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SCRIP Newsletter
SCRIP meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested in our organization or its work is encouraged to attend. Minutes and notices of meetings and other matters pertinent to SCRIP members also are available at no cost to anyone who wants them and can receive them via e-mail. If you would like placed
on the e-mail list to receive SCRIP minutes and other notices, send a request
to SCRIP secretary Joe Gorden at joegorden@aol.com.
And if you are already on the list, don't forget to let us know if your
e-mail address changes.
September 2006 Board Members
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Quemahoning Classic Fishing
Len Lichvar
The first annual Quemahoning
Classic Fishing Tournament, on the Quemahoning Reservoir, sponsored by
SCRIP was a resounding success. The event drew 66 anglers in 29 boats for
the half day event on July 8, 2006. Fish caught included largemouth and
smallmouth, bass, walleye, and northern pike.
Winners in both youth and
adult divisions, were determined in each species category by total cumulative
inches of fish caught. An overall winner was also determined on total number
of all species caught. Over $1, 500.00 of prizes were awarded to
the winners and raffled off to the competitors. Each angler received an
event T-shirt and after tournament meal. The tournament was conducted
as a catch and release event that mandated the use of volunteer judges
on the water in order to document the fish prior to their release. The
methods of tabulation were unique and the Quemahoning Classic was unlike
any other fishing tournament.
Because of this unique format
the tournament was a success because of the efforts put in by the SCRIP
Tournament Committee and the many volunteers from SCRIP and its many partners.
Without their contributions of effort and time the event could not have
occurred.
The tournament was held at Summers Best Two Weeks boat launch location in order not to interfere with the normal public recreational use of the reservoir.
Tournament sponsors included Westsylvania Heritage Corporation, Somerset Conservation District, Cambria County Conservation District, Somerset County Conservancy, Summer’s Best Two Weeks, Cambria Somerset Authority, Jenner Rod and Gun Club, Gander Mountain, Mountain Laurel Chapter Trout Unlimited, Somerset County Sportsmen’s League, Somerset Daily American and American Eagle Screen Printing.
All of the sponsor funding was put back into the tournament for prizes, t-shirts, after tournament meal and other tournament expenses. The event was held to showcase the recreational opportunities available at the Quemahoning Reservoir and to demonstrate how the Quemahoning Creek watershed has recovered from historic abandoned mine drainage (AMD) pollution and is now a destination point for fishing and other recreational pursuits.
Bruce Seeno |
Jake Tuck |
Tim Ross |
Woody Marker |
The Quemahoning Classic Winners
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Riverfest
Dave Sewak
SCRIP’s Funraiser under the moniker of “Riverfest” was held on August 19th, 2006 in downtown Johnstown. This has been the 6th year of the Funraiser that SCRIP has held. From its days of camp stoves and pot luck dinners, to electro-shocking, a charity run, bands and the Anything That Floats Regatta, this event is a great educational tool for the region’s residents to learn about our rivers. SCRIP has found a formula to have fun and to educate at the same time. Holding it in downtown Johnstown allowed people to physically see the stark differences between the Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh rivers.
The crowd fluctuated in attendance with a high of about 100 people on the grounds for the electro-shocking (brown trout, short nose dace, black nose dace and suckers were found…not bad for August). Curious visitors ebbed and flowed throughout the day with total attendance estimated at about 300 + people. SCRIP and Westsylvania also presented a conservation award to Congressman John Murtha for his efforts and assistance in conserving or regions natural and cultural resources. There was also a water release from the Quemahoning Reservoir (Thanks CSA!) with 8 boats participating in the “Anything That Floats Regatta”, though understanding this dynamic of hydrology moved the start time back a few hours, water releases and their estimated time of arrival at the desired location are a work in progress. Both of the nature hikes were attended by approximately 2 dozen people.
Partners such as the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Foundation, Forever Broadcasting and the band “Strays” have all expressed interest in joining again next year. Riverfest was a success and next years Funraiser will again educate people about their rivers, although where it will be held has not yet been determined.
