Erie County Conservation District

We are overwhelmed with the support from all of you with our Seedling Sale! Orders are still coming in and we are working hard to keep in-stock numbers current... for you all. Our online store will be closing at 5pm TODAY. If you've been meaning to get that order in for spring planting, the next 5 hours is your chance! Thank you again! See more

It's the last 48 hours our Seedling Sale will be accepting orders! Our online store is open through Thursday and we will be in the office to accept paper orders through 4pm Friday. Stock is selling out quickly so don't wait if you want to be ready for spring planting :) We are so excited to see the support from the community regarding our fundraising efforts for our education programming and Headwaters Park - Thank you!!!

Just over a week left to place your order for the 2021 Seedling Sale! Online store will close Friday, March 26! Please get your order in ASAP as we are selling out of a number of items - check online for more details. www.erieconservation.com

Penn State Extension, Venango County Educator, Jeff Fowler, is hosting a podcast called "Fresh Cut Grass". This podcast will discuss topics with industry profes...sionals from all around the United States. Topics will include all aspects of grass: sports turf management, lawn care, parks, golf and many other topics dealing with professional turf. Give it a listen and subscribe! https://extension.psu.edu/fresh-cut-grass

Due to the big, beautiful and bountiful snowflakes outside today, our recycling receptacle drop off has been postponed until tomorrow. However, there are alrea...dy 8 receptacles within the county in place - please feel free to stop by ones located in Harborcreek, Venango, North East, and Greene Township offices, and also Rodger Young, Bayview, Walczak, and Glenwood City of Erie parks. Wherever you are able to drop off your collected glass, we are excited that recycling is available in Erie County! See more

Our 2021 Seedling Sale will be opening mid-February! Keep your eye out for flyers in the mail (if you are on our mailing list), notifications via email, and posts here on social media! Think spring!

HB shares #OutsidetheWindow: "While considering what yardwork I was going to do in my yard this fall I started to consider the benefits of leaving some of my ta...sks undone until the spring. You might be glad to hear that your to do list may be shorter if you consider wildlife and their needs for the winter season. Here are some reasons to leave your yard in its natural state: Save the seeds. Seed heads of native wildflowers (such as Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susan’s) provide a helpful food cache for birds during the winter months. Leave the leaves. Leaves are important because they rot and enrich the soil, and also provide places for bugs and birds to forage for food. If you want to do something, you could rake them from the lawn to your garden beds, or mulch them with a mower to nourish your lawn. Leaf litter is also habitat for a variety of critters such as salamanders, snails, worms, and toads. A healthy layer of undisturbed soil and leaf litter also means more moths, which in their caterpillar phase are a crucial food source for birds. Build a brush pile. To shelter birds from weather and predators use those windblown sticks and limbs from your trees to make a brush pile. American Tree Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, and other wintering birds will appreciate the protection from the elements. Rabbits, snakes, and other wildlife also will take refuge there. I know I will be doing less work this falland the animals will thank me for it!" See more

We are excited to be assisting in the planning of this event coming this fall! It's a great draw for this part of the state, Erie in particular, and we look forward to showcasing all of Erie's unique attributes! Check back for session proposal requests - they will be coming soon; please share!

Great news: Our North Pier Light is going to be on a USPS stamp! Check it out here: https://about.usps.com//1117-usps-announces-upcoming-stamp

Given the windy tempest over the weekend and its evidencesfelled trees, blown roofs, and especially floodingyou may be wondering why we experience such conseq...uences of storms so frequently and with such intensity. Click the link below to learn about how development has influenced flooding in our communities. https://extension.psu.edu/why-does-my-community-flood-more-

Remember Lucky, the #SpottedLanternfly sniffing dog? Well she’s officially graduated, and working hard to help control everyone’s least favorite #BadBug. We’re proud of Shane and Lucky, and are lucky to have this team on PA’s side! #HumanAnimalRelationshipAwarenessWeek

Due to weather, we have a one-week delay on glass recycling bin drop off at our location. Check back; we will be posting when the bin will be dropped off at our lower parking lot and ready for your glass to be recycled!

The Regional Science Consortium will be offering their 16th Annual Research Symposium today, November 4th through Friday November 6th! Presentations will be FREE and virtual through their Youtube channel (see link below). This symposium will be a collaboration of colleges/universities, state/federal agencies, school districts, other non-profits and student presentations! Please join us today! www.RegSciTV.com

Wondering how to deal with the overabundance of beautiful fall leaves that are now on our lawns and garden/flowerbeds? Check out the short clip below for tips ideas!

Headwaters Park and Scott Park will have hundreds of Halloween themed rocks lining their trails tomorrow morning for the 2020 Halloween Rock Walk.

