LCC Landview Article

Saving natural PlaceS for PeoPle and wildlife acreS and growing.

LandviewTHE MAGAZINE OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVANCY

fall 2013 / winter 2014

I would like to thank our mem-

bership, partners, and community

members who have supported the

work and mission of the Lancaster

County Conservancy during the last

year and those who have contributed

to our ability to carry out our mission

for decades. This is especially on our

minds and calendars as we navigate

the home stretch of our annual fund drive and develop our

strategic plan for the next four years.

Over the last 44 years, although we have not strayed from

our basic mission, we have evolved and continue to evolve.

This is essential to the well-being of our purpose – to pro-

tect land for the benefit of the public. So as public needs

and desires change, so must organizations that serve the

public interest. As a community-benefit organization, we

must evolve if we are to be effective in serving the public

need and providing optimum public benefit for our work.

To that end, the Conservancy board and staff have spent

considerable time evaluating our current approach to

effectively achieving our mission and goals. Starting with

surveys and interviews with members, we wanted to know

how people perceive our organization and what they would

like to see us do differently or additionally. We received

substantial input from those surveys and with the help of

a skilled consultant we began internal review of comments

with a sincere commitment to refining our growth and

direction. We thank you if you were a part of that process

and welcome your input moving forward.

The strategies we have employed since 1969 include

acquiring land for public use; managing those lands so they

remain healthy and productive; and working to increase

the public awareness and understanding of why these criti-

cal areas are important to our quality of life. Our survey

results indicate we have been doing that well. The result

of our strategic planning exercise will not change our mis-

sion or focus. Rather it will refine and possibly shift our

emphasis somewhat to achieve a broader public awareness,

thereby instilling an environmental ethic in more residents,

decision makers and the youth of our county.

This we know and will not waver from … The Lancaster

County Conservancy’s role is to look after the interests of

our natural resources proactively for the benefit of our

whole community. This affords us the opportunity to

build relationships with people and groups to effectively

pursue a land protection agenda for the health of Lancaster

County as a whole. Although we continue to be grassroots,

our responsibility as owners of natural land open to the

public, as a community resource, as a partner in matters of

planning and environmental impact, grows. With the help

of the residents and businesses in the county, we remain

steadfast in our role as guardian of our forests and water.

But we need to increase our influence and engagement in

the process of creating these opportunities and highlight-

ing their values to our whole community.

At this point in time we are considering primary goals

which will drive the writing of our strategic plan, our work

for the next four years, and into the future. These goals are

directly related and dependent upon each other. We see

education playing a critical role in the development and

delivery of these goals.

The Role of Conservation in our Strategic Plan

To responsibly care for and protect the wild lands and

landscapes of Lancaster County for the benefit of all

To develop and provide educational services to increase

public awareness and action to protect our natural

resources

To expand our role in conservation with respect to

urban and suburban issues, including green infrastruc-

ture, zoning, and storm water management

To optimize the use of our lands and facilities to advance

the mission

We welcome your input as we write and deliver our stra-

tegic plan. Your support is critical as we move forward.

Annual fund support is needed for operations that allow

us to follow our mission of protecting land. Serving as a

volunteer, committee member, or ambassador for the orga-

nization will sustain us and insure our growth.

Thank you!

LETTER FROM OUR acTing PREsidEnT & cEO, MiKE BURcin

Mike Burcin, acting President & CEO

2 Landview fall 2013 / winter 2014

l a n d v i e w T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E L A N C A S T E R C O U N T Y C O N S E RVA N C Y

in t

HiS

iS

Su

e Letter from our Acting President/CEO� 2

LCC’s New Website � 3

Stewardship Wish List � 3

Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly's Run� 4

Stewardship Picnic � 4

Susquehanna Riverlands Update � 5�

Environmental Education 6 - 7

The Extraordinary Give� 8

Annual Fund: Preserving our Paths� 9

Attention All Volunteers� 10

Kaitlyn Gundersen, Conservation Planner� 10

Land Management Plans� 11

"Heritage Day" at Poole Forge� 11

Urban Greening� 12

Susquehanna Orchid Show� 13

Franklin Terrace Riparian Buffer Planting� 13

Get Out There! Fall/Winter Events� 14

Dine on Harvest Moon � 15

LCC Staff/Board� 16

fa l l’ 1 3 / w i n t e r ‘ 1 4

The Lancaster County Conservancy is proud to share our newly launched websitewww.lancasterconservancy.org.

