Forests & Climate Resilience
Whether it’s too much, too little, or too dirty, the primary way humans experience climate change is through water. Streamside forests can help.
They provide food and habitat for wildlife. They replenish groundwater. They stabilize streambanks, reducing erosion and sedimentation of streams. They help to manage the flow of water during wet and dry weather extremes.
And as more people grapple with climate change, their ability to absorb carbon and act as shields against rising temperature becomes more valuable.
How Many Trees?
Stroud Water Research Center has demonstrated that riparian forest buffers play another important role: improving the health of the stream itself.
Healthy streams provide more and better ecosystem services for humans and wildlife, and they process natural organic matter and pollutants more effectively than unhealthy streams.
But, how many trees does it take to protect a stream?
Herbicides & Streamside Forests
The success of a forested buffer largely depends on the maintenance regime in the initial years after planting.
To ensure our buffers are set up for success, Stroud Water Research Center employs a variety of tools, including mowing, applying stone mulch at the base of each tree, and strategically using pre-emergents and broad-spectrum herbicides for the first three years.
Solar Energy At Stroud
Stroud Water Research Center received a $141,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club for a new 55-kilowatt rooftop solar array system.
The solar array is expected to offset 23% of the Stroud Center’s energy needs, avoiding nearly 80,000 pounds of CO2 each year.
Overall, the lifetime energy savings are expected to exceed $125,000, which will empower the organization to expand free educational programming for 5,675 additional low-income students from Pennsylvania public schools over the lifetime of the solar array.
Honoring Paul Greenberg
Stroud Water Research Center bestowed the 2024 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence to Paul Greenberg, the award-winning and bestselling food and environmental writer, on September 19.
Greenberg, a lifelong fisherman, has taken his love for fishing to pen, helping readers escape screens and find balance on the planet.
He is the author of six books, including The New York Times bestseller and notable book Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food, and creator of the PBS Frontline documentary The Fish on My Plate.
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Upcoming Events
-- October 28: Educator Workshop On Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences and State Educational Standards. In-person
-- November 12: Healthy Streams Through An Ecosystem Lens. In-Person
Visit the Stroud Events webpage for more upcoming events.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream. Click Here to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter. Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter and visit their YouTube Channel.
Related Articles:
-- NRCS-Pennsylvania Announces Sign-Up For Conservation Easement Programs [PaEN]
-- USDA NRCS-PA: Farm Conservation Funding Opportunities For FY 2025
-- Choose Clean Water Coalition Now Accepting Applications For Young Environmental Professionals Of Color Mentorship Program [PaEN]
-- 200+ Attend Delaware River Watershed Forum In Bethlehem - The Power Of Collaboration [PaEN]
-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters Newsletter Highlights Funding Opportunities; County Clean Water Projects; Accomplishments [PaEN]
-- PA American Water Celebrates Source Water Protection Week With Education Program [PaEN]
-- PA Environmental Council Will Start Accepting Applications Oct. 21 For Protect Your Drinking Water Grants In Southeast PA Funded By Aqua Pennsylvania [PaEN]
-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Receives Grant To Rehab De Sale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System; Participates In WV Mine Drainage Conference; Learn More About Datashed.org [PaEN]
-- US Forest Service Watershed Forestry Team Hosts Webinar On Riparian Forest Buffer Success And Innovation Begins Oct. 10 [PaEN]
-- Penn State Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts Oct. 23 Webinar On Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Areas On The Farm - Wetlands [PaEN]
-- Buffalo Creek Coalition Meets Nov. 14 In Butler County On State Of Watershed, Habitat Restoration, Lingering Hemlock Project [PaEN]
-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Receives Grant To Rehab De Sale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System; Participates In WV Mine Drainage Conference; Learn More About Datashed.org [PaEN]
-- Public Comments Invited On Draft Juniata River Watershed Conservation Plan By Western PA Conservancy [PaEN]
-- Western PA Conservancy, Partners Invite Residents Of French Creek Watershed To Comment On Conservation Plan At Oct 22 Meeting In Saegertown, Crawford County [PaEN]
-- Conservation District Invites Pike County Citizen Scientists To Participate In Study Of Microplastics [PaEN]
-- Stroud Water Research Center Receives $141,000 Grant From Green Mountain Energy Sun Club For New 55-Kilowatt Rooftop Solar Energy System [PaEN]
-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Announces Winners Of Confluence: Land, Water, Wildlife Photo Contest; ARTery Gallery Exhibition [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay Cleanup At A Crossroads; New Path Or Stay The Course?
-- Episcopal News Service: Lancaster Clean Water Partners Grant Will Help Manheim Church Do Its Part To Clean Up Chesapeake Bay
-- Altoona Mirror: Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, PA Interfaith Power & Light Volunteers Prepare To Give Away 4,500+ Native Plants Requested By Individuals
-- Rep. Owlett Introduces Stream Cleaning Bill To Help Protect Against Flooding [But Do These Bills Make The Problem Worse? Read real story here]
-- Delaware RiverKeeper Aquatic Plant Survey [Video]
[Posted: October 3, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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