The 2019 Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference held on October 15 was an amazing success, with over 175 attendees from agencies, engineering firms, municipalities, private farms and businesses, and watershed associations - an increase of over 25 from 2017.
Attendees were able to choose from 16 different in-class presentations, ranging from a whole track of technical talks on MS4 Stormwater requirements to a fantastic overview of fresh-water snorkeling in creeks, and green building strategies around the world.
Ann English offered a keynote address-- Growing A Better Watershed-- on multifunctional buffers, sharing how her family has transformed their farm to incorporate marketable products in their streamside land, and shift to a whole-ecology approach to farming in York County.
An all-day multifunctional buffer track offered the chance to try various types of persimmons and paw-paws, and Jim Mackensie of Octoraro Native Plant Nursery shared his experience on the economics of restoration businesses.
Two workshops focused on nut-growing in riparian buffers, and on buffer planting and invasive control.
The Conference was held at the Lehigh University STEPS Building in Bethlehem.
The planning committee is already gathering ideas offered by conference participants to start the planning of the 2021 conference, scheduled for October 12, 2021.
For more information, visit the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley website.
(Photo: Participants in the riparian buffer planting and maintenance workshop getting ready to plant trees and pull weeds.)
[Posted: December 6, 2019] www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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