PORT TREVORTON, PA — In a collaborative initiative to bolster environmental resilience and water quality, Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay recently joined forces to plant a streamside forest buffer at the Mahantango Access in Snyder County. This effort is part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing severe weather impacts and improving ecological conditions in the Susquehanna River, a key tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.
During Wednesday’s event, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn emphasized the importance of streamside buffers in managing stormwater and reducing flooding. “One way to respond to the increase in severe weather and flooding that’s occurring is to plant trees along waterways because they are able to absorb more stormwater than lawns, pavement, or other surfaces that water cannot pass through,” Dunn stated. This initiative reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable land management practices.
The Susquehanna River, as the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, plays a critical role in the bay’s ecosystem. Recent assessments by the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science have awarded the Chesapeake Bay its highest condition score in over two decades, largely attributable to efforts such as Pennsylvania’s streamside buffer installations. Secretary Dunn noted that Pennsylvania leads all Bay states in buffer planting, accounting for 60 percent of the total since 1996.
The current project involves the planting of approximately 360 native trees and shrubs, including Swamp White Oak and River Birch, over 1.3 acres at the Mahantango Access. These plantings are essential for stabilizing stream banks, supporting aquatic life, and reducing erosion. PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer highlighted the ecological benefits, stating that these efforts help filter runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance water quality.
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, approaching its 1,000th acre of buffer planted in Pennsylvania since 2018, plays a pivotal role in facilitating these environmental enhancements. Ryan Davis, Senior Forests Projects Manager for the Alliance, emphasized the multiple benefits of riparian forest buffers for wildlife, aquatic habitats, and water quality.
This initiative is supported by a DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant, illustrating the collaborative funding and resource-sharing model that underpins these efforts. Additionally, DCNR Bureau of Forestry service foresters are available to assist landowners interested in establishing their own streamside buffers.
Public involvement is encouraged through donations to the Keystone True Fund, which supports tree planting efforts, illustrating the collective commitment required to sustain Pennsylvania’s environmental health and contribute to the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed improvement goals.
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