Upper Dark Shade Creek
is Improving
Larry Hutchinson
Large and small projects have improved the qualityof water in Coal Run or upper Dark Shade near Central City.
PBS Coals Inc., over the last 2 years, have removed coal from an old deep mine near Gahagan and eliminated an old acid mine discharge that was polluting Coal Run. This project has improved the water quality to upper Dark Shade Creek. PBS Coals have helped with other smaller projects and has been supportive of Shade Creek Watershed Association’s goal of restoring the local streams to a viable cold water fishery.
The Bureau of Abandoned Mines and Reclamation have recently completed redoing an old passive treatment system up stream from Gahagan. This system treats an old underground mine that has added acid water, iron and aluminum to Coal Run for years.
Local volunteers have donated their time and equipment to improve the qualityof water to a tributary of Dark Shade, Shingle Run. This spring, volunteers of the Shade Creek Watershed Association, moved approximately 25 tons of limestone into Shingle Run resulting in a jump of ph from 4.8 (acidic) to 6.8 (capable of sustaining fish population). These same volunteers are looking to lime dose another tributary, Snooden Run, this fall before hunting season. If you are interested in donating time and/or equipment, contact Larry Hutchinson at SWCA office, 814-754-5953.
The latest project is building treatment ponds to treat water of the fourth largest mine discharge in Shade Creek’s watershed. SCWA received a grant of $290,000 from Growing Greener PA and Office of Surface Mines to build a treatment system that can treat up to 100 gallons a minute of acid water coming out of the old Reitz #1 Mine. This system should be completed by the beginning of October 2006. SCWA is looking for volunteers to help in landscaping and fall planting. If you would be interested in helping, contact the SCWA office.
Rosie’s Influence
Kristin Sewak
In loving memory of
Rosella Boring, 1919 – 2006
Influence – power; pressure; control-all the primary connotations of the word. Although she demonstrated personal power at arduous times throughout life, Rosie’s influence on me was not power, but rather the effect she had on me, the inspiration that she was to me. Not consciously known until recent years, during her decline, my Grandmother Rosie affected me in such a strong way that she played a major role in the career and lifestyle paths that I chose.
In our early years, my sister and I would spend hours at Rosie’s place along Route 22, on Chickaree Mountain, the eastern slope of the Laurel Ridge. We would make mud pies and cautiously cross 22 to sell them to our Aunt Fran. We would sit for hours on Rosie’s swing, listening to her singing silly songs and play the harmonica. Picking apples from the orchard was a favorite activity, as was going to the pond to feed the fish and riding on Rosie’s lap while she was mowing the fields. Can you tell I could go on..and on..an on here?
What I did not realize until I lived in her house when Dave and I had our first child, Aedan, is that during all that fun at “the farm”, Rosie was willfully aware that the 52 acres she, my Grandfather, and my Uncle bought in 1962 was worth so much more than monetary value it held. To her it was about the time spent with family and friends.
I had heard the grown-ups talking about the people wanting to strip mine Chickaree and other parts of Rager Mountain. I also heard about the “Save Rager Mountain” campaign in which my Grandmother and Uncle were active. At the time I thought, “What a horrendous notion-strip mining-taking from only the top and destroying everything in the process. They are just doing the normal that anyone would do in such a circumstance.”
I did not consider that my Grandmother lived on a fixed budget, provided by the Social Security of my Grandfather, Walter, who I never knew, for he worked in the steel mills in Franklin Borough until he succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 52. She struggled, but she had worked as the Jackson Township tax collector- what a dreaded job, in my view- having to take people’s money and get paid meagerly to do so. Speaking of taxes, a lot of taxes need to be paid on 40 acres with a house. I did not consider how easy it would have been for her to try and sell out, or to simply do nothing.
