Welcome to our "Here's the Dirt" page, featuring monthly staff-written newsletter articles alongside District news, including staff announcements, program highlights, and other updates from the Pike County Conservation District. Explore the latest stories and information to stay connected with our work and community efforts throughout the county.
Invasive Stream and Wetland Plants
Invasive non-native plants are a hot topic. Their proliferation causes serious impacts to our local flora, fauna and waterways. Pennsylvania flora includes 3,091 species of vascular plants – also known as tube plants because they can efficiently move nutrients through their systems. Of these, 69% evolved in eastern North America. The remaining 31% evolved elsewhere and were brought here through the actions of humans. Some cultivated plants were brought here…
Read more
Critters that Indicate Water Quality
What has no backbone, is large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and is an important indicator of clean water? Why, it’s a benthic macroinvertebrate, of course! These tiny creatures live among stones, logs and plants on the bottom of streams, rivers and lakes. They are an integral part of a stream’s ecosystem, occupying the level of the food web between plants and top predators like fish. But…
Read more
Experience Earth Week
The Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership is hosting Experience Earth Week, from April 21 through 29. It’s easy and fun to participate! Simply download your passport here and print it, or visit any of the Partnership member organizations to find one. Attend several of the Partnership’s Earth Week events, get your passport stamped at each one, and drop it in the entry box at your final Earth Week event. If you attend…
Read more
Sally Corrigan to Retire
Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) Executive Director Sally Corrigan will retire on April 6 following 23 years of service to the people of Pike County. Sally began her career at PCCD in 1980, becoming the District’s first Manager and full-time employee. During this time she coordinated activities of the Board of Directors, outreach programs of the District and worked with the District and PA DEP to begin implementation of the…
Read more
Guide to Working In or Near Streams
Planning a project that affects a stream? Here’s a guide to help you find out what your next steps should be to ensure that your stream work is done in an environmentally responsible way that reduces the likelihood of future problems. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently published a helpful guide to maintaining streams in your community. Whether you are a municipal official who is well-versed in regulations or…
Read more
Michele Long Named Executive Director
Michele Long has been named Executive Director of Pike County Conservation District (PCCD). She will succeed current Executive Director Sally Corrigan, who will retire in April. Long has been employed at PCCD for 14 years, and has represented the District locally and statewide in varying capacities. She has worked closely with the past two PCCD Executive Directors, Corrigan and Susan Beecher, reviewing legislation and policy, developing conservation education and outreach…
Read more
How to Keep Your Water Clean
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists sediment as the most common pollutant to rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. Sediment consists of loose sand, clay, silt and other soil particles that settle to the bottom of a body of water. The erosion of land that results in sedimentation pollution has always occurred naturally in the environment, but changes in the landscape as a result of human use has increased the…
Read more
Wetland Conservation
Wetlands… When people hear this word, many are inclined to think of wastelands that only breed mosquitoes. To the contrary, wetlands are important habitats and nurseries for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. The benefits are many for both the environment and people. If you are lucky enough to have a wetland on your property in Pike County, you may have seen species of turtles, frogs,…
Read more
Report: Groundwater Conditions in Pike County
In December 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report detailing groundwater conditions in Pike County, PA. The report stems from data collected in 2015 from 79 wells in the county. Water samples were tested for a variety of parameters, including: bacteria dissolved ions dissolved gases (methane, ethane, and propane) radon-222 radioactivity and others. The study was a collaborative effort between USGS, Pike County Conservation District, and many landowners…
Read more
- « Previous
- 1
- …
- 13
- 14
- 15