Watch and learn during #AgeOfNature on WQLN PBS Wednesdays at 10pm beginning October 14th. Thanks to our partners The Nature Conservancy, Asbury Woods, Regiona...l Science Consortium, Go Native Erie, Tom Ridge Environmental Center @ the Erie Peninsula, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, French Creek Valley Conservancy, Erie County Conservation District, Natural History Museum at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center See more

Thank you to the girl scouts that visited Headwaters Park today for their Brownie and Junior/Cadette programs! What a wonderful day to spend outside and explore!

Mark your calendars!! Tom McClure, District Manager for the Conservation District, will be on the panel for this event :) An online pre-event to PBS' "The Age of Nature" will be held next Wednesday, October 7th. Check out the link below for more information and to register!! https://www.facebook.com/events/696156350982716?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22page_admin_bar%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22page_id%5C%22%3A42319485497%7D%22%7D%2C%7B%22surface%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22[]%22%7D]%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D

Tomorrow is the day and it looks like the weather will cooperate! Headwaters Park will be hosting a cleanup; but there are 20 sites around Erie, including many marinas and along the lakeshore that also need your help! Check out the local link and come out to support our enviroment!

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer glass recycling at our location. For other local Bayfront Glass recycling locations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/BayfrontGlass

Mark your calendars for September 19th for the International Coastal Cleanup! At 20 locations across Erie County, volunteers will be meeting to cleanup our creeks, streams, and shoreline to protect and preserve one of our most precious resources - our natural water! Check out the information posted for locations, registration, and times. See you out there!

Whenever possible, the Conservation District and Headwaters Park are open to scheduling programs for schools, scouts, and other groups. We are also available a...s a resource for teachers and parents searching for tips and tricks to teaching outside Reach out to us via social media, email or phone! www.erieconservation.com

Butterflies are great pollinators, and planting certain flowers will help attract them to your space. However, butterflies ALSO need a space to safely rest, dry their wings, and get a drink of water! Have fun and help them out by adding a few flat rocks among your flowers and allow water to pool in the shallow parts of the rocks. Butterflies use the water and additional minerals from the rock surface to get what they need to stay healthy - called "puddling". Check the link for more details :) https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wi//Attracting-Butterflies.

Everyone should be aware of this.

Could today be any more fun? Not only did I get to use the glass recycling containers placed at our office by Bayfront Glass (for YOU, the public to use!), but... the August Scavenger Hunt is up and running today!!! Come out to Headwaters, recycling the glass that's taking been taking up space in your home, and enjoy a hike + a scavenger hunt in the Park! Hunt maps are located at the kiosk at the beginning of the trail, or on our website at https://www.erieconservation.com/headwaters-/scavenger-hunt See more

Does your property have a waterway on it? A streamside buffer can protect it from erosion and pollution, no matter what size the stream. The trees within your b...uffer will act like sponges to slow rainwater runoff, keeping your land intact and protecting your property value. Learn more about streamside buffers https://bit.ly/BufferMyStream #BufferMyStream #StreamBuffer

BIG DAY!!! BIG NEWS!!! Bayfront Glass Is proud to say that we have two new stations. Erie County Conservation District at 1927 Wager Rd, Erie, PA 16509 &... WHOLE FOODS CO-OP at 1341 W 26th St, Erie, PA 16508 See more

This news is wonderful for our parks and trails across the U.S.! https://apnews.com/55476bc27a78b191ae6f037c17f9f5f1

Did any of our local farmers have to dump milk during the Covid-19 crisis? Here is some potential help for you. Follow the link to apply.

Interesting perspective and thoughts from our Board Chairman on care of lakefront property and current lake levels.

Check out the 2020 Farm and Winery Directory published by the Erie County Horticultural Society! Want to know when/where there are u-pick cherries? Here you go. How about where you can buy fresh corn, or apples from a local farmstand? This directory is your guide. No matter where in Erie County you live, this guide will help you find local produce to suit your tastes! https://www.erieconservation.com/resour/landowner-resources

At the moment our phone lines are down. Please direct any business contact to [email protected]. We will let you know as soon as we are back up and running again. **Update - we are up and running!

Spread the word to all teachers - FREE https://www.agclassroom.org/conferences/virtual.cfm

Congratulation to General McLane High School for being Erie County Envirothon winners for the 3rd straight year! A senior team, we wish you the best in the future!

The Conservation District hosted the 2020 Envirothon competition today, albeit online! Thank you to all the advisors that worked with their teams to make this happen and to the teams for their effort and accomplishments! Congratulations to General McLane High School for another 1st place win! We were impressed with all of the students' spirit and drive despite the extra obstacles thrown their way. See many of you in 2021, and good luck to the seniors moving on to new things!