I did not realize how precious the farm really was until the pond and well filled with AMD from a deep mine and we had to get a new filter every week so we could bathe Aedan in clean water. I didn’t realize- until I drove by the farm later, and did not recognize it because the house, the barn and the apple trees were gone, all in the name of progress. At least people will be able to get to Pittsburgh 10 minutes faster now.
I’m just glad she didn’t
have to see any of it while she was here. But I hope that she and
others who preceded us can see the great work that’s being done in Johnstown
on behalf of the rivers, the land, and our ancestors, through the dedication
of people in organizations like SCRIP. I owe Rosie a debt of gratitude,
for she inspired me to become a part of these efforts.
Board Members
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New and Renewing SCRIP Members since June 2006: Bradford Clemenson, Robert Ritchey, Rose Howarth, Richard Hambright, Marty & Ann Torledsky
The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited has requested and received a "Trout in the Classroom" grant from the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission provided the funding for the project to the Council. MLTU has matched the grant with a $500.00 cash contribution.
The environmental education program will enable middle school students to raise trout from the fry to fingerling stage from January to May. By so doing they will learn about the biology of and habitat required for trout to live and survive. The project will be centered at the North Star East Middle School with science instructor Eva Strang overseeing the project in the classroom. Missy Reckner, Manager of the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team, has been assisting MLTU in the coordination of the project and Westsylvania Heritage Corporation and the Somerset Conservation District will also provide technical and other support to further enhance the students' knowledge of trout and their environment.
In May the students will
release the fingerling trout into the Stonycreek River adjacent to the
middle school in Kantner signaling the end of the education process and
the beginning of a new life in a more natural environment for the trout.
Events in the Shade Creek
Watershed
Larry Hutchinson
Dr Kaktins, professor at UPJ, brought 15 students to see and learn more about the Laurel Run/ Reitz #1 Passive Treatment System late October. Lisa Rountree, instructor at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, also invited her class to attend a tour of the LR/R#1PTS. SCWA is proud to have students learn about what we have here in this watershed.
Shade Creek Watershed Association co-sponsored the Watershed Summit with the Somerset Conservation District on November 8, 2006. The event was well attended with over 50 people representing watershed groups, Conservation groups, DEP representatives, high school students, teachers, and local people interested in their own back yard. A tour of the Reitz#1 Passive Treatment System was followed by a demonstration of the Allegany Ozone folks demonstrating their developed technology of manganese removal at the worst mine discharge in the Shade Creek Watershed, Reitz#4. President Larry Hutchinson and Eric Robertson P.E. presented a slide show of the newly completed Laurel Run Passive Treatment System. Food was provided and many shared what was going on with other groups and organizations in the region after the meal.
SCWA also received $15,000 from Growing Greener for limedosing on tribs of Dark Shade. The project is planned to begin in the early spring of 2007.
Dark Shade Brownfields Project, headed by Lori Waylonis, continues to assess old mine problems in the Dark Shade Watershed and find partners in addressing these problems to support SCWA in it’s mission.
*****Congress passes monumental AML bill*****
For more information, check
out Andy McAllister’s Abandoned Mine Posts, the Western Pennsylvania Coalition
for Abandoned Mine Reclamation newsletter at the
following link. http://amp.wpcamr.org
SCRIP meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested in our organization or its work is encouraged to attend. Minutes and notices of meetings and other matters pertinent to SCRIP members also are available at no cost to anyone who wants them and can receive them via e-mail.
If you would like to be placed
on the e-mail list to receive SCRIP minutes and other notices, send a request
to SCRIP secretary Joe Gorden at joegorden@aol.com. And if you already
are on the list, don't forget to let us know if your e-mail address changes.
