Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps

March 9, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building Room 317.

Seventeen members were present at the meeting.

ClearWater activities will include the annual Watershed Clean-up day April 23.

Dave Yoxtheimer, an extension agent with Penn State Marcellus Shale Center, will speak at our June 8 meeting.

A training session was held for team leaders on March 8 for calibrating new Oakton mulitfunction meters.  It was well attended.

A Training session for Chemical/Physical testing will take place March 23 at 9:00 a.m. at the Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery (map) at 1735 Shiloh Rd., State College, and will last for about 4 hours.  May meeting will be a stream flow training.

Nature Abounds agreement discussion and action:

A tentative schedule for Quality Control pairing of teams was presented.

It was requested that each team leader take a poll of team members for interest in volunteer needs for CCPaSEC.  Needs are 1) Field monitoring, 2) Other projects including field work, 3) Projects not in the field.  Team leaders will continue to work on polling their teams.

Team leaders are to include several sentences concerning their monthly monitoring when submitting hours for their teams.  This will fulfill a requirement from Nature Abounds on reporting activity of monitoring efforts.

A new team will be formed with our new members.  Sites for this team will either be additional sites on Little Fishing Creek or sites on Halfmoon Creek at Marengo Rd.

The next meeting will be on March 9, at the Willowbank building, Room 317.

April 13, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building Room 317.

CCPaSEC will have a team of members to participate in ClearWater's annual Watershed Clean-up day April 23.

Dave Yoxtheimer, an extension agent with Penn State Marcellus Shale Center, will speak at our July 13 meeting.  Note:  This is a change in date due to a conflict in his schedule.

The contract with Nature Abounds was signed by representatives from RSVP & Clearwater Conservancy as our sponsors.  The contract was forwarded to Nature Abounds for its signature.

Nature Abounds has provided us with 6 new Oakton multifunction meters and a year's supply of testing chemicals.  Meters will test for temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, and salinity. Dan Delotto will calibrate the meters prior to their distribution to teams.

Macro surveys are underway for April, overseen by Genie Robine. Two teams have completed the surveys for the spring.

A Training session for Chemical/Physical testing took place in March at the Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery.  Training materials are being prepared for future use in training sessions and presentations.

A tentative schedule for Quality Control pairing of teams was presented.  Ken Johnson (Quality Control) asked that he be notified prior to the paired teams' outings.

Our new team will meet for their first monitoring in May.  It is requested that several experienced members help the team with the new team's first few monitoring events.

A group of members has volunteered for a chemical/macro presentation for elementary students attending the Friends School in State College on April 22.

A demo of new features of CCpaSEC's website was presented.

The next meeting will be on May 11, at the Willowbank building, Room 317.  Melinda Hughes-Wert will conduct a training session on a new colorimeter from Nature Abounds.  All teams are asked to have a representative present.

May 11, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building Room 317.

CCPaSEC had a team of members participate in ClearWater's annual Watershed Clean-up day April 23.

Team  leaders have been doing a great job of sending monthly monitoring notes to be compiled for forwarding to Nature Abounds.

Our CCPaSEC has been "in the news" lately.  We are noted in ClearWater Conservancy's latest newsletter, a Centre Daily Times front page article "Stewards of the Streams", and an article in the Pittsburg Tribune-Review.

Melinda Hughes-Wert from Nature Abounds has provided us with updated PaSEC Field Manuals for 2011.  All teams present received at least one copy of the manual.  Any team not present can obtain the new manual at the June meeting or by contacting Mick McKay or Steve Lupis.  The manual will be available on our website also.

Melinda went through the new manual briefly highlighting the various sections included.

James Wert demonstrated the new Hach Colorimeter DR850.  Our PaSEC received 2 of the new colorimeters from Nature Abounds.

June 8, 2011 - General Meeting - at Buffalo Run Benner Park site.

A new member was welcomed and will join Team 13 for an initial monitoring outing.

