By Jessica Provinski
From the first Friday kickoff to the last Saturday volunteer effort, it was a wonderful week as Lancaster Conservancy celebrated clean fresh water for all!
Conservancy partners, including Stroud Water Research Center, hosted a total of more than 40 events over the course of the week. Each event was developed to raise awareness and stewardship of Lancaster County’s water resources.
The Stroud Center hosted or provided headlining experts for three events.
Volunteers came out to Overlook Park in Manheim Township on Saturday, June 3 to learn about the buffer plantings and pollinator gardens. They jumped in and got their hands dirty keeping the trees in top shape.
Attendees at Tuesday night’s showing of Hidden Rivers of the Southern Appalachian enjoyed a wonderful film by Freshwaters Illustrated. Afterward, a panel of local experts, including the Stroud Center’s Watershed Restoration Specialist Lamonte Garber, discussed the film and connected the message to our local waters here in Lancaster County.
Then on Thursday night, attendees learned how to “Build Better Buffers” from the Stroud Center’s Watershed Restoration Manager Dave Wise. From stone mulching to the timing of tree tube removal, attendees learned about some of the ways that the Stroud Center has improved the success of buffer plantings. A panel discussion brought in Restoration Biologist Ashley Spotts from Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Urban Forester Cody Kiefer from Lancaster City. Both Spotts and Kiefer shared different perspectives on buffer plantings with the audience.
It was a wonderful week celebrating clean fresh water throughout Lancaster County!
