Northeastern School District Riparian Buffer

 

 

Location: Hartman Run, York County PA (Northeastern School District below Shallow Brook Intermediate School)

Partners Involved: Penn State Extension, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Northeastern School District

Type of Buffer: Urban

Submitted by: Jodi Sulpizio

 

 

 

We began planting this 20 acre riparian buffer in Oct. 2019. We are planting in three phases. Phase 2 and 3 will complete the project this Oct. Covid slowed up the planting.  We had a big kick-off event in 2019 and students grades 3-12 helped plant the first phase. Community leaders were in attendance and Secretary of DCNR, Cindy Dunn, planted the first tree. The community also helped plant the following day.

 

 

 

 

The school district mows an incredible amount of land and were mowing right up to the edge of Hartman Run (about one mile from the Susquehanna River). The creek has steep cut banks with lots of erosion. This buffer will help reduce staff time mowing, will save resources, will improve water quality and by involving hundreds of students and community members, many people learned about the importance of trees in riparian areas. It also provides endless educational opportunities for the school district. Several school buildings are within walking distance.

 

 

 

It has been a very positive project. We look forward to wrapping it up in a few weeks. (Project funded by grants through DCNR) Some of the photos were taken by John Pavoncello.

 

This post Is part of the first annual CCLC Riparian Buffer Month.

For more information check out our page 

 

If you would like to support professional training of landscape professionals in the design, instillation, and maintenance of riparian buffers, please donate today to the CBLP-Buffers scholarship fund. We believe that landscape professionals have a unique ability to directly affect the health of our landscapes- and your donation will directly assist a professional in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to pursue training.