In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, watershed restoration projects spearheaded by the Stroud Center address water quality issues on about 1,400 acres of farmland in the Chesapeake Bay region each year. The Stroud Center works with farmers and landowners to secure approximately $2 million annually to pursue science-based strategies such as streamside forest plantings, nutrient management, and soil health improvements. Collectively, these efforts reflect a legacy of community engagement and collaborative conservation. By also researching the effectiveness of these interventions, the Stroud Center is working toward sustainable stewardship of fresh water in Pennsylvania and the broader region.
Funded by: Pa. Department of Agriculture, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Stroud Water Research Center
Project Leads: Matthew J. Ehrhart, Diana Oviedo Vargas, Jinjun Kan, Marc Peipoch, John K. Jackson, and Lamonte Garber
Collaborating Organizations: Brandywine Conservancy; Berks County Conservation District; TeamAg, Inc.; Mowery Environmental, LLC; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Chester County Conservation District; Crow and Berry Land Management; Lancaster County Conservation District; Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center; and Red Barn Consulting, Inc.
Project Year: 2024
