Land Stewardship & Restoration Videos

Although stormwater management has evolved to favor construction of small, dispersed infiltration basins to promote in-place groundwater recharge, many traditional large, deep, frequently mowed detention basins remain active. Regardless of form, storm water basins offer opportunities to create lower maintenance, more holistic landscapes with ecological value and aesthetic appeal. We will review various considerations for designing or retrofitting storm water basins with naturalized landscaping and once planted, how best to maintain them.

Pennsylvania’s unique geological history has given rise to impressive levels of plant diversity, but development, invasive species, and climate change threaten this diversity. The state now recognizes sixty percent of our plant species as rare, threatened, or endangered. Bucknell University partners with the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program to conserve native species and combat population declines. We use field assessments and population genomics methods to provide scientifically informed knowledge to update and revise the conservation status of rare and endangered plant species throughout Pennsylvania.

Deer management is not just a problem for rural communities, it is an increasing issue in suburban and urban areas as well. What ecological issues need to be considered in a deer management plan, and what management actions work in urban and suburban landscapes? Speakers: Eric Allen, Solebury Township EAC; Jeannine Fleegle, PA Game Commission; Nate Spence, USDA Wildlife Services.

Stewardship has been ingrained in the ethos of rock climbing since the first climbers headed into the mountains. The climbing community continues this tradition through working on trail projects, promoting volunteerism, inspiring conservation and connecting with the communities they climb in. However, this work and the needs of this user group can go unnoticed outside of the climbing community. Rock climbers are the stewards and partners you never knew you had! This session will highlight projects across Pennsylvania as well as the nation for building and maintaining sustainable trails. Hear about the three Access Fund Conservation Teams zig-zagging the country taking on trail projects as well as their stops in PA. Learn what makes trail work at climbing sites unique as well as considerations for shared user groups. Create steps on how to engage with your local climbing community and LCOs (Local Climbing Organizations). Become a partner to the climbing community!

Urban open spaces can take many forms: a small sitting garden the size of a row house lot woven into the fabric of a dense neighborhood, a half-acre community garden abundant with fresh vegetables, or a hundred acre preserve. These spaces provide numerous environmental, economic, social and health benefits within Pennsylvania’s densest population centers. While there is growing recognition of the importance of urban open space access and ecological restoration from an environmental and social justice standpoint, these properties present a unique set of management challenges. This session will present the stewardship and community engagement models of three organizations working throughout Philadelphia to conserve urban open spaces. Jenny Greenberg will present Neighborhood Gardens Trust’s (NGT) model of preserving community gardens and other shared open spaces, Julie Slavet will share Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) Watershed Partnership’s work collaborating with their communities to improve the watershed through education, stewardship, restoration, and advocacy, and Sang Phouansouvanh will highlight the Greening Coatesville Initiative effort of building local capacity to maintain a park system that matches the needs of residents.