By Larry Myers, Forbes Trail Chapter Trout Unlimited

I want to share with you an educational video one of our members created based on a recent conservation project. 

We received a call a month ago from Corey Snyder, Manager of Linn Run State Park Complex, southeast of Ligonier, Westmoreland County. 

He needed volunteers to assist his staff in treating hemlock trees for the insect, woolly adelgid. 

You may have read or heard about the pest.  They are wiping out entire stands of hemlocks in eastern US.  They are of particular concern to our chapter because they are threatening to destroy the canopy over Linn Run. 

We are currently working on a Coldwater Conservation Plan for Linn Run and its tributaries.  [Read more here.] We observed the adelgid during our habitat assessments this past spring. 

We have developed a great working relationship with the park and were very pleased that they called on us for assistance. 

I have since reached out to Ed Callahan, Director for Forbes State Forest, and offered our assistance to him as well noting our focus is on the headwater streams feeding into Loyalhanna Creek.

This is something TU chapters might be able to engage in elsewhere in the Commonwealth. 

Because of our vested interest in protecting the canopies that protect our coldwater streams, it seems like a natural partnership for us to work with the parks and forest people. 

Ron Miller, one of our active members, was part of the work crew and used photos and videos he and others took that day to create the educational film. 

He did this entirely on his own.  He also included credits for some of the material he researched for the video. 

Click Here to watch the video.

Ron has produced a number of fishing videos that he’s placed on the Forbes Trail TU YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.

I am continually impressed with the talents and competencies our members bring to the table.  And when it comes to volunteering for projects like this, we routinely have to put some people on a “reserve list”…a nice problem for a nonprofit organization to have! 

This is just one more example of how TU is reaching out to be good environmental stewards. 

You all have similar stories to tell.  We may feel more comfortable being humble about our accomplishments.  But, I think it’s important that the public understand that TU is a player at the table. 

Building good relationships with our state agencies is critical in protecting our streams and fisheries. 

We are very happy we got the call! 

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Forbes Trail Chapter Trout Unlimited website.

Related Articles:

-- Forbes Trail Chapter Of Trout Unlimited, Partners To Study Fish, Habitat Health In Linn Run Watershed, Westmoreland County

-- Forbes Trail Chapter Of TU Recognizes Monty Murty With The Don Robb Memorial Chapter Service Award In Westmoreland County

-- Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited: Veterans Enjoy Day Of Fly Fishing In Westmoreland County

[Posted: November 4, 2021]

11/8/2021