The Penn State Master Watershed Stewards in York County proudly recognize Betsy Leppo from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Gifford Pinchot State Park as their 2023 Outstanding Partners.
The Master Watershed Stewards collaborate with Betsy, Pinchot staff (namely Jennifer Park – Park Operations Manager, Michael Plish – Assistant Park Manager, and Beth Kepley-McNutt – Environmental Education Specialist), and the Friends of Pinchot volunteer group to extensively monitor several vernal pools in the park.
Vernal pool and wetland restoration at Gifford Pinchot State Park began in 2016 when Western Pennsylvania Conservancy oversaw the rehabilitation of several spring pools on park property to facilitate complete breeding cycles for the local amphibians.
Before rehabilitation, these pools held water but did not maintain an adequate water level long enough for the successful reproduction of the amphibians that rely on vernal pools for survival.
This Project link has more information on the study.
In 2019, under the guidance of Betsy Leppo, Invertebrate Zoologist with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, a vernal pool monitoring partnership between Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Friends of Pinchot State Park, and York County Master Watershed Stewards began.
There are four primary vernal pool areas within the park with varying numbers of pools within these areas.
With guidance from Betsy and support from Pinchot staff, the Master Watershed Stewards schedule vernal pool visits throughout the seasons.
They identify and tend to native plant species specifically planted for this project. Plants are tagged and photographed as plant inventories are completed, and invasive plants are removed when feasible.
Amphibian presence and populations are recorded. Stewards inventory and record egg masses, developing species, and adults. Water quality and pool levels are also monitored and recorded at each pool.
Late in 2020, the team began looking to improve the 'science' behind the monitoring efforts. Additional equipment to enhance monitoring efforts was installed, including water temperature loggers, fixed staff gauges, and passive acoustic monitoring devices.
The monitoring team participates in crowd-sourcing programs through CrowdHydrology and Chronolog to involve park visitors by increasing documentation of water level changes and using photos to capture physical changes.
They also participate in the Vernal Pool Phenology Project (VPPP), a parallel program sponsored by the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN).
The goal of the EREN project is "to monitor the phenology of amphibians and trees at small, forested ponds across time to identify potential shifts and emerging asynchronies."
By using the installed equipment, participants look and listen for the appearance of mating amphibians.
After the amphibians make their first debut, the vernal pools are then monitored for the first appearances of egg masses.
In addition, trees are monitored for bud break, flowering, and leaf out.
Partnerships are the key to building a successful Master Watershed Steward Program.
This project has been a terrific success for everyone involved. Betsy has provided excellent guidance and education for the Stewards.
In addition to the vernal pool monitoring, the staff at Pinchot has been very open to collaborating on additional projects.
Stewards helped plant floating islands, mapped the lake, inventoried aquatic vegetation, and have assisted with educational programming.
Beth has also provided continuing education and training to the Stewards.
Stewards are looking forward to converting lawn to meadow in the park this spring with help from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and are currently "knee deep" in the vernal pool monitoring season.
More information can be found online about the York County Master Watershed Steward Program.
Visit the Penn State Extension Watershed Steward Program webpage to learn about Stewards in your county.
For more educational opportunities, visit the Penn State Extension website.
Upcoming Events:
-- Webinar: April 19 - Uses And Benefits Of Rain Barrels
-- Extension Online Water Courses
Other Extension Articles:
-- Springtime In Riparian Buffers: Flooded With Challenges, Opportunities
-- Downspout Planters For Residential Stormwater Management
-- Protect Your Wellhead To Safeguard Drinking Water Supplies
-- Participate In Pond Owners Survey
-- Stocking Fish In Ponds Now Requires Notification Of Fish Commission
(Photo: Jen Park (Park Operations Manager), Beth Kepley-McNutt (Environmental Ed Specialist), Betsy Leppo (Western PA Conservancy), and Michael Plish (Assistant Park Manager).)
(Reprinted from the latest Penn State Watershed Winds newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy (bottom of page).
Related Articles:
-- Master Watershed Stewards In York County Recognize Betsy Leppo, Western PA Conservancy, Gifford Pinchot State Park Staff As 2023 Outstanding Partners For Work On Vernal Pools [PaEN]
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-- April 23 Webinar: Importance Of Tree Equity Amidst Changing Community Climates Hosted By Penn State Extension, Partners [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Hosts April 25 Webinar On PA Countywide Clean Water Action Plan Public Engagement Strategies [PaEN]
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