EVENTS in the HISTORY of the

Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th, 2008.  2008 LCWA Earth Day Tree Planting Family Event.  

At corner of Hammersmith Ln. and Koser Rd. in Manheim Twp.  LCWA organized a tree planting event to commemorate Earth Day 2008 along the banks of Bachman Run.  Ninety-two volunteers participated in the planting of 300 trees and shrubs.  Volunteers came from Lancaster Country Day School (50), Fenner Drives Green Team (22), Community Mennonite Church (10) and LCWA(10).

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007.  FALL TREE PLANTING.  EXELON, LANCASTER GENERAL HOSPITAL, LCWA PARTNER FOR RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONE INSTALLATION AT LGH.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, LCWA provided volunteer support for a riparian buffer zone planting on the grounds of the Lancaster General Hospital (LGH).  Exelon Corporation sponsored this event.  The planting involved the partnership of Exelon, LGH, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), LCWA and the Lancaster County Conservancy.   The planting occurred along a tributary to the Little Conestoga River, just across Spring Valley Road from LGH's Health Campus in Lancaster, PA.

The project demonstrated how a community-based partnership could implement a watershed restoration project that improves air and water quality, improves wildlife habitat and yields two sets of quantifiable environmental service credits, one for reducing nutrients and sediments entering the stream and another for sequestering carbon, the leading cause of global warming.

The project built on a riparian buffer planted by the LCWA on April 21, 2007, immediately upstream of this project site.  These projects have multiple environmental benefits including improved water quality, air quality and aquatic and terrestrial habitat for fish and wildlife.

                The volunteer corps.             Dan introduces representatives from PEC, Exelon.

        Volunteers plant a tree.                            Bill installs a protective tree tube.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007.  INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL AT JACOB'S CREEK PARK.

Approximately 65 LCWA volunteers met this morning to perform maintenance work on the Riparian buffer zone planted at Jacob's Creek Park on April 21^st, 2007.  On April 21^st LCWA planted approximately 400 small trees along this unnamed tributary of the Little Conestoga Creek.  On Sept. 8^th, we removed the invasive Purple Loosestrife (see photo below). 

Purple Loosestrife                   The Volunteer Crew for Invasive Plant Removal

SATURDAY, APRIL 21st, 2007.  TREE PLANTING AT JACOB'S CREEK PARK.

Approximately 400 small trees and shrubs were planted at Jacob's Creek Park on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.  About 50 LCWA members and volunteers attended the planting.  The varieties of the trees are expected to be:  Silver Maple (50), River Birch (50), Hackberry (25), American Sycamore (75), Silky Dogwood (50), Arrowwood (25), Black Haw (25), Swamp White Oak (50) and Pin Oak (50).  Volunteers included about 25 Lancaster Country Day School students, about 10 Manheim Township High School students, and about 10 members of the Fenner Group Green Team.  LCWA thanks all of the volunteers who came to support the tree planting.

This planting makred LCWA's first use of tree-tubes to help protect the young trees from lawn mowers and animals that might damage the tree during its growth period.  We plan to return to the plating site in each of the upcoming months to water and maintain the plantings.

Jacob'c Creek Park is located just west of the Heath Campus on Harrisburg Pike.  To visit the planting site, from Lancaster head west on Harrisburg Pike, go past the Park City Mall on your right, go past the Health Campus on your left.  Turn left on Rohrerstown Road (Rt. 741, marked McGovernville Road at the Harrisburg Pike intersection).  Turn right on Spring Valley Road.  Go up a hill, turn left onto Bethel Drive.  Turn left onto Sylvan Road.  There is a parking lot at the end of Sylvan Road.

  The Jacob's Creek 4/21/07 Volunteer Corps

Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.  Earth Day Lecture at Lancaster Country Day School.  Presentation by Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance member Donald Nazario.  "FIELD WORK IN AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES."

Mr. Donald J. Nazario is a Senior Environmental Scientist employed at Aqua Survey, Inc. in Flemington, NJ.  Aqua Survey, Inc. (ASI) provides clients highly professional laboratory testing, field sampling and interpretation services.  Located in Flemington, New Jersey, the firm specializes in on-water field sampling services and dredging projects, in particular.  ASI provides vibracoring – drilling services, geophysical and hydrographic survey work, water quality and benthic sampling, and aquatic toxicity testing.  These services support an environmental market that has placed an importance on all ports and harbors, waterways, rivers, streams and marshes.  Don's talk showed the high school students that working for a firm of this type is not only rewarding intellectually but also allows one to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and water systems.  Don's inspirational talk informed students that the path to a rewarding job is part education, part goal setting and part passion.

