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On November 20, the ClearWater Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania announced it has been awarded a $99,700 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to install six acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Susquehanna River Watershed.
The funding will help protect water quality, reduce soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitats in the region.
Riparian buffers, the transitional area between land and waterways, have important roles in our ecosystem.
By planting these areas with native trees and shrubs, they act as natural filters that trap pollutants from stormwater and agricultural runoff, preventing them from reaching our waterways.
These buffers also provide critical wildlife habitats, stabilize stream banks, improve in-stream fish habitat, and reduce flooding and soil erosion.
The goal of ClearWater’s Riparian Conservation Program is to improve water quality throughout Central Pennsylvania through the program’s four areas of focus: stream assessment, stewardship, restoration, and protection.
The program educates streamside landowners on the role of vegetated buffers, restores streamside buffers with native trees and shrubs, and then stewards the young forests utilizing our volunteer group of Streamside Stewards.
The funding comes from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), which supports environmental projects across the state to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces, and protect vital natural habitats.
This grant will directly contribute to ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore natural ecosystems within the Susquehanna River Watershed.
“We’re so grateful to receive funding from DCNR to continue our work restoring forested riparian buffers in the region,” said Jennifer Dombroskie, Riparian Program Manager at ClearWater Conservancy. “These buffers will not only protect our local waterways but also contribute to the overall health of the entire watershed, benefiting communities, wildlife, and future generations.”
The grant is part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ broader initiative to promote sustainable environmental practices and improve the health of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
ClearWater Conservancy’s project is expected to begin in 2025 with landowner outreach and will complete the plantings by 2027.
For more information about natural resource conservation efforts, visit the ClearWater Conservancy website.
Next DCNR Grant Round Opens Jan. 21
DCNR will start accepting the next round of Community Conservation Partnership Grant Program on January 21. The deadline for applications is April 2.
Click Here for a list of related DCNR grants opening.
Click Here for a list of Grant Application Workshops On Demand.
Resource Links:
-- DCNR Announces $79.4 Million In Grants To Support 307 Recreation, Land Conservation, Tree Planting Projects Across Pennsylvania; Next Grant Round Opens Jan. 21 [PaEN]
-- DCNR Grants Update: Grant Application Workshops Available; Conservation Easement Assistance Grants; Other Funding Opportunities
Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:
-- DEP Awards $2.55 Million In Federal Funding To Support 5 Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects [PaEN]
-- Fish & Boat Commission Accepting Application For Stream Habitat Improvement Projects In Lancaster, York Counties [PaEN]
-- Penn State Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Seeks Input On Shaping Agenda For ACAP Ag Conservation Con 2025 In April [PaEN]
-- DEP Briefs Water Resources Committee On Proposed Changes To PAG-13 General Permit For Small Municipal Stormwater Dischargers; Latest Emerging Contaminants Sampling Results; Microplastics Study [PaEN]
-- DEP Publishes Updated Non-Regulatory Agenda Showing Technical Guidance Documents In Development [PaEN]
-- Berks Nature: New Data On The Annual Economic Value Of Nature Documents $853 Million In Savings, $938 Million In Outdoor Recreation Benefits To Citizens of Berks County [PaEN]
-- Delaware River Basin Commission Meets Dec. 5 To Consider Resolution To Preserve And Protect Water Supplies During Persistent Dry Conditions [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meets Dec. 12 On New Fee Schedule; Water Withdrawals, Including 4 Shale Gas; New General Permit For Into-Basin Diversions [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 42 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In October; 274 General Permits So Far In 2024 [PaEN]
