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Our Mission:
To Promote the Health of the Fishing Creek Watershed
To Promote the Health of the Fishing Creek Watershed
****UPCOMING EVENTS****
May 9th, 2022 - 5:45 PM - "Birds of Kocher Park" by Doug Gross, Ornithologist
(see description and flyer for registration information below!)
May 9th, 2022 - 5:45 PM - "Birds of Kocher Park" by Doug Gross, Ornithologist
(see description and flyer for registration information below!)
Come and see the birds of Kocher Park!
Fishing Creek Watershed Association’s Monday, May 9th meeting will take us outdoors for a guided bird walk with Ornithologist Doug Gross. We’ll gather at 5:45 PM in the parking lot of Kocher Park to begin our 6 PM Avian Adventure. (For GPS directions, Kocher Park is located at 1519 Route 487, Orangeville, PA 17859, just outside the village of Lightstreet.)
Doug, a retired State Game Biologist and eBird Coordinator, frequently leads bird walks at Ricketts Glen, but he’s leading this walk closer to home especially for us. If you’d like to join the walk, you can call the Columbia County Conservation District at 570-317-9456 to register, or just show up at the park!
The walk is easy, but please dress for the weather and to protect yourself from possible ticks. We recommend wearing footgear that provides good traction on the trails. And, of course, insect repellant is also a good idea.
Bring along cameras, field guides, binoculars or scopes if you like. We should have time for many sightings before we lose daylight.
If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Conservation District at 570-317-9456. Hope you can join us!
Fishing Creek Watershed Association’s Monday, May 9th meeting will take us outdoors for a guided bird walk with Ornithologist Doug Gross. We’ll gather at 5:45 PM in the parking lot of Kocher Park to begin our 6 PM Avian Adventure. (For GPS directions, Kocher Park is located at 1519 Route 487, Orangeville, PA 17859, just outside the village of Lightstreet.)
Doug, a retired State Game Biologist and eBird Coordinator, frequently leads bird walks at Ricketts Glen, but he’s leading this walk closer to home especially for us. If you’d like to join the walk, you can call the Columbia County Conservation District at 570-317-9456 to register, or just show up at the park!
The walk is easy, but please dress for the weather and to protect yourself from possible ticks. We recommend wearing footgear that provides good traction on the trails. And, of course, insect repellant is also a good idea.
Bring along cameras, field guides, binoculars or scopes if you like. We should have time for many sightings before we lose daylight.
If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Conservation District at 570-317-9456. Hope you can join us!
Spotted laternfly:Myths and management RESources
Click HERE to DOwnload
Spotted Lanternflies have arrived in our area and will probably become widespread this year. This presentation will dispel the many myths associated with spotted lanternflies and will offer effective management strategies and techniques.
Selections from "For the Love of Nature"
In February, FCWA hosted guests from the community, including poets, naturalists, artists and photographers, who shared Words of Love spoken to and about Nature. Below is a list of readings that were presented, organized by speakers, that is provided for you in case you would like to further explore these selections.
Richard Brook
Original poem, “Winter on the River”
“Leave Taking” by Richard Savage
Susan Brook
Original poem, “River Shade”
“Susquehanna’s Attitude” by Janet Locke
“Susquehanna River” by Andrea Sokash
Michael DeMarco
Original poems:
“Fishing for Answers”
“Chesapeake Bay Baby”
“Four Parts Water”
Linda Dietrichson
"Haiku" from Haiku in English, edited by Jim Kacian, Philip Rowland and Allan Burns
“Red-winged Blackbird Harem” from Bird Note: Chirps, Quirks and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show, edited by Ellen Blackstone
Bright Wings: An illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds, ed. by Billy Collins
Elizabeth Dowd
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Aaron Eldred
"Good Oak" from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Oren Helbok
“Twins” by E.B. White
Cynthia Schroll
Twelve Moons of the Year by Hal Borland and the poem,
“‘Just a minute’, said a voice . . .”, from Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver
Susan Webster
— Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Jennifer Whisner
“Native Trees” by W.S. Merwin
“The Tree Agreement” by Elise Paschen
“Winter Trees” by William Carlos Williams
In February, FCWA hosted guests from the community, including poets, naturalists, artists and photographers, who shared Words of Love spoken to and about Nature. Below is a list of readings that were presented, organized by speakers, that is provided for you in case you would like to further explore these selections.
