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Additional information on this topic provided below. |
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North Branch Watershed Association's First
Annual Watershed Awareness Day
By Gretchen Schatschneider, Watershed Specialist for
Bucks County
  ay
31st was a rainy Saturday in New Britain, PA, but that didn’t
stop the members of the North Branch (Neshaminy Creek) Watershed
Association from getting outside to learn about, and celebrate
their watershed. NBWA held their first annual “Watershed
Awareness Day” at the Peace Valley Park in New Britain
Township, Bucks County on May 31st from 10am-3pm.
 uring
the event, visitors had the opportunity to watch various demonstrations.
Alan Everett and Mike Boyer, biologists from the South East
Regional PA DEP offices explained and demonstrated Electrofishing
techniques. Gail Hill of Peace Valley Nature Center lead a “Watershed
Walk” through the diverse habitats at Peace Valley to
the banks of the North Branch of the Neshaminy Creek. Through
hands on observation, both of these demonstrations determine
the diversity and cleanliness of the water. “My favorite
part was during the electrofishing demonstration when a Great
Blue Heron swooped in and ate all of the white perch that had
just been stunned” exclaimed Cathy Birkenstock, the NBWA
Secretary. “Then he squawked at us and flew away.”
 lso
giving demonstrations were the PA Game Commissioners with a
falconer friend, Craig Moran, a Biology/Life Science Instructor,
who brought a very special friend, a North American Falcon.
Visitors got a once in a lifetime chance to see a 12-year-old
falcon close up, and ask all the questions they could imagine.
Junior Hyman, a Chalfont Borough resident stated that, “The
falconer’s demonstration was both entertaining and informative.
It gave me a better appreciation for wildlife habitat.”
While three-year-old, Morgan Tease of Perkasie, Bucks Co. just
wanted to ask, “Can I hold her?”
 hil
Getty, of Boucher and James, Inc. and also the current Coastal
Non Point Pollution Specialist for Bucks County Conservation
District lectured on the importance of protecting the Delaware
Estuary. Phil explained where the Coastal Zone and Coastal Non
Point Areas of Bucks County are, and how each person in the
Neshaminy Watershed has responsibilities to preserve the Delaware
Estuary’s ecological function.
 he
Peak Center Senior Environment Corp.’s, Richard Lehman,
presented a demonstration of groundwater principles using a
tabletop groundwater simulator. Attendees saw how various uses
impact the aquifer and the area’s water supply. The demonstration
gives a clear understanding why it is important to be a good
watershed steward.
erhaps
the Bucks County Chapter of Trout Unlimited presented the most
“hands on” demonstrations. At one booth you could
sit and learn how to tie your own flies, while at another you
could see the progression of an ongoing project that BCTU is
sponsoring along one of Bucks Co.’s exceptional value
streams, the Cooks Creek. However, this reporter’s favorite
station was TU’s, fly-fishing demonstration. Various rods
were available to try, and veterans of the sport were on hand
to help you refine your casting technique, or in at least one
case, lack of technique…
 ther
participants gathered under the pavilions to show off their
displays. Including, Bucks County’s Open Space Program
Director, Kent Baird, Bucks County Conservation District’s
Education Specialist, Ann Sheffer, sponsors of the NBWA, North
Penn and North Wales Water Authorities, Peace Valley Nature
Center Educators, Bucks County’s Department of Health
Environmental Protection Technician, and West Nile Virus Specialist,
Daniel J. Corney, and of course the North Branch Watershed Association.
Special thanks also go out to the Central Bucks East Environmental
Team’s, Matt Donaldson for running our concession stand.
 veryone
who attended reported having a wonderful time despite the wet
weather. The prospects for next year’s Watershed Awareness
Day are looking good as people brainstorm and make their suggestions,
the most frequent being, “No rain next year!”
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you have any questions or comments, or would like to learn more
about the 2003 NBWA Watershed Awareness Day, or to become a
member of the NBWA, call Gretchen Schatschneider, Bucks County
Watershed Specialist at 215.345.7577x106. Or email her at GretchenSchats@Bucksconservation.org.
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