October, 2006.  Tree Planting at High Companies' Greenfield Corporate Center.  The following text is an excerpt from a press release LCWA produced on December 21, 2006 regarding our project at Greenfield Corporate Center.  Media contacts are John E. Sandy, Director of Corporate Marketing, The High Companies (jsandy@high.net) and Derek H. Reese, President, Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance (dhreese@ptd.net).

A portion of the immaculately maintained grounds at Greenfield Corporate Center, The High Companies’ 600-acre center in East Lampeter Township, will be a little less manicured from now on, and for good reason.  The Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance (LCWA) recently installed a forested riparian buffer zone along Stauffer Run there as part of its mission of improving the conditions of the region’s watershed.

“The High Companies has shown continued commitment to good environmental stewardship practices in our community,” said Derek Reese, president of LCWA. “We appreciate the company’s vision and action in working with us to establish the county’s first riparian buffer zone to be installed within a pristine corporate center.”

Volunteer members of the alliance planted approximately one acre of trees and shrubs, and natural grasses will be left undisturbed to grow and reseed in a naturalized environment.  Buffers such as the one at Greenfield, typically 20-30 feet wide along the sides of a creek or river, serve as “green sponges” that filter storm-water runoff, reduce erosion, and provide wildlife habitat.

The Little Conestoga Creek is a tributary of the Conestoga River and has a watershed area of 65.5 square miles.  High nutrient levels, severe bank erosion, siltation, urban storm-water runoff, and industrial pollution have put the Little Conestoga Creek on the List of Impaired Waters as defined in Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act.  The upper and lower regions of the Little Conestoga Watershed are more than 80 percent agricultural land, a primary contributor of nutrient pollution from animal wastes.  The Conestoga River Watershed has the highest nutrient pollution concentration of any watershed flowing into the Susquehanna River.

For more information, visit www.greenfieldcorporatecenter.com

The Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance is a non-profit Pennsylvania organization founded in October, 2000. The group comprises citizens, businesses, non-profit conservation organizations, academic institutions, and local, state and federal government representatives that have joined together and are committed to a common purpose: a comprehensive approach to continual enhancement of water quality, stream restoration, and preservation of natural resources within the Little Conestoga Creek Watershed.

The High Companies, based at Greenfield Corporate Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, celebrates its 75^th anniversary in 2006 and was named Corporate Citizen of the Year for 2006 by Central Penn Business Journal. Founded in 1931, this family-owned company serves its customers through the following businesses: industrial/commercial, multi-family, and retail development; brokerage, leasing, and asset and property management services; real estate investments; hotel ownership and management; architecture and construction; steel fabrication, erection, and distribution; precast concrete building systems; and air-quality and safety consulting. The High Companies operates 44 offices in 10 states. More information is available by visiting www.high.net.

Saturday, September 9^th, 2006.  Tree Planting at Manor Township Community Park

LCWA volunteers organized and participated in a tree planting at Manor Township Community Park.  The event was coordinated by LCWA and the United Way (as a part of their annual Day of Caring).  Trees were purchased from Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, Inc. with money obtained from the Izaak Walton League of America (Gaithersburg, MD) through a grant from the National Tree Trust.

The planting occurred at Manor Twp. park, located at Charlestown Rd. and PA 741, Manor Twp., Lancaster County.  The project involved the planting of 118 trees.

The trees and shrubs were 10-12 individuals from each of 11 species: red maples, silver maples, green ashes, tulip poplars, sycamores, and red oaks that were 6-8 feet in size.  Smooth alders, river birches, silky dogwoods, red-osier dogwoods, and winterberry were smaller-sized.  The goal of the project is to continue the gradual reforestation of the Little Conestoga Creek riparian zone.  This particular location has a potential for a variety of environmental education opportunities, because the location is in a public park and is located just a mile from the Penn Manor District's Manor Middle School.

Monday, April 17^th, 2006.  Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Annual Dinner Meeting.  On April 17th, 2006 LCWA's Rick Shoup (LCWA Secretary and Board Memeber) was the guest speaker for this annual event.  The talk and dinner were held at the Pressroom Restaurant, 26 W. King Street, Lancaster, PA.  Rick discussed the activities of the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance with regard to preservation and enhancement of the water quality, stream banks, and riparian areas of the Little Conestoga Basin.  Rick worked for the Department of Environmental Protection for 34 years.  Information about the Tanger Arboretum can be found at http://www.lancasterhistory.org/arboretum/index.html.

