On November 4, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 390 acres in Erie County that have been added to the Conservancy’s West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, expanding the natural area to nearly 1,000 acres.

These newly protected acres are located within the 1,250-square mile French Creek watershed on two properties in Venango Township. French Creek flows from its headwaters in Chautauqua County, N.Y. to its confluence with the Allegheny River in Franklin, Venango County.

French Creek is the most biologically diverse stream of its size in Pennsylvania or any state in the Northeastern United States due to the amount of fish and freshwater mussel species.

The Conservancy’s West Branch French Creek Conservation Area now protects six miles of forested land along the West Branch French Creek, a major tributary to French Creek and a half mile of frontage on Alder Brook, a wetland and feeder stream to the creek.

Forested buffers along rivers and streams help to regulate water temperature, improve aquatic habitat and overall water quality.

In addition to important stream frontage, these acres expand public access on the conservation area for hunting, fishing, hiking, nature study, and bird and wildlife watching. The Conservancy plans to install additional signage and parking in the future.

“French Creek and protecting properties within its watershed continue to be of great conservation importance to the Conservancy, not only to preserve land and this important waterway for rare, endangered and common species, but to provide expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy and explore,” said Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy.

These properties were acquired with funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and a family’s gift in memory of their son and brother, Brad Barnes. Barnes, who lived in the area, was dedicated to conservation and to protecting endangered plants and animals.

His family has conserved several ecologically significant WPC-protected properties in the French Creek watershed in his memory.

Funding was also provided through the estate of Helen B. Katz and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Conservancy has protected more than 5,500 acres within the French Creek watershed, starting with the Wattsburg Fen Natural Area in 1969.

French Creek and its tributaries provide habitat for five species of federally endangered and threatened freshwater mussels and other mussel species, as well as numerous fish species of greatest conservation need in Pennsylvania.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

Next Round Of Applications Due April 22

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the next round of Community Conservation Partnership Grants.  The deadline for applications is April 22.

Workshops on how to apply for the grants have been scheduled around the state in November.

Click Here for more information.

NewsClips:

Western PA Conservancy Acquires 390 More Acres In Erie County For Permanent Protection

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[Posted: November 5, 2019]

11/11/2019