Cherry Valley Watershed Story Featured In New WVIA Documentary

Friends of the Cherry Valley Watershed are proud to announce the premier of "Our Uncommon Valley," a new documentary produced by WVIA public television in Wilkes-Barre on October 25 at the Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Cherry Valley and Monroe County in general, are recognized for a superior level of biologic quality by the county itself, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nature Conservancy. In a preliminary evaluation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified Monroe County as an area of “high biodiversity within the Middle Atlantic Region of the United States.”
The documentary, produced locally in collaboration with WVIA Public Media and River Conservation Specialist and Cherry Valley landowner, Gary Bloss, highlights the watershed’s unique resources, associated issues, and critical preservation and conservation actions required to achieve sustainability within the Cherry Valley.
The Friends of Cherry Valley supported the creation of this project to advance stewardship efforts of the Cherry Valley and the local Cherry Valley Watershed. The film production also includes development of a companion “study guide” to assist in educational outreach efforts.
“Our Uncommon Valley” focuses on watershed-specific opportunities and issues outlined in four resource categories as identified in the Cherry Creek Watershed Conservation Action Plan; land, water, biological, and cultural.
The film focuses on four specific objectives spelled out in the action plan:
-- Preserve, protect and manage the watershed’s unique resources;
-- Maintain and/or improve water quantity/quality throughout the watershed;
-- Create a network of greenways/conservation corridors and greenways with trails that provide linkages for wildlife and recreational opportunities to enjoy nature and scenery; and
-- Promote and support stewardship efforts
“We consider this project to be an important and powerful opportunity to increase citizen awareness of what a watershed is, and provide a clear understanding of the threats that effect the health of our watershed," said Anne Fetherman, Board Member of FOCV. "We must be made aware of what our role is in maintaining the health and well-being of our pristine environment.”
Gary Bloss commented, “It is our hope that this project will demonstrate that through thoughtful citizen and municipal action the future legacy of the Cherry Valley will continue to be respected as a landscape rich in nature, scenery and history, and indicative of a community that cares about its pastoral qualities.”
Cherry Creek meanders through woodlands and pastures, carving a path through a rural landscape before emptying into the Delaware River. Along the way, the creek hugs the Kittatiny Ridge, which represents a globally important flyway for birds of prey, including bald eagles and broad-wing hawks.
During autumn, visitors hike the Appalachian Trail to Wolf Rocks or another scenic vista to witness the raptors and numerous neo-tropical migratory birds during their annual migration.
The screening will begin at 2:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Gary Bloss at 570-807-8915 or send email to: bloss@ptd.net