Leaders:
Eric Chapman (Director of Aquatic Science, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy)
Scott Schuette (Inventory Manager, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program) Su Fanok (Director of Freshwater Conservation, The Nature Conservancy) Rose Reilly (Biologist, US Army Corps of Engineers)
Depart: 7:15 a.m.
Return: 5:30 p.m.
Difficulty: Easy. Several miles of canoeing on a wide river, with the current.
Destination: Allegheny River, Mill Creek and Emlenton, PA
Conference themes: Special Species/Natural Communities
In our workshop, participants will paddle a short (5 mile) section of the Allegheny River between Mill Creek and Emlenton. This is one of the most scenic sections of the river, known for its abundant wildlife and interesting habitats. This area has been a focus of collaborative conservation efforts undertaken by state and federal wildlife agencies and non-profit conservation organizations to protect and enhance aquatic habitats for freshwater mussels, fish, and eastern hellbenders and unique river scour prairies. This area is also a popular recreation area as the Allegheny River Trail is off on the left bank. This is a paved bicycle trail that formerly supported a regional railroad, but is now a popular bicycling route along the river. Join staff scientists from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, The United States Army Corps of Engineers, and The Nature Conservancy in a discussion of the conservation efforts to protect and manage riverscour grasslands, important freshwater mussel, eastern hellbender habitats, and the river itself.
Fee: $95
Capacity: 30
Transportation: Bus from Conference Venue, Canoe onsite.
Join the people who protect and manage our natural areas.