The website is your direct connection to the work of the Conservancy and our many programs that benefit the Lancaster County community.

Our new site includes continuously updated preserve pages which have maps, seasonal information and allowed uses. In addition, learn about our efforts in environmental education, stewardship, land protec-tion and urban greening.

The website is also your guide to how you can sup-port the Conservancy, your hometown natural land protection organization since 1969. Your support is absolutely essential in sustaining the Conservancy’s efforts. Your gift today helps us right now and into the future.

Stewardship

Equipment Wish ListPlease call Tom Stahl if you are interested in donating any of the items below at 392-7891, ext 208.

aluMinuM toolBox-2001 ford f-150 xl lariat PicKuP

lawn Mower/riding Mower

PulaSKi axe

PeavieS/cant HooKS

tiMBer carrierS

SPade SHovelS

loPPerS/axeS

HaMMerS

4 lB Sledge HaMMer

Pruning SawS

Bow SawS

cHainSaw

cHainSaw Safety cHaPS

Safety glaSSeS

falling wedgeS

worK gloveS

coMPaSS

large utility cart/dolly

cargo trailer

6’ taBleS

folding cHairS

tool cHeSt caBinet

Thank you to the Ressler Mill Founda-tion for their support in making this vital website reconstruction possible!

fall 2013 / winter 2014 Landview 3

A total of 289 acres at Pinnacle overlook and Kelly’s Run transferred in a combination of purchase and donation. PPL subsequently donated the purchase price into the Lower Susquehanna Fund for long term management and enhancement of the Susquehanna Riverlands. The 289 acres that transferred are within the Susquehanna Riverlands, a DCNR Conservation Landscape Initiative area.

The transfer of Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run was the result of the collaborative work of PPL, The Conservation Fund, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), York County, Lancaster County, and the Conservancy. It was made possible because of broad based support for the December 21, 2012 FERC decision to remove 1,260 acres of land owned by PPL from the FERC mandated boundary to pave the way for transfer to the Conservancy for permanent protection.

As part of the transfer, the Conservancy developed a land management plan and worked with PPL and DCNR to outline a strategy for long term management. PPL had managed the Pinnacle Overlook as a more active recreation area, while the Conservancy historically focuses on passive recreation and partners with others to manage more active lands. In keeping with this policy, Pinnacle Overlook is expected to transfer to PADCNR sometime in 2014 to be managed as part of the Susquehannock State Park.

In the interim, the Conservancy is managing the facilities as PPL would have as we approach winter. What this means is the bathrooms are closed and will remain closed through the winter and until the lands transfer to DCNR. The gate will remain closed and visitors are invited to walk in. The water pump has been winterized and will not be brought back on line until the transfer to DCNR. The hunter access agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission will

continue with no new restrictions. The Conservancy will maintain ownership of the Kelly’s Run lands and those lands surrounding Pinnacle Overlook that do not include active facilities. The lands that transfer to DCNR will do so with a deed restriction that the land be open to the public. The transfer process of the PPL lands requires surveys, title work, appraisals, field work, management planning, and coordination. All this takes time, but at the end of the process the PPL lands will be preserved for generations to come. It is a magnificent landscape and one worthy of the effort. PPL and our other partners should be congratulated for their willingness to take on this significant project and work together to protect all our futures.

PPL has transferred 613 acres to the Conservancy to date, with more expected in the near future.

For questions or more information contact Kathie Shirk-Gonick: [email protected].

By Kathie Shirk-gonick, director of land Protection

Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run

Those of you who visit Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run on a regular basis may have noticed some new signs. On August 29, 2013 the Conservancy completed the first of several transfers of PPL lands recently released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from the FERC boundary.

land Protection

As part of the transfer, the Conservancy devel-oped a land management plan and worked with PPL and DCNR to outline a strategy for long term management.

