff, meet a board member or two, and enjoy a peaceful walk with incredible views and wonderful sounds.
What: ClearWater's Alternate Annual Meeting
When: Sunday, October 11th, 2-6 pm (arrive anytime and explore at your own pace)
Where: Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor
Watch for your next e-news with additional details, directions and how to RSVP
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Healthy Forests Field Tour |
Join us at Bald Eagle Tree Farm for an in-depth look at forest management right in our backyard! Enjoy a hike in the woods and chat with experts about various land management practices aimed at providing wildlife habitat, improving forest health, managing invasive species, and more!
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Interested in native plants, or are you curious as to what is blooming this time of year? The native gardens around ClearWater offices feature native plants for use in urban and suburban plantings. Our gardens promote water conservation, reduce stormwater runoff and provide habitat for wildlife.
You can relish in what our diligent volunteers are doing to help maintain our wonderful native plants and see what is starting to bloom on our website!
Special thanks to our volunteers Karen and Tom Parrish, Joanna and Jim Santamaria, Judy Faux, Pilar Beltran, and Terry Melton
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Would you like to experience this beautiful poolside view at a tropical paradise in Belize?
Support conservation and get a chance to win a trip to this beautiful home generously donated by Dr. Roy and Cindy Love.
$50 per ticket and only 200 sold.
Visit WIN BELIZE for more information and call the ClearWater office to get your ticket at 814.237.0400
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A Fond Farewell
We at ClearWater would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Emma Keele, AmeriCorps Stewardship Assistant, as she completes her service and heads to grad school.
During my term of service with ClearWater Conservancy I learned about my passion for habitat restoration and work with volunteers and private landowners. I loved my time at ClearWater because I was able to do a lot of field work and I was able to be flexible and learn and help on different projects with other co-workers. This new experience taught me about the importance of land preservation and working with landowners. These landowners have included dairy farmers, corn/soybean growers, organic farmers, people interested in wildlife, and people that just want to restore their land in their backyard.
ClearWater Conservancy provided me with an opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and values. I greatly enjoyed pursuing projects that I was passionate about. In the fall I attended a land management workshop for private landowners and met my future advisor for graduate school. At this workshop I learned about his research in habitat restoration and applied to his lab for a Masters that will start at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall. I truly feel like my time of service with ClearWater Conservancy was the last piece of the puzzle to help me figure out the next steps in pursuing my professional goals. I am very proud of my term of service with ClearWater Conservancy and for being an AmeriCorps member.
- Emma Keele
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Katie Molinengo, AmeriCorps Outings and Events Assistant |
Katie Molinengo joined ClearWater Conservancy as an AmeriCorps Member-Outings and Events Assistant through Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps in February of 2020. She uses her prior experience with education, community outreach and engagement, special events, media design and promotion and outdoor recreation from the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Chicago Park District to reach out to locals, gather and maintain volunteers for programs and events, support staff, and educate the community.
Katie originally is from Pennsylvania where she grew up hiking, camping, canoeing, tree identifying, creating, landscape painting, and connecting to nature. After earning an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a few years spent volunteering and taking a career direction in conservation and recreation, she left Chicago to be with the hills and give back to her homeland.
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Sawyer Howells, Office Manager |
Sawyer joined ClearWater in February of 2020. After spending the previous 4 years working in outdoor retail, he decided to make the transition from salesperson to steward in order to give back to the environment and community that he calls home.
In his role at ClearWater, Sawyer provides much of the logistical support that allows staff to operate seamlessly while out in the field. He is also often the voice at the end of the phone when calling into ClearWater’s office and finds joy in helping connect the members of our community with their environment.
When he is not in the office, Sawyer enjoys woodworking, reading, and a wide variety of outdoor recreation—most of which he does while in the company of his friends, his partner, Emily, and their dog Leia.
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Your Gift Makes a Difference! |
We understand that these are very challenging times as our community responds to COVID-19 impacts. Yet, it's amazing to see so many people relying on the peace and beauty provided by our region's natural surroundings to help us get through it. We're surrounded by places that help heal and replenish our mind, bodies and soul.
ClearWater is dedicated to helping people feel more connected to the outdoors. We are committed to protecting these places for you to enjoy -- now and another 40 years from now. If possible, please help us continue this legacy of community conservation. Thank you!
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