PA Environment Digest Blog: Volunteers, Landowners & Staff Of Lebanon Valley Conservancy Highlight 2020 Accomplishments & Goals

The Lebanon Valley Conservancy provided a year-end update on just some of its 2020 accomplishments and initiatives and a peak at 2021.

Project Highlights. 2021 Goals

-- Urban Initiatives: The Conservancy supports a vial downtown and thriving urban area that enhances the lives of the people of Lebanon. As surrounding forest and agricultural land is protected, support in the City will also play an important role in successful land use. Below are some of the projects the Conservancy is working on--

-- Liberty Trail Park: This November the Conservancy held a second stakeholder meeting, formed a design committee and began design/construction documents needed for the park. Thanks to Lebanon County for a Marcellus shale grant and Penn State REACH for their grant support.

-- Turf To Meadow Transitions: Following the first transition along Veterans Memorial Walkway, there are two more sites in Downtown Lebanon for a turf to meadow transition. This contributes to the ecology Downtown, incorporates native plants in the landscape, improves air quality and beautifies the City.

-- Urban Native Gardens: Two locations in Lebanon have been chosen for a new native garden. These gardens will replace non-native plants with local native plants, mitigate stormwater and start a broader conversation about rain gardens and native plants in the City.

-- Environmental Actions: The Conservancy works collaboratively to improve the health of the waterways in Lebanon.

-- Forest Buffer: In partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, three acres of hay fields will be planted in a forest buffer in the Middle Creek Area. The buffer protects local streams and wetlands on the property. Over 400 trees were planted in November.

-- 2020 Tree Plantings: As a partner of the Chesapeake Bay Foundations' 10 Million Tree Partnership, the Conservancy planted over 1,500 trees in the spring and fall. Many of the sites were along watersheds in Lebanon County. This is the third year the Conservancy participated in this great initiative.

-- Outreach & Education: The Conservancy's mission is to protect the environment, historical and cultural resources in their area for future generations. To further that mission, the Conservancy provides outreach to the community.

-- Homeowners Green Guide: Lebanon Valley College environmental students are working with Conservancy staff to craft a homeowner's guide to share with local homeowners to improve their home site ecosystems.

-- 2021 Educational Outreach Events: The Conservancy is planning to hold a variety of educational seminars next year. Topics include: migratory birds, naturalist walks, history of the Kittatinny Ridge Region, wildlife habitat and land protection with conservation measures.

More Activities

Other activities in 2020 included--

-- 172 acres preserved in the Kittatinny Ridge Valley;

-- 8 acres of land preserved in Bethel Township, donated by the Bachman-Paul family;

-- 250+ riders raised funds for the bike playground at Coleman Park;

-- Jamie Lynn Kantorczyk received the 2020 Light Memorial Scholarship;

-- 80+ run Tower to Town raising money for the John E. Wengert Park;

-- Conservancy hosted a fall paddle on the Swatara Creek for local landowners; and

-- Winter Learning Series on native plants, Lyme disease, Lebanon Return on the Environment.

Click Here to watch a video about the Conservancy and its work.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Lebanon Valley Conservancy website. Follow them on Facebook. Click Here to become a member. Click Here to support their work.

Profiles In Leadership This Week:

-- Bart & Vivian Bartolacci Make Woods & Water Conservation Gift To The Future In Monroe County

-- The Miller Family's Farm, Stream Restoration Adventure - 4 Years Later In Berks County

-- The Tenacity Of Tree Planters Like Ann Wain Of Paxton Creek Watershed Assn. And PA Student Leader Lenka Platt Work To Improve Environment

-- Greg Wilson, Donegal Trout Unlimited - Another DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanian Improving Water Quality, Fish Habitat

-- The Witmer Family & Manada Conservancy Permanently Protect 89 Acres Of Woodland Along Kittatinny Ridge In Dauphin County

-- Farm Families & PA Farmland Preservation Program Permanently Protect 14,727 Acres Of Farmland In 2020

-- Farmers, Scientists In 15 Organizations Partner In New PA Soil Health Coalition To Achieve Water Quality, Farm Production Goals

-- 2 Chester County Townships Join Brandywine-Christina Watershed Pay-For-Success Water Quality Cleanup Initiative By i2 Capital, The Nature Conservancy

-- Volunteers In Darby Creek Valley Assn., Partners Cleanup Darby Creek Watershed In 4 Southeast Counties

-- Students, Adults Recognized By PA Resources Council As Winners Of 2020 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest

-- Grateful For Our Volunteers - The Department Of Conservation & Natural Resources