Caring for Communities
Earth Month Celebration
April 2010

A series of free, fun, family events on weekends in April as well as Arbor Day and the first weekend in May.  Now in its 7th year, the Earth Month Celebration explores critical environmental issues that affect the sustainability and well being of our communities. And we have fun doing it! This year’s theme: protecting and improving watersheds in our region.

All events are held at the Dale/Engle/Walker property on Strawbridge Road off Route 192 1.7 miles west of Rte 15 Lewisburg unless noted otherwise.  Follow brown PennDOT signs on Route 192.

Adding to the fun this year is the FAMILY GET OUT & GO ADVENTURE EVENT.
Families can register to play at any of the Earth Month Celebration events. Sign-up and participate in as many Earth events as you and your family are able. Prizes awarded to registered families at the final Earth Month event. Look for details online (http://linnconservancy.yolasite.com) or call 966-1351.
Date, Time, Place TBA:  Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting.  Presentations about the creek monitoring results and other watershed studies by Bucknell faculty.

Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.: Walk at Montandon Marsh
Led by Bucknell University professors and Tony Markunas III of Central Builders Supply. Meet at Central Builders’ sand plant off Route 45, .3 miles east of Route 405.

Sunday, April 11
9 a.m.: WKOK 1070 AM Roundtable on Protecting and Improving Watersheds
Hosted by Moderator Mark Lawrence and coordinated by Bob Deffner, manager of  R.B. Winter State Park. Also at 6 a.m. on Eagle 107.3 FM and WVLY 100.9 FM, at 11 a.m. on WMLP 1380 AM, and at 11 p.m. on 94KX 94.1 FM.

1:-4: p.m.: 5th Annual Native Plant Sale and Talk on Using Plants to Protect Watersheds
At the Public Library for Union County. Native plant orders will begin at 1, and the talk will be at 1:30. The talk is presented by Ben Hayes, director of the Bucknell University Environmental Center.

Saturday, April 17
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Environmental Awareness Symposium
Presented by Pachamama Alliance at the Union County Government Center, 155 North 15th St., Lewisburg.  From Rte 15 and 45 in Lewisburg, go west on Rte 45 to 15th St.; turn right onto 15th.  Gov. Center entrance will be on your left in about ¼ mile.

7:30 p.m.: Owl Prowl and Astronomy Night
Owl walk led by Joe Southerton, Mifflinburg teacher followed by astronomy observing at 8:30 led by Ned Ladd, Bucknell University physics professor. Meet at the Dale’s Ridge Trail parking lot for the Owl Prowl or at the Dale/Engle/Walker House for the star gazing.

Sunday, April 18, 1 p.m.: Bicycle Ride on the Conservancy’s Rural Routes
Led by bike enthusiast Tom Gibson. Routes will be available for two levels of experience, 15 miles and 30 miles. Park at the Dale/Engle/Walker House and meet at the Dale’s Ridge Trail parking lot.

Sunday, April 25, 1 p.m.: Buffalo Creek Water Quality Testing and Canoe/Kayak Adventure Trip
Sponsored by the Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance of the Merrill Linn Conservancy. Kayak trip is led by Canoe Susquehanna with reservation and fee required. Water sampling will be led by Matt McTammany, Bucknell biology professor, followed by the canoe/kayak trip at 2:00. Meet at Mazeppa Park in Mazeppa. Look for details and register online (www.canoesusquehanna.com) for the kayak adventure or call 524-7692.

Friday, April 30, 5:30: Arbor Day Tree Walk
Join Bucknell University biology professor Mark Spiro on a tour of the trees on campus in conjunction with the Lewisburg Shade Tree Commission. He has identified, categorized, and studied many varieties. Meet at the northeast corner of the Lewisburg Cemetery near the intersection of 7th St. and St. Catherine St.

Saturday, May 1, noon-4 p.m.: Native Plant Sale Pickup and Hike, Bluebird House Building for Kids
Those that ordered plants previously can pick them up, and come by and buy some if you didn’t order any. Hike on Dales Ridge Trail will begin at 1:00 and will feature tips on identifying and growing native plants. Two sessions of bluebird house building will take place, at 1 and 2; houses will be assembled from pre-built kits.