Richard Brook
Original poem, “Winter on the River”
“Leave Taking” by Richard Savage
Susan Brook
Original poem, “River Shade”
“Susquehanna’s Attitude” by Janet Locke
“Susquehanna River” by Andrea Sokash
Michael DeMarco
Original poems:
“Fishing for Answers”
“Chesapeake Bay Baby”
“Four Parts Water”
Linda Dietrichson
"Haiku" from Haiku in English, edited by Jim Kacian, Philip Rowland and Allan Burns
“Red-winged Blackbird Harem” from Bird Note: Chirps, Quirks and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show, edited by Ellen Blackstone
Bright Wings: An illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds, ed. by Billy Collins
Elizabeth Dowd
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Aaron Eldred
"Good Oak" from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Oren Helbok
“Twins” by E.B. White
Cynthia Schroll
Twelve Moons of the Year by Hal Borland and the poem,
“‘Just a minute’, said a voice . . .”, from Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver
Susan Webster
— Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Jennifer Whisner
“Native Trees” by W.S. Merwin
“The Tree Agreement” by Elise Paschen
“Winter Trees” by William Carlos Williams
2021 FCWA Annual Update Letter
Dear Members and Friends of Fishing Creek Watershed Association,
The year 2021 continued to present COVID challenges, so we adapted and added a virtual option for most of our educational programs. In February Kris Ribble, our local soil expert, led a Zoom discussion of soil health related to the documentary, “Kiss the Ground”. We hope to have a follow up in the future when we can learn more and actually get our hands dirty!
In April, the month when invasive Japanese Knotweed sends up tender, edible shoots, FCWA and Conservation staff members shared their recipes and preparation methods virtually in “Eat the Invasives: Cooking with Knotweed”. We missed the fun of our annual taste-testing of the sweet and savory knotweed dishes— and possibly the chance to convert some skeptics— but hope to be able to resume our in-person knotweed buffet in the coming year.
On May 10, Dr. Eric Miller of the Citizens Climate Lobby, presented via Zoom an overview of the nation-wide organization and detailed the efforts of the local CCL chapter. Later in the month, we broke free of Zoom for an early morning guided bird walk with Ornithologist Doug Gross at Ricketts Glen Park.
Penn State Extension presented a virtual well water safety program in June. Those who registered received a free well water testing kit. A later follow up program provided free sanitary well caps for those who attended.
In the heat of August, Dr. George Chamuris, Professor Emeritus of Bloomsburg University, presented a cool Zoom program identifying the “Woody Plants of Kocher Park”. And later in the month, during ArtFest, our annual Container Garden Contest brought record crowds and revenue for our pollinators’ gardens at Kocher Park.
September’s program also got us outdoors as Drs. Chris and Jennifer Whisner took us to Fernville Park for a very hands-on “Geology Rocks 2!” The well-attended program was cut short by heavy rains and strong winds, so questions remain unanswered that may require a sequel!
Cynthia Schroll, Master Naturalist, shared her photos and stories in October of the beneficial and uplifting insects she observes near her home along the creek. Finally, in November, staff members from the conservation district and FCWA presented
“Weather, Water, Soil and Trees”, describing what we are doing now in this watershed to minimize the effects of the severe weather that has become the norm.
To help us in our efforts to be good stewards of the water, soil, plants and animals of the Fishing Creek Watershed, we ask you to join our team. As you know, we are a volunteer, non-profit association and we welcome your membership renewal, attendance at programs and continuing support. Wishing you a safe and healthy new year!