Saturday, September 24, 2005.  TREE PLANTING at Bachman Run.   LCWA organized a planting of about 600 trees and shrubs along the banks of Bachman Run.  The location of the planting was at the intersection of Rt. 722 and Fruitville Pike.  The event ran from about 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  An introduction to tree planting and the benefits of Riparian buffer zones was given at 9:00, followed by intense tree planting for several hours.  Approximately 60 volunteers assisted with the planting, including a group of Lancaster Country Day School third grade students and their parents.  See photos below.

Click here to see "Before and After" Photos from Bachman Run Project

Saturday, September 10, 2005.  Hempfield High School riparian buffer planting.

LCWA and Hempfield School District conducted a riparian buffer zone planting of native trees and shrubs on the banks of a tributary to Swarr Run, on the Hempfield School District campus.  The project was funded by the Isaac Walton League (IWL), 707 Conservation Lane, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878-2983 through a project called 2005 Roots Grant for Community Action, which is in turn funded by the National Tree Trust and the Altria Group, Inc.  The planting occured at the south end of the campus, starting along Church Street in Landisville where the road crosses over the stream, and extending west along the stream.  The planted area was 25 feet wide along both sides of the stream, with most plants on 15 foot centers.  A total of 235 native trees and shrubs (thirteen different species) were planted.

The purpose of the planting was to mitigate the erosion effect of heavy rainfall on both streambed and stream water quality by providing plants that will develop large root masses and stabilize the banks.  Development trends create increasing amounts of runoff, often polluted with materials produced by human activities in the watershed, and the runoff damages both the structure of the stream and its water quality.  The tree-lined stream that will eventually result will also have enhanced habitat for fish, birds and other animals.

Planning of this project was done by Kami Watson of the IWL, Dr. David Poore, Jr., Superintendent of HSD, Dan Synoracki or Rettew Associates, and Rick Shoup of LCWA.  This project has a strong required educational component, and since the riparian buffer zone wil be available as an outdoor classroom right on the school campus, there will be opportunity for classroom study, individual student science projects and research, individual and group student service projects, and (potentially) District adult/parent educational events.  In fall of 2005 there will be at least one "workshop" conducted by IWL staff on the importance of riparian buffers and wetlands, and the need to maintain these facilities for community use. 

The planting was done by volunteers from Hempfield High School, the United Way (in association with the United Way Day of Caring), Alumax Mill Products (formerly Alcoa), and community volunteers.   Some photos from the day's work are shown below.

April 23, 2005.  Maple Grove Community Center Tree Planting and Stream Clean-Up, Lancaster County, PA.  LCWA  planted about 80 trees and removed many bags of trash from the banks of the Little Conestoga Creek at the Maple Grove Community Center, 1420 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, PA.  (See photo below.) 

The Maple Grove site is located on the main stem of the Little Conestoga Creek.  It is just minutes from the center city of Lancaster, along Columbia Ave.  The property, which included the Abbeville Mill, was first purchased by Aaron H. Summy who planted the large grove of maple trees there in the 1890s. Originally there was a dam which fed water into the mill located where Columbia Ave. now runs.  In 1912, Ralph W. Coho purchased the property and built the then-largest swimming pool in the world.  The pool was replaced with a smaller pool later, making it only the largest swimming pool in Pennsylvania.  These two pools obtained their constant supply of water from the Little Conestoga Creek.

Our work at Maple Grove involved planting native trees and shrubs, as well as a clean-up of debris from the area.

Summer and Early Fall, 2004.  Millers Run Stream Restoration.  Design and Implementation, Phase I.  East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, PA.  September 25, 2004 Tree Planting Event.  In summer and early fall of 2004, the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance (LCWA) completed their first Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Management Grant stream restoration project on a severely eroded section of Millers Run located on properties owned by residents of the Chestnut Valley and School Lane Estates developments in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, PA. The Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance restored approximately 2,000 feet (Phase I) of an impaired stretch of Millers Run that extends from Westminster Drive east through residential lands owned by several homeowners.

The regrading of eroded stream banks along Millers Run to more stable 3:1 slopes was completed to stabilize its previous vertical banks (1:1 slope). The regrading involved the cutting of soil materials which also helped to provide more floodwater storage capacity to a stream that historically got pounded from uncontrolled stormwater runoff.  The construction of 21 rock cross vanes and seven J-hook rock vanes spaced out along the length of the restoration segment were installed to create pools and keep the stream flow concentrated in the center of the channel in an effort to reduce future bank erosion.  Such structures have helped to "lock in the channel" and restrict the stream from migrating laterally into resident's yards.  The project also included the installation of a bioretention/infiltration area and the improvement of a stormwater swale that discharges to Millers Run.  The incorporation of riparian herbaceous vegetation and the installation of erosion control matting and shrub and tree plantings were completed to help stabilize the banks and floodplain and help control erosion and restore riparian habitat.  On September 25, 2004 LCWA and resident volunteers planted a total of 775 riparian trees and shrubs in a 15-foot wide buffer along both sides of the stream in late September 2004 to complete the project.  Riparian tree and shrub species planted included black willow, pin oak, silver maple, American sycamore, green ash, red maple, white pine, silky dogwood and red-osier dogwood.  See photos below from the planting.

