Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Westminster College will host a workshop/workday at McClure Run Saturday, May 1, at 9 a.m. The event is open to the public and volunteers, individually or as groups, are encouraged to participate.
Volunteers will meet at the softball field for activities that include plant identification, litter and debris cleanup, and tree/shrub planting.
The event will take place rain or shine. Participants should dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes and work gloves. Equipment will be provided, although workers may bring their own shovels.
Extensive work has been done to improve the water quality of McClure Run, which flows through the Westminster campus. A significant stream restoration project was completed nearly two years ago restoring the natural stream channel and enhancing aquatic habitat in the stream.
The project created rock cross vanes; biorentention areas; a step/pool dam structure; floodplain areas; and a riparian buffer, an area beside the stream that is planted or allowed to revegetate with trees, shrubs, and native plants. The buffer helps stabilize the stream bank, provide tree canopy for cool water temperatures, minimize flooding, and improve overall appearance.
The workshop is a cooperative effort between Westminster College, the Lawrence County Conservation District, the Lawrence County Commissioners, and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund.
Contact Owen Wagner, Westminster Physical Plant director, at (724) 946-7019 or e-mail owagner@westminster.edu for additional information.
