Two watershed protection projects led by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) were featured in The Conservation Fund’s newly released book A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation.
The book profiles conservation practices and technologies for government agencies, community groups, and businesses involved in protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Issues such as climate change, stream restoration, green infrastructure and stewardship are addressed in the book. PEC’s two projects are featured case studies in the Watershed Protection Chapter.
Earning environmental Service credits for a forested buffer highlights PEC’s efforts to restore the health of Little Conestoga Creek, a tributary to the Susquehanna River and one of the most intensively farmed regions of the U.S. PEC worked with Exelon Corporation (project sponsor) and Lancaster General Health (landowner) to plant a streamside buffer. The buffer is now under a conservation easement and can qualify for carbon sequestration and nutrient trading credits.
Converting Poultry Manure from Waste to Resource is PEC’s groundbreaking project that uses poultry manure and paper mill waste to amend and fertilize the soil of abandoned mine lands. These lands are then able to grow switchgrass, which can be used as bio-fuel, a carbon neutral alternative to fossil fuels.
Both projects were led by Scott van de Mark, Director of Special Projects for PEC. PEC is known statewide for innovative and collaborative demonstration projects that solve on-the-ground environmental issues.