Riparian Conservation Program
ClearWater Conservancy’s Riparian Conservation Program aims to promote conservation and restoration of riparian resources in central Pennsylvania. Our Riparian Conservation Program brochure explains the importance of riparian buffers to our local streams and wetlands and outlines conservation options for riparian landowners.
The goal of ClearWater's Riparian Conservation Program is to improve stream quality in the Spring Creek watershed through the program’s four areas of focus: stream assessment, stewardship, restoration, and protection.
Restoration Projects
Potter Brook Restoration Project at the Potter Farm
Restoration activities at the Potter Farm, including stream bank fencing, invasive species removal, and buffer planting, were completed in fall 2005. ClearWater staff coordinated this effort with the PA Department of Environmental Protection's fencing program, the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
USFWS assisted in site preparation for the CREP planting by removing invasive shrub species during fall 2004 and spring 2005. Now that all fencing and CREP planting activities are complete, Clearwater staff will continue to work with USFWS to create habitat improvement structures.
ClearWater staff and Kathy Gipe of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission conducted an amphibian survey at the Potter Farm on April 7, 2005.
ClearWater volunteers coordinated a meeting at the farm in June 2006 with Dave Jackson from the Penn State Cooperative Extension to discuss invasive plant management on the farm. In addition, Frank Rohrer from Chesapeake Bay Foundation made recommendations for invasive plant species control and provided the Potters with this information.
Read our Stories of Land, Water, & People... Preserving Potter Farm
Read the PA Land Trust Association's "In Their Own Words"... A Gift to the Community by Taylor Potter
For more information about how you can enhance or protect your riparian property or to volunteer for the Riparian Restoration Crew, please contact Katie Ombalski at (814) 237-0400 or katie@clearwaterconservancy.org.