The third project involved
repairing or removing areas that were severely damaged
by soil erosion.
Erosion causes
multiple problems!
The 314-acre
Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park contains
one of the most diverse stands of wildflowers in western
Pennsylvania. Over 700 species of plants have been
identified in the Reserve. Trails lead through a variety
of habitats like, oak-hickory forest, pine plantations,
woodland meadows and flood plain forest along Raccoon
Creek.
At the south end of
the Jennings Trail is an area of significant erosion
around an abandoned and crumbling stairway. As rainwater
degrades the trail and stairway, lime from the concrete
continues to leach into the ephemeral pool below. The
wearing down of the stairway has also made the trail
very unsafe at this point.
The project would
included the removal of the rock, concrete, railroad
ties, railings and other materials that are no longer
desirable in the area. In their place we will plant
native trees and plants in order to return the area to
its natural state. The work was completed in a manner that
controlled the soil erosion and prevent hikers from walking
through the area.
During the project,
we helped educate and train the Scouts, Venturers and
volunteers on methods of sustainable trail building,
reforestation and acquiring native plants/trees.
We also offered
the Soil & Water Conservation Merit Badge to Boy Scouts
to further educate them and
provide an additional reward for participating.
