Bradford County Conservation Distirct - Blog

The One-Tenth Principle

12/2/2019

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader, Bradford County Conservation District

'Tis the Season for contemplation. Having just come through harvest and entering winter, the growing season pauses and cues us to do the same. The natural world silently screams for us to slow down. It is time to ask again the important questions like - who are we? and why are we? A good time for some solid business planning. Let's consider an often-overlooked opportunity you may way to bring into the picture - the one-tenth principle.

Why Do My Trees Look Like They Are Dying This Year?

11/25/2019

By: Chad Gadsby, Service Forester, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Throughout 2019, I fielded numerous calls regarding various tree species that were sick and appeared to be dying. The trend started in May and persisted through leaf drop. The common theme was that the trees and shrubs in question were generally suffering from fungal leaf diseases.
The weather pattern that started in 2018 and carried through early June 2019 brought feet of rain to the region. It also resulted in cooler than average temperatures. This weather pattern provided the perfect scenario for fungal development. As a result, we saw various fungal diseases impacting apple, cherry, conifers, maples, and oak to name a few. Some cases were so severe that the trees were completely defoliated.

Winter Bird Feeding

11/18/2019

Excerpt taken from Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) newsletter. To learn more about NPC or to sign up for their newsletter, visit https://npcweb.org/
As the days get colder and natural food sources dwindle, many people provide supplemental food to help our native songbirds survive through the winter. This is also a great opportunity to recognize, enjoy, and learn about the bird species in your area. Whether you already have feeders set-up or you’d like to start, this article may provide some tips for success

Conservation District says, 'Thank You!'

11/12/2019

2019 Outstanding Cooperator King Dairy. From left, are: Jennifer King, Bruce King Jr. and Nate Dewing, BCCD.

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader

The Bradford County Conservation District celebrated difference makers at its annual appreciation dinner Friday night at the Troy Sale Barn. Volunteers were appreciated, land managers recognized, projects highlighted, supporters thanked and advances simply celebrated.
We all could stand to improve our habit of celebrating both big and little successes.
Conservation Districts set up within county jurisdictions across the country are boards of local residents who help promote sound use of natural resources in the community. Bradford County has excelled since its humble 1956 inception. Partnerships with land managers and community members are what make the wheels turn.

Time to Start the Garden

11/4/2019

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader, Bradford County Conservation District

You heard correctly – it is time to start your garden. This week at the Stoll Natural Resource Center, we started our 2020 no-till demonstration garden. It may be new thinking, but we suggest you think of October as the beginning of your gardening season (November is not too late). A few simple steps now can keep your garden soil working for you all winter. Read further for a step by step preparation guide. 2019 produced an excellent demonstration garden, with very little effort as we have reported. Forty people attended the September Open Garden evening with lots of great questions and information sharing. A big “thank you” to Chris and Jeanette Smith from Warren Township for mentoring the gathered gardeners.

Aren't We All Just a Little Misunderstood?

10/28/2019

Little Brown Bat, native to Pennsylvania

Excerpt taken from Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) fall newsletter. To learn more about NPC or to sign up for their newsletter, visit https://npcweb.org/

Halloween is less than a week away and chances are you’ve seen some kind of bat décor on display to complement the “spooky” festivities. It’s probably bats’ nocturnal nature, unique appearance, and folklore affiliations (hint, hint: “I vant to suck your blood”) that have long left bats misunderstood and sometimes even feared. However, bats are actually amazing creatures, vital to our environment. Today, we’re helping to kick off Bat Week 2019 (visit https://batweek.org/ for lots of cool bat info), an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature, by sharing 3 reasons why you really should LOVE bats.

Are Farmers Telling Their Story?

10/21/2019

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
Farmers, you have a story to tell. We all do, and naturally, we most often stay quiet. Today I’m asking Pennsylvania farmers to consider your options. You are doing a lot to manage natural resources on your farm. Sure, the improvement wish list is long, but even now you are operating numerous conservation practices. Are you telling your story? Because there are people who need to hear it.

Who Should I Call?

10/14/2019

By: Brad Cummings, Conservation Technician

Have you ever wondered who to call if you have a complaint or permit related question? With all the different regulatory agencies and complex organizational charts within some of those agencies, this can sometimes be a daunting task. We realize it can be frustrating if you don’t know who to contact, so we’ve created this brief guide to hopefully help point you in the right direction.

Lake Stratification and Turnover

10/7/2019

By Tess Flynn-Belles, Natural Resource Specialist

39.2°F. What is the significance of this temperature? We hear “32°F” and automatically think, “Ah, yes, that’s when water freezes”. So, why is 39.2°F so unique? You may be aware that as water cools, it becomes denser and less dense when it warms. A practical example of this would be if you’ve ever tried to see how deep you can swim down in a lake on a hot summer’s day. You can feel the temperature change from warmer to cooler as you dive deeper. In winter, however, once water reaches the temperature of 39.2°F, its molecules actually start to expand and become lighter again, sitting on top of the warmer water!! At this point, the water can continue to cool to 32°F and turn to ice. If you are a pond or lake owner, the following facts will help you begin to understand why, during certain times of the year, your pond goes from crystal clear to cloudy and brown in a matter of days.

How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck?

9/30/2019

By: Tess Flynn-Belles, Natural Resource Specialist

Hey all! It’s your old Uncle Conservation here and I’ve got a secret for you. And let me tell you, it’s a good one. Especially if you or someone you know lives near a stream which, let’s be honest, is the entire county. Ok, gather ‘round now. Ready for it? You can clear trees and woody debris out of a stream… WITHOUT A PERMIT!!! Holy Cow!! Did I just blow your mind?! I did, didn’t I?