Public meetings will be held May 17, 18 and 23
Hollidaysburg, Pa. – April 27, 2023 – Residents of the Juniata Watershed are invited to provide input and suggestions via public meetings and a community survey to help inform the Juniata Watershed Management Plan, a project of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy with multiple partners.
Encompassing 3,400 square miles, the Juniata watershed’s numerous tributaries provide habitat for numerous fish and aquatic species as well as recreational opportunities such as swimming, paddling and fly fishing. Home to several state forests, state parks and state game lands, much of the land in the watershed is forested, providing abundant habitat for birds, wildlife and plants, including several rare and endangered plant species.
During the past 25 years, the Conservancy has partnered with conservation organizations, local government agencies and the public to improve water quality in the watershed. Projects have included planting riparian trees along streams to prevent erosion and decrease pollutant runoff, working with farmers to implement agricultural best management practices to manage nutrients, and removing stream barriers to encourage aquatic organism passage and support trout populations.
“Juniata Forward: Building on 25 Years of Conservation” seeks to build on that work with input and suggestions from people who live and work in the watershed about recreation, development and other uses. Funding for the project is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Residents are invited to attend any of three public meetings, all from 7-8:30 p.m.:
- May 17 in Marzoni’s Brick Oven and Brewing, 1830 East Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602
- May 18 in Friendship Fire Company, 212 4th St., Port Royal, PA 17082
- May 23 in Saxton Fire Hall, 504 8th St., Saxton, PA 16678
“We want to understand what residents of the communities within the Juniata watershed think of current conditions, and how they would like to see the watershed resources used in the future,” says Jennifer Farabaugh, WPC’s watershed manager. “Residents’ input will guide our recommendations for the plan.”
Participants are encouraged to share what they feel are the most important uses of the watershed, including recreational and educational activities, business or residential development, historic preservation and more. They should also bring questions, concerns or suggestions for watershed improvements.
Residents can also provide input anonymously on a short online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/WW2X6YL.
Questions may be directed to Jennifer Farabaugh at jfarabaugh@paconserve.org or 814-696-9356.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped establish 11 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands, protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, and assessed thousands of wildlife species and their habitats. The Conservancy owns and operates Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. The work of the Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Kissel
Communications Specialist
412-586-2328-office
jkissel@paconserve.org