Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor

ClearWater Conservancy is working with the community to complete a critical conservation project. A pocket of ecological treasures, the Scotia Barrens is an exceptional ecosystem of rare natural community types. Many of the wildlife species which call the Scotia Barrens home would disappear from the region if the barrens habitat were lost. Because of its close proximity to the growing community of State College, residential development threatens to consume large pockets of this rare habitat and isolate it from other nearby nature areas. To balance this growth and to maintain our community’s sense of place, ClearWater Conservancy has initiated the Scotia Barrens Conservation Project to prevent isolation of Scotia Barrens from encroaching development, to increase the size of protected barrens habitat, and to educate the community about this valuable resource.

As part of the larger Scotia Barrens Conservation Project, we are working to maintain natural connections between Scotia Barrens and Tussey and Bald Eagle Mountains. Significant development pressure from the north imminently threatens to isolate the Barrens from the large forested tracts of Bald Eagle Mountain, itself an important natural resource. Even though there appears to be open space remaining as one makes the drive from Route 322 west along Route 550 towards Stormstown, the fact is that future developments are on the books for all but a sliver between Scotia Barrens and the ridge.

Ecological isolation of Scotia Barrens threatens viable populations of wildlife, including many neotropical bird species. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Audubon Pennsylvania, and Partners-in-Flight, connections between Scotia Barrens and Bald Eagle Mountain must be maintained to allow wildlife populations to flourish within Scotia Barrens.

Time is of the essence. There remains only one potential wildlife corridor connecting Scotia Barrens with Bald Eagle Mountain. ClearWater recognized this opportunity and has been working diligently over the past several years to proactively lay the foundations for land acquisitions to ensure that this wildlife corridor is maintained and protected. ClearWater Conservancy now has the opportunity to protect 106 acres of this last wildlife corridor through a combination of land purchase and the Halfmoon Township Open Space Preservation Program (lease of development rights). Protection of this 106-acre property is key to protecting two additional adjacent properties.

Earlier this year, ClearWater Conservancy applied for and received $367,000 in matching funds from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. More recently, in June, Halfmoon Township amended its Open Space Preservation Program, allowing the Township to contribute up to an additional $200,000 to the project. This leaves $170,000 for ClearWater to raise to get this project done.

We are three quarters of the way to our goal. Now, we need your help. Please make a pledge today.

 "Operation Conservation" Contribution Pledge Form

We need you to commit to protecting Scotia Barrens and keeping this last potential wildlife corridor open for the free flow of wildlife to maintain healthy populations within Scotia Barrens.

For more information about how you can contribute financially to make this acquisition happen, please contact Bill Hilshey at (814) 237-0400 or bill@clearwaterconservancy.org.