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Transource Energy, Alliance For Chesapeake Bay, DCNR Plant Over 300 Trees In Multi-Function Riparian Buffer In Franklin County

On November 6, Transource Energy, in partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and DCNR, planted 308 trees to install a multi-functional riparian buffer along the West Branch Conococheague Creek, a Class A wild trout stream in Franklin County.

The tree planting was made possible through a $25,000 donation Transource made last year to support local conservation efforts of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

This planting will be recorded to count toward the county and state’s goals as laid out by EPA and will also be logged with Pennsylvania’s Keystone 10 Million Trees initiative.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also participated in the planting.

“At Transource, we are proud to advance shared priorities like this and we understand the important role streams play in the natural ecosystem and community recreation," said Todd Burns, Transource Energy Director.

“Anywhere in Pennsylvania where you have a streamside property that doesn’t currently have a forest around it, whether it’s a farm or backyard, you can absolutely get funding to have a riparian buffer installed," said Ryan Davis, Chesapeake Bay Forests Program Manager. "Reach out to your local conservation district or groups like the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for more information.

“Water quality is important. Fifty percent of Pennsylvania drinks well water and the other half drinks surface water," added Davis. "Either way we’re going to be drinking water that interacts with our streams. It’s also provides important economic value for Pennsylvania through fishing and recreation.”

“Generally, if the land isn’t being used for anything and a tree can survive there and it’s along a waterway, it’s a good idea to plant trees – for shade, for wildlife for water quality," said Marlin Graham, Riparian Forest Buffer Technician with DCNR. “Over next couple of years, we’re expecting it to ramp up as were looking to meet the 2025 goals. We’ll be moving out of the planning phase toward more of putting trees into the ground phase. It’s going well in Franklin County and we see an excellent example here today.”

Last November, Transource planted 600 seedlings at Spring Valley Park in York County and plans to continue to support conservation initiatives through volunteerism as funds are applied by the donation recipients.

Watershed Restoration Grants

These grant programs are now accepting applications for watershed restoration projects--

November 30-- PECO Service Territory Green Region Tree Planting Grants

December 1-- DEP Farm, Small Business Advantage Grants

December 3-- NRCS Regional Farm Conservation Partnership Grants

December 15-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants

December 20-- DEP Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants

December 20-- Western PA Conservancy Dominion Energy Watershed Mini Grants

December 30-- USDA Rural Stormwater, Water Infrastructure Funding

December 31-- OSI Delaware Watershed Protection Fund Transition & Catalyst Grants

January 31-- DEP Pilot Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Proposals

January 31-- Talk To Your State Senator Student Video Contest: Idea - Fund Farm Conservation