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Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory
Inventory ProcessThe Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory was initially completed in 1991. The 1991 report provided information to identify, map, and describe Centre County’s most significant natural places through investigation of plant and animal species and natural communities that are unique or uncommon in the county. Areas important for wildlife habitat and scientific study were also included. The 2002 update adapts and augments Linn Stack’s work in the original report to provide current information regarding the condition of the resources identified in the earlier study and incorporate new information that has become available about Centre County’s natural resources. New sites have been added, the boundaries of some previously mapped sites have been edited, and one site was removed. The format has been substantially revised from the original.
The inventory, while not bestowing protection to any of the areas listed, acts as a tool for informed and responsible decision-making. Public and private organizations may use the inventory to guide land acquisition and conservation decisions as local municipalities and the County may use it to help with comprehensive planning, zoning, and the development review process. Developers, utility companies, and government agencies all may benefit from access to this environmental information prior to the creation of detailed development plans.
Using tested and proven methodology, the inventory operates as a report on the current status of information regarding Centre County’s natural heritage. As this update has incorporated new information and added sites since the original edition in 1991, further investigations could also uncover new information about significant natural features or sites worthy of Natural Heritage Area designation. Additionally, in-depth investigations of sites listed in this report could reveal features of further or greater significance than those documented previously.
Anyone wishing to visit inventory sites other than those on public lands should obtain permission from the property owner(s) prior to visitation. PartnersThe Western Pennsylvania Conservancy served as the principal investigator for the study and prepared the report and maps as the products of the study. Questions concerning sites or updates to the inventory should be addressed to Jessica McPherson, Ecologist, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 209 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or phoned to (412) 288-2777.
The Centre County Planning Office administered this study.
This project was funded through grants supplied by the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Office of Wild Resource Conservation, and the Walker Fund of the Centre County Community Foundation.
Many organizations, citizens, and landowners of the county and surrounding areas also volunteered information, time, and effort to the inventory and granted permission to access land.
ClearWater Conservancy and its volunteer Stewardship and Resources Committee were pleased to join these others in helping to ensure the success of study. The Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory is an important document used by ClearWater to prioritize future conservation objectives within our Land Protection Program. Accessing the Natural Heritage InventoryRequests for copies of the Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory can be addressed to the Centre County Planning Office, Willowbank Office Building, 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488. The Centre County NHI can also be downloaded in .pdf format from the Centre County Planning Office web site!
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