By: Center for. Landscape SUMMARY PARTNERSHIP IS KEY. also reducee the amount of energy CHALLENGE

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1 Pocono Forest & Waters Conserv ation Landscape SUCCESSS STORY By: Center for Landscape Design & Stewardship Community Garden Education Shelter (Green Roof Installation) SUMMARY This project involved the construction of a 20 x 20 education shelter within the Butler Township Community Garden in Drums, which will be planted with a green roof. When complete, this structure will provide shade and shelter for small groups attending CLDS education workshops and children s summer camps. It will also demonstrate green roof design and construction techniques that people can apply to their own home or other construction projects. Green roofs reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from buildings. They also reducee the amount of energy needed to moderate the temperature of a building as roofs are the site of the greatest heat loss in the winter and the hottest temperatures in thee summer. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Ron and Joann Gallagher, Sugarloaf PA. Ron designed and built the shelter with all a donated time and labor. Cargill, Inc., Hazleton. Donated $2,000 towards shelter construction. DeJesus Family Chiropractic, Sugarloaf. Donated $1,0000 towards shelter construction. A view of the roof interior showing structural framing and cupola. The tongue and groove wooden planks will demonstrate that the green roof does not leak. CHALLENGE Most people have heard of green roofs, but few people have actually seen one. Even fewer people understand how they function or how they are constructed. With all the environmental benefits associated with green roofs, wee figured the best way to promote them was to build one as a demonstration feature.

2 SOLUTION This project began in 2012 with the help and leadership of Ron Gallagher, who is the owner of Life Expression Wellness Center in Sugarloaf, PA. Ron is passionate about green roofs and ecological design in general. His wellness center sports the largest green roof in Northeast Pennsylvania. Ron wanted to share his knowledge and expertise of green roofs with the public, and so he offered to help build a demonstration structure within the Butler Township Community Garden to show people that green roofs are not only ecologically sustainable, but also beautiful and functional. The CLDS was an eager partner. RESULTS We broke ground for the shelter in the summer of The first year of construction involved pouring the footers for the columns, which are sized to support the additional design load that green roofs require, and erecting the beams and joists. This past summer (2013) resulted in the actual roof construction (2 x 6 tongue and groove sheathing) as well as the cupola, which is designed to demonstrate eco-design construction concepts for natural air-conditioning and improved ventilation. While we had hoped to install the green roof this year, the schedule has been pushed back to 2014 due to the recommended spring planting season for the sedum plugs. Construction costs have also slightly exceeded our original estimates due to several design improvements, so additional fundraising is in progress. We anticipate the roof to be complete by the summer of An interpretive sign will also be installed to explain the green roof s functionality, environmental benefits, and construction techniques. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

3 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Delaware Highlands Conservancy Delaware Highlands Conservancy Green Lodging Partnership SUMMARY In July 2012, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy launched the Green Lodging Partnership, an initiative connecting local conservation with local tourism and a sustainable economy, and an extension of our Shop Local Save Land initiative. Through the Partnership, participating local lodgings from large resorts to small bed and breakfasts invite guests to join them in the long-term protection of our quality of life. The lodgings collect a $2 donation from each guest s reservation, which is then donated directly back to the Conservancy to support our conservation mission. Guests may opt out, but very few choose to do so. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Participating hotels include: The Settlers Inn Ledges Hotel Woodloch Resort The Lodge at Woodloch Hotel Fauchere ECCE Bed and Breakfast Apple Pond Farm The Sullivan James Manning House CHALLENGE Our region s natural assets drive our local economy. A nonprofit land trust, the Conservancy works in partnership with landowners and communities to protect our natural assets the healthy lands, clean waters, eagles and eagle habitat, sustainable local economies, and quality of life in the Upper Delaware River region. Since 2008 the Conservancy has also published Shop Local Save Land guides to local farms and farm markets, and to wood products, professionals and resources. The Farm and Forest guides connect consumers to local businesses and the working lands that support them. info@delawarehighlands.org These same natural assets and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities draw thousands of visitors every year. With the Partnership, each guest is given the opportunity to make a direct donation to the Conservancy and join the partners in helping to protect those natural resources that keep them coming back year after year. As a nonprofit, the Conservancy needs sustainable sources of funding to support our land protection mission and initiatives like Shop Local Save Land.

