Summer Riparian Buffer Maintenance
One activity we often push aside in summertime is riparian buffer maintenance. Buffer maintenance goes well beyond replanting trees and therefore goes beyond the spring and fall seasons.
Members of Penn State Extension's Water Resources Team, the Agriculture and Environment Center, and the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training recently teamed up for some riparian buffer maintenance and replanting for two of our buffers.
Social Science Of Ag Conservation
Research questions about the adoption of agricultural conservation practices have been extensively studied in a certain segment of the social sciences.
These studies have looked into things such as which farmers are more likely to adopt conservation practices, why farmers are more or less likely to adopt, and how to promote adoption.
Understanding the factors that influence conservation practice adoption, and applying insights from this research, is critical to improving our impaired ecosystems and sustaining agricultural productivity.
Flood-Impacted Areas
Flooding can cause widespread agricultural damage, especially when waters are contaminated with sewage or heavy metals. Recent rains have left some areas questionable to manage.
When young corn, soybeans, hayfields, or standing grains such as barley and wheat are impacted, immediate and informed management decisions are essential to protect human and animal health, ensure food safety, and mitigate long-term soil damage.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in surface water sources.
Under the right conditions, including the presence of excessive nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, warm temperatures, sunlight, and calm water, cyanobacteria can form large blooms in surface water.
Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of cyanobacteria grow out of control.
Sharpen Your Ag Skills At Ag Progress Days
Take part in the Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training's Passport at Ag Progress Days August 12-14!
Designed specifically for new conservation professionals, participating in the Agricultural Conservation Passport offers numerous benefits to participants.
This activity provides individuals with firsthand learning experience with Pennsylvania Conservation Organizations, who will share a wide range of conservation techniques and sustainable land management practices.
Diver Deeper Into Water Education
Teaching youth about water is essential to safeguarding our water resources. The upcoming Dive Deeper Summit will take place September 25, 2025, in Harrisburg.
All the work we do to restore and protect our streams and rivers depends on the choices of the next generation. That's why educators of all kinds play a vital role.
Whether you're a classroom teacher, camp director, youth program leader, 4-H mentor, afterschool coordinator, nature center staffer, or extension educator - you have the power to lead the way in water stewardship!
Upcoming Events
-- Private Water Supply Education And Water Testing (Multiple Live, Virtual Dates)
-- July 30: Understanding Your Water Well Test Results Webinar
-- August 20: Oil and Gas Development Impacts On Water Webinar
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Related Articles This Week:
-- PA Association Of Conservation Districts Recognizes County Conservationists [PaEN]
-- Master Watershed Steward Rose Johnson Brings A Green Thumb To Philadelphia Rain Garden [PaEN]
-- DEP Healthy Waters Update: Draft Revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement Comments Due; Local Restoration Projects, Grants And Education Opportunities [PaEN]
-- Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts In-Person Workshops On Identification Of On-Farm Resource Concerns & Implementing Conservation Practices Aug. 19-21, Sept. 16-18 [PaEN]
-- Save The Date: Delaware River Watershed Forum Set For Sept. 25 At County College Of Morris, Randolph, NJ [PaEN]
-- Delaware RiverKeeper Network: Now On-Demand - 2025 Watershed Congress Presentations [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Echo-Pilot: Franklin Conservation District Manager Dave Stoner Wins PACD Employee Excellence Award
-- LandStudies: Ripple Effect - 9 Years Of Lancaster Water Week Partnership Highlighting Watershed Restoration Projects
-- Reading Eagle: Antietam Valley Community Partnership Holds Lake Cleanup At Carsonia Park In Berks County
-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County Stormwater Committee Awards Contract For Floodplain Restoration Project On Beaverdam Branch Of Juniata River
-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Proactive Williamsport Project Maps Extensive Network Of Stormwater Outfalls
-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: New GIS Mapping Tool Helps Emphasize Importance Of Groundwater Recharge, Helps Landowners With Decision Making
-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Families Learn About Water Chemistry, Aquatic Health Through Hands-On Floating Classroom
-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Students Fish, Kayak, Study Pond Life During West Branch HERYN Program At Bald Eagle State Forest
-- Mountain Watershed Assn.: DEP Issues Violation To Highlands Sporting Clays For Lead Contamination Of Blue Hole Creek In Somerset County
-- York Daily Record: Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper Notice Of Intent To Sue J&K Salvage Alleging Pollution Of Codorus Creek
[Posted: July 23, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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