Effects of Stream Flow and why flow measurements are important were presented by Mick McKay.

Our PaSEC will not be receiving the PADEP grant money which was promised due to budget cuts.

Updated PaSEC Field Manuals for 2011 are available on our website.

Several members will do a presentation to Beech Creek Watershed Association concerning our sampling project on Beech Creek and its tributaries on July 18.

David Yoxtheimer will not give a presentation during our July meeting due to a conflict in scheduling.

A stream flow measurement demonstration was given and various float-types were tested to determine if float-type made a significant difference in flow measurements. Several types of floats were tested. It was decided that our PaSEC should purchase bobbers for each team to make the flow calculations more consistant between sites.  It was noted that 5 width measurements should be taken if possible within the 10 meter stream section and at least 5 depth measurements should be taken if possible across the stream where a width measurement was taken.  More than 5 depth measurements (5 depth measurements at several width measurement locations) may yield a more accurate average depth measurement.  Consistency of measuring method at each site is needed.  Teams should note on Datasheet for each site how many depth and width measurements are taken.

July 13, 2011 - Executive Board Meeting - at Willowbank Building.

Several teams are in need of members who are physically able to enter streams to collect water samples and do flow measurements.  Several options were discussed.

ClearWater Conservancy updates were presented.  Their position on the Marcellus Shale drilling activity was noted and is available on ClearWater's website.

There were 5 participants in the dissolved oxygen test training.

Macro Surveys have been completed for all but Teams 13, 14, and 15.

Several members will do a presentation to Beech Creek Watershed Association concerning our sampling project on Beech Creek and its tributaries on July 18.

The August picnic location and activities were discussed.  Comments made will guide the final choice of location within Bald Eagle State Park and a presentation by David Yoxtheimer.

Ken Johnson reported on Quality Control activities concerning stream flow measurement research.  He presented preliminary findings comparing flow using 5 depth measurements with 25 depth measurements.  He is asking for more stream flow data from various teams for use in the research.

To Do List:

• Complete study designs for each site.
• Ensure all teams' data is up-to-date.  Nature Abounds' database will soon be available for viewing. We have been requested to submit our data in a timely manner.
• Increase our presence at appropriate events to encourage new member sign-up.
• Research fundraising information with Hoss's Steak and Seafood Restaurants.
• Add Marcellus data access to our website.

The next meeting will be a Picnic/Meeting at Bald Eagle State Park.

August 10, 2011 - General Meeting & Picnic - at Bald Eagle State Park.

A short business meeting was held.

ClearWater Conservancy updates were presented.  Its position on the Marcellus Shale drilling activity was noted and is available on ClearWater's website.

Oakton meter calibration was discussed.  Dan DeLotto has been working on problems with the meters.

A new "Donation" page is now available on the CCPaSEC website.  Anyone may make a tax-deductible credit card donation to CCPaSEC by visiting this webpage and clicking on the 'Donate' button.

CCPaSEC will hold a fundraising activity with Hoss's Steak and Seafood Restaurant.  Details will be made available when finalized.

David Yoxtheimer gave an enlightening presentation on Marcellus Shale drilling activity.

CCPaSEC was joined by Clearfield County PaSEC for a picnic with lots of great food!  Both groups took a tour of the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park.

 

The next meeting will be a Quality Contol Session at 9:30 a.m. at Laurel Haven Environmental Education Center, Julian. (map) At least 2 members from each team should attend and bring their test kit and meters.

September 14, 2011 - Quality Control General Meeting - at Laurel Haven.

ClearWater Conservancy updates were presented. Its purchase of the Galbraith Gap property will have a closing in October.

Hoss's Fundraiser - October 5: Hoss's Fundraiser Tickets were given to team leaders for distribution to team members during their monitoring activities in September. A fundraiser email ticket will also be sent to all members with email on or about September 28.  This email ticket

• may be forwarded to friends, family, and neighbors
• should be printed and brought to Hoss's Restaurant on October 5
• must be presented when ordering
• can be used with the purchase of gift certificates

October 12, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building.