4 SOLUTION The Conservancy recognizes the importance of the connections between strong local economies and the willingness of communities to invest in a long-term ethic of environmental sustainability that supports strong and sustained conservation. In the promotion of local businesses and the initiative itself, the Green Lodging Partnership educates the public about the link between supporting local businesses and conserving the excellent environmental health, scenic beauty, and important public lands and natural areas of this region that are so highly valued by residents and tourists. The funds collected through the Partnership help support the Conservancy s land protection mission and the Shop Local Save Land initiative, and support the sustainability of the Partnership over the long term. The Conservancy also hopes to expand the program to other land trusts and conservation organizations in partnerships to help them start their own Green Lodging initiatives. RESULTS "The Hotel Fauchere is proud to participate in the Green Lodging Partnership. It is a way to engage our guests with our community's consciousness about protecting the pristine natural environment in the upper Delaware River Valley and to support the Conservancy's important work. Our guests have overwhelmingly supported participation and many express appreciation that the Hotel Fauchere recognizes its responsibility to do our part to be a responsible steward in the region. Sean Strub, co-owner "Our business is here because of its natural surroundings. Urban/suburbanites are leaving their developed neighborhoods to escape and relish in the true beauty of our area. We want our guests to take part, take ownership in our land, in their vacation retreat and ensure its survival. This is important for everyone." Rory O Fee, Marketing Director, Woodloch Resort The response from participating lodgings has been tremendous, with Woodloch Resort also creating a video to play in guest rooms highlighting their participation in the Partnership and the importance of stewarding our healthy lands. The grant funding allowed us to create professional materials for the lodgings to share with their guests, to promote the program and the conservation message to the public, and to prominently feature the program on our website in dynamic, searchable modules for each property. The Partnership strengthens connections between the Conservancy, the local businesses, and their employees, in our region where tourism is a leading industry. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

5 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership Health Barren Signage SUMMARY The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails (GHRT) Interpretive Sign project helps to educate the users of the trail of the many different facets of unique environmental areas, and heritage of the trail. The signs tell the story of Heath Barrens and how they were created in addition to the flora & fauna to be found in the Barrens, The signage also educates the reader to what a watershed is, the Jeddo Mine Tunnel and Acid Mine Drainage and ancient fossils found while developing the trail. The signage also tells the story of the early railroads and the Ashmore Round Table. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Friends of the Nescopeck North Branch Land Trust Nescopeck Creek State Park PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Pennsylvania Environmental Council CHALLENGE The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails is blessed with two rare Heath Barrens, a large watershed adjacent to the trail, an area that drains AMD to the Jeddo tunnel, a native Brook Trout stream in addition to a rich History in the early Railroads and the mining of Anthracite Coal. Presently a large number of the users who use the trail as a connection to the outdoors do not know about the outdoors, the Heritage or even what AMD is. This project, the installation of 6 interpretive signs will help the general public, our school children, out of town visitors to the trail and many of the over 35,000 visits each year to learn more about the outdoors, the animals that live there, the flora & fauna and our rich coal mining history. This project is making the public know about the importance of enhancing and conserving our local natural resources and recreational areas.

6 SOLUTION Our project is already fulfilling the need of educating the general public and users of the GHRT by the calls that we are receiving regarding the three interpretive signs already installed in addition to the comments we are receiving looking for more detail about the subject matter. This project provides the resources in the form of the signage to increase the community awareness of the need for conservation, restoration and the use of our Natural Heritage to increase the green economic benefits to our area. RESULTS The quantifiable statistics are not available at this time but after a year of monitoring the GHRT volunteers will be able to give a good estimate of the increase in trail users brought on by this project. The signs will be monitored by infrared counters to see how many people stop to read the signs. In addition, school groups, social clubs, and educational walks will be scheduled and guided by the volunteers of the GHRT centered on the topics of the signs. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

7 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Grey Towers Heritage Association Tree Trail Signage at Grey Towers National Historic Site SUMMARY This project was to create signs and a website component for the trees along the Tree Trail at Grey Towers National Historic Site. Each signs contains a QR Code linking the guests to a mobile-friendly webpage which gives a more detailed description of the trees. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Grey Towers Heritage Association - Provided funding for the signs and project coordination US Forest Service at Grey Towers - Created the Tree Trail and Tree Trail Brochure and supplied tree information for website. Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority Provided funding for the signs and website component DCNR & Pennsylvania Environmental Council Provided funding for the tree trail signs and website component CHALLENGE The goal for our site was to create an educational project that would attract and excite a younger demographic. Using the QR Codes and creating the corresponding mobile sites allowed our site to expand the interpretation of trees of Grey Towers. Previously there were few trees identified and those were only identified by name. Now a visitor can walk up to a sign, scan the QR Code and be taken to a mobile page which provides a variety of information about a particular tree:unique characteristics; importance economically or ecologically; where this tree can be found; and what it looks like during different times of the year. One of the most frequent questions we get on our site is about the trees. This new feature allows guests to access the information independently and quickly.

8 SOLUTION This project filled the need for creating a fun, interactive and educational tool to connect the visitors of Grey Towers to the trees on the site and in the community. Providing a way for people to learn about trees can help them identify and learn more about the Grey Towers landscape as well as the trees they have in their own backyard and in the community. RESULTS A total of 35 Tree Trail Signs were created along with their corresponding Tree Trail webpages. Users of the new system have provided positive feedback. Grey Towers Heritage Association hopes to expand the signs to include more of the trees at Grey Towers, but this is a great and educational start for this larger goal. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

9 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area Companion Guidebooks Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures and Lackawanna River Heritage Trail SUMMARY The Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) will research, write, publish and distribute two companion books: Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures and The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the D&H Rail-Trail Guidebook. Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures will be a revised, second edition of a detailed guidebook to the region s historic sites, cultural events, and recreational activities. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the D&H Rail-Trail Guidebook will offer trail information, maps, and links to local resources along the 70+ mile Lackawanna River Heritage Trail system. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Collaboration is a hallmark of Lackawanna Heritage Valley s work. The project derived invaluable input from a multitude of partners who provided information, resources, and suggestions on the content of the two publications. The partners include the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA; the Lackawanna River Corridor Association; members of the Heritage Valley Roundtable, the NEPA Trails Forum, and the NEPA Conservation Alliance; and representatives from the Connecting Nature and Commerce team, including the City of Carbondale, Archbald Borough, the City of Scranton, Taylor Borough, and Lackawanna County. CHALLENGE The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the D&H Rail-Trail Guidebook has been requested for many years. It is essential to provide both local and from out of the area trail users with the ability to travel by bicycle from Pittston and Lanesboro, despite the current gaps in complete trail sections. Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures has been a popular guidebook that flew off the shelves in just a few years. Since its first printing in 2007, several sites have changed and the trail has expanded by an additional eight miles. No other regional publication covers the material found in this guidebook. Despite the dated material in the guidebook, demand for the book remains strong. The new edition will feature our area s latest accomplishments as well as our historical treasures. These books will promote interest in the area for heritage tourism and economic development as well as documenting our local history for future generations.

10 SOLUTION The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the D&H Rail-Trail Guidebook will provide trail users with suggested on-road connectors to the complete trail sections. No need to stop and ask for directions with the providing of GPS coordinates. Local amenities, services, and historic interpretation of the region are also provided. The guidebook has been developed in conjunction with the trail signage program to ensure accuracy and coordination of all information. The next edition of Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures will provide an update of historic and cultural sites, expansion of the trail section to include the newly completed sections, and hopefully a larger distribution of the valuable resource made possible with economic development partners. RESULTS The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the D&H Rail-Trail Guidebook is turning into a true companion to Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures. This first edition guidebook has developed into a 120 page merger of logistics, amenities and area attractions. Trailheads and detailed maps with GPS coordinates aid both residents and visitors in their travels along the trail. Points of Interest highlight the historical significance of the attractions. For LHV, 2013 has certainly been the year of the trail with a record number of completed miles of trail, resurfaced bridges, sculptures, and public recognition. The release for the guidebook will add to the momentum as plans continue to bridge the remaining gaps. Publication is anticipated in Spring Planning of the revisions for the second edition of Pennsylvania s Northeast Treasures is underway. LHV is exploring a partnership with the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Convention and Visitors Bureau to further expand the outreach of the publication. 6,000 copies of the first edition were printed, and depending on the level of support from our partners, we anticipate additional distribution of the book. Publication is anticipated in Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

11 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Natural Lands Trust Pocono Conservation Landscape Mapping SUMMARY Mapping is a key aspect of conservation projects but sophisticated GIS software can be a limiting factor for many organizations and municipalities. The primary goal of this project was to provide Google Earth training to conservation organizations and municipal staff in the six-county Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape. Google Earth is a costefficient and user-friendly alternative to GIS software. While many know that Google Earth provides aerial imagery, the training offered insight on how to create data and share maps. The secondary goal of this project was to provide GIS assistance to members of the Northeast Pennsylvania Partners group, an association of conservation organizations. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY The primary partners in this project were those that provided matching funds, Pike County Office of Community Planning and the Common Waters Fund. The Northeast PA Partners group is comprised of the following organizations: Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, Countryside Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, and Wildlands Conservancy. These partners both provided and received protected lands data as a result of this project. CHALLENGE This project highlighted a tool that many find easy to use and apply to their everyday work. Maps help to tell the story. Maps help build community support and convince funders that a project is worthy. Maps help project managers efficiently distribute information to shareholders. But mapping can often be put on the backburner due to the high cost of software and the often time-consuming task of managing data and creating maps. Google Earth can be a tool for internal and external communications, but many functions of the software are unknown to general users. The challenge for this project was to show workshop participants how to use Google Earth in the context of project management.

12 SOLUTION With Google Earth, mapping is accessible and professional. Conservation organizations and municipalities are often working with limited funds. Therefore, a tool like Google Earth can be valuable in gaining support and managing the project efficiently. Google Earth functions include creating points, lines, and polygons; measuring distance; viewing historical imagery; street view; linking photos to specific points, and overlaying existing maps in Google Earth. The workshops also focused on options for taking Google Earth data into the field using smartphone technologies. RESULTS The three, full-day training sessions had a combined attendance of 41 people from conservation organizations; recreational planners; and municipal, county, and federal staff. One workshop was held at Wilkes University in Wilkes- Barre, PA, and two workshops were held at the Northeast Innovation Alliance (formerly Workforce Wayne) Technology Lab in Hawley, PA. Twice during the grant period, the Northeast Pennsylvania Partners group submitted updated easement and fee land data to Natural Lands Trust in order to update the comprehensive GIS layer of public and protected lands. This comprehensive layer was re-distributed to the partners for use in land conservation strategies. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

13 Il Managem Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Rail-Trail Council of NEPA D&H Rail-Trail Gate SUMMARY Our project was installation of an access-control gate at the start of our trail in Simpson, Fell Township. This section of trail parallels the Lackawanna River and has both historical and connectivity significance. Due to ownership issues and unimproved railroad bridges, this one mile section of trail was unused for many years leaving it vulnerable to illegal dumping, vehicle use and vegetation overgrowth. After ownership issues were resolved this became an important connection linking the D&H Rail-Trail to the LRHT. We now have the challenge to protect this area from future illegal activity. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Lackawanna Heritage Valley --Matching funds --Clean-up Volunteers --Trail Management Partners Fabcor, Inc. --Trail Grading Linde Enterprises --Trail Restoration --Trail Clean-up --Access-Control Northeast PA Sno-Trails --Trail Clean-up Pennsylvania Environmental Council --Provide Dumpsters for Trash Pick-up CHALLENGE The Challenge: To stop dumping and vehicle access along an unused overgrown section of trail soon to become a major connection between the D&H Rail-Trail and Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Rail-Trail Council of NEPA Maintain our identity by marking the transition from the Lackawanna Heritage Trail to the D&H Rail-Trail

14 ra SOLUTION The solution to our problem was installation of a control gate. This also jump started a community effort to improve this section of trail. Volunteers working with Lackawanna Heritage Valley and Pennsylvania Environmental Council removed over 10 tons of debris including 121 tires from the area. A local contractor donated manpower and heavy machinery to grade, improve drainage, and clear brush from the trail. NEPA Sno-Trails reestablished the shoulders of the trail by clearing brush. The trail is now open and serves as a direct connection between two major trail systems and eliminating the need for a bypass trail. Installation of the gate was a critical part of this success story and in addition helps to maintain our identity by marking the transition from LRHT to the D&H Rail-Trail. RESULTS As part of the 2012 Great American Cleanup and with the help of around 100 volunteers, over 10 tons of debris and 121 tires were removed from the project area. Approximately 0.5 acres of knotweed were controlled along one mile of trail, over 2 seasons. An additional cleanup in 2013, removed an additional few tons of debris. Brush was trimmed back and chipped along almost 2 miles of trail. Approximately 0.5 mile of trail was graded with drainage improvements. It has been demonstrated on other areas of our trail, that an access-control gate is a valuable deterrent to illegal activity such as dumping. The trail is now open and serves as a direct connection between 2 major trail systems. It eliminates the need for a bypass trail (the O&W), which was in need of safety improvements. With ownership issues resolved, further trail improvements can proceed. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and the Rail-Trail Council are now moving forward with a trail management agreement on this trail connector. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

