A Little Black Box

May 30, 2012 at 2:43 pm (birds, Brunner Island, conservation, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania)

It might look rather strange, this black box attached to a post in the Brunner Island wetlands, but it is there for a good reason.  Dick Humbert put the black boxes there to attract a yellow, green and bluish-gray bird known as a Prothonotary Warbler. These birds are the only cavity nesting warblers in the east.  And since they can’t create their own nesting cavity, they depend on what they find. As James Barclay’s photos show, at least one of the little black boxes at the wetlands did its job of attracting a nesting pair of Prothonotary Warblers this year. Many thanks to both Dick and Jim for their wildlife conservation efforts.

Prothonotary warbler perched in Brunner Islands wetland. Photo by James Barclay of York, PA.

 

Prothonotary warbler in nest box at Brunner Island wetlands. Photo by James Barclay of York, PA.

 

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Saturday was for the birds

May 15, 2012 at 4:18 pm (Activities, bird count, birds, conservation, Montour Preserve, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania)

Killdeer on a nest in the gravel. Camouflaged eggs are difficult to see.

Many eyes help in finding and counting birds. That was especially important on Saturday, May 12. That day was the annual Pennsylvania Migration Count, a part of the annual North American Migration Count. On count day every year, volunteers across the country spend time counting numbers and species of birds. Some birds are newly returned from their wintering grounds. Other birds returned earlier in the spring and are courting and choosing nesting sites. Still other birds that are year round residents are already nesting. The count in and around Montour Preserve included a bird walk for the public. After all, many sets of eyes are better than a single pair. After the walk was over, two of us continued the count. The grand total for the day was 371 birds of 62 different species. These included common birds like American robins, eastern bluebirds, blue jays and chickadees as well as more rare species like bald eagles and peregrine falcons. This survey provides scientists with a snapshot in time of bird populations and where they are found that can be compared with similar snapshots from previous years. This information will give scientists an idea of what is happening with the birds.

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Arbor Day at PPL’s Riverlands

May 6, 2012 at 1:43 pm (conservation, education, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Riverlands, trees)
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PPL and the PA Woodmobile recently teamed up to provide 3rd graders from Salem Elementary in Berwick with a forestry lesson to celebrate Arbor Day.

The traveling exhibit  provided information on the state’s forest resource and the state’s forest products industry. Students learned how the forests of Pennsylvania shaped the history of the state and nation,  how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago, as well as how invasive insects threaten today’s forest. 

Nikki Shiner, 3rd grade teacher said, “This hands-on experience is the best way to help students understand about caring for their environment and natural resources.”
 
The PA Woodmobile was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Hardwoods Development Council and with the support of the state’s hardwoods industry. The trailer and truck are provided by Deer Park Lumber Inc. of Tunkhannock.

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Orange Water Awareness

May 3, 2012 at 11:49 am (conservation, education)
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Sixth-grade students at Solomon-Plains Elementary School in Plains Township got a fresh-air education about the environmental effects of acid mine drainage on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries during a field trip to four sites in and around Nanticoke, Luzerne County.

The students got their first-hand lessons from members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, thanks to an Empowering Educators grant award from PPL. They collected iron oxide from acid mine drainage impacted streams and are currently building solar-powered kilns to dry the iron oxide into a powder that can be used as a pigment in art projects throughout the Wilkes-Barre School District.

Now that’s reclamation! Way to go Solomon-Plains students and teachers!

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Successful Cleanup at Kreutz Creek

March 30, 2012 at 12:38 pm (conservation, Pennsylvania, volunteering)

On Saturday, March 17, members of Riverside Lodge #503 volunteered their time to help cleanup approximately 1 mile of Kreutz Creek, York, PA. Thanks to their efforts and generous donations from General Dynamics of Red Lion, Home Depot of East York, PPL and Republic Services/Modern Landfill this debris (pictured) will not be entering the Susquehanna River, and subsequently the Chesapeake Bay.

The cleanup was orchestrated by the Watershed Alliance of York supporting York County’s environmental stewardship and watershed protection efforts. The organization is looking to make this an annual event.

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Counting Birds

December 27, 2011 at 5:19 pm (bird count, birds, birds of prey, conservation, eagles, Montour Preserve, nature, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania)

The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Bloomsburg area was held on December 18. PPL’s Montour Preserve is part of that count. This year eight volunteers spent time identifying and counting birds in and around the preserve.  The total count for the day was 51 species. Several highlights included two bald eagles, three double-crested cormorants, a goldeneye, a great horned owl, several screech owls and a barred owl. What a difference a year makes! This year’s mild weather allowed for open water on the lake compared to last year’s frigid temperatures and snow.

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Stewards for Sustainable Forests

December 13, 2011 at 12:40 pm (Activities, conservation, Hiking, Lake Wallenpaupack, nature, nature photography, observations, outdoors, Pennsylvania, recreation, tree planting, trees)

PPL Lake Wallenpaupack is a proud participant in the American Tree Farm System (ATFS).  This American Forest Foundation program works to “sustain forests, watersheds, and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship” (http://www.treefarmsystem.org/).  PPL’s ATFS certified farm is comprised of the area that runs from Lake Wallenpaupack’s dam to the hydroelectric power plant along the Laxawaxen River near Kimbles.

PPL also manages an area called Shuman Point Natural Area, which is being maintained along the ATFS guidelines.  A blazed trail takes visitors on a 3.5 mile scenic hike through the woods and along Lake Wallenpaupack.  This natural area is currently undergoing a commercial harvest in a portion of this forest that is experiencing some tree mortality caused by gypsy moth defoliation and environmental stresses. 

In a ten acre section of this tract, visitors to Shuman Point will notice yellow and blue paint markings on certain trees.  Yellow represents healthy trees that will not to be harvested and are retained for specific seeding purposes.  Blue marked trees are in decline and will be harvested for continued sustainability and health of the forest.

Please help us in this important initiative by leaving the markers on the trees.  Shuman Point Natural Area will be preserved in a sustainable fashion for generations of visitors to enjoy.

You will find more information about the American Forest Foundation and the American Tree Farm System at the following websites.
http://www.forestfoundation.org/americantreefarmsystem
http://www.treefarmsystem.org/

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Be a CSI and win prizes!!

November 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm (Activities, Brunner Island, conservation, drawing, Holtwood, Lake Wallenpaupack, Martins Creek, Montour Preserve, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Riverlands, sweepstakes)
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The next drawing for the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes will be held on November 28th.   There’s still time to enter!!  

Finding codes and registering online is easy at http://iconservepa.org/csi/index.htm. 

You can also visit any of the PPL Preserves for secret codes.  Each new code you find is entered as a chance to win fabulous monthly prizes. 

The grand prize is a Z Electric Scooter!!  Use your investigative skills to win big!

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October is Energy Awareness Month

October 3, 2011 at 11:34 am (conservation, energy, programs, Uncategorized)
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It’s Energy Awareness Month! Come to the PPL Preserves in October to learn about energy conservation and efficiency.

Energy Awareness for Kids ~ Monday, Oct. 10, 6-7 p.m.

PPL Susquehanna Energy Information Center

Presenter: Alana Roberts, PPL

Are the kids getting stir crazy? Are you tired of reminding them to turn off the lights or computer when they’re not using them? Bring them to the energy information center to get them moving and learning about important concepts such as energy conservation, pollution and predation. This program will be both inside with a short venture outside, so wear sturdy shoes and warm gear.　This interactive free program is appropriate for families with children ages 6 and older, but this program isn’t just for the kids. Adults will learn some useful information, too, like how to save a few bucks on your electric bill.

Beware of the Phantom! ~ Monday, October 24, 6-7 p.m.

PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center

Presenters: Jamie Reeger, Lackawanna College Environmental Institute and Meg Welker, PPL

Are there phantoms and vampires lurking in your home? See how a simple tool can help identify some of those “phantom or vampire” sources secretly using energy in your home. Find out how much electricity is used by common household appliances, gadgets and electronic devices even if they’re switched off. This is a great way to become even more energy-conscious, especially during National Energy Awareness Month.