7 teams have completed Macros testing for the fall so far and 3 more are scheduled in October.  Weather has been a factor in the lateness of the schedule.

Hoss's Fundraiser - October 5: Hoss's Fundraiser was successful.  Over 50 participants helped support our CCPaSEC.

November 9, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building.

All teams have completed Macros testing for the fall for at least one of their sites.  Data enterers for each team should input Macro data for the Spring and Fall of 2011, as soon as possible.

A brief summary of ClearWater Conservancy's news was presented.  For more information, visit their website at http://www.clearwaterconservancy.org.

Donations have been made to CCPaSEC specifically for travel funds for the Marcellus Shale teams (Teams 13 & 14).  These funds will be dispensed upon request by the leaders of these teams.

3 new members have joined CCPaSEC.  A training session in the winter 2012 will be held for any new members joining after the last training session (March 2011).  All members will be welcome to attend to update or refresh their skills.

Triad Seniors for Law Enforcement -  CCPaSEC will provide a speaker for Nov. 2012 (change of month from Oct.).  Triad may be a source of new members for CCPaSEC.

A ClearWater chemist has volunteered to go out with teams to conduct flow measurements using ClearWater's flowmeter.

CCPaSEC will place an article in the Centre County Gazette (possibly the Centre Daily Times also) concerning our organization and activities.  An Annual Report for 2011 was discussed which could be used for promotion of CCPaSEC.

Mick McKay, representing CCPaSEC, will speak at one of the County Commissioners' meetings in 2012 at which time the Annual Report for 2012 could be introduced.

CCPaSEC was nominated by the Center County Conservation District to receive the Watershed Stewardship Award for 2011.  The award was accepted by President Mick McKay at the 2011 Farm-City Dinner, Nov. 3.

The next meeting will be a General Meeting on Dec. 14, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at the Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte.  A holiday luncheon will follow (11:30 a.m.) at the Gamble Mill Tavern in Bellefonte.  Spouses are welcome.  RSVP to Genie Robine.

December 14, 2011 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building.

New member Bill Leech was welcomed and introduced to the group.

A brief summary of ClearWater Conservancy's news was presented.  For more information, visit their website at http://www.clearwaterconservancy.org.

Another donation was made to CCPaSEC to be included in the general fund.

A training session in January or February 2012 will be held for any new members joining after the last training session (March 2011).  The date has not yet been finalized. All members will be welcome to attend to update or refresh their skills.

Dan Delotto will be the new Supplies Chairman, succeeding Steve Lupis. Dan will order chemicals and take care of malfunctioning meters.

The Watershed Stewardship Award for 2011 presented to CCPaSEC was on display for those members who missed the last meeting.

A Quality Control report was given by Ken Johnson on flow methods using Dr. K's flowmeter.  There was a lot of variation in results depending on placement of flowmeter in the stream. Ken's recommendation was to be consistent in the method used.  He brought a PVC dipper holding a glass beaker for gathering a water sample.  The Oakton meters could then be used in this sample to get readings for pH, Conductivity, TDS, and water temperature.  Getting the sample this way eliminates time spent in the stream for safety concerns.  Genie Robine passed out the weighted bobbers which were purchased for each team to be used to conduct stream velocity measurements.

At the meeting on Dec. 13 of the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition, a member,  recommended diligence while monitoring in scanning for ticks on skin, clothes, and shoes even in the winter months.  Ticks can carry and transmit Lyme Disease.

New ideas for CCPaSEC to consider were entertained.  Several involved pre-and post restoration data comparisons, establishing a committee for Public Relations/Communications, new areas to clean-up during Earth Day, and activities for our 10th anniversary celebration in 2012.

The next meeting will be an Executive Committee Meeting on Jan. 11, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at the Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte.  All officers and committee heads should be in attendance.

The next General meeting will be held on February 8, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte.