Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Volunteers Contributed Over 2,200 Hours Of Restoration, Education Work In Monroe County

Streams across the Monroe County are cleaner and healthier thanks to countless volunteers with Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited.

In the past fiscal year-- from October 2017 through September 2018-- volunteers contributed more than 2200 hours of service to the mission of this national conservation organization.

With multiple conservation projects protecting, restoring, and repairing rivers, and over 20 education and outreach programs and activities to engage community in conservation that were held from Blakeslee to Delaware Water Gap and from Skytop to Saylorsburg.

“What’s good for the fish is good for the fisherman,” said Gerry Bortz, longtime member of the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited which serves Monroe County, PA.

The Brodhead Chapter is a community of people who care deeply about our local rivers and the trout and other wildlife that need clean, healthy rivers to survive and we’re willing to roll up our sleeves to ensure those rivers are in better shape for our children and grandchildren.  

Here in Monroe County, PA, projects and programs that improved rivers, engaged local communities and educated youth were broad and diverse in their location and impact. They included:

-- Restored 1000 feet of the Cherry Creek near Stroudsburg, PA

-- Monitored the physical and chemical properties of two streams in Monroe County as part of the Coldwater Conservation Corps program

-- Installed wild trout signage in Jonas, PA

-- Investigated and monitored for potential impacts from a sewage treatment plant in Snydersville, PA

-- Participated in to garbage clean-up efforts in Tannersville, PA

-- Organized a clean-up effort after a tractor trailer spilled plastic pellets (nurdles) in Tannersville, PA

-- Provided financial support for Monroe County Conservation District Programs and advocated to strengthen their environmental program

-- Provided financial and volunteer support for the Monroe County Youth Field Day

-- Partnered with the Kunkletown, PA Major Paul Syverson Veterans Sanctuary to help veterans heal and recover from the trauma of combat through therapeutic fly fishing lessons and 10 fishing trips

-- Educated more than 20 students of Pocono Mountain East School District on the importance of clean water through the PA Trout In The Classroom (TIC) Program and added a second TIC Program in the Stroudsburg School District

-- Provided a women’s only fly fishing course in Stroudsburg, PA

-- Taught fly fishing to more than 20 youth campers at the Monroe County Conservation Camp in Marshalls Creek, PA.

-- Organized and implemented a children’s fishing Program for the Pocono Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes’ Day in Stroudsburg, PA

-- Advocated to maintain the exceptional value of several streams in Monroe County including Swiftwater Creek, Tank Creek, Devils Hole, Cranberry Creek, and Tunkhannock Creek

-- Provided volunteer labor for a riparian buffer restoration on the Cherry Creek in coordination with the Monroe County Conservation District.

-- Provided a fishing opportunity for more than 80 children with a Fishing Contest held in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus in Stroudsburg, PA

-- Provided 10 public meetings on Conservation and Fishing topics in Bartonsville, PA

-- Held more than a dozen fly fishing and fly tying classes in Bartonsville, Tobyhanna,  Dingmans Ferry, and Stroudsburg, PA

Plans for Next Year

For 2018 and 2019 the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited already has a busy schedule planned.  In addition to our usual slate of conservation, educational, and youth activities the chapter is planning the following large scale projects--

-- The Chapter plans to restore 3000 additional linear feet of Cherry Creek in Stroudsburg, PA

-- The Chapter plans to restore an additional 500 linear feet of the Pocono Creek in Tannersville, PA by partnering with the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority and the Pocono Heritage Land Trust, along signage promoting catch and release fishing

-- The Chapter plans to monitor and document the impacts of previous years habitat improvements on the Cherry Creeks

-- The Chapter is looking to add an additional Trout In the Classroom program with a local school district

-- The Chapter will continue to  increase the advocacy efforts in Monroe County

-- The Chapter is going to construct and install used monofilament disposal containers along publicly accessible trout streams

-- The Chapter plans additional riparian buffer restorations on the Cherry Creek

-- The Chapter plans on improving and providing additional opportunities for veterans

While the Chapter has a busy slate we are always looking for new ideas and new partners to work with.  If you are interested in helping the chapter you are welcome to do the any of the following:

-- Join the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited

-- Volunteer at any of our outreach, education, or conservation efforts

-- Attend our banquet in March

-- Donate, we are always looking for gifts for our March banquet, and cash is always welcome

These projects and so many more were thanks to the members and volunteers of the chapter and the many of supporters who provide the time, talent and resources to make Monroe County’s rivers healthier.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming activities and how you can get involved, visit the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited website. Click Here to read recent newsletters.  Questions should be directed to Eric R. Baird, President, by calling 570-396-4677 or sending email to: brodheadchapter@gmail.com.

(Photo: Volunteers place Christmas Trees In  Cherry Creek to improve habitat, Cherry Creek after streambank restoration.)