With rain and warm weather (YAY) in our forecast, look over the Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management for Erie County, just published this spring. If you have water issues in and/or around your home and property, you may find some helpful information and answers here. Thank you to the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development! https://www.erieconservation.com//Northwest-Pennsylvania-H

This fledgling barred owl was found on the west side by a concerned citizen. Through several conversations and a site visit, the little one was safely moved from the middle of the road to a nearby location so the mother could continue to care for it. It is uninjured, but had the bad luck of landing in the middle of the road instead of the wooded area nearby. Spring is the season of babies, fledglings, eggs, and newborns in nature. Check out the attached guidelines to see when nature might need assistance, and when we should simply observe and enjoy. If assistance is needed, please call Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at (814) 763-2574.

Check out this webinar offered by the Penn State Cooperative Extension! With the abundance of rain and snow in our area, this webinar will explain what stormwater is, the damage it can do, and how to manage it on your property. https://www.cvent.com//event-summary-ae12a9bb8a894f2dbce7d

This question has come up lately - why IS the water table so high? Check out the attached video for a deeper explanation. https://youtu.be/yKxVMp-DRfQ

The application for the Erie County Farmland Preservation Program will be opening June 1st - through September 30th. Please see the attached document for more information.

Many of us are enjoying walking in our neighborhoods and natural areas - when you do - keep an eye out for invasive plant species like Garlic mustard. Garlic mu...stard is easy to identify and this time of year is best for management efforts. It can truly be controlled with well-timed hand pulling and minimal follow up. Pulling garlic mustard can benefit pollinators too - as it is actually a toxic decoy species that can kill the sensitive West Virginia White butterfly. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has helpful resources about invasive plant species found in PA - https://www.dcnr.pa.gov//InvasivePlantF/Pages/default.aspx See more

Seedling sale pickup day! ECCD staff is ready!

The Erie County Conservation District Seedling Sale Pick-Up day is this Friday April 24, 2020 from 8:30 am-6:00 pm at the Waterford Fairgrounds, 13012 Route 19 S., Waterford, PA 16441. Order Pick-Up times are based on your last name. We understand if you cannot make the suggested time. We will do our best to accommodate customers’ schedules. Enter the Fairgrounds at the Route 19 entrance, just south of Seroka Road. There will be no cash sales of any kind. It will be pre...-order pick-up only. Please remember to enter through the Route 19 entrance, just south of Seroka Road, and follow traffic patterns and directions to the loading areas. Please remain in your car. - Please try to arrive at your scheduled time according to your last name. - It is not recommended for the elderly or those who are immunocompromised to pick-up their order o **Instead, have a friend or family member pick up your order for you! - Please stay in your car! - Please enter the Fairgrounds from the Route 19 entrance. - Please follow outlined traffic patterns and signs to your pick-up location. - An ECCD staff person will greet you and retrieve your order. Please try to make your suggested pick-up time at the Waterford Fairgrounds according to your last name. We understand if you cannot make your time. We will do our best to accommodate customers’ schedules: A-B: 9:00-10:00 AM C-E: 10:00-11:00 AM F-H: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM I-L: 12:00-1:00 PM M-N: 1:00-2:00 PM O-R: 2:00-3:00 PM S: 3:00-4:00 PM T-Z: 4:00-5:00 PM OPEN: 5:00-6:00 PM

Happy Earth Day!! The big 5-0!! Continue your celebration this evening!

These are fantastic courses that range from forestry to landowner topics to beekeeping - FREE!

In response to the direction from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the PA Department of Environmental Protection, the Erie County Conservation District will operate on a limited basis through Thursday April 30, 2020. The office will be closed to the public through April 30th. District Staff will be working remotely through April 30, 2020 and will have access to their voicemail and email. You can still contact the District through our general phone voicemail 814-825-6403 a...nd general email address [email protected]. These will be checked daily, and a staff member will get back with you. The District is planning on having the Seedling Pickup at the Waterford Fairgrounds on Friday April 24th from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Pickup of Pre-Sale orders only. There will be no day-of sales occurring on April 24th. The District is still accepting plans and permit applications by US Mail and drop off. There is a drop off area located in the vestibule in the front of the ECCD office building. Plans and applications received after March 17, 2020 may be subject to revised review guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. As we navigate through this public health crisis, this posting is subject to change and will be updated as necessary. Thank you.

