Collegium Charter School presents...........

MEGAN!!!!

Performing a Green Day song...

The CCS Scatters! Great job girls!

Tree Tenders Training

Tree Tenders Training

Sign up now!
(Student’s, staff, faculty, Borough & Township residents)
Learn to plant & care for trees
9 hours of free training

April 7, 14, 21 (6-9PM)
113 Boucher Hall
Sponsored by the PA Horticulture Society and WCU
To register http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org
& choose “sign up for Free Tree Tenders Training
Contact: Gerry Hertel; 610-436-2722; ghertel@wcupa.edu
(WCU sponsors: Grounds; Environmental Council; Gordon Natural Area)

Which Quercus?

I can usually identify the white oaks from the black oaks, but sometimes it gets a little more difficult beyond that! My guess for this tree, Pin Oak (Quercus palustris). Oak trees are definitely one of my favorites. Not only is the mature tree simply one of the most stately, it is absolutely one of the most beneficial trees to wildlife; in the northeast US. The acorns provide such a wonderful food source for critters and the caterpillars really love to munch on the leaves.

Have you planted an oak tree lately?

Buff what?

How many ponds or streams do you drive by each day?

How many of these bodies of water are bordered by neatly cut grass?

What is the diversity of wildlife around these bodies of water?

Riparian buffers: Riparian buffers are the areas adjacent to water sources which act to protect the water from nonpoint source pollution and provide bank stabilization and aquatic and wildlife habitat. This area differs from the uplands because of moisture levels, soil composition and the unique plant communities that exisit there.

As studies have indicated, riparian buffers can reduce the amount of sediment, nutrients, and other contaminants that enter surface waters. However, the studies also suggest that these effects vary from one riparian area to another. The degree to which the riparian buffer protects water quality is a function of the area's hydrology, soils, and vegetation.

By ignoring the importance of riparian buffers, we will reduce water quality values, reduce wildlife and fish populations, cause serious property damage (bank erosion) and loss of valuable agricultural lands. If the land surrounding our waterways is void of riparian vegetation, we will also see an increase in water temperatures and decrease in dissolved oxygen. The loss of shade exposes soils to drying out by wind and sunlight and reduces the water storage capacity of the riparian area, all of which will eventually cause streambank erosion. Eroding banks contribute to sedimentation and lead to a wide shallow stream with little habitat value.

Riparian buffers are most effective at improving water quality when they include a native grass or herbaceous filter strip along with deep rooted trees and shrubs along the stream. Riparian buffers should range from 25 to 100 feet wide on each side of the stream. Not only will this improve the water quality, but it will also increase the diversity of wildlife that can survive and thrive in this healthy habitat as opposed to the monoculture of turf grass surrounding so many ponds which only attract the Canadian geese!

Sources:

bae.ncsu.edu, soil.ncsu.edu, ext.vt.edu