June 2007
Board Members
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| Drew Banas | Joe Gorden | Rob Donlan | David Fink | Andrea Graham | Brad Goldblatt |
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Matt Shawley | Thurman Korns | Scott McGough | |
| Larry Hutchinson | Dennis Beck Family | Rick & Vickey Blasic | Missy & Matt Reckner | Rob & Cindy McCombie | |
| Edward & Laura Englehart | Mark & Lauren Lazzari | John Hamm Family | Winton & Winifred Papineau | James & Christine Erb | |
| Laurel Run Rod & Gun Club | Traditional Anglers of PA | Cambria County Conservation District | Somerset Trust Company | Musser Engineering, Inc | |
| Hooversville Borough | Three Rivers Paddling Club | Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Inc | Lisa Rountree & Jack Beuthin | Somerset County Sportsman’s Club | John P. Vatavuk |
The 2nd Annual Quemahoning Classic Fishing Tournament will take place on Saturday June 30 beginning at 7:00 AM at the Public Recreation Area and boat launch at the Quemahoning Reservoir. Prizes will be awarded to the fisherman who catches the most inches of fish in each fish category that includes largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, carp, walleye, pike and muskelunge. Participants must use artificial lures and all fish must be released. Also the overall winner will be determined by the angler who catches the most species with the most total inches being the tie breaker. The overall winner will receive the Cameron Rozier Memorial Most Accomplished Angler Award presented by SCRIP and the Greater Johnstown Watershed Association.
To register or to inquire about sponsorships call 814-532-5049. There is a limit of only 49 boats and all participants must be preregistered. Volunteer for judges that can canoe or kayak are also needed. In addition sponsorships are available for businesses or individuals. Sponsorships cover the costs of the tournament and this year the tournament will also be a fund raiser for SCRIP so this is an excellent opportunity to support SCRIP and its projects.
Resource Recovery an ongoing
effort
Bob Ritchey
A business plan to extract metals and other marketable by-products from liquid and solid industrial wastes has been developed by the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy. This business plan has been structured to entice new entrepreneurs to establish a new company or existing companies to expand there operations to achieve this goal. This plan is designed to improve the environment, create new jobs, enhance quality of life, and improve the esthetics of communities throughout Pennsylvania. Cambria and Somerset Counties are blessed /cursed with numerous liquid and solid waste sites that contain a variety of metals and other bi-products which may be extracted and marketed for profit. These areas also have a large industrial workforce. If anyone is interested or knows someone that is interested in starting a business to extract these marketable materials please contact the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy at 814-623-7900 extension 5.
Stonycreek Reassessment
Underway
Amanda Deal
The Somerset Conservation District, in cooperation with various other organizations and thanks to a grant from the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program, is conducting a reassessment of the Stonycreek River Watershed. The reassessment will include water chemistry parameters, macroinvertebrate sampling, physical habitat assessment and fish surveys. Macroinvertebrate sampling, water chemistry and physical habitat assessments began on May 3, 2007 and will conclude by the end of May. Fish sampling will take place in July and August.
Initial results suggest nitrate spikes between Yonai Bridge and Baltzer Bridge and also between the mouth of Wells Creek to below where Beaverdam Run enters the Stonycreek River. Hoffman Run and the Stonycreek headwaters also show high levels of nitrates. Phosphates have been low (<1ppm) and sulfates have been high (>100ppm) at nearly all sites sampled to date. Habitat quality has ranged greatly with the best physical habitat scores located around the mouth of Wells Creek and the lowest habitat scores occurring in the headwaters.
Macroinvertebrate data have also suggested number of trends. The headwaters have primarily revealed tolerant taxa that are typically indicative of organic loading. The middle reaches have shown the most diversity and the greatest number of sensitive or intolerant taxa. Diversity is lost below Kantner and more tolerant taxa are once again dominant. Throughout all samples extremely few multi-year nymphs, such as golden stoneflies, burrowing mayflies and sensitive odonates, have been collected. Absence of older age classes of these taxa may suggest that water quality has been poor in the past few years and has prevented multi-year individuals from surviving; or episodes of poor quality water may still occur, wiping out these taxa before they can develop.
Results from the reassessment will be published as a full report and will be used to identify areas in need of AMD or non-point source pollution abatement projects. Project implementation has slowed in the past few years due to data gaps and funding uncertainties. However, the recent reauthorization of the federal AML fund will invigorate funding opportunities and this project will allow the proper identification and justification of additional projects.