15 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY Bike to Nature Bicycling Route SUMMARY The Stroud Region Bike-Ped Network has initiated a 23-mile Bike to Nature pilot route utilizing the existing road network and varying terrain currently used by many experienced bicyclists and is designed to provide bicycling members of the traveling public with a unique view of our region. The Cherry Valley Southern Tour loops into the valley and back from the center of Downtown Stroudsburg. Several sites of interest along the way provide additional opportunities to explore and sample natural and cultural assets first hand, and help interpret unique resources. Route signs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provide for an easily navigable wayfinding experience. A companion brochure enhances the experience and provides a useful map of the system and may be used by other members of the traveling public. By: Friends of Stroud Region Open Space & Recreation PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Numerous public and private entities with like-minded missions have supported the project including: Stroud Region Open Space & Recreation Commission, The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Stroud Township, Stroudsburg Borough, Hamilton Township, Monroe County Planning Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pocono Medical Center, and Friends of Cherry Valley. CHALLENGE The lands and waters of the Cherry Valley have been widely recognized for their valuable natural resources providing a diverse mosaic of wetland and upland habitats. The valley is bounded on its south side by the Kittatinny Ridge that is part of the largest remaining deciduous forests on Earth, an essential migration flyway that concentrates up to 20,000 migrating raptors and more than 140 bird species every fall. The 2,000 mile multi-state Appalachian Trail also traverses the top of the ridge. The Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in December 2008 for the conservation of migratory birds and federal trust species, and the habitats they depend on. The landforms in the valley provide a glimpse of a landscape shaped by the advance and retreat of three glacial epochs. The valley and nearby surrounds also sustain a unique cultural landscape in harmony with nature and its unique attributes. Connecting neighborhoods to nature can also be assisted through visits to sites that highlight and help interpret this unique landscape. Sites along the route can emphasize operations that that are in sync with the valley s unique resources while also providing regional economic, stewardship, and educational opportunities.

16 SOLUTION The route will promote community-wide engagement in conservation, restoration, and use of local, natural and cultural resources within the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge boundary and nearby surrounding area. Popular use of the mapped route will also contribute to the economic and physical development of the community by promoting cycling and touring opportunities, healthy living and sustainable businesses while increasing awareness of bicyclists and encouraging a share the road ethic. Developed in partnership with numerous public and private entities with like-minded missions, the network will contribute to the vibrancy of the region and its economic, environmental and social health and appeal. RESULTS The 23-mile pilot route passes through 17 road intersections requiring 103 directional signs. The signs were approved by PADOT. Six signs are located at each intersection: an advance-turn, turn and confirmation sign in both directions of travel. In addition 7 share the road signs are provided at key locations along the route. Ten stops along the route highlight and interpret unique resources while also helping to support these local enterprises. They include: Downtown Historic Stroudsburg, Josie Porter Farm, Blakeslee Farm, Cherry Valley Trout Hatchery, Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Cherry Valley Vineyard, Quiet Valley Living History Farm, Hickory Valley Park, Stroud Mansion & Glen Brook, and Monroe County Historical Association. A widely distributed brochure will promote the route. The route will promote community-wide engagement in conservation, restoration, and use of local, natural and cultural resources within and near the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge boundary. Popular use of the mapped route will also contribute to the economic and physical development of the community by promoting cycling and touring opportunities, healthy living and sustainable businesses while increasing awareness of bicyclists and encouraging a share the road ethic. Developed in partnership with numerous public and private entities with likeminded missions, the network will contribute to the vibrancy of the region and its economic, environmental and social health and appeal. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

17 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Wayne County Historical Society Towpath to Trail Project, Phase 4A: Signage & Benches SUMMARY The Wayne County Historical Society's Towpath to Trail Phase 4 project included adding the following to the Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31: permanent park entryway signage, an orientation kiosk, three interpretive wayside panels and eight benches in the society's 16 acre park. The park contains many remnants of the historic Delaware and Hudson Canal including Lock #31 and a lock house. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY To complete this phase of the project, Wayne County Historical Society partnered with a local boy scout, whose Eagle Project was to build the park s orientation kiosk and eight benches. Our county prison s Work Release Program supplied the laborers to dig the holes and mix cement for the posts of the three interpretive panels. CHALLENGE On November 5, 1998 one hundred years had passed since the last boat of anthracite floated down the D & H Canal from the coalfields of northeast Pennsylvania to the Hudson River. The canal and the gravity railroads that fed it, with all their picturesque vitality, have receded beyond living memory. Year by year nature and human activities erase this 124 mile long, civil engineering achievement, built over three years largely by hand. Despite its National Historic Landmark status, the rate at which it is being destroyed increases due to the uncontrolled commercial development along Pennsylvania Traffic Route 6, which follows the canal s former route in Wayne County. Responding to the public s interest in the canal s physical remains and recreational trails, the Wayne County Historical Society (WCHS) formed the Towpath to Trail Committee in The committee s goal was to establish the first public greenway on a section of the former D & H Canal. Since then WCHS has acquired a mile of canal/towpath including Lock 31, Lock 31 House, and the adjourning 16 acres.