“Do-It-Yourself” Tips for Weatherizing Your Home ~ Tuesday, October 25, 7-9 p.m.

PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center

Presenters: SEEDS and TEAAM

You know you can do it! Tasks like caulking, programming a thermostat, duct sealing and more will be discussed at this program. Let SEEDS – Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support – and TEEAM – The Energy Action Awareness Movement – help you take those first steps to saving energy, saving money and saving the planet. This free forum is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

What’s in your conservation toolbox? ~ Saturday, October 29, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center

Presenter: Fred Gast, PPL

Back by popular demand! You’ve asked us to repeat this money and energy-saving program and here it is, just in time for the arrival of cooler temperatures. Join the discussion about energy-efficient techniques and practices that save you the most money as you consider winterization options for your homes. Review some proven products as we explore home energy use and conservation. Share your own tips that not only help save you dollars, but will allow you to sit back and enjoy a cozy, comfortable winter. Everyone will take home an energy-saving product. Registrations are not necessary.

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Win an Electric Scooter!

September 22, 2011 at 10:49 am (conservation, education, energy, Pennsylvania, Uncategorized)
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PPL is pleased to support this fun and very informative initiative in partnership with DCNR and the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation.

From DCNR’s Press Release:

DCNR Unveils New Twist on CSI: Citizen Science Investigators
Search for Clues and Win an Electric Road-Ready Motor Scooter

Harrisburg – The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invites citizens to make everyday observations about plants, wildlife and weather as a Citizen Science Investigator (CSI) — the latest initiative of iConserve Pennsylvania, an effort to inspire each of us to take conservation personally.

“To better understand changes in the natural world, we need the observations of everyday people,” DCNR Secretary Richard Allan said. “Around Pennsylvania, scientists and citizen scientists are contributing all kinds of information about plants, wildlife, and weather that is shedding light on big issues. Ultimately, the secrets that are uncovered might aid in the conservation of all living things.”

As visitors to the iConserve Pennsylvania website (www.iConservePA.org) and programs at state parks learn about citizen science and the simple conservation actions they can take to lower their carbon footprint, they have the chance to win some great prizes donated by partners for the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes.

DCNR coordinates the iConserve Pennsylvania effort and the website for the program, www.iConservePA.org.

Winners in the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes will be announced in January 2012. The grand prize is a bright yellow, electric road-ready motor scooter, capable of speeds of 50 MPH and a distance of 50 miles on a single charge. Other prizes include a native plant gift certificate; garden tools; a rain barrel; and a composter, all designed to help citizens adopt backyard conservation practices.

CSI codes are hidden throughout the iConserve PA website and other special places. People can become “Super Sleuths” by discovering these codes and entering them in a form on the website for a chance to win a prize.

Additional new features on the website include videos about the Coolidge family, who love planting natives, saving energy and living local; and “My Greenhouse,” a depiction of a house that gives tips for conservation inside and out.

The CSI Pennsylvania section gives overviews of what scientists are doing to study our changing planet, and provides links for citizens to help from home, including:
• PA eBird (http://ebird.org/content/pa/about) — A real-time, online checklist program revolutionizing the way people report and access information about birds.
• The Great Sunflower Project (http://www.greatsunflower.org/) — Plant a seed or two, spend 15 minutes watching your flowers twice a month, and send or input your data to help produce the first real map of the state of the bees.
• Project Budburst (http://www.neoninc.org/budburst) — Select a plant, get outside, make observations, and share your insights on the timing of flowering and other biological events.
• Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (http://www.cocorahs.org) — A network of volunteers of all ages working together to measure and map precipitation to provide high quality data for natural resource, education and research applications.

Sponsors for the CSI Super Sleuth prizes include PPL; Z Electric Vehicle; the Spruce Creek Co.; ComposTumbler; Meadowood Native Plant Nursery; and Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101.

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