The Dominion Foundation has given a $10,000 grant to ClearWater Conservancy whose mission is to promote the conservation and restoration of natural resources in central Pennsylvania.

The grant will help the group to conserve Scrub Oak Shrubland Barrens habitat in central Pennsylvania by conserving existing barrens and by restoring historic barrens. Without conservation, numerous acres of Scrub Oak Shrubland barrens will be lost or compromised by habitat conversion and land development.

Scrub Oak Shrubland barrens support 15 species of special concern and many high- priority species. The location, condition, and restoration potential of its current and historic extent in central Pennsylvania is unknown.

ClearWater has many objectives to accomplish its goal to conserve this habitat. At the project’s end, the group hopes to implement “proactive conservation actions including land acquisition or easement of barrens parcels from interested landowners, habitat management and restoration, and landowner education.”

The grant was made through the Dominion Foundation, which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by Dominion companies.

For more information, visit the Dominion Foundation and ClearWater Conservancy websites.

7/18/2008