Growing Greener Funds Wetland Restoration, Education Project In Columbia County

Department of Environmental Protection Executive Deputy Secretary Ramez Ziadeh and Northcentral Regional Director Marcus Kohl Thursday toured a recently completed restoration project funded through the Growing Greener program at Camp Victory, a nonprofit camp providing services to children with special needs, in Millville, Columbia County.

“We are thrilled to have supported such an important project. It demonstrates how landscapes and aquatic resources can be managed to maximize benefit to the environment and to people,” said Ziadeh. “This is a win-win for all involved.”

The project included the restoration of a pond system and adjacent wetlands to provide increased recreational opportunities, and to improve water quality and habitat. A handicapped-accessible boardwalk was also constructed.

Prior to project construction, Camp Victory’s pond system was impacted by excessive sediment, algae, and invasive plants, making recreational use impossible.

One pond was dredged to restore recreational use, and the dredged sediment was used to reconstruct wetlands on another pond. Thermal and sediment impacts to water quality on the stream flowing through the pond and wetland system have been improved.

Camp Victory has also partnered with experts from Lycoming College and Bucknell University to study the aquatic system on their property before, during, and after project construction, and will utilize the ponds, wetlands, and boardwalk to enhance their environmental education programming.

“We are especially pleased that the $165,448 in Growing Greener grant funds were invested in a long-lasting, living laboratory where campers and their families can learn about the importance of clean water while they experience its joys,” said Kohl.

Representatives from DEP, Camp Victory, and their contractor, Natural Waterscapes, provided a tour of the site and discussed the project’s innovative techniques and beneficial outcomes.

Click Here to view photos of the restoration process.

Camp Victory partners with nonprofit organizations to offer customized camping experiences for special needs campers, including children with chronic health conditions and mental and physical disabilities, and their families.

They have served nearly 30,000 people since opening 24 years ago, and serve 1,500 people annually.

To learn more about the Growing Greener Program, visit the Keep PA Growing Greener website.