Category: Newsletter

Hello, my name is Aidan Novak and recently I completed my Eagle Project with the help of PCWEA. For those unaware, Eagle Scout is the most prestigious rank that can be awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. Countless hours of service and time spent working on merit badges go into this rank, as well as a large-scale service project to be planned and carried out by the prospective Eagle Scout.

My project was focused on preventing erosion in one of Lower Paxton Township’s local parks, Centennial Acres. The park has a stream that runs down the middle, separating the parking lot from the playground and basketball courts. This stream has been an area of interest for Lower Paxton Township for some time. Originally, they were intending to apply for a grant through Penn State to provide the trees necessary for my project, but unfortunately it fell through at the last minute. That was when the PCWEA stepped in and graciously allowed me to obtain eight trees from their streamside nursery to plant.

The trees obtained were four red oaks and four hawthorns, both local species that are known to assist in retaining soil. After the trees were obtained from the nursery, the next step was to find volunteers. I contacted my troop asking for assistance on the day I scheduled to begin planting. On the day of the project, eleven people came to assist me with my project. With that many people helping, we were able to transplant all of the trees from their pots, mulch them as well as protect their trunks from animals using corrugated drainage tubing. The entire project was completed in two hours and would not have been possible without the generous donation of trees from PCWEA. I would like to personally thank them for providing me with the means to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Article From Manada Conservancy Newsletter.

Logan Farm Park– The Puzzle’s Complete!

Logan Farm Park was like a big jigsaw puzzle, and finally the last piece is in, and we can see the whole, beautiful picture.

In 2013, Scott Logan contacted us about placing an easement on a 59-acre property in Susquehanna Township, formerly his family farm, now woodlands and wetlands. This was a complicated project because it was about to be sold to the Susquehanna Sewer Authority, but Mr. Logan wanted it to be protected as a township park before the transfer. After two years of discussion, an agreement was reached to protect all of the property at the highest level, with the exception of a 15-acre area that could be used by the Township in the future if they needed to expand their sewer service. It was also agreed that it would be a township park, open to the public.

Once the main park project was complete, we began working on acquiring three small peripheral properties, which included additional frontage along Paxton Creek and would complete the park (see map below). Acquiring a one acre piece of land can take just as much work as a 100 acre piece. In this case, these small additions were considered very important for the health of the creek and for full public enjoyment, so we kept working. As we acquired each of the three pieces, we placed restrictions before deeding over to the Susquehanna Authority.

The first piece was purchased outright in 2014. After much time and paperwork, the second piece (Tract 2), with extensive creek frontage, was acquired.  We are very grateful for the generosity of the Taylor family for their contribution of a major portion of this value.  The Taylor tract is a key section of the park, providing access to the creek in an area which would not have otherwise been possible for park goers.

And then the last piece . . .  that last piece! It fell under the table; we couldn’t find it.  For a while we were pretty sure the dog ate it, but we finally found it.  And on November 12, 2018, we dropped it in and the puzzle was whole!

There are so many people to thank!  Goldie Boyer and her sister, Fern Hartman, donated most of the value of this last piece (Tract 3) and were incredibly patient while we worked through some unusual legal obstacles. When we say “we,” we mean our fantastic attorney, Jean Seibert, who tried many avenues before being able to assure us that the title of the property was clear (long story!). This last piece was a keystone because it was the corner that united the two smaller pieces and also finished out the creek protection.

Through it all, we are so grateful to the Logan family for their continued vision. Logan Farm Park is now a wonderful nature preserve that provides wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and soon-to-be beautifully complete community open space with trails.

A “stormwater-friendly” lawn is one that can absorb rainwater and does not harm local streams due to the over application of chemicals. The steps below will not only help protect local streams and rivers but can result in direct and substantial cost savings.

Continue reading “How to Have a Stormwater-Friendly Lawn”

In November 2017, I attended the 12th Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum at the National Fish and Wildlife facility in Shepherdstown, WV. This year’s theme was “Healthy Lands, Healthy Waters, Healthy People”. There were over 400 registrants. The opening program included a welcome by Kate Fritz (new director of the Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay). Nick DiPasquale (EPA Bay Programs) informed us that the Bay health is improving, but the current administration is doing things that may destroy that. Jake Reilly (Nat’l Fish and Wildlife Foundation) said that more young strong women are getting involved, and that it is important that small local watershed groups get funding, as that is what people care about.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Sacoby Wilson (Assoc. Prof. of Applied Environmental Health at the Univ. of Md. School of Public Health). He said that most environmental problems are caused by humans, mainly overpopulation and pollution. Childhood asthma is increasing, especially in poor non-whites, as they live closer to areas with the most air pollution.  They also have less health care access. Toxins get into the air and soil and are absorbed by our bodies, causing illness. Urban gardens may be grown in toxic soil and Brownfields.  He spoke of additional issues: The Md. Clean Water Act has disparities. Large scale poultry operations are a problem and are increasing. Cities lack green space and trees for shading and cooling, and people are less connected to nature. There is a lack of diversity in the environmental movement and higher positions.  The damage to Houston by Hurricane Harvey was heightened by so much impermeable surface. Continue reading “Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum”

Did you know that planting trees along streams is a good investment? Trees will provide you and your neighbors with a host of natural benefits every day: clean air and water, lower energy bills, opportunities to see wildlife and even higher property values.

PCWEA’s Streamside Nursery, located at the rear of Shutt Mill Park in Susquehanna Township, stocks wet-tolerant species of trees suitable for riparian buffer plantings. We currently have oaks, hawthornes, and crabapples available free of charge for organizations or individuals on a first come, first served basis.  If you are interested in obtaining trees from our nursery, please contact us via our Facebook page or email. Facebook Link
Continue reading “Streamside Nursery”

The Department of Environmental Protection has determined certain reaches of Paxton Creek have been impaired or compromised by excessive sediment, the accumulation of unwanted soil particles or other materials transported by surface water.  In response, Lower Paxton Township, Susquehanna Township and Capital Region Water (CRW) on behalf of the City of Harrisburg, are working together to define and develop strategies that will improve water quality in Paxton Creek and its tributaries.

Sediment accumulation in streams can be attributed to a number of sources such as construction site runoff, urban runoff and storm sewers, and agriculture.  However, past land development practices have changed the land use cover, decreasing natural infiltration of rain water into the ground and increasing the volume of water runoff draining to the Paxton Creek watershed.  This additional water volume along with the increase in water velocity has resulted in excessive stream bank and channel erosion.  It has been estimated that eighty-six percent of unwanted sediment in Paxton Creek is contributed by stream erosion. Continue reading “Water Quality – Paxton Creek and Wildwood Lake”