On Saturday, August 10, 2013 nearly 40 staff, volunteers, committee and board members attended the Conservancy’s annual Stewardship picnic held at the Minnich Farm in Elizabeth Township. The picnic offered a hike in the woods, swimming in the pond, and a time to fellowship with each other over roasted corn, barbeque, and other delicious fare courtesy of Dick and Brooke Minnich, the Stewardship Committee and Staff.

Stewardship Picnic 2013


By nick Ebersole, Project coordinator

This project includes all the municipalities in York and Lancaster Counties that border the Susquehanna River. This project is funded by the PA DCNR and includes many private and public partners on both sides of the river.

Since our last issue, LCC has protected 289 acres in the Susquehanna Riverlands. LCC purchased the Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run property from PPL, with funding from the PA DCNR and The Conservation Fund and York County. PPL then donated the purchase price back to LCC for management of the lands. Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run are two of the most recognizable properties in Lancaster County and LCC is excited to have preserved these lands for future generations.

Also, LCC and the PA DCNR held a grant seminar at the John Wright Restaurant in Wrightsville, York County. This event was open to all non-profits and municipalities in York and Lancaster Counties. The seminar was designed to

inform all the attendees about the grant funding that is available for their projects, how to apply for the grant funds, and how to get their project to completion. There were 11 funders present and 5 featured organizations with unique projects and Conservancy staff were available to answer any questions on how they were able to utilize and match grant funds for their projects. We had over 60 attendees and hope to see some more projects along the river corridor as a result.

The Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area has other exciting news from the river corridor. They have begun their Zimmerman Center for Heritage improvement project. Key project features include a water trail landing with floating dock and canoe/kayak launch, waterfront pavilion

and boardwalk, rain garden for storm water management, pedestrian pathways, driveway and parking improvements, interpretive displays and signage, and native landscaping.

In other news, Manor Township has opened their long awaited 5.25 mile Manor Low Grade Trail and LCC is working on the next phase of PPL land transfers. For more information on any of the above information, feel free to contact [email protected].

Lcc nEWs

Susquehanna Riverlands

The Lancaster County Conservancy has exciting news to share about the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape area.

This picnic is a way to say thank you to the Stewardship Crew and over 60 volunteer Land Stewards who care for our preserves throughout the year. Your support is essential to maintain-ing our preserve lands. If you have an interest in volunteering with further Stewardship (or any) events please let us know. Contact Mike Burcin at [email protected].

Proposed site plan for the Zimmerman Center for Heritage


Summer Camp for LanCaSter reC Thanks to a grant from Hershey Foods three hundred Lancaster children enjoyed environ-mental education programming at three sites. LCC partnered with Lancaster County Park’s Lisa Sanchez and recent Master Naturalist class member Rebecca McCabe to deliver the program and activities. The program ran from June through August, three hours per week, at each site…Conestoga Pines – Price Elementary and the Lancaster Recreation Facility.

trout in the CLaSSroom

Students at Marticville Middle School are preparing to raise three hundred Brook trout eggs in their classroom. Teacher Brad Aungst and a team of students have set up an aquarium and are waiting for delivery in November. Students are excited to learn about and experience the development of the eggs through May when the fingerling will be released in Climbers Run at Camp Snyder. Thanks to a donation from the Joe Bumsted Memorial Fund, the equipment necessary to raise the Brook trout was provided to Brad Aungst and his students.

Lancaster County Conservancy – environmental educational Goals Connect people with nature.

Provide meaningful and extended experiences in nature.

Contribute to the creation of an environmental ethic in Lancaster County.

Provide direct environmental education programming.

Serve as a catalyst motivating and empowering others to make an impact.

.

nature JournaLinG - Camp Snyder Nature Journaling– “A great way to connect with na-ture”… A Nature Journaling workshop is being offered at Camp Snyder on November 23, March 22, and May 17. Two trained Nature Journalists are teaching the course – Sheila Cohen and Pat Catucci. The class is built around the teachings of Claire Walker Lislie, nationally-recognized author and teacher on Nature Journaling.