Last day for our Seedling Sale fundraiser for our educational programs and Headwaters Park! If you haven't placed an order, now's the time :) https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

It’s not too late to order your plants and trees through the Erie County Conservation District on-line Seedling Sale Store! The deadline to order from the on-line store has been extended to Monday March 30th. Please visit https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale and click on the Order Seedlings Here! button for your last chance to place an order. If you have already placed an order with us, thank you for your support! We are encouraging customers to place orders no...w. Due to the COVID-19 public heath guidelines, customers will not be able to shop for additional stock on Pick-Up Day. Again, as a result of this change, we are ONLY doing pre-sale orders; there will be no day-of sales. Further communication will be sent to customers regarding the pick-up day process. Plan for spring planting this weekend and make sure to get your orders in! See more

Last week for our annual Seedling Sale! Final day of sales is Friday, March 27th - order online with the link below or mail your order/check to the office postmarked by Friday! We also have an online detailed catalog with pictures if you need more information about the products. Thank you in advance - Spring is on its way! https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

Hey!! Check out the new collection of online activities on our website! Including indoor, outdoor, online, and live stream videos to choose from :) https://www.erieconservation.com/education/activities

COVID-19 RESPONSE ERIE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT OPERATIONS LIMITED In response to the direction from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the PA Department of Environmental Protection, the Erie County Conservation District will operate on a limited basis through Tuesday March 31, 2020. The office will be closed to the public through March 31st. District Staff will be working remotely through March 31, 2020 and will have access to their voicemail and email. You can still con...tact the District through: Our General Phone Voicemail 814-825-6403 and General Email Address [email protected]. These will be checked daily, and a staff member will get back with you. The District is still accepting Seedling Sale orders! Please enter your order online: www.erieconservation.com, or mail to 1927 Wager Road, Erie, PA 16509. The District is still accepting plans and permit applications by US Mail and drop off. There is a drop off area located in the vestibule in the front of the ECCD office building. Plans and applications received after March 17, 2020 may be subject to revised review guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. As we navigate through this public health crisis, this posting is subject to change and will be updated as necessary. Thank you. See more

Two weeks left to place your orders for spring planting from our seedling sale! Order online, drop off your order and payment, or mail it in! Support our environmental education programs and Headwaters Park while beautifying your landscape! https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

Glass recycling is making its way back to Erie! Follow Bayfront Glass to get updates!

We are hiring an intern for the summer! If you know of a college student interested in environmental science, education, wildlife, forestry and the like, please forward the attached information!

PA Farmers Union meeting next Wednesday, March 11th! Open to the public - see agenda and details below!

Only 3 weeks left to order from our annual Seedling Sale! Proceeds benefit our Environmental Education programming and Headwaters Park! https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

Public meeting announcement - Erie County Parks, Trails, and Recreation meeting at the Conservation District this Thursday. To learn more about the future of Erie County's Parks and Recreation, please attend this short meeting to stay up to date! 6pm - 7pm at 1927 Wager Road, Erie, PA 16509.

A local company helping out recycling and reusing! Check them out online to see where they are sold in Erie - https://www.recapmasonjars.com/

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is now accepting applications through Feb. 25 for its 33rd class of state game wardens. Interested in learning more? Click here: https://bit.ly/2t8rWKM.

2020 Seedling Sale is now open!!

VinES Workshop scheduled for February 26th! See details below!

Forest Landowner's Conference in February! Please see attachments for details and registration information!

Support local and improve our recycling abilities here in the Erie Community! Check out Bayfront Glass' facebook page for more updates on curbside recycling and drop off locations -

Leadership comes at all levels, and knowledge is power! We can make change!

It isn't too late...yet! We are still taking online orders! Today is the last day to order poinsettias through through ECCD! The proceeds from these locally grown poinsettias will go towards environmental education programs for students in Erie County and Headwaters Park improvements for the entire community to enjoy! https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

It isn't too late! We are still accepting poinsettia orders through our online store. Place your order here: https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale The proceeds from these locally grown poinsettias will go towards environmental education programs here at the District and Headwaters Parks improvements.

The holidays are around the corner, whether we like it or not! Get in the holiday (and philanthropic) spirit by buying your holiday poinsettias through ECCD. The poinsettias are locally grown and the proceeds go towards environmental education and Headwaters Park improvements. Your help will go a long way!... https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

Looking to add locally grown poinsettias to your winter decor? Look no further! Buying poinsettias through Erie County Conservation District, you support a local business AND our educational programming offered to students in Erie County. To place an order, please stop by the office or order online: https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

The office may be closed, but online ordering is still available! Be sure to order your poinsettia through ECCD/Headwaters Park. These beautiful poinsettias are locally grown and the proceeds go towards environmental education and Park improvements. ... https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale

It isn't too late to order your holiday poinsettias! If you're looking to add to your holiday decor or just simply brighten up your home, consider buying these locally grown poinsettias through our website: https://www.erieconservation.com/seedling-sale The Funds raised will go directly to our educational programming and assist with the upgrades to Headwaters Park.

The #PAOutdoorCorps is now hiring for its 10-month crews starting in March 2020 to work on conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. Applications are due Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Learn more http://bit.ly/2FUPHdR