18 SOLUTION Park s Street Sign helps the public locate the park and its entrance. Parking Lot s Orientation Kiosk is the location of the park s map, log book, rules, safety notice, calendar of events, list of volunteer jobs needed, list of funding sources, and brochures of other related sites to visit on the D & H Canal. Trail s Wayside/Interpretive Panels help park visitors learn about the Delaware & Hudson Canal and where it is in relationship to where they are standing; Daniels Farmhouse at Lock 31 and how it relates to the nearby canal; and Lock 31and its purpose and mechanical operation. Trail s Benches provide the public with places to sit, rest, take in the power of the place, and enjoy nature. All the above was accomplished in time for the canal park s grand opening on August 24, RESULTS The Towpath to Trail project is another link connecting Pennsylvania s public land in the Pocono region to communities from west to east. Our trail, when extended west to White Mills on the towpath, would link up with the White Mills lock tender s house, White Mills section of the towpath, White Mills Community Trail and the Dorflinger- Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary. Our trail, when extended east will connect to Hawley s Bingham and Riverside Park. Our Towpath to Trail project will provide programs and information though interpretive signage and guided walks to increase community awareness of and engagement in conservation, restoration and use of natural resources. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

19 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY Downtown Wilkes-Barre Bicycle and Pedestrian Count SUMMARY The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Bicycle and Pedestrian Count organizes volunteers to count pedestrians and bicycles in about 10 locations in downtown Wilkes-Barre in September that are expected to have bicycle and pedestrian traffic or are otherwise significant for bicyclists and pedestrians. Methods and materials are taken from the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. The Count provides basic data about levels of bicycling and walking in downtown Wilkes-Barre, can help measure the impact of increases in walkability and trail projects, and can also help recruit business to downtown Wilkes-Barre. By: Live Well Luzerne/Wilkes- Barre Family YMCA PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Wilkes-Barre YMCA housed the project and helped with copying forms and materials. King s College & Dr. Bridget Costello & about 50 research methods students volunteered to count as a class project Pennsylvania Environmental Council allowed intern Ryan Bullock to help manage some counting periods Diamond City Partnership- Downtown s Business Improvement District- provided guidance on where counts should be held Luzerne County Bikes & Walks, Live Well Luzerne, and the PA DOH District Office- all provided volunteer counters CHALLENGE Bicycling and walking are human-powered transportation. These modes of transportation provide many benefits that automobile transportation doesn t: they don t burn fossil fuels, they provide people with needed daily physical activity, and they create an active, social, secure public environment. The City of Wilkes-Barre is a relatively low-income small city of about 40,000 residents in Luzerne County, in North-East Pennsylvania, with obesity and lack of physical activity well-documented problems. The City has been working to revitalize the downtown as well, including creation of a multi-modal center, streetscape enhancements, and major development projects, in the long-term including major trail projects. In trying to create positive change in walking and biking, lack of information about current levels and patterns of walking and bicycling in Wilkes-Barre, and comparable small cities is a distinct challenge.

20 SOLUTION The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Bicycle and Pedestrian filled the need for more information about levels of walking and bicycling in Wilkes-Barre by recruiting volunteer counters to count bicyclists and pedestrians at key location in the City. Counting methods and materials adopted from the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation project, which also recommends dates to hold the count. In 2012, the third year of the count, almost 60 volunteers counted 10 locations at different times during the weekdays on Sept. 11 th (a Tuesday), 12 th and 13 th, as well as on Saturday, Sept. 8th. This data provides basic information on how people move around downtown Wilkes-Barre on foot or by bicycle. It can be used for comparison by other small cities, especially in North East Pennsylvania, or around Binghamton, New York. RESULTS Data collected show that there continues to be significant walking in downtown Wilkes-Barre, with a 2012 average rate of 251 persons counted per location per two hour period, with a range from 19 to a high of 1005 persons per two hour period. Bicyclists are about 10% of total travelers, and female bicyclists are about 8-10% of total bicyclists. The rate of female bicyclists in the United States as a whole tends to be low, reflecting concerns about safety, but in downtown Wilkes-Barre they seem especially low. In comparison, women are about 41 to 42% of total pedestrians consistently. High points for pedestrian activity are Rodanos/Public Square and Main Street in front of Boscov s/provincial Towers. The Market Street Bridge is the high point for bicycle activity. This bridge has especially wide sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, giving both pedestrians and bicyclists feelings of space and safety from traffic as they cross the Susquehanna River. Downtown walking is highest at lunch, and bicycling is highest in the evening, reflecting the recreational nature of bicycling in the City of Wilkes-Barre. Using the extrapolation tool of the National Bicycling and Pedestrian Documentation Project, we can estimate annual non-programmed event use of River Common at about 230,000 visitors annually. Data should be useful in the future and for other small cities. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

