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.
Stewardship
Programs for Landowners
- Stream ReLeaf (PA Department of Environmental Protection)
- RestoreCorps (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay)
- CREP - Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
- Chesapeake Bay Streambank Fencing Program (PA Department of Environmental Protection)
- EQIP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program (Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Stream Keepers Program (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)
Invasive Plant Species
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has an excellent Invasive Exotic Plant Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers. Also see Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania.
Woody Invasive Species Control
Over time, more and more non-native, invasive species of plants are spreading throughout the nation. These invasive species have rapid growth, especially in sun lit areas, and choke out the native plant growth. This is important because plants that are native to a particular area properly nourish wildlife and form the unique habitat needed by the animal communities. When invasive plants overtake the native population, we not only see the native plants diminish but also the other communities that depend on these plants. As this process continues, regions also lose their unique aesthetic qualities. Once diverse plant communities become covered with the same invasive plants. Every home owner in Centre County can lend a hand by controlling invasive plant species on their own properties.
Many homeowners are familiar with the control spray "Roundup" to manage weeds around the house. However, a different spray is recommended for use near water such as within the riparian zone. The spray, "Rodeo", Spanish for “round up”, is also a glyphosate herbicide but does not contain the surfactant that is found in Roundup. Surfactants help sprays stick to the invasive plant and allow treatment to continue even if rain falls. The average soil surrounding weeds in the yard can easily break down the chemical spray Roundup. However, when in water, the surfactant in the spray slows down the chemical breakdown process and is no longer safe. So when it comes to treating invasive vegetation along the riparian areas, where the spray can quickly enter the stream, Rodeo is a very safe and efficient product and should be used for your riparian invasive plant species control after manual control methods are exhausted.
A few common woody invasive plants found in the area include:
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Barberry (Berberis)
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Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate)
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Privet (Ligustrum)
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Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
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Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
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Winged burning bush (Euonymus alata)
These plants can reach tall heights and should not be sprayed with the Rodeo above one’s head. The best option is to cut the stems of the invasive plant and then treat the ends of these stems with the spray. Not spraying above the head is recommended so that the Rodeo does not enter the eyes and also less spray will be used.
An extra benefit to controlling the woody invasives is the effortless control of the herbaceous invasive community. Once the woody native plants are allowed to establish along the riparian and flourish, they will shade out the growth of the herbaceous invasives.
Stream Naming
ClearWater’s Riparian Conservation Program began a stream-naming initiative to draw attention to the significance of Centre County’s small waterways and encourage citizens to identify with their surrounding environment.
During the summer of 2005, ClearWater identified three unofficially-named Spring Creek tributaries and suggested names for them:
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Mackeys
Run: a tributary to Cedar Run. - Tannery Run: a tributary to Spring Creek.
- Potter Brook: a tributary to Mackeys Run that is on the Potter Farm.
(The picture to the right is from a conservation easement celebration at the Potter Farm where Taylor Potter was surprised with the stream naming.)
The newly named "Potter Brook" originates on Nittany Mountain and runs approximately two miles southeast before conjoining with Mackeys Run just east of Linden Hall. Much of the brook flows through the Potter Farm, a 197-acre Bicentennial Farm that was recently conserved by two separate conservation easements and the installation of a 35-foot wide riparian buffer, which ClearWater was integral in establishing.
The second newly named stream flows through Boalsburg behind Kelly’s and Omega Bank and has adopted the title of "Tannery Run" in honor of the tannery that graced the stream banks in years past.
ClearWater obtained letters of support from the Centre County Planning Office, Harris Township, and Potter Township and prepared and submitted the formal paperwork to USGS. USGS approved the naming of all three streams in August 2006.
Additional Resources
For more information about how you can enhance or protect your riparian property, please contact Katie Ombalski at (814) 237-0400 or katie@clearwaterconservancy.org