Tag Archives: Pine Creek

Conservation Project

NPC Members Help Conserve Pine Creek Frontage

It’s a calm, summer afternoon on Pine Creek in Lycoming County. As paddlers drift along the Creek’s gentle current, they spot a stretch of smooth, flat bedrock—an ideal place to pull over, stretch their legs, and soak in the beauty of the surrounding forest. Nearby, an angler casts a line from the shore, taking advantage of the solid footing along the bank, hopeful for a bite in the cool waters. Thanks to the steadfast support of Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) members, the stage for this tranquil scene is conserved and opened for all to enjoy. 

The shores of the conserved land provide the perfect resting point for paddlers along Pine Creek.

This summer, NPC supporters helped purchase this deeded 11.3-acres, which features approximately 1,500 feet of Pine Creek frontage. Surrounded by forest on almost all sides, this land is not just a scenic addition; it ensures that one mile on the western side of Pine Creek will remain forested. The Bureau of Forestry (BOF) also owns the island just offshore, contributing to the area’s natural beauty. 

For paddlers and anglers, this stretch of Pine Creek is a haven. The large flat bedrock along the creek’s edge is a welcome sight—a place to rest, snack, or fish without worrying about slipping. Securing access to this land ensures that people can continue to enjoy spots like this while conserving the land for future generations. 

Improving Management Access

This land is also important for forest management. Once the property is transferred to the BOF and added to the Tiadaghton State Forest, it will make marking boundaries and accessing the area for forest management much easier. Owning this land will allow the BOF to better control invasive plants, manage pests, and maintain the health of the forest. 

Dubbed the ‘Fitzgerald’ acquisition, this conserved land will be incorporated into the Tiadaghton State Forest.

NPC Members Made it Happen

This acquisition would not have been possible without the dedicated support of NPC members. Their contributions have not only helped conserve this section of Pine Creek but also ensured that the community and visitors can keep enjoying the beauty and peace of the Pine Creek Valley. A special thanks goes to George Durrwachter, whose friendships and connections along Pine Creek helped make this vision a reality. 

With the ongoing support of NPC members and partners, we can continue to conserve places like this, providing even more opportunities for people to connect with nature. 

Support this work by donating today!

Donate
Uncategorized

Phelps’ Mills Canoe Access Celebrated

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams joined the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) and local supporters for a dedication ceremony at the Phelps Mills Canoe Launch on Pine Creek in the Tiadaghton State Forest in Pine Creek Township, Clinton County just across the Creek from the borough of Jersey Shore.

The moment the ribbon was cut!
(photo credit: Wesley Robinson)

“The story of the Phelps Mills Canoe Launch is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact it can have providing recreational opportunities in our communities,” Dunn said. “Thank you to NPC, its volunteers, George and Shirley Durrwachter, and everyone who helped make this project a reality.”

The ceremony formally welcomed Phelps Mill Canoe Launch on Pine Creek under the Bureau of Forestry umbrella. Although the canoe launch has been a managed as a part of Tiadaghton State Forest since late 2019 when DCNR purchased the property from NPC, the obeservance on June 25, 2021 allowed the project partners to come together and celebrate what they achieved.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the project possible and came out to celebrate!
(photo credit: Wesley Robinson)

NPC was able to purchase the property and conduct environmental assessments due to a generous donation from Dr. George and Shirley Durrwachter.

This photo from before the improvements show the path down to Pine Creek with just a bit of the gate in the lower left corner.

“Having this boat launch available to local residents will allow them to traverse the creek and the river to downtown Jersey Shore,” George Durrwachter said. “Creating recreational opportunities closer to where people live is important not only because of time constraints but it will also reduce congestion on the highways.”

In addition to the donation from the Durrwachters to acquire the land, NPC secured grants and support from the Western Pennsylvania Canoe Access Fund and the Clinton County Tourism and Recreation Fund to support improvements at the canoe launch.

The improvements were completed in August 2020 and helped stabilize the canoe launch, improve the walking surface, improve the parking lot, and replace the gate with a bollard to make it easier to carry canoes and kayaks down the path.

By October 2020 the site improvements were complete and the pathway was easier to use and navigate, especially if carring a canoe or kayak.

The black lab who showed up just as the group photo was wrapping up wasn’t planned, but was perfectly timed. The lab had his stick and headed straight to the water, running down the improved pathway, and launched into the Creek.

Thank you again to George and Shirley for their support that made this possible! Thank you also to Carl Barlett for speaking on behalf of NPC and Commissioner Jeff Snyder for his remarks on behalf of the Clinton County Tourism and Recreation Fund and the Clinton County Commissioners.

The unplanned black lab who demonsrated how to enjoy the Creek.
(photo credit: Wesley Robinson)

We hope you enjoy rivers all summer long! If you want to check out this access, the address is 1019 E. Central Ave., Jersey Shore, PA (but you’re on the west side of the Creek/the Avis side, not the east side of the Creek/the Jersey Shore side).