Trout Where?
In the Classroom and
into the River!
Melissa Reckner
I think we would all agree that, normally, trout are found in our streams and rivers, and for a few lucky anglers, in their frying pans! So what are they doing in a classroom?
Now, don’t grab your fishing rod just yet! These trout are only 3-4 inches long. Considering they looked like guppies when we started this project in January, their growth has been remarkable! Unfortunately, there is no way to track our trout, but we’re optimistic they will live a long life in the Stonycreek River and wish them safe waters.
Nearly 100 sixth graders, a few eighth graders, and even the secretaries at North Star, participated in this project.
Trout
fry have been the focus of an exciting, new project that is sure to catch
on across the state. (Yes, pun intended.) “Trout in the Classroom”
is a unique learning experience that has been conducted in other states
with much success and has been brought to Pennsylvania courtesy the Pennsylvania
Council of Trout Unlimited. They received a Sporting and Aquatic
Resource Education Grant from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
to implement just six “Trout in the Classroom” projects across Pennsylvania!
Due to limited funding, a local chapter of Trout Unlimited needed to provide
the required $500.00 cash match, which the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout
Unlimited (MLTU) graciously supplied.
Due to her enthusiasm, dedication, and utilization of the Stonycreek River as an outdoor classroom, it was decided to start this project in Ms. Eva Strang’s classroom at North Star East Middle School in Kanter.
For nearly five months, students took care of 102 Brook and Brown Trout fry. During this time, students monitored the water quality of the aquarium, exchanged a portion of the water daily with water directly from the Stonycreek River, observed the fish, maintained journals, studied water quality, macro-invertebrates, fish anatomy, and habitat, engaged in community educational events, created related educational games, and garnered an appreciation of our water resources while fostering a healthy watershed ethic. We were told if 20-40 fish survive in the classroom, the project would be deemed a success. On May 22nd, we released 43 trout into the Stonycreek River!
What a Spring!
Kristin Sewak
Most likely, the following description of a “typical” spring season for a conservation group in southwestern Pennsylvania will reverberate with you. It is the nature of the work that requires so much of us in the spring. School field trips are organized…for us, this was Outdoor Heritage, where we educated 1000 students in 2 days about conservation, with your help, of course. At this time of year, litter clean-up is sorely needed after a season or more without it. Spring is also the best window of time to plant, and - plant, we did – Park of 1889 in St. Michael, Leidy Park in Jackson Township, and during the first ever “Downtown Proud” volunteer day in Johnstown. I know many of you can reflect on your spring as we do, and think, “Wow, how did we do all of that?”
But, as the story goes every year, we look ahead, saying to ourselves, “OK – now if we can just make it through May, we’ll have a bit of a breather.” And every year, we don’t get much of one. Summer is field assessment season, a time to control invasive plants, and hopefully a time for vacation, when we can enjoy nature – after all, why should we work to conserve it, unless we set aside time to experience it!
Here are the public educational
workshops and invasive plant control work days that Natural Biodiversity
has happening for the remainder of the summer, so if you’re not on vacation
during one of these times, come and join us! For more information,
visit our website, www.naturalbiodiversity.org or contact us @ 814-532-5049.
We welcome your participation in any of these events.
