Volunteer Kathryn Koberna maintains plantings on the Kuhns property |
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Greetings!
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the scenic beauty of the snowy scenes of our region during this very chilly January. While the weather has been brisk, there is plenty wildlife activity all around as you'll read about below in an update on stream restoration work taking place at Fairbrook Marsh.
We also have some really 'sweet' information to share with you about our Art & Chocolate online auction and open house. Please join us online and/or at 3 Dots Downtown for the sweetest possible way to support ClearWater Conservancy all year!
Despite the low temperatures, our region's wildlife, woods, and waterways never take a season off from supporting everyone and everything that lives and thrives here. Thanks to your continued support, ClearWater also works year round to restore and protect the health of these natural resources. Thank you for all you do to support local conservation efforts!
Sincerely,
Deb Nardone
Executive Director, ClearWater Conservancy
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P.S. Save the date for Watershed Cleanup Day: Saturday, April 23, 2022. Learn about more volunteer opportunities with ClearWater below.
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Habitat Improvement at Fairbrook Marsh |
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A new habitat restoration project is underway at Fairbrook Marsh, at the corner of Tadpole Road and West Whitehall Road, southwest of the State College Borough. The property contains several acres of marsh habitat well-known by local birders because of its role as critical stopover habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
The area that's being restored on the Radzwich Family farm is known as Fairbrook Marsh. The stream that flows through it is a tributary to the Beaver Branch of Spruce Creek, a high quality trout stream that attracts many anglers each year. Conservation work on small “headwater streams” such as these significantly improves conditions downstream.
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Unfortunately the stream corridor and marsh were dominated by reed canary grass, a particularly aggressive invasive grass species which chokes out all the native wetland and streamside vegetation needed for high quality feeding and nesting cover for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Preparation of the site began in Spring 2021 with treatments to control the reed canary grass, and in Fall 2021, a variety of water-loving, native shrubs were planted within 35 feet of the stream channel. Species include winterberry, buttonbush, alder, red osier dogwood, silky dogwood, and American cranberry bush. |
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Just prior to this planting, the Centre Region’s birding community was chirping with excitement at the sight of a Cattle Egret in Fairbrook Marsh. Cattle Egrets are tropical herons that are rarely observed in Pennsylvania, with no documented sightings in Centre County in several years. Then in January, local birders spotted Trumpeter Swans (rarely seen in Pennsylvania) and Wilson’s Snipe at the marsh.
ClearWater Conservancy would like to thank Bob and Maddi Radzwich for their leadership, our partners Native Creations Landscape Services for technical assistance, planting and funding, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Chesapeake Conservancy, and North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy for funding for the restoration work, and you, our supporters, for making our riparian conservation work possible. See below for information about volunteering with ClearWater to protect and restore local streams.
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ClearWater's Art & Chocolate:
Online Auction, Super Sweet Tickets, and Open House details
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There are three ways to join the fun of Art & Chocolate while supporting ClearWater Conservancy this year!
Your $30 ticket purchase includes a pre-packed box of chocolate treats from local bakers and restaurants, and a chance to win one of our fun prizes. Plus, ticket holders will receive a special gift to be redeemed along the Central PA Tasting Trail! Boxes can be picked up during the open house event on Feb. 4 anytime between 4-8 p.m.
On February 4, between 4-8 p.m. at 3 Dots Downtown (137 E. Beaver Ave., State College), we'll host an open house style event where you can view all of the items included in the online auction, in person. The open house is free to attend, and open to all. Please note that per 3 Dots' Covid-19 policy, all guests are required to be fully vaccinated and wear a mask to this event.
The online auction is open to everyone, 24/7 until February 5 at noon. Enjoy viewing and bidding on gorgeous local art and gifts, and supporting ClearWater from the comfort of your own home!
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University Wine Co. wine and tasting tickets |
Great Horned Owl by Stephanie Koller
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Handmade nature quilt by Terry Melton |
Country Road by Roxanne Naydan
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Night Owl pen and ink piece by Maggie Scotilla
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Cooper's Hawk by Bob Carline
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Hearts a Flutter
quilt by Irmgard Lee
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Kaleidoscope by Kyle Peck |
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Grandpa Cottonwood by Edgar I. Farmer
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Picnic Setup for 2 from Spring Creek Picnics |
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There's plenty to look forward to this year when you volunteer to protect and restore local streams with ClearWater! |
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Thank you for considering a one-time, monthly, or annual donation to ClearWater Conservancy |
Support from friends and neighbors like you has makes local land conservation, stream restoration, and environmental outreach possible year after year. While your gift will support conservation projects and educational outreach efforts right away, the positive impacts of these efforts will grow and last forever. Thank you for supporting ClearWater Conservancy!
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