Sincerely,
Susan Webster, Jen Whisner and Linda Dietrichson
FCWA Board Members
Dear Members and Friends of Fishing Creek Watershed Association,
The year 2021 continued to present COVID challenges, so we adapted and added a virtual option for most of our educational programs. In February Kris Ribble, our local soil expert, led a Zoom discussion of soil health related to the documentary, “Kiss the Ground”. We hope to have a follow up in the future when we can learn more and actually get our hands dirty!
In April, the month when invasive Japanese Knotweed sends up tender, edible shoots, FCWA and Conservation staff members shared their recipes and preparation methods virtually in “Eat the Invasives: Cooking with Knotweed”. We missed the fun of our annual taste-testing of the sweet and savory knotweed dishes— and possibly the chance to convert some skeptics— but hope to be able to resume our in-person knotweed buffet in the coming year.
On May 10, Dr. Eric Miller of the Citizens Climate Lobby, presented via Zoom an overview of the nation-wide organization and detailed the efforts of the local CCL chapter. Later in the month, we broke free of Zoom for an early morning guided bird walk with Ornithologist Doug Gross at Ricketts Glen Park.
Penn State Extension presented a virtual well water safety program in June. Those who registered received a free well water testing kit. A later follow up program provided free sanitary well caps for those who attended.
In the heat of August, Dr. George Chamuris, Professor Emeritus of Bloomsburg University, presented a cool Zoom program identifying the “Woody Plants of Kocher Park”. And later in the month, during ArtFest, our annual Container Garden Contest brought record crowds and revenue for our pollinators’ gardens at Kocher Park.
September’s program also got us outdoors as Drs. Chris and Jennifer Whisner took us to Fernville Park for a very hands-on “Geology Rocks 2!” The well-attended program was cut short by heavy rains and strong winds, so questions remain unanswered that may require a sequel!
Cynthia Schroll, Master Naturalist, shared her photos and stories in October of the beneficial and uplifting insects she observes near her home along the creek. Finally, in November, staff members from the conservation district and FCWA presented
“Weather, Water, Soil and Trees”, describing what we are doing now in this watershed to minimize the effects of the severe weather that has become the norm.
To help us in our efforts to be good stewards of the water, soil, plants and animals of the Fishing Creek Watershed, we ask you to join our team. As you know, we are a volunteer, non-profit association and we welcome your membership renewal, attendance at programs and continuing support. Wishing you a safe and healthy new year!
Sincerely,
Susan Webster, Jen Whisner and Linda Dietrichson
FCWA Board Members
2021 Container Garden Contest
FCWA’s Container Garden Contest, held at ArtFest, was a great success, earning more than $350 to purchase additional plants for the gardens at Kocher Park. Fifteen clever gardens, ranging from the silly to the sublime, provided great variety for the popular vote. The winning entry, “Vintage Glass Garden,” was created by Laurie Carl, Millville, who was also the winner in 2018. Congratulations to Laurie and thank you to all the talented gardeners who entered the contest. We’d also like to thank everyone who stopped by the FCWA booth to support our fundraiser. We look forward to our next contest in 2022, so please begin to plan your entries!
*Unless otherwise specified, all FCWA meetings are held at 7pm on the second Monday of the month at the Columbia County Agriculture Building,
702 Sawmill Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Other events FCWA members may be interested in are also listed for your information.
702 Sawmill Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Other events FCWA members may be interested in are also listed for your information.
By taking a few simple steps, we can all make a difference:
• Skip spring lawn fertilizer because it Can cause pollution, and It is more effective applied in the fall.
• If you do use fertilizer, use phosphorus-free fertilizer. Only use fertilizer if rain is not expected for 24 hours
after application and Sweep excess fertilizer off pavement to prevent water pollution.
Together, we can conserve our resources.
Remember, it’s up to all of us to be good stewards of our commonwealth.
For more information about conservation projects in your community, visit PACD.oRG.
A message from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
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for more information and follow our upcoming events!
for more information and follow our upcoming events!