JUNE June 12th
Invasive Plants, Cold Water Resources, and Solutions
7pm Trout Unlimited
Meeting
Gander Mountain,
Johnstown
June 13th Weed Control
and Wildlife Habitat Workshop
8:30am – 3pm Huntingdon
June 14th Weed Watcher
Volunteer Pot Luck Gathering
6:30pm Saltsburg
June 16th Stackhouse
Park Weed Whacking
9am – 12pm Johnstown
June 30th Weed
Whacking Volunteer Day
Lower Trail,
Water Street
June 20th Weed Control
and Wildlife Habitat Workshop
8:30am – 3pm Bedford
June 26th Weed Control
and Wildlife Habitat Workshop
8:30am – 3pm Somerset
June 28th Weed
Control and Wildlife Habitat Workshop
8:30am – 3pm Ebensburg
JULY July 7th
Weed Whacking Volunteer Day
Canal Basin
Park, Hollidaysburg
July 21st Stackhouse
Park Weed Whacking
9am – 12pm Johnstown
Various Other Weed Whacking
Projects:
1. Greenhouse Park, Johnstown
– date in July TBD
2. Jim Mayer Trail, Johnstown
- date in July TBD
3. Riverfront Park, Hyde
Park, Westmoreland County – date in July TBD
Stay tuned for more details!
Thank you for your partnership and for all of the good work that you do throughout the spring and the rest of the year to benefit our beautiful western PA natural world!
New and Renewing Members
since Sept 2007: Richard Hambright, Dave Mankamyer, Joel & Linda Pontorero,
William Towns
Thoughts on Piney,
Clear Shade, Cub Run, and Windmills
By Dave Sewak
This is just one man’s opinion; it may or may not reflect our board’s attitudes. I grew up fishing the southfork of benscreek, Clear shade, and piney. When Lyon mining blew out on benscreek, many memories of my childhood were coated in orange and yellow. Now we have industrial windmills to be placed smack dab in the center of one of last remaining tracts of forest we have in the SCRIP area.
Gamesa is just doing what
business does, try to make money. They profess to be stewards of the land;
they may or may not be that. It is way too early to judge their track
record in my opinion. But as citizens we are to be protected by agencies
of the Commonwealth. In my opinion this is where the real threat
to our streams lies, or is that lays?
There are nefarious regulations
for Exceptional Value streams and high value streams, and this issue does
not just pertain to this project. Our ridge tops, all of them will
be under incredible pressure as our insatiable demand for energy continues.
New strip mines, windmills, high power transmission lines and lord only
knows what else will continue to apply pressure to these areas. We
have far too few precious forest tracts and good streams left.
When Gamesa came to our board meeting I felt there was sincere passion for their company’s work. But there was a comment made that still sits awkward in my craw “We’ll improve the streams.” I have heard this before, on Benscreek, Higgins run…..etc. Who says it needs improved? I have hunted, fished and hiked in the area; I’m not sure what can be improved on. All the data, discussion aside, I simply leave you with a quote, from someone much better at explaining things than I am:
“A thing is right when it
tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community.
It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”-Aldo Leopold
Announcing Outdoor
Heritage: Constructing a Greener Earth in the Alleghenies: April
2008
By Kristin Sewak
Attention all educators, parents and community leaders – Announcing…Outdoor Heritage 2008, with the theme “Constructing a Greener Earth in the Alleghenies.” As our children are spending an increasing amount of time with their cell phones, MP3 players, televisions, computers, and video games, never has there been a more fitting, even urgent, time to educate, inspire and empower our youth to become reconnected to the natural world around them. Outdoor Heritage 2008 is designed not only to combat kids’ tendency to spend more time indoors and less time exploring nature, but also to reverse the negative impacts this trend can have on our youth and on our Earth.
Studies show that unstructured play in the outdoors benefits kids through exercise of the physical body and mental spirit. When kids explore the great outdoors, they run, hike, and chase one another, getting plenty of heart-pounding exercise, which helps to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. They also use their imaginations, learn about ecology, discover the interconnectedness of life, and develop a deep conservation ethic. Yes, they sometimes terrorize the poor animals in their paths, and even carry around that poor toad who would cry, “Put me down, you’re swashing me!” if only he could. But they learn to appreciate wildlife, rivers, wetlands, and forests. They grow up able to hear, see, and value wildlife, therefore striving to conserve animals and their habitats. Outdoor Heritage 2008 will not only get kids outdoors, but will also focus on teaching them about the rich natural heritage of the Allegheny Mountains, instilling a conservation ethic in our youth that can be shared with their families and communities.
