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Galbraith Gap Land Purchased By ClearWater Now Part Of Rothrock State Forest
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The ClearWater Conservancy has completed its purchase of 152 mountainside acres in the Galbraith Gap area of Harris Township, Centre County, and transferred the land to public ownership as part of Rothrock State Forest.
The transfer to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry occurred November 4 in State College.
“Protecting mountain gaps is a priority of ClearWater Conservancy’s Land Conservation Program. These gaps are important groundwater recharge areas and provide unique habitat for many species of wildlife. Streams that flow through these gaps also often support remnant populations of brook trout, a species in decline throughout its range,” said Katie Ombalski, conservation biologist at ClearWater Conservancy. “Contributions from nearly 200 community members and local businesses and the hard work of several dedicated volunteers enabled the successful completion of the Galbraith Gap Land Acquisition Project.”
Funds for the $710,000 purchase came from the following sources: $340,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant; $200,000 contribution from DCNR Oil and Gas Lease Fund; $94,000 National Fish and Wildlife Federation grant; $9,000 Huplits Trust grant; $2,500 gift from The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation; $10,700 a portion of the proceeds from the 2011 Otto’s Golf Fest; $10,200 proceeds from ClearWater’s Fly Fishing Clinic; $25,000 matching gift from donor Don Hamer; and $25,000 in donations from individuals.
To further protect the land, ClearWater Conservancy, in partnership with DCNR and the Nittany Mountain Biking Association, are partnering to develop a sustainable 1.1 mile multi-use trail through the property in 2012 to connect DCNR’s Galbraith Gap Trailhead Parking Lot with a portion of the existing Rothrock State Forest trail system.
“It is important that public access be developed without degrading the sensitive habitats of the Gap conserved by the acquisition,” Ombalski said.
ClearWater Conservancy was recently awarded a $2,500 RecTAP grant from the PA Recreation and Park Society to fund the trail design by Trail Solutions, a consulting arm of the International Mountain Bicycling Association.
The gap serves as the main recreational gateway to Rothrock State Forest for hikers, birdwatchers, mountain bikers, hunters and cross country skiers. Conservation of the parcel provides new and exciting recreational opportunities within a few minutes of State College and its surrounding communities.
“The long-term conservation of this tract ensures it will continue to provide important habitat for wildlife species. On a more local scale, incorporating this land into the Rothrock State Forest meets the goals put forth for the Galbraith Gap Conservation Corridor in the Centre County Recreation and Greenway Plan,” said Jason Albright, district forester for the Rothrock State Forest District.
Since 2007, ClearWater Conservancy has added 646 acres on Tussey Ridge to Rothrock State Forest, opening the land for public use in perpetuity.
The property is within the Greater Tussey Mountain and Stone Mountain Important Bird Areas and Central Mountains Important Mammal Area. Its conservation buffers the adjacent Shingletown Gap Biological Diversity Area.
The 2,400- foot long unnamed tributary to Galbraith Gap Run coursing through the center of the land is now fully protected, as are the eastern hemlocks that cool the water of the tributary with their shade before it reaches Galbraith Gap Run, making it possible for native brook trout to thrive there.
Galbraith Gap Run is one of only five remaining in the Spring Creek Watershed with a reproducing wild brook trout population. Threatened by the woolly adelgid, an insect transplanted from Asia which feeds on hemlocks and can kill them, the hemlocks in Galbraith Gap will be overseen and managed by professional foresters now that the land has been transferred to DCNR.
The parcel is home to many wildlife species of interest, some of which are on the decline. Birds listed in the State Wildlife Action Plan that can be found on the property include Acadian flycatcher, Louisiana waterthrush, worm-eating warbler, blue-headed vireo, wood thrush and scarlet tanager among others. It is a known foraging habitat and potential critical habitat for timber rattlesnake and likely foraging and breeding habitat for eastern small-footed bats and northern long-eared bats.
ClearWater Conservancy's Land Conservation Program seeks to balance the rapid growth of central Pennsylvania with the conservation of important ecological, cultural, and historic places. We work with interested landowners and managers to determine appropriate and voluntary conservation methods, including land management recommendations, conservation easements, and land acquisitions.
For more information about the trail project contact ClearWater Conservancy at 814-237-0400.
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11/14/2011 |
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