-- PA Emergency Management Agency, Delaware River Basin Commission: Nov. 26 Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding Webinar, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
-- PUC Highlights National Critical Infrastructure Security And Resilience Month With A Focus On Utility Resilience And Security
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Will Fight Preliminary FERC Permit Granted For Proposed Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Project In York County [PaEN]
-- EPA Accepting Comments On New Draft Framework To Advance Consideration of Cumulative Impacts On Communities [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- National Review: Northeast Pennsylvania Needs Natural Gas - New Congress, New Federal Administration Should Overturn Delaware River Basin Commission Moratorium On Shale Gas Fracking - By Jason Adams [PDF of Article]
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Karl Blankenship: Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Improved In Latest Assessment
-- Chesapeake Bay Program: Chesapeake Bay Dead Zone ‘Near Average’ In 2024
-- Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards Accepting Volunteer Applications For Spring 2025 Training [PaEN]
-- Master Watershed Stewards Naturalize Stormwater Basin In York County [PaEN]
-- Master Watershed Stewards In York Introduce Urban Youth To Fishing [PaEN]
-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Newsletter: Our Values In Action; News Around The Watershed; Recreation Access For All; Opportunities For All; New Podcast; Upcoming Events
-- WTAJ: ClearWater Conservancy Receives $99,000 Grant To Install Forested Riparian Stream Buffers In Centre County
-- The Allegheny Front: New ClearWater Conservancy Conservation Education Center In Centre County Lands Federal, State Funding
-- Reading Eagle: Berks Nature Emphasizes Community Planning During State Of The Environment Breakfast
-- Delaware RiverKeeper Nov. 22 RiverWatch Video Report
-- Penn State Extension: Private Water Supply Education, Water Testing Accomplishments In 2024 [PaEN]
-- Spotlight PA: Flood Damage That Destroyed Antietam Middle School Reveals Deep Divisions Between Berks County Communities Over How And Where To Continue Schooling Students
-- WHYY: Philly Launches Flood Alerts For Eastwick Neighborhood: ‘A Long Time Coming’
-- Appalachian Voices: Statement On Request For $98 Billion In Federal Disaster Funding
-- Citizens Voice: Cemetery Headstones Washed Away In 1972 Flood Found In Forty Fort
-- Post-Gazette/AP: Climate Change Increased Hurricane Wind Strength By 18 MPH Since 2019, Study Says
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: Delaware River Basin Managers Could Take Conservation Efforts If Drought Worsens
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Delaware River Water Levels At 60% As Salt Front Increases Amid Drought
-- MCall: How Recent Rains Impacted Lehigh Valley’s River, Drought Status
-- KYW: Officials Eyeing Delaware River Salt Levels As Philly-Area Drought Worsens
-- Courier Times: Part Of Bucks County Enters ‘Extreme Drought’ This Week Amid Worst Dry Spell In 22 Years
-- WNEP: Aqua Pennsylvania Issues Mandatory Water Conservation Notice In Northumberland, Columbia, Schuylkill Counties
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Drought Conditions Have Caused Aqua PA Water To Suddenly Stink, But Safe To Drink In Abington, Montgomery County; Using Different Source Of Water
-- Managing Your Well During A Drought, Tips From Penn State Extension [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Youghiogheny River Level Remains Low After Relatively Dry Summer, Fall In Westmoreland, Fayette Counties
-- New York Governor Declares 15 Counties In Drought Warning, Drought Watch Statewide
-- MCall: Plans For Route 512 Warehouses, Landfill Expansion Raise Traffic, Environmental Concerns
-- Spotlight PA: Local Leaders Want To Help State College Borough Water Authority Take Over Small, Troubled Rock Spring Water Company
-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Lifts Boil-Water Advisory For Fryburg Water Customers In Place For Six Days [One Of The Companies Involved In Venango County Conventional Well Spill Incident]
-- WNEP: PA American Water Finishes Dredging Silt Released From Dam Rehab Project Into Roaring Brook
-- Scranton Times: PA American Water Dredges Silt Released From Dam Rehab Project Into Roaring Brook
-- Penn State Extension: In-Person Workshop Nov. 24 Meadow Seeding For A Hands-On Stormwater Solution. Rose Tree County Park, Media, Delaware County 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
[Posted: November 21, 2024]
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