ClearWater Conservancy Awarded State Grant For Streamside Forest Restoration Projects In 3 Watersheds In Centre, Huntingdon Counties

On September 6, ClearWater Conservancy was awarded a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to install new riparian buffers, also known as streamside forests, along streams on seven properties in the Spring Creek, Spruce Creek, and Penns Creek watersheds.

ClearWater received $268,600 for stream restoration projects and will match the state funds, dollar for dollar, for a total community investment of $537,200. 

This is ClearWater’s sixth Riparian Forest Buffer grant from DCNR.

“This is the largest grant ClearWater has ever received from DCNR for stream restoration,” said Colleen DeLong, habitat stewardship biologist, ClearWater Conservancy. “This level of support will make a substantial and long-term impact on the health of local waterways as well as the communities and wildlife they support.”

The grant will be instrumental in supporting multiple phases of new stream restoration projects planned for 2023-2026 and beyond. From planning, site preparation, and planting new trees and shrubs, to long-term stewardship to grow mature forests, ClearWater Conservancy will manage these projects from start to finish alongside landowners and conservation and community partners. 

“Pennsylvania’s streams support wildlife and habitat that Pennsylvanians rely on for healthy and beautiful places to live, work, and play,” said Tom Ford, director of DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. “The 86,000 miles of streams throughout the Commonwealth define and strengthen our communities. Our grants help our local partners meet the vision and goals they have for their communities and the waterways flowing through them.”

Streamside forests support the health of streams and watersheds by improving water quality, providing wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion and filtering flood waters and stormwater. 

Additionally, the grant allows for the planting of "multifunctional forest buffers" which include fruit and nut producing species for landowners to harvest for their family's use or to sell. Examples of native species that might be planted on a multifunctional buffer include elderberry, hazelnut, blueberry, and serviceberry.

Projects supported by the grant will take place on agricultural and residential properties in Centre and Huntingdon Counties and advance Pennsylvania’s Buffer Initiative led by DCNR that includes a goal to install 95,000 acres of buffers in Pennsylvania by 2025.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the ClearWater Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for their e-newsletter.  Visit them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and watch their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support their work.

Visit the Centred Outdoors website to learn more about enjoying the outdoors in and around Centre County.  Questions should be directed to Andrea Murrell, ClearWater Conservancy, andrea@clearwaterconservancy.org. 

(Photos: Stream before planting buffer, while buffer is growing, mature buffer planting.)

Related Articles:

-- Gov. Wolf Announces $90 Million Investment In More Than 330 Projects To Improve Recreation, Conserve Natural Resources; Special Fall DCNR Grant Round Now Open

Related Articles This Week:

-- Celebrate Riparian Buffer Month In October With Penn State Extension, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Local Groups - By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center  [PaEN]

-- Fall Is For Planting: Rain Garden Resources From Penn State Extension  [PaEN]

-- CFA Announces Investment Of $18.2 Million In 130 Recreation, Flood Protection, Environmental Restoration Projects Funded By Act 13 Impact Fee  [PaEN]

[Posted: September 23, 2022]  PA Environment Digest