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Events Showcase Area's Natural Wonders 

Envisioning the Susquehanna Initiative Kick-off Luncheon

Bucknell President Dr. Bravman addresses attendees during October 18 luncheon. Photo courtesy of PACD.

On Friday, October 18, PACD Director of Education, Brandi Hunter-Davenport attended the "Envisioning the Susquehanna's Future" luncheon which took place on the campus of Bucknell University in the Weis Arts Center.

Luncheon attendees included representatives from the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Chesapeake Bay Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and multiple current Bucknell faculty, students and staff as well as alumni.

"The environment and the care of it, takes all of us," said Hunter-Davenport of the event. "While each of us realizes this aspect, what was emphasized during this conversation is now is the time to take it to the next level. Now is the time that we come together and invigorate residents, helping them make the connection between their actions and our surrounding communities. This initiative can be the spark to collective thinking and actions for everyone to not only connect with the beauty of the Susquehanna River but to connect with the overall environment."

Later that evening, a day-a-half-symposium, which included research and work regarding the Susquehanna, took place on campus.

To read the full press release, visit www.susquehannagreenway.org/susquehanna-conservation-vision-launched. For more information about the program, visit www.envisionthesusquehanna.org. 

Approximately 2' x 4', these tabletop displays can be borrowed from the Ombudsman Program. Photo courtesy of Shelly Dehoff.

The PA Agricultural Ombudsman Program has several materials available for conservation district usage. All are available at no charge. A full listing of the available publications is below:

DVDs

• Trees Beside the Water
• On the Field, in the Barnyard, By the Stream

Brochures

• If you are thinking about moving to the country
• Livestock and Poultry Mortality Disposal in Pennsylvania
• Agricultural Environmental Regulations: Am I in Compliance?
• PA Agricultural Environmental Requirements: Am I in Compliance?

Barn Sheets

• The Basics of Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Requirements
• The Basics of Manure Management Requirements

Equine-focused 9" x 4" Cards

• Manure Management Plans
• Grazing and Pasture Management
• Composting Manure
• ACAs and Sacrifice Areas

Additionally, there is limited supply of the two-year "Environment of Healthy Horse" 2013-14 calendar for anyone interested in receiving a copy. The office also has two tabletop displays which can be borrowed by the districts. See photo.

Requests for information can be sent to Shelly Dehoff, with the Lancaster Conservation District, at 717-880-0848 or at shelly.dehoff@gmail.com. Requests can also be directed to Beth Futrick, with the Blair Conservation District, at 814-696-0877 x. 113 or bfutrick@blairconservationdistrict.org.

From http://www.lawrencecd.org/index_029.htm  

Photo of monofilament recycling bin from http://mrrp.myfwc.com.

The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) is a statewide effort to educate the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop - off locations, and to conduct volunteer monofilament line cleanup events.

As recreational fishing is a popular sport within Lawrence County, the district has acquired the monofilament recycling bins (pictured) for public use. Currently, there are bins located at Bessemer Lake, Rock Point, Bevington Boat Access, and Enon Valley Rod and Gun Club.  Periodically, bins are emptied either by community volunteers or district staff.

Unfortunately, some bins do become full of garbage rather than fishing line. Upon emptying the bins, the garbage is separated out from the fishing line. The fishing line, once cleaned, can then be submitted to the Lawrence County Recycling Department (located in the County Courthouse).

The recycled fishing line is then sent to Berkley Conservation Institute (BCI). BCI then recycles the used line into Berkley Fish-Hab Structures. 

Click here to read a news article on this effort. For more information about the program itself, please visit the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling program webpage, http://mrrp.myfwc.com.

Now is the perfect time to grab your camera and enter your digital photos into the 4th Annual Treasured Towns & Landscapes of the Susquehanna Greenway photo contest. The categories include Landscapes, River Towns, People & the River and Youth Category. Cash prizes are given in each category. The entry deadline is Feb. 1, 2014. Click here for more information. 

Established in 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) B-WET Chesapeake Bay Program provides hands-on watershed education to students and teachers to foster stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for the program varies and eligible applicants are k-12th public and independent schools/systems, state and local government agencies, community-based and nonprofit organizations and interstate agencies. For more information about the program and funding, contact B-WET Program Coordinator, Kevin Schabow. Or visit http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/bwet.