Environmental EducationBy Mike Burcin


SCOuTS AT CAMP SNyDER

Scouts from Millersville and Lititz have been developing Eagle Scout projects at Camp Snyder and carrying out community service projects on site. Four cabins have been adopted by Eagle Scout candidates for renovation. Plans for trail development, and the building of a footbridge are in the planning stages. Thanks to donations from the Joe Bumsted Memorial Fund and Shirley Stone Garrett, funding has been made available to our scouts to support their work.

NATuRE JOuRNALiNG - GEORGE WAShiNGTON ELEMENTARy SChOOL

Lydia Martin and Mike Burcin presented a Nature Journaling workshop to students as part of the summer camp program, July 2013, at George Washington Elementary School.

To learn more about the Conservancy’s Educational programs, visit our new website at www.lancasterconservancy.org

PEquEA VALLEy STuDENTS CARRyiNG OuT COMMuNiTy SERViCE


November 22: One Day to Make a Difference

Mark your calendar.

Tell your friends.

Make a difference.

ExtraGive.org

SO COME AND BE A PART OF THE FiRST ENCORE OF THE LARGEST DAy OF GiViNG—EVE— iN LANCASTER COUNTy. iT PROMiSES TO BE A FUN DAy WiTH A HUGE iMPACT ON LANCASTER COUNTy.

What is it? A day to show support for the Lancaster County causes you care about. A way to give a little extra.

When is it? For all 24 hours of November 22, 2013.

Who is organizing it? The Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) in partnership with 100+ local organizations, including the Lancaster County Conservancy.

Why are we doing it? The Community Foundation is the epicenter of local philanthropy and exists to help people who love Lancaster County, give back. LCCF is committed to strengthening our local community. They inspire giving by connecting you to the causes you care about.

ThE ExTRAORDiNARy GiVE iS A SPECiAL WAy TO BRiNG ALL ThESE ThiNGS TOGEThER.

how Does it Work?

�On November 22, you can go to ExtraGive.org from your computer, Smartphone or other mobile device.

��Visit the pages of more than 100 local organizations, including the Lancaster County Conservancy and learn about how their work impacts Lancaster County.Make an online donation (min. $25) to your selected organization(s).

�There’s more. The Community Foundation will stretch your gift with their $250,000 match fund! If the Conservancy raises 5% of the day’s donations, we would receive 5% of the stretch fund.

STAy CONNECTED WiTh CONSERVANCy NEWS!

Find us on Facebook, visit our website, and sign up for our e-mail newsletter.www.facebook.com/Lancaster.County.Conservancy

www.lancastercountyconservancy.org


The Conservancy’s Annual Fund theme “Preserving Our Paths” resonates very personally for our honorary chair, quintin Frey, of Turkey hill Dairy.

Quintin was born and raised in Manor Township and has fond memo-ries of camping under the stars up on Turkey Hill, hunting, and climbing around the River Hills. He and his family and friends used local landmarks to get their bearings as they hiked outdoors for hours at a time.

quintin’s family has always been close to the land. His parents connect-ed him to the outdoors each in their own way. His father was a hunter and farmer and member of the American Chestnut Foundation. His mother shared her love of the mountains with Quintin and his siblings. The Con-servancy is truly grateful to Quintin for his leadership and enthusiasm in chairing our 2013 Annual Fund campaign, with a goal of $315,000.

The Conservancy is the only organization, public or private, devoted to saving the natural lands of Lancaster County. We’ve been successful for 44 years because of the support of community members like you.

The Conservancy’s 34 nature preserves and additional conservation easements, protect 5,278 mostly forested acres and are ecological powerhouses where trees cleanse our air, protect our water quality and provide havens and travel corridors for wildlife. Conservancy lands are refuges for people as well, serving as quiet places for reflection, enrich-ment, and outdoor pursuits like hiking, bird watching, hunting and cycling.

yet even with our outdoor heritage, people can become disconnected from nature. Splashing in a stream, taking photographs, or just wander-ing, competes with mobile devices and sedentary pursuits. In this age of information and technology overload, interactions with nature in places close to home are prime opportunities for fun and reflection away from life’s pressures and distractions.

