Community

Conservation district, others team up to protect Fishing Creek

LAMAR -- The old adage "many hands make light work," was in full play recently as volunteers from PP&L helped plant over 200 native tree and shrub species at the Northeast Fishery Center in Lamar.

A group of volunteers from PP&L Electric Utilities teamed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Clinton County Conservation District on April 19 to plant trees in conjunction with Earth Day and Conservation District Week.

The Northeast Fishery Center in Lamar was recently forced to cut down older trees in order to prevent damage to nearby buildings. The station has been operating since 1930 and the original trees had reached their 80 to 100-year lifespan and were blowing over during high winds endangering adjacent buildings.

As part of the nation's foremost conservation agency, Fish and Wildlife Service staff at the Northeast Fishery Center wanted to not only replace the trees that were removed, but also wanted to establish a riparian buffer to protect nearby Fishing Creek.

The Conservation District provided the trees through the Chesapeake Bay 10-Million Tree Partnership and PP&L provided most of the labor.

"This is a perfect example of the power of partnerships," said Sara Henninger, Resource Conservationist for the Clinton County Conservation District. "Teaming with PP&L and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave everyone involved a chance to help protect Fishing Creek for future generations. When fully grown, the trees will form a buffer to protect water quality in nearby Fishing Creek and will also provide crucial habitat for both wildlife and fish."

To learn more about the benefits of tree planting, free native trees, or riparian buffers, contact the Clinton County Conservation District at Conserve@clintoncountypa.gov, by calling 570- 726-3798, or visit the conservation district's website https://www.clintoncountypa.gov/departments/conservation-district.