The March issue of The Catalyst from the Butler County-based  Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights the beaver impacts at Jennings Environmental Education Center and upcoming solar eclipse and other activities.

Beavers vs. Jennings

For those who regularly traverse the hiking trails at Jennings Environmental Education Center, there is a good chance you have seen the effects of beaver activity over the past few years, if not caught a glimpse of the beavers themselves.

For a while there were some signs posted at the beavers’ habitat that displayed a scoreboard of Beavers Vs. Maintenance Staff — with the beavers always winning the game.

Staff at Jennings did their best to manage water levels and protect the forest environment, but in the end the beavers proved to be too much.

Often-flooded trails and dozens of beaver-felled trees led to the tough decision to “thin the herd” and have a trapper harvest some of the beavers who had made their home at Jennings.

Read about what happened next.

March 23 - Woodcock Watch & Owl Prowl

Join Jennings staff and members of the Bartramian Audubon Society on Saturday, March 23 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. for a woodcock watch and owl prowl.

The American Woodcock is a shorebird that has adapted to live away from the water, often found in open or shrubby areas.

The male Woodcock has a unique courtship display in the springtime used to attract females. This display can often be observed at dusk and into the night.

Barred Owls are common in Pennsylvania but are primarily nocturnal and so largely go unseen. They prefer a mixed forest and are typically found near water.

Barred Owls are territorial and will often respond when their call is played.

Venture out onto the prairie area of Jennings to learn more.

March 25 & April 8 Eclipses

Embark on an approximately 45-minute journey with “Shining Light on Eclipses”, our indoor program for all audiences. Delve into lunar and solar eclipses, uncovering their science and cultural stories.

Through a relaxed blend of simple narration and visuals, we’ll guide you on an illuminating journey to discover the magic that occurs when celestial bodies briefly steal each other’s spotlight in this captivating exploration of the celestial realm.

On Monday, March 25th, we will experience a penumbral lunar eclipse and on Monday, April 8th, portions of North America will experience a total solar eclipse and Pennsylvania is lucky enough to be in the path of totality.

Join the Jennings staff and discover the mystery and history of lunar and solar eclipses and be prepared to experience both these astronomical wonders.

Spring KIDS Catalyst

And don’t forget about the Happy Spring KIDS Catalyst coloring page!

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

For more information on programs, projects, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.  Follow them on Facebook.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

The Butler County-based Coalition was established in 1994 to restore land, water and wildlife resources in the Slippery Rock Watershed.

Resource Links:

-- DCNR Blog: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse In Pennsylvania

-- State Agencies Share Resources For Visitors, Motorists Ahead Of April 8 Solar Eclipse

Related Articles - Recreation/Forests:

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets March 27 To Hear Update On Grant Programs, State Budget  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro Launches Outdoor Business Alliance To Support PA’s Outdoor Economy At Gilson Snow in Snyder County  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Grants Newsletter: Last Minute Tips For Grant Applicants; Match-Free Tree Grants; Making Erie Safer For Migrating Birds 

-- Master Watershed Stewards In York County Recognize Betsy Leppo, Western PA Conservancy, Gifford Pinchot State Park Staff As 2023 Outstanding Partners For Work On Vernal Pools  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Announces Restoration Work Underway At Delaware Canal State Park In Delaware County

-- Western PA Conservancy Accepting Applications For Canoe Access Grants In Western PA  [PaEN] 

-- Northcentral PA Conservancy Hosts April 21 A Night For Nature And Helles-bender Beer At Turkey Hill Brewing In Bloomsburg  [PaEN] 

-- Learn How Your Property Could Be Certified Watershed-Friendly By Penn State Extension At April 25 Workshop In Cumberland County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension: April 9 Webinars: Introduction To Working Riparian Buffers You Can Eat; Other Buffer Resources  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension, Partners Host Volunteer Tree Plantings/Workshops April 13 - Lebanon County, April 16 & 20, May 11 - Lancaster County  [PaEN]

-- April 23 Webinar: Importance Of Tree Equity Amidst Changing Community Climates Hosted By Penn State Extension, Partners  [PaEN]

-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Highlights Jennings Environmental Ed Center Beavers; March 25 & April 8 Eclipse; More Activities  [PaEN]

-- Register Now For PA Master Naturalist Volunteer Training  [PaEN] 

-- Allegheny National Forest Partnership Projects Improve Stream Health Using Federal Inflation Reduction Act Funds  [PaEN]

-- US Forest Service: Weathering The Warmth - Early Spring's Impact On Trees - By Joseph M. Phillips, US Forest Service Northern Research Station  [PAEN] 

NewsClips:

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA Launches Outdoor Business Alliance

-- Republican Herald Editorial: Cost Of Trails Yields Many Benefits

-- Erie Times: Indicted In Undercover Sting, McKean County Ginseng Dealer Gets Fined In Erie Federal Court

-- Northern Appalachian Folk Festival Indiana, PA: April 27:  Michael Klimkos - The Fires Of Penn’s Woods 

-- Wildlands Conservancy: Register Now For 28th Lehigh River Sojourn, June 8-11 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Tyler Arboretum To Reopen Trails Closed By Devastating Beetle Attack In Delaware County

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna Commissioners OK Contract For New Roaring Brook Trail System

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Programming Planned At City Parks 

-- Warren Times - Josh Cotton: Allegheny National Forest Outlines Scope Of 18,000 Acre Hemlock Run Forest Management Project

-- MCall: Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies After Biting Hiker At Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area

-- TribLive: Tree Pollen Season A Little Early This Year, Allergists Say

[Posted: March 17, 2024]

3/25/2024