With your gift to the Annual Fund, you’ll be supporting the Conservancy’s work to protect our treasured natural lands, green our cities and share nature with children. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do to make that happen.

Preserving Our

2013 annual fund

The Conservancy is the only organization, public or pri-vate, devoted to saving the natural lands of Lancaster County. We’ve been success-ful for 44 years because of the support of community members like you.


The Lancaster County Conservancy is in the process of updating our database of volunteers. An email was sent to individuals on our lists to collect current in-formation regarding areas of interest and contact in-formation. If you received this contact and are inter-ested in continuing as a volunteer, please respond. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, check our new website for instructions regarding volunteering and stewardship opportunities at www.lancastercon-servancy.org

Our goal is to create an updated list of current vol-unteers and create a user-friendly method for new volunteers to connect with us. We will respond to volunteer inquires quickly and maintain contact with individuals wishing to support us.

Attention All Volunteers… Looking for Volunteers… We Need Volunteers... Volunteers of All Ages Volunteer from Lancaster Young Professionals at Camp Snyder Oct. 19

Lcc nEWs

aREas OF nEEd: LCC ambassadors We need individuals willing to inform and educate friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers regarding the mission and opportunities connected with being a member of the Lancaster County Conservancy. Our goal remains to secure twenty-five individuals willing to promote LCC. We will provide information that can be used as a resource as you make contacts. We want to promote awareness of our preserves, our website, and programs offered through the organization.

Stewardship Work team We are looking for volunteers to work on our preserves. These individuals and teams would be prepped for work on preserves located near your home or where the greatest need exists.

Connecting with nature If you are interested in photography, art, music, or creative writing these are ways to connect with nature and support the work of LCC. We can use your photos, nature artwork, poems, and nature related journaling to highlight our properties and inspire others.

These are great activities for students to generate community service hours while supporting LCC.

Originally from West Berlin, New Jersey, Kaitlyn graduated from Juniata College in Hunting-don, Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation in May 2012. She went on to get her M.S. in Park and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania in August 2013. She completed numerous internships throughout her college career including Animal Care at the Philadelphia Zoo and at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ, Coastal Nesting Birds Intern at the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville, NJ, and working with natural resources as an extern at Jennings Environmen-tal Education Center, a state park in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Kaitlyn enjoys dancing and being active in her spare time. She likes camping, hiking and swimming with her family. She also loves to read and travel, and has been to many places like Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Germany, and Norway. She loves animals and is excited to have a hand in protecting valuable Pennsylvania habitat.

Kaitlyn Gundersen Conservation Planner

sTaFF sPOTLigHT

Contact Mike Burcin at [email protected] with questions or if you have an interest in these activities.

aLSo, ContaCt uS With your ideaS!


As a result of our ongoing Strategic Planning and Accreditation cycle we are working to evaluate and develop updated plans for land management and preserve forestry programs. To assist in this work we are looking to other Land Management organiza-tions, non-profits, and local and national Conservancies. Please note access to the following two articles on this subject and links to the full articles.

At the Brandywine Conservancy in Chadds Ford, PA, sustainable for-estry practices have been incorporated into their management plans since at least 2003. This is because, as the Conservancy says, “…wood-lands host a wealth of diverse natural resources. Stands of mature oak and hickory provide superior food and habitat for native wood-land fauna such as turkeys, flying squirrels and chipmunks. Riparian woodlands of river birch, silver maple and sycamore serve as corridors through which wildlife such as the Cerulean warbler travel between larger patches of their habitat. Wooded wetlands and swamps support the breeding cycles of many mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

The fragmentation of forests has resulted, for example, in the loss of habitat for bird species such as the wonderful pileated woodpecker and the worm-eating warbler. The explosion of the white-tail deer popula-tion- and its impact on the herbaceous and woody plant species of the forest floor- is a direct result of an increasing amount of edge habitat caused by woodland fragmentation and the loss of natural predators. The proliferation of invasive plants such as multi-flora rose and Orien-tal bittersweet and the introduction of tree diseases such as the woolly adelgid and Dutch elm disease can be attributed to human influence on woodlands.”