21 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY Luzerne County Keystone Active Zone Passport SUMMARY The Luzerne County Keystone Active Zone Passport aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outside and active using their close-to-home parks, trails, and outdoor events. The passport consists of 30 stops offering more than 50 opportunities to be active outdoors. Passport program participants answer scavenger hunt questions at the KAZ website, and receive small awards for every 5 questions answered. 30,000 passports are printed and distributed to every elementary school in the county, providing contact information and directions to our great local places to county families whether or not they participate in the scavenger hunt. By: Live Well Luzerne & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA PARTNERSHIP IS KEY: Program Partners: Live Well Luzerne Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA Media Partners: WYLN WBRE & WYOU Entercom Communications All 11 county school districts and all partners as well as a multitude of local organizations helped promote the KAZ to their constituents. Funding Partners: DCNR CLI grant D&L Trail Alliance Wilkes-Barre Health Department PPL Proctor & Gamble Luzerne County Convention & Visitor s Bureau Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA Passport Stop Partners: State Parks: Nescopeck, Frances Slocum, Ricketts Glen, Lehigh Gorge Local Parks: suburban, urban and rural Trails: Black Diamond Trail, Greater Hazleton Rail Trail, Back Mountain Trail, Susquehanna Warrior Trail, Levee Trail, Mocanaqua Loop, Historic WB Walking Tour, Picton Preserve, Eckley Miner s Village Events: Community events like Pittston & Wyoming Valley Riverfests, Y Walk Wednesdays, National Get Outdoors Day Prize partners: 14 organizations & businesses donated prizes. CHALLENGE Luzerne County is consistently in the bottom quartile of the County Health Rankings for Pennsylvania, with adult obesity and physical inactivity among a host of behaviors that contribute to the county s poor health status. Children are equally likely to have poor health status; with 2008 BMI data indicating over 50% of children from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District were overweight or obese. For some children, these problems can intensify in the summer, when they stay at home with nothing to do, because parents are at work and anxious to keep kids safe and close to home. Another challenge in the county is the lack of centralized information targeted to residents about the great local places people can go to be active. Municipal and volunteer park and trail and outdoor organizations don t have time or expertise to promote their locations or events throughout the county. Great places end up being well-kept local secrets. The KAZ Passport program aims to change this.

22 SOLUTION The Keystone Active Zone provides information and incentives for families to visit great, free local places through a summer-wide on-line scavenger hunt, getting their physical activity through stealth health. The printed questions also include website, address and phone information of 30 different outdoor parks, trails and events/programs in the county. These passports are distributed to all elementary school students in the county and the program and benefits of getting outside is promoted on television, on radio and in print media. We also undertook additional activities in 2012 to increase access to the outdoors, which were promoted in the Passport and in media, working with LCTA to create a new bus service to Frances Slocum State Park from the City of Wilkes-Barre Intermodal Center. We also started Y Cycle Sundays which provided bicycle safety courses at local Y s and family-friendly group bicycle rides on local trails, and continued Y Walk Wednesdays. RESULTS 30,000 Passports were distributed to county elementary schools and, at local Ys, businesses and at local events. Frequently, when we went to events, attendees mentioned receiving the passports at schools. In 2012, the seventh year of the program, almost 150 people logged one or more stops, and over 400 downloaded passports on-line. A number of avid KAZ families, many of whom do the program year after year, logged over 15 stops, with 34 people logging over 25 stops. These people visited well over 850 local places over the course of the summer. We sent out 10 blasts advertizing local events and explaining the KAZ to approximately 1000 people. In the second year of using Facebook to communicate, we almost doubled the number of people using Facebook for the KAZ. Facebook also became a very useful way to record photographs of KAZ stops and events. People consistently say the Keystone Active Zone Passport program introduced to places that they did not know existed in the County. Our Lehigh Gorge Y Cycle Sunday was the subject of a front page feature article in the local Times-Leader newspaper, and two of the bicyclists- mothers who had grown up in North East Pennsylvania- were riding the Gorge for the first time. The LCTA Bus may be continued in a van, with the number of riders low, but consistent. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