Click here to see "Before and After" Photos from Millers Run Project

Saturday, September 11th, 2004.  LCWA organizes invasive plant removal from Maple Grove site of the Little Conestoga.  On Saturday, September 11^th, 2004, LCWA conducted an invasive plant removal at the Maple Grove Community Center.  About 35 volunteers participated.  Many of the volunteers were from Lancaster Country Day School and volunteers from the United Way, in associated with their annual Day of Caring.  See photos below.

Saturday, April 17, 2004.  LCWA organizes Earth Day Stream Clean-Up of Manor Township portion of the Little Conestoga Stream.  As a follow-up to the log-jam removal that took place in February of 2004, LCWA organized a clean-up of a portion of the Little Conestoga Stream that runs through Manor Township Community Park, at the location where LCWA removed the logjam in February.  John May, Manor Township Supervisor, coordinated this Volunteer Action Day.  A large dump-truck was completely filled with the trash (which included items such as a sofa, a bowling ball, and many bottles, cans, and general litter).

February 14th, 2004.  Log Jam Debris Removal.  Little Conestoga Creek (LCC), Manor Township, Lancaster County, PA.  After several years of concern and property damage, LCWA came to the rescue of neighbors located in the Georgetown Hills residential development along the LCC.  The logjam was approximately 150 feet long and had been growing since 2000.  The log jam was comprised of fallen trees, trash and debris and was causing water to back-up and create a pool.  The obstruction also caused property damage through erosion during high waters.  John May, LCWA member and Township Board Supervisor Chairman, spearheaded the project and took the responsibility for getting the log jam completely removed.

September 13th, 2003.  Tree Planting.  A.K. Mann site, along Swarr Run, Lancaster County, PA.  LCWA participates in (and co-sponsors) the planting of about 650 trees at the A.K. Mann riparian buffer site along Swarr Run near State Road.  The planting was co-sponsored by the United Way and was held in conjunction with their annual Day of Caring event.

April 19th, 2003.  Earth Day Tree Planting, Milton Estates, Lancaster County, PA.  (Pictured above)  LCWA and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay co-coordinated this Earth Day tree planting.  Over 600 trees were planted by 65 volunteers in Milton Estates, a new suburban development towards the headwaters of the tributary.  The event was sponsored by LCWA, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Trout Unlimited, Manheim Township and Representative Roy Baldwin of the 97th District.

March 20, 2003 (Pictured above):  Lancaster County Conservation District presents LCWA with the 2002 Watershed Stewardship Award.  Pictured above (l to r): Jineen Boyle of DEP, Roy Baldwin - State Representative, Michelle Spitko - LCWA President, Dan Synoracki - Founder and Board Member of LCWA and Matt Kofroth - LCCD Watershed Specialist.

March 8, 2003:  Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Bayscapes Mini-training program.  LCWA supporters participated with Hammer Creek Watershed Association and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in training in Bayscaping.  Bayscaping is a natural approach to landscaping which emphasizes the use of native plants, conservation landscaping, biodiversity preservation, reduction in chemical usage and lawn-size.  The workshop was held at Lititz Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz.

March 22, 2003: LCWA holds "Creek Contact Program" training session.  LCWA conducted training for interested persons to become "Creek Contacts."  Each Creek Contact (CC) would receive training to allow them to make contact with landowners who are interested in restoration work on their property.  CCs will return calls, make in-person contacts, deliver a packet of educational materials and make efforts to answer questions or get answers to questions from landowners about possible restoration projects/sites.  This is a great opportunity for citizens who believe in this work to become volunteers in a very important way.  The March 22nd training was conducted by Dan Synoracki and Michelle Spitko, of LCWA.  If you are interested in becoming a creek contact, please contact us.