www.brandywineconservancy.org/stewardship_2003/woodlands.html

The Nature Conservancy, with its headquarters in Virginia but land worldwide, says this about the state of America’s environment and why it is necessary to consider forest projects: “Unfortunately the condition of America’s forests is currently degraded, along with the life-giving services these forests provide. The USDA Forest Service estimates that nearly 82 million acres of National Forest system lands are in need of restoration. Adding in other federal, state, private and tribal lands, The Nature Conservancy estimates the restoration backlog is 120 million acres (an area the size of California and West Virginia combined).”

www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/forests/restoring-americas-forests.xml

Land Management Plans

StewardSHiP

By Mike Burcin

The majority of attendees were adults who appre-ciated learning about our efforts with riparian buf-fers and asked some great questions. All attend-ees were given educational information on native plants, a word search challenge on riparian buf-fers, and offered information about the Lancaster County Conservancy.

The Conservancy has been partnering with the Historic Poole Forge board, staff and volunteers, Caernarvon Township and Lancaster Farmland Trust through a William Penn Grant to complete a riparian buffer project along the Conestoga River at Poole Forge. This riparian buffer project repre-sents an educational model that local communi-ties in this area, and around Lancaster County, can adopt to support water quality, while improving native habitat for wildlife.

Riparian buffers are an important way to keep our waterways clean. Other examples include trans-forming large lawn areas to meadows and wood-lands, installing rain gardens or dry wells, and choosing to plant native species, especially trees in our neighborhoods. Everyone can contribute to clean water simply by evaluating their site and making a few changes. Together we are making a difference for all life!

Heritage Day” at Poole Forge

Historic Poole Forge (Caernarvon Town-ship) hosted their annual “Heritage Day” on September 21 and attracted nearly 1,000 citizens. The Conservancy partnered with Historic Poole Forge and offered two presen-tations by Lydia Martin entitled “Cleaning our Waterways with Nature”.

Visit the historic Poole Forge riparian buffer at 1940 Main Street, Narvon, PA 17555 and learn how to improve water quality in your communities.

By lydia Martin, land Steward

“


For Lancaster City homes, stormwater is generated from the presence of imper-meable surfaces, such as roofs, sidewalks, and patios. If water cannot enter the ground it will travel down the slope of the property and discharge onto the street, entering the sewer system while picking up harmful street chemicals. Local homeowners on West Walnut Street are addressing this problem on their property by installing a dry well (also known as a seepage pit or French drain) under their yard. All the water from their roof, which includes a new addition, and garage can now be stored underground where it can infiltrate into the groundwater at a natural pace.

The General Contractor explained the simplicity and efficiency of the project. The property was under construction for an addition onto the house, which increased the amount of imperme-able surface and therefore the amount of runoff generated on the property. Because of this, and because of the convenience of already having construc-tion machinery on site, the homeown-ers commissioned the dry well in their backyard. The process started with a survey of the property to determine the best placement. After finding the optimal location, set back from all sur-rounding buildings by at least 10 feet, the property’s drainage spouts were

re-routed to the dry well. The well was then filled in with clean stone and an overflow to allow for adequate draining. Finally, the hole was filled in and new sod was placed over it. Other projects being planned for this site include a rain garden, small green roof, and rain bar-rels to re-use some of the water.

The size of the yard, its clearance from surrounding buildings, and under-ground utilities can be a constraint when considering projects to address stormwater runoff (Be sure to check on your local township ordinances and codes and place a PA One Call prior to digging). Soil drainage, because it is fairly uniform in Lancaster, is usually not an issue, though clay soils may not be the best environment for this project. One factor that is occasionally problem-atic is the topography of the property. Finding a site where water will naturally fall to the desired capture area is some-times difficult, but usually not impos-sible. Furthermore, it is possible to layer multiple technologies (rain barrels, rain

gardens and drywells) to achieve the desired goals, instead of using a single technology. Maintenance, for a dry well, requires that you clean leaves and debris, from a pre-filter, several times per year.

