Climbers Run Wildlife Habitat and Stream Restoration Project
by Lydia Martin
 |
|
Partners construct a log vane to reduce future erosion along the streambank. |
Nestled in the deep ravines of the River Hills in southeastern Pennsylvania, Climbers Run cascades through pristine forests to lowlands and meanders to the Pequea Creek. A stroll along the rushing water tempts the senses of visitors, evoking a feeling of Lancaster County long before development and deforestation. Climbers Run holds a rare treasure, wild brook trout—found only where forested buffers provide clean, cold water essential to this species' survival.
Climbers Run is located within the Susquehanna Riverlands, a DCNR Conservation Landscape and a designated Pennsylvania Nature Heritage Area. The 82-acre property boasts a stream, pond, vernal pools, wetlands, and forests. The Lancaster County Conservancy acquired this property on Climbers Run – known previously as Camp Snyder – in 2012, with support from a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant and additional funding from the William Penn Foundation, National Trout Unlimited, and other private donors.
Like many local tributaries, agriculture, development, and forestry practices led to the degradation of Climbers Run. The lower segment of the stream displayed visible scars from stormwater runoff and up to 12-foot-high eroded banks mingled with refuse, severe log jams, and invasive vegetation.
In 2013, Donegal Trout Unlimited (DTU) partnered with the Conservancy to restore the lower two-thirds of the stream to improve brook trout habitat. Ten additional partners stepped forward to help raise more than $130,000 to fund a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) habitat and stream restoration project.
 |
|
| Volunteers remove trash and invasive vegetation along the stream. Photo courtesy of the Lancaster County Conservancy |
The following year, the Service began a stream restoration project in partnership with Habitat Forever, where 18 structures such as mud sills, log and rock vanes were installed. Stream banks were contoured to remove excessive gradients, log jams were removed, and nearly 17 acres of invasive plants were managed along the buffer. The Service estimated the project would prevent more than 640 tons of soil from eroding into the Susquehanna River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
Volunteers from schools and universities, scout groups, and other nonprofit organizations joined the effort, logging more than 1,500 hours on 12 Conservancy-DTU led work dates between November 2014 and December 2015. Volunteers helped remove trash, protect vulnerable habitat areas, manage invasive species, and plant more than 700 native species along 2,400 linear feet of stream.
Partners also worked to renovate an existing barn as the Conservancy's new Susquehanna Riverlands Research and Education Center, focusing on watershed research and education. The Service donated 22 wildlife boxes (for mallard and wood ducks, bluebirds, screech and barn owls, and bats) for the project that students installed for environmental education.
The Conservancy and DTU are proud to share this model with the public to convey that successful, collaborative projects can restore wild places to benefit wildlife and provide continued enjoyment for future generations. The Climbers Run wildlife habitat and stream restoration project demonstrates there is hope for tributaries within the Susquehanna Riverlands. Passionate people and committed partners made a huge difference in protecting our native brook trout population and all life connected to our streams.
Lydia Martin is the Director of Education at the Lancaster County Conservancy.