Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County is the first State Park in Pennsylvania to purchase an environmentally friendly, propane-powered lawn mower; one of many initiatives at the park to conserve natural resources.

"In the Bureau of State Parks, we are really trying to practice what we preach by setting a good example of green practices in the operation of our parks, and then helping people understand them through our educational and recreational programs and signage," said Bureau of State Parks Director John Norbeck.

Compared to gasoline mowers, a propane version reduces emissions up to 90 percent, while boosting fuel economy by 10 percent.

The mower is being supplied by Pittsburgh-based Krigger & Company under a state contract. It is manufactured in the United States and converted to run on propane by EnviroGard, a division of Onyx Environmental Solutions, located in Cornelius, NC.

"We do have some large grassy areas at the park that need to be mowed on a regular basis. We are really excited that, with our new propane-powered mower, we can demonstrate one way to cut the emissions that contribute to global warming," Park Manager Ken Bisbee said. "This fits with our iConserve Pennsylvania outreach effort that encourages people to take steps to make conservation of our natural resources a priority in their daily activities."

Other green initiatives in place at Yellow Creek State Park include:

· a wind turbine that powers the environmental classroom building at the park;

· a program of planting with native species at the environmental learning classroom building to show others how they can reduce mowing, watering and fertilizing;

· conversion of park buildings to incorporate better natural lighting, window placement, insulation, more efficient water heating systems and conversion to low energy compact fluorescent bulbs;

· currently undergoing a "climate friendly survey," developed by the National Park Service, to collect data on energy consumption and emissions generated by park staff and visitors within park boundaries. This information can be used to change management practices, develop educational programs to increase public awareness and encourage stakeholders to participate in generating ideas to conserve;

· Purchase of a new low-emission, fuel-efficient boat motor for use on the park's patrol boat;

· Switching to ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, with 5 percent bio-diesel fuel added, for the parks vehicles;

· Development of many new educational programs to teach others about alternative energies, such as wind, solar and hydro power; and

· The park's environmental education specialist gave up using his state vehicle when he is working within the park, instead riding a bicycle to get to his programs and meetings.

Yellow Creek State Park is along one of the first "highways" in the state, the Kittanning Path. This trail was used by the Delaware and Shawnee nations and by early settlers. An earth and rock dam, creating a 720-acre lake at the park, was completed in 1969. Yellow Creek State Park is named for Yellow and Little Yellow creeks, which create the lake. The creeks have lots of yellow clay in the banks and bottoms.

For more information, visit the Yellow Creek State Park webpage and the iConserve Pennsylvania website.

5/23/2008