The steps these homeowners are taking to reduce their runoff is a great example of a local initiative to increase green in-frastructure. However, any project, be it great or small, from planting native trees and shrubs in support of Conservation Landscaping, to installing a rain bar-rel can have an impact in significantly lowering runoff. Thinking of ways to integrate green infrastructure into other projects is one simple way in which Lancaster residents are taking action to create change in our community.

For more information on residential green infrastructure in Lancaster City and County visit our website or contact Fritz Schroeder, the Director of Urban Greening at [email protected].

By Benjamin Martin, lcc intern

Homeowners Take a Stand Against Stormwater

urBan greening

in Lancaster, the problems associated with our city’s combined sewer system are no secret to many. Every year, millions of gallons of untreated water overflow from our system into the Conestoga River, carrying with it a soup of harmful chemicals from our side-walks and sewage. These compounds pose serious risks to water quality both close to home and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay.

Benjamin Martin is a Sophmore at Franklin and Marshall College where he is an Environmental Studies major. He is an Urban Greening Intern through The Ware Institute F&M Works program.


Franklin Terrace Riparian Buffer Planting By fritz Schroeder, director of urban greening

The Lancaster County Conservancy’s Urban Greening and Stewardship programs recently completed an acre riparian buffer along the Conestoga Greenway and Riv-er in the Southeast quadrant of Lancaster City. The property known as Franklin Terrace is owned by the Lancaster City Housing Authority. The goal of the project was to have a measurable impact on the tree canopy at this 13-acre property, while educating residents, neighbors, and students about the positive impacts of trees. In addition to the buffer, 40 street trees were planted last fall. One hundred and sixty-five trees in total will help increase the tree canopy from an estimated 32% currently to close to 50%, creating a demonstration model neighborhood.

Well over 50 volunteers turned out from the neighborhood, McCaskey High School, and Alcoa. A significant amount of prep work was completed ahead of time by Conservancy Staff to make this a success and Alcoa donated an additional $3,000 to the project!!

For questions or for more information please contact Fritz Schroeder at [email protected].

Please visit our new website for additional information and a slide-show presentation of this event.www.lancasterconservancy.org/category/news,events,publications

SusquehannaOrchid Show

Three-thousand seven-hundred attend-ees visited the Susquehanna Orchid Show held at the Millersville University Ware Center in downtown Lancaster from October 4-6. This special event correlated with the Lancaster ArtWalk during First Friday. The Lancaster County Conser-vancy joined the show along with several other educational displays to highlight native orchids and talk about the mis-sion of our organization. Mike Burcin with some assistance from Kate Gonick

staffed the Conservancy table offering free mem-berships and educational material and Conser-vancy staff was available to talk about the work of the Conservancy in envi-ronmental education, stewardship, and other initiatives within the organization. Lydia Martin assisted with providing a native orchid display and information about these important species. As a result

of our participation forty persons ex-pressed interest in joining the Con-servancy in protecting our preserves. Many existing members visited the show and stopped by our table. The Conservancy received two presenta-tion invites that will give us an op-portunity to expand public outreach about our organization.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 50 species of terrestrial native orchids. Some of the species found on our preserves include putty root, Crane’s fly orchid, small yellow ladies slipper, and rattle-snake plantain. Many native orchids are commonly found within unique habitats such as bogs, wetlands, acidic forests, etc. Protecting land through good steward-ship means preserving the habitat where these beautiful species live for everyone to enjoy.

Crane’s fly orchid leaf

By lydia Martin, land Steward


Join Us and “Connect with Nature”The Lancaster County Conservancy Staff and Lisa Sanchez / Lancaster County Park are partnering to offer a nature/hiking series.

Dec 1, 2013 · 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Owl Study @ Camp Snyder

Feb 8, 2014 · 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tracking Wildlife @ Steinman Run Nature Preserve

May 4, 2014 · 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Wildflower @ Ferncliff Nature Preserve

May 18, 2014 · 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Nature Hike @ Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve

June 21, 2014 · 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Stream Study @ Trout Run Nature Preserve

hOPE TO SEE yOu ThERE!

