| Protecting Streams in Berks County |
Agricultural runoff can contribute to the addition of pollutants in streams and rivers in Berks County. Techniques called Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or reduce the amount of pollution generated by agriculture in order to protect and enhance water quality.
 Through a grant from Schuylkill Action Network (SAN), the Berks County Conservancy is working to implement these BMPs on certain farms in the Maidencreek and Manatawny Watersheds which eventually flow into the Schuylkill River. Issues such as barn rain gutters, stream bank stabilization and fencing, and manure storage were implemented on some farms to protect the creeks that flow into the Schuylkill River Watershed. Streambank fencing is one way to prevent degradation of the streambank and also prevents erosion and sedimentation. It keeps animals and their manure away from the water. High in nutrients and bacteria, manure in the water contibutes to excessive plant growth, depleting the water of dissolved oxygen as the plants die. Fish and other aquatic creatures cannot survive if dissolved oxygen levels are too low.
The Berks County Conservancy is very proud to be a part of the many accomplishments of the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) and hopes to continue the partnership in the future. |
| Where is YOUR Special Place?
Be our next pick in "E-news" to receive a free Berks County Conservancy T-Shirt. |
 In each issue of our Enews, "Conservation in Your Community," we will feature a special place in Berks. These will include projects of the Berks County Conservancy and ideas from you, our readers. Whether it is your favorite fishing hole, biking trail, farm, garden, park, or simply a quiet place to relax - we'd love to hear about it! Email your "special place" with a brief description including why it is special to you (and photo if available) to kim.lewis@berks-conservancy.org. If we feature your Special Place, we will send you a free Berks County Conservancy t-shirt.
This special place and photo was submitted by Val Bertoia. The Berks County Conservancy helped Val protect his property with a conservation easement.
"It's a great accomplishment after almost losing the whole pond and all the fish and frogs and turtles in it. (leaked underneathe.) We were able to patch it properly with stones and mud and bentonite. After the heavy rains it filled up with water and looks so beautiful now."
- Val Bertoia
Congratulations to Mike Roush, winner of our last e-news. He correctly guessed the location of our special place - the Berks Heritage Center and is receiving a Berks County Conservancy t-shirt. |
| Keep yourself warm this season with our embroidered fleece jacket. |
 This 100% Polyester Charcoal Gray Fleece Full-Zipper Jacket with pockets and green embroidery is great for hiking outdoors in cooler weather.
Purchase your fleece in our online store today for only $42.00 each! Also, check out our other Berks County items for your unique gift-giving ideas. |
On Tuesday, January 6th, over 60 people gathered for lunch at the Reading Country Club to learn more about protecting Pennsylvania's Cleanest Streams and available grants from the PA Department of Environmental Protection. 