Sunday, May 2, 1-2:30: Tour of the Buffalo Creek Remediation Facility.  In western Union County, this facility is treating water at Buffalo Creek’s headwaters so aquatic life can once again thrive downstream. Sponsored by the Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance. Directions: Starting at the intersection of U.S. 15 and PA 45, go west 17.8 miles, turn right onto Stony Run Road (just before the Laurelton center and the junction with PA 235). After 3.2 miles, you will come to an intersection of forest roads. Turn right onto Buffalo Flat Road and follow it for 1.6 miles. Immediately after crossing the stream, you will see the sign and gate to the facility.

3-4 p.m.: Tour of Wetlands at the Residence of Margaret Moyer
Also in western Union County, conservancy member Margaret Moyer has constructed wetlands on her property, and she tells how she did it and describe the benefits from it. Directions from Lewisburg: Follow Rte 45 west 17.9 miles to the junction of Rte 235.  Turn left (south) onto 235, pass the fairgrounds on your left and continue to house number 1350 on State Route 235.

Like-Minded Organizations:  What’s Going On?  (all events open to everyone)

Seven Mountains Audubon
First Saturday (of each month--January 2, February 6, March 6, April 3) Outing. Meet in the parking area behind Bucks Service Station at northwest corner of Rtes 15 and 192 intersection in Lewisburg at 7:30 a.m. Destinations TBA.
Audubon Programs: Third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Kelly Township building on Zeigler Road off Rte. 15 just north of Lewisburg.

Wednesday, February 17:
ART & SPORT OF FALCONRY

Wednesday, March 17:
NOXIOUS WEEDS ON THE STATE GAME LANDS

For more information:  www.sevenmountainsaudubon.org

Bucknell Institute for Lifelong Learning (BILL) Offering 14 Courses for Winter Term: BILL’s mission is to engage mature learnersfrom a wide range of educational backgrounds in creative and intellectual activities that expand their horizons, invigorate their minds, and stimulate curiosity and the joy of learning.  Several Conservancy members are leading upcoming courses, including Gale and Manuel Duque (“Thanks for the Memories” Writing Workshop and “Explore the Acting Process”, respectively) and Neal Woodruff (“Jane Austen’s World”).  See Neal’s “Making Tracks” essay later in the latest Linn Log.
            Classes for Winter Term 2010 begin February 22; for your best chance of getting the course(s) you want, register by February 8.  BILL is a membership organization ($20 for half-year membership good through 6/30/10).  Members are entitled to take up to two courses per term and receive other benefits as well. 

Go to www.bucknell.edu/lifelonglearning for course information and registration/information forms, email lifelonglearning@bucknell.edu, or phone 570-577-7006.

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Organizations United for the Environment (O.U.E.):
First Monday of every month.

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Lower Penn's Creek Watershed Association:
Third Thursday of each month; 7 p.m.

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Thanks to the Many Volunteers Who Help Make It All Happen

• Richard and Lori Hughes of Hartleton for their offer of pawpaw and persimmon trees
• Joe Keller and Jo Reilly (coordinator) for Adopt-a-Highway cleanups.
• Dale’s Ridge Trail Volunteer Stewards:  Bob Rapp, Albert Mabus, Harry Huff and Mazeppa Boy Scout Troop 512, Jim and Laurie Knight, Allen Schweinsberg, Pete Mackey, Tom Duck, John Murphy, Tom Travis
• Bob Deffner, R. B. Winter Park manager, for assisting in organizing the trail cleanup there.
• Tom Gibson for his leadership in the Caring for Communities programming.
• Ann Gelnett, keeper of our scrapbook
• Our easement monitors: Jere Motto, Owen Anderson, Tom Travis, Joe Southerton, Allen Schweinsberg, John Murphy, Wayne McDiffett, John Tonzetich, Warren Abrahamson
  
  

 

 

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Stay Up-to-date with Email Notices

The Merrill W. Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy is interested in contacting its 300-plus members periodically throughout the year with a “conservation update” that will bring members up-to-date with critical, time-sensitive conservation issues related to Pennsylvania.  If you wish to receive these email messages, send your email address to Geoff Goodenow at linn@ptd.net, indicating your interest.  If you do not have an email address and wish to receive the notices, mail Geoff Goodenow, PO Box 501, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

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Development Committee Plans Fund-Raising Activities

The annual Linn Conservancy Native Plant Sale, the Natural Fiber T-shirt sale, raffles handmade quilts or pieces from local artisans, and now photo images captured on the Linn Conservancy trails and printed and mounte by Lewisburg Studio are among the Conservancy's most successful fund-raising efforts.

Click here to learn how you can help.

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