Full Moon Hike at Speedwell Forge SPeeDWeLL FoRge CouNTY PaRk

FREE! All Ages *Children must be accompanied by an adult.

SuNDaY, NoveMBeR 17TH8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Winter full moons can be spectacular. Join Naturalist Andy Yoder at Speedwell Forge County Park for a hike through our fields and woods under the full moon. Meet at the parking area on Speedwell Forge Road. Please dress for the weather.Pre-registration is required; Please call 717-295-2055.

2nd Annual Dave Shenk Fly Tying ExpoFaRM aND HoMe CeNTeR aCaDIa RoaD, LaNCaSTeR, PaWeDNeSDaY, DeCeMBeR 18TH, 7:00 PMOpen to the public

Contact: Wayne Boggs, [email protected] 717-733-2365

fall 2013/winter 2014 eventS

Get out there!

Owl Prowl eNvIRoNMeNTaL CeNTeR

FREE! All Ages *Children must be accompanied by an adult.

WeDNeSDaY, NoveMBeR 27TH6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Join Naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez at the Environmental Center for a night of looking and listening for owls. We will begin inside looking at the life cycle of Lancaster County owls. Become familiar with their nesting habits, special features and their sounds. We will then go outside to attract owls that live in Central Park. Please dress for the weather.

Pre-registration is required; Please call 717-295-2055.

MARk yOuR CALENDARS… Contact [email protected] for Sign up and questions.

Check our NEW website www.lancasterconservancy.org for information regarding our preserves.

LCC Members – No Charge Non Members $10.00 per event Children 10 and under free.


We raised $85,633, including $25,000 for our work at Camp Snyder Nature Preserve!

Your generosity and help made it all possible.

THaNk You eveRYoNe for your efforts to help “Protect our treasured natural land, green our cities and share nature with kids”!

THANK yOU TO OUR OUR GENEROUS EVENT SPONSORS!

2013Dine On Harvest Moon was a wonderful success!

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PrintMail Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of statement outsourcing to the community banking

industry. Our innovative solutions for printed and electronic statements have unmatched integrity and quality control processes, en-suring accuracy while saving banks time and money.

PrintMail Systems now has four redundant, strategically located production facilities located in Newtown, PA (Corporate Head-quarters), Knoxville, TN, Ft. Worth, TX, and Des Moines, IA.


BOARD OF DiRECTORS

Richard A. Minnich, Chair

Andrea Campbell, Vice Chair Urban Greening

Jeremy H. Chase, Vice Chair Land Protection

William K. Ebel Jr., Vice Chair Stewardship

Elizabeth H. Phillips-Hershey, Ph.D., Vice Chair Education

Angela M. Sargent, Vice Chair Development

Curtis L. Miller, CPA, Treasurer

Richard M. Rankin, Secretary

David Dobbins

Daniel C. Good, M.D.

Henry W. Huffnagle, M.D.

John McGrann

Eric A. Nordstrom

Carl Pike, Ph.D.

Donald K. Roseman, Jr.

Carol Simpson

Patricia T. Stockwell

STAFF

Mike Burcin, CEO/COO

Ralph H. Goodno, President

Jerry Fulmer, VP of Finance

Kathie Shirk Gonick, Director of Land Protection

Fritz Schroeder, Director of Urban Greening

Theresa Shuman, Director of Development

Thomas Stahl, Director of Stewardship

Nancy Beachler, Administrative Assistant

Nick Ebersole, Project Coordinator

Kaitlyn Gundersen, Conservation Planner

Lydia Martin, Land Steward

Betty Moyer, Office Administrator

Lancaster County ConservancyBoard & Staff

P.O. Box 716, Lancaster. PA 17608-0716Phone: 717-392-7891Fax: 717-392-8220conserve@lancasterconservancy.orgwww.lancasterconservancy.org

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. PostagePAID

Lancaster, PA Permit No. 243

MiSSiON To save and steward the ecosystems and landscapes upon which we depend for food, clean water and air, economic and public health, and the restoration of soul and spirit.

We encourage dissemination of this material.2013 Lancaster County ConservancyEditor: Bette Phillips-HersheyDesign: Modern Art

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