23 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Western Wayne School District Western Wayne Middle School Environmental Education Camp SUMMARY This camp provided an opportunity for our students to engage in orienteering, fishing, biological and chemical water quality analysis, and a study of the flora and fauna at Varden. We conducted this camp in partnership with the staff of Promised Land State Park. Promised Land State Park administers the Varden Conservation Area and, as part of the camp, several Promised Land staff members spent the day instructing our students and they also provided some equipment for student use. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Friends of the Varden Conservation Area Leo Davidovich, Chairman 1971 Bethel Hill Road Susquehanna, PA Promised Land State Park Alex M. Stout Park Operations Manager 100 Lower Lake Road Greentown, PA CHALLENGE The overarching goal of the project is to develop a data warehouse in which our students can annually add data that describes the environmental health of the Varden Conservation Area. The idea is that collecting and warehousing data on water quality and flora and fauna over time will allow us to observe long-term trends whose fluctuations (or lack thereof) may indicate the overall environmental health of Varden. In essence, we re creating a way to make sure that the area stays environmentally healthy and diverse as Dr. Shaffer (the former owner and donor of the land) intended it to be.

24 SOLUTION Western Wayne Middle School students work to identify biotic factors that indicate environmental health in the Conservation Area with a focus on water quality, flora, and fauna. Once identified, these factors are placed into a cumulative database that can expand on an annual basis and ultimately be analyzed to determine trends that indicate environmental health, or lack thereof, at Varden. The student created database is the heart of this project. Students will be aided in the creation of this database by their teachers, personnel from Promised Land State Park, the Friends of the Varden Conservation Area, and the Information Technology Department of the Western Wayne School District. RESULTS Our database will be ready for spring of The monitoring equipment, geocaching equipment, and the database framework are purchased/completed. Students will participate in this camp in perpetuity and Mr. Shaffer s legacy and desire for an environmental sanctuary will be preserved with the help of this project and our students. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov

25 Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape SUCCESS STORY By: Wildlands Conservancy Maple Preserve Conservation and Access Plan SUMMARY Conservation and Public Access planning for over 1000 acres in the heart of the Pocono Plateau. With convenient access to major highways and other Pocono attractions, Wildlands Conservancy s Maple Tract and adjacent Fern Ridge Bog is the focus of natural resource inventory and study as is planning for sustainable access to some of the region s most significant natural Gems. PARTNERSHIP IS KEY Tunkhannock Township Planning partner, supplying access data and direction on phased implementation. The Nature Conservancy Planning partner, providing natural resource data and direction on access planning through TNC property. Hanover Engineering Contractor and Partner, supplying contract services and volunteer services in support of planning and access project. CHALLENGE Newly acquired natural open space adjacent to hundreds of acres of protected bog/wetland communities requires solutions to manage trespass and provide for sustainable public access while protecting and enhancing the natural resources originally identified for protection. With DCNR support, Wildlands Conservancy purchased approximately 180 acres adjacent to the existing Maple Preserve that is part of the local Fern Ridge Bog (headwaters of Tunkhannock Creek). This new property provides road access to the previously land locked Maple Preserve but came with it, significant trespass issues that impact some of the sensitive natural resources found there and across adjoining lands. The initial need was to identify existing access, understand its impact, locate sensitive natural areas and ensure their protection, plan for more sustainable public access and address and solve trespass issues. Tunkhannock Township

26 Mu SOLUTION The project began with an inventory of the newly acquired land and adjacent Maple Preserve. Wildlands and our partners spent several weeks on the ground mapping access and collecting natural resource data. With support from our partners it quickly became apparent that our project scope needed to expand to take advantage of nearby access opportunities that would double the area for planned access. The data we continue to gather is being used to plan access closures, identify where access development needs to occur, locate areas of interest to lead public for passive educational opportunities and were to isolate sensitive natural resources and restrict access. The planning also speaks to the protection and enhancement of existing natural resources through management and stewardship of the Preserve. RESULTS Initial scope was for planning and inventory across 660 acres through partnerships with TNC and Tunkhannock Twp., access planning now sees potential for a near doubling of the area and a through trail running east to west connecting two trail heads with parking. Potential for a highly visible, easily accessible, multi-use trail network, connecting over 10 miles of nature trails can result in a destination property if developed as such. Over half a dozen areas with unsustainable access slated for closure. New areas of the Maple Preserve identified for sustainable access to supplement existing trail network. Buffer with sensitive natural areas identified and stewardship recommendations made for critical natural areas. Wetland protection study directs necessary trail improvements and guides future permitting where required. Contact Janet Sweeney, Coordinator Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Pennsylvania Environmental Council 175 Main Street Luzerne, PA jsweeney@pecpa.org Dan Devlin, State Forester PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry RCSOB, 6 th Floor PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA ddevlin@pa.gov