April is Outdoor Heritage
Month, and will feature a multitude of community initiatives, ranging from
family Earth Day events to service-oriented National Wildlife Week habitat
plantings. Many area partners will be involved, including conservation
districts, public officials, watershed associations, and more. Outdoor
Heritage, the hands-on education event for area schools, with a focus on
grades 3 - 9, will take place April 24 and 25 at Summer’s Best Two Weeks,
Quemahoning Lake, Somerset County. Through this event, students,
educators and schools will become empowered to utilize the sciences and
other disciplines to explore developing solutions to some of the most pressing
environmental challenges of the day. Some of the topics to be discovered
at this year’s event include:
We are looking for involvement
from you! Schools: Consider providing your students and educators
with a memorable experience by attending Outdoor Heritage at the Que!
Sign up early as space is limited. In-class presentations and activities
are also being offered on a first come, first served basis. Conservation
organizations and environmental professionals: Provide a hands-on exhibit
at the education event, passing your knowledge and enthusiasm to the next
generation! Businesses of all types: Donate to Outdoor Heritage!
Anyone interested: Go to www.naturalbiodiversity.org/oh for more information
on how you can help to construct a greener Earth in the Alleghenies.
Said of Outdoor Heritage
2007 by Governor Ed Rendell: “By taking the time to teach young people
in your area about the importance of caring for our environment, you are
setting a fine example that will have a lasting legacy.”
Outdoor Heritage 2008 is
presented by two area non-profit conservation programs: the Kiski-Conemaugh
Stream Team, whose mission is to educate and engage citizen stewards in
maintaining, enhancing and restoring the natural resources of the Kiski-Conemaugh
River Basin; and by Natural Biodiversity, dedicated to restoring nature’s
diversity in Pennsylvania’s Alleghenies. Local volunteer support
is provided by the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps.
Trout in the Classroom
Take 2
By Melissa Reckner
I am very happy to report that for the second consecutive year, the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited has received a grant award to initiate a “Trout in the Classroom” project at Berlin-Brothersvalley High School.
Recall, last year, MLTU was one of six organizations across the state to implement Trout in the Classroom in Pennsylvania schools and did so at North Star East Elementary. Students raised brook and brown trout fingerlings from fry stage and, at the end of the school year, released the survivors into the Stonycreek River.
Trout in the Classroom is continuing at North Star, but as a new twist, students at both schools are raising trout from eggs provided by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Students are very excited about these projects as they are responsible for daily care and maintenance of the fish and aquarium system. Throughout the year, they will learn about the life stages of trout, macroinvertebrates, fish habitat, water quality and watershed issues, and much, much more!
Special thanks goes to MLTU
for pursuing and providing funds for these projects; New Baltimore Sportsmen’s
Club for providing matching funds to implement this project at Berlin-Brothersvalley
School; Jenner Rod and Gun Club for providing funds to purchase a new chiller
for the North Star system; Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team for coordinating
these projects and providing technical assistance; PA Council of Trout
Unlimited, which received a Sporting and Aquatic Resource Education Grant
from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and the PA Fish and Boat
Commission.
Why join the Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP)?
Since 1985, SCRIP has been the catalyst in supporting watershed groups and conservancies as they work together to clean-up the Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh Rivers and their tributaries. SCRIP is a non-profit, all volunteer organization, totally dedicated to clean water. Our only income comes from donations and our memberships. Please consider joining SCRIP or making a donation to SCRIP. Your contribution goes directly towards watershed restoration and education projects.
SCRIP meetings are open to
the public, and anyone interested in our organization or its work is encouraged
to attend. Minutes and notices of meetings and other matters pertinent
to SCRIP members also are available at no cost to anyone who wants them
and can receive them via e-mail.
If you would like to be
placed on the e-mail list to receive SCRIP minutes and other notices, send
a request to SCRIP secretary Joe Gorden at joegorden@aol.com. And if you
already are on the list, don't forget to let us know if your e-mail address
changes.