Newsletter
Volume 5 - May 30, 2007
Pymatuning
Many wetland impoundments at the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area were constructed in the early 1960's, and have served wildlife well over 45 years. Today, however, many of them are succumbing to age, and are losing their value as important wildlife habitat.
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation funded the entire purchase of the 60-foot long aluminum water control structure for Pond #3. This pond is situated in the heart of the Controlled Hunting Area, this impoundment was a key resting area for Canada geese and ducks, and was heavily used by numerous other wetland birds and eagles. Once the habitat was gone, so were the greater and lesser yellowlegs, dunlins, snapping and painted turtles, and others that used the impoundment at some stage of life or time of year. Once the banks become stabilized, the Game Commission will begin to refill the impoundment. It will take a full year for the vegetation to become established. Afterwards, the water level will be regulated as needed to produce a plant community that provides optimal food and cover for wildlife.
Somerset
On April 11, 2007 Waste Management in Morrisville generously donated 30 acres of land in Shade Township, Somerset County to the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation. The Foundation donated this land to the Pennsylvania Game Commission on April 18, 2007. This important wetland has become part of State Game Lands #93 which is now 300 acres in size. The land is adjacent to the Flight 93 Memorial, and will serve to protect land that was in the flight path of that heroic September 11th plane crash. This land donation will augment the Foundation's mission to increase wildlife habitat. This public land serves as critical habitat for wildlife, providing hunting, and to protect the viewscape of the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Northumberland County
Located between Shamokin and Kulpmont South of Route 61
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation worked with Coal Township, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to improve stream and wetlands restoration in Northumberland County. More than 2,000 feet of stream was restored and more than three acres of wetlands were created. The site had been extensively disturbed by past mining and industrial activity. The Fish and Wildlife Service designed the project and supervised contractors in the actual construction of the project. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Lands, provided funding to Coal Township to restore the land and the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation provided financial management services. The wetlands were designed to take advantage of the site topography and drainage and to control runoff from the adjacent industrial development mined land. The area was seeded with a variety of native plants and also used some woody plants that were transplanted from adjacent wetlands. The wetlands were designed to fluctuating water levels to promote a wide variety of plants. The wetlands catch nearly all of the water entering the site and will attenuate storm water surges and filter it before it enters Quaker Run. Amphibians moved into the upstream wetlands as soon as they were completed.
State College - Scotia Range
April 5, 2007 the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation received a grant from Sam's Club/Wal-Mart which was used at Scotia Range in State College. The funds were used by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to make repairs to the rifle range.
Lebanon County - Middle Creek
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation donated money to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to improve wetlands for waterfowl and other birds at Middle Creek Visitors and Education Center.
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