February 20, 2003.  Unveiling of the Little Conestoga Watershed Assessment.  Mark Metzler, watershed specialist from Rettew Associates unveiled our Little Conestoga Watershed Assessment results.  The Assessment was funded through a $95,000 Growing Greener Grant.  This assessment is a vital and timely tool for us as citizens and for municipal officials in understanding the human impacts upon the watershed.  It is the map to help all of us create a restoration plan based upon current facts from the field.  Mark Metzler, with help from students from Franklin and Marshall College, citizen volunteers and other organizations, has been working on the assessment for the past year.  This assessment describes endangered species in our watershed, results from chemical, fish, macro-invertebrate, and land-use analysis.  With the help of video-logging and numerous maps the assessment shows the most degraded and healthiest areas of the watershed.

October 26, 2002.  LCWA holds "Train the Trainers" Workshop.  LCWA and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay offered a half-day "Train the Trainers" workshop on creating riparian buffer zones and maintenance, from 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.

October 19, 2002.  Bachman Run Tree Planting.  LCWA supporters plant over 300 trees along Bachman Run in Manheim Township with support from Trout Unlimited.  This project illustrates LCWA's work with individual landowners to create riparian buffer zones and restore wildlife habitat.  This site was done on Koser Rd. in  Manheim Township (See photo below.)

Summer 2002.  LCWA Receives Grant.  LCWA received its fifth Growing Greener Grant:  $52,000 for restoration work on Bachman Run in Manheim Township.

Spring 2002.  Jacob's Creek Planting.  LCWA supporters planted over 650 trees and shrubs along Jacob's Creek with financial support from East Hempfield Township and support from Keystone Homes.

October 2001.  LCWA Receives Grant.  LCWA received its fourth Growing Greener Grant, for $159,233.  This money will be used to restore 3400 feet of streambank along Millers Run in East Hempfield Township.

October 2001.  LCWA Receives Grant.  LCWA received its third Growing Greener Grant for a total of $95,000.  This money is used to conduct a complete assessment of the Little Conestoga Watershed and will help the alliance focus on future watershed efforts.  At the February 20, 2003 this assessment will be unveiled to the public.

Fall 2001 - Spring of 2002.  Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA) Stream Bank Restoration.  North side of Charlestown Road near Fairway Drive intersection, Manor Township, Lancaster County, PA.  LCWA completes its first official "Growing Greener" sponsored stream restoration project on a small unnamed tributary located on property owned by LASA and B&F Partners.  The $24,500.00 grant funded stream bank stabilization, fish habitat improvements and forest buffer establishment on a 500-foot section of stream and the assessment of the remaining upstream reaches outside the immediate restoration area.  We had scout troops help us plant approximately 300 native trees and shrubs to successfully complete this project.

The successes of the project and the natural resource restoration and conservation accomplishments of the Little Conestoga Creek Tributary Assessment/Restoration project include the following beneficial results:

*500 feet of restored stream ecosystem and improved aquatic habitat

*500 feet of improved stream quality, including cleaner/clearer waters, reduced nitrates, increased dissolved oxygen and reduced water temperatures

*Conservation/reduction of approximately 93 cubic yards of stabilized soils (1' x 5' x 500')

*0.57 to 1.15-acres of forested riparian buffer (25 to 50 *foot buffer)

*2.1 miles of videologged stream corridor documenting the baseline conditions for use in future phases of  stream restoration assessment and planning

*2 mudsills and improved fish habitat

*15 rock vanes to control and centralize stream flows

*6 areas of stream bank regrading and bioengineering

*2 large 36" x 48" educational signs on the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance and its conservation work.

*Better informed and educated stream restoration volunteers and property owners!  (See photo below.)

Click here to see "Before and After" Photos from LASA/Manor Tributary Restoration Project

May 2001.  LCC Clean-up at Park City Mall.  LCWA coordinated a stream cleanup of a half mile section of the Little Conestoga Creek south of Park City.  Over 60 volunteers turn out to support this effort.

March 2001.  Little Conestoga Creek (LCC) Stream Restoration Project at Maple Grove Community Center. LCWA volunteers and local schools helped Lancaster Township in the restoration of Little Conestoga Creek at Maple Grove Community Center.

Click here to see "Before and After" Photos from Maple Grove Community Center Project

December 2000.  LCWA Receives Two Grants.  LCWA received an $11,000 Growing Greener start-up grant.  LCWA received a second Growing Greener Grant for $24,500, to perform streambank restoration work at LASA in Manor Township.  Restoration work was completed in Spring of 2002 (see above) with the help of local citizens, students, and scout troops.

March 2000.  LCWA formed.  LCWA was formed and in December 2000 received a Pennsylvania Growing Greener Grant of $11,000.

BACK TO MAIN PAGE

Last Updated:  05/07/2008, by

Todd Trout, Lancaster Country Day School Science Department

e-mail:  troutt@e-lcds.org