Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps

November 10, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom 9:00 AM

Membership: The Outdoor Expo at Talleyrand Park & the Shaver's Creek event were successful. If teams need new members, contact Jan or Susan Robb. Floating members are Andy Norton and Jerry Dittman if a team needs extra help temporarily.

Publicity: No changes.

Equipment & Supplies: No changes.

Quality Control Updates: The QC team completed testing with all teams. Data will be reviewed in January.

Training Updates: The online form will be revised.

Hours Report: The Centre Daily Times published an article "Centre County Senior Environmental Group Seeks New Members" in the Active Live section 1B pp.1-4 in the October 3, 2021 edition.

ALLARM: Joyce received the information that the loading of active site data through 2020 to the Chesapeake Data Explorer Database is complete. She will be meeting with the team soon for more information and to determine how to load future data. Anyone who is interested in participating in the meeting should contact Joyce.

Meeting Location: The location for our future meetings at Willowbank will be confirmed by Susan Sapp.

New Testing Sites: After much discussion, it was determined that Justin Kosak will be consulted for new site locations with the final decision being made by CCPaSEC in consultation with Clearwater Conservancy.. Equipment for a new team is available. Training will be provided to members of the new team (new CCPaSEC members).

20th Anniversary: The planning committee will meet in January of 2022 and report in February.

2022 Equipment Check: Dan will check dates and set up the check.

Election of Officers: Elections will take place at the February 2022 meeting. Anyone interested in an office should contact Susan Sapp.

PA Master Naturalist Program: We received a thank you from the program for our members' participation (Carolyn Hatley, Genie Robine, Gary Morrman, and Dan DeLotto). We were asked to become a permanent part of the program.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be held December 8, 2021 9:00 AM via Zoom.

October 13, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom 9:00 AM

Macros: Genie reported that she has met with all of the teams that requested her assistance. Due to the warm weather any group that has not done macros can still do them.

Membership: Outdoor Expo at Talleyrand Park netted quite a few folks interested in our group. Susan Robb has followed up with them with a couple returning her calls. Three new members joined the meeting.

Publicity: Gary Moorman is our new Publicity Resource Advisor. Ken Johnson will still help with the newsletter and field surveys. Thanks to Susan Sapp for the interview with the CDT which resulted in an article in the Active Life Section (1B) p. 1, 4 of The October 3, 2021 edition.

Equipment & Supplies: New reagent packets, acid and other supplies will be ordered in the new year.

Quality Control Updates: The QC team completed testing with all teams. Improvement is needed in colorimeter measurements, especially nitrates. One team's phosphate packet turned the water purple when falling into it. Could the seals on the packets be defective? Teams should check expiration dates on packets and only use unexpired packets for their testing. Also, all reagent should be emptied from packet when using for testing. Damaged sample cells should be replaced. New sample cells are available, and can be obtained by contacting Dan. Paper towels should not be used to dry them. Chem wipes are a better choice for that. The yearly equipment check day is not a good time to request resupplying reagent packets.

ClearWater Conservancy's Annual meeting: will be held Sunday, October 17, 2021 with a hike at 10 AM and election of the new board at 1 PM.

Training Updates: A form for visual estimates of the stream environment has been shared. The goal is to make it easy to make accurate observations and to detect changes at the site. The single sided form will be integrated with other forms. Genie suggested that the site area be included and defined as a specific 30-meter length of the stream.

December Luncheon: The luncheon will not be held this year.

20th Anniversary: Our organization formed in late January and the first meeting was held in February of 2002. A committee was formed to plan an anniversary celebration. The committee members are Gary, Laurie, Carolyn and Genie. Lou Mayer and Ken Hoy will be invited to join the committee. A budget for the event will be discussed at a future meeting.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be held November 10, 2021 9:00 AM via Zoom.

September 8, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom 9:00 AM

Quality Control: 2 teams are left to be duplicate tested. A report should be available in November.

Macros: It's time to schedule your Macro outing with Genie if you need her assistance.

Equipment & Supplies: We have enough supplies for this year.

Membership: Membership lists are up to date.

Publicity: A new Publicity Resource Advisor is still needed. Our By-Laws state "Create some form of public recognition for members that decide to retire from CCPaSEC." Ken recommended a certificate or plaque. We would need to have a budget category for this expense. He also suggested doing an Annual Report. This was discussed and we decided that the brochure and website now contain the information normally included in an annual report. Small reports are made to satisfy applications for grants. Also we do have slide presentations for display at various events. New photos should be submitted with the highest resolution possible for potential print publication.

Brochures: Carolyn and Laurie completed the new brochure revisions and the brochures have been printed.

Outdoor Expo: On Sunday October 3, from noon to 5, there will be an Outdoor Expo held in Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte. We should have a booth there.

Stream Depth: There was an inquiry concerning how to measure stream depth. If teams have been averaging depths and entering them into the database, they may continue to do so. If they have not, since we now use flowmeters, it is also acceptable to not enter them.

Site Permissions: The Site permission form is available on our website at: Site Permission Form

Training Updates: The one page information document describing the condition of the stream is complete. The accompanying procedure document is not yet complete.

State-wide Conference for Watershed Organizations(POWR): This will be held November 7-8, 2021 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. Registration is now open. Early bird in person registration ends on Friday, October 8. Full conference tickets are only $90, single day tickets are $50. Virtual tickets are $30. Program, registration, and health and safety updates and additional details can always be found on POWR's website.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be held October 13, 2021 9:00 AM via Zoom.

August 11, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom 9:00 AM

Picnic: Due to a surging of COVID-19 virus activity in Centre County, it was decided to cancel a picnic for 2021. A December Luncheon will be considered as well as a 2022 20th Anniversary Celebration of CCPaSEC.

Macros: It's time to schedule your Macro outing with Genie if you need her assistance.

Equipment & Supplies: A new locator beacon was purchased so that the 2 Marcellus teams will not have to share the original one. Dan demonstrated its use.

Membership: Susan Robb will make calls to some members who are not registered with RSVP or ClearWater Conservancy.

Publicity: The CCPaSEC July 2021 Newsletter has been published on CCPaSEC's website as well as on RSVP's Facebook page.

Brochures: Carolyn and Laurie completed the new brochure revisions and will send them to the printers the following week.

Outdoor Expo: On Sunday October 3, from noon to 5, there will be an Outdoor Expo held in Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte. It was suggested that CCPaSEC set up a booth. There is a $25.00 fee. Volunteers could man the booth in 2 hour shifts. Carolyn will get more information.

Data & Website: There was an inquiry about what area to consider for 'land use' on the data recording sheets at the last meeting . 30 meters (roughly 90 ft) back from the stream on both sides is the area to be assessed for Land Use. Also, the YSI DO Meter Manual has been linked to on our website along with calibration instructions. DO meters should be calibrated before each use using the site's elevation as input. Elevation can be found in the site's Google Data sheet under the Site Details tab. Dan has laminated copies of the calibration procedure to attach to team DO meters if needed.

20th Anniversary: Our 20th Anniversary will be in February 2022. We will celebrate in some way.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be September 8, 2021 9:00 AM via Zoom.

July 14, 2021 - General Meeting - Benner Township Park pavilion, 9:00 AM

Equipment & Supplies: An additional locator beacon is needed since it is difficult for the two Marcellus teams to share. The cost of a beacon is $324 and there is no cost addition to the subscription of a second beacon. We will go ahead with the purchase.

Publicity: Articles are requested about CCPaSEC to be submitted to Ken for our quarterly newsletters. An email on suggestions, opinions, or experiences to help invite new volunteers to join us and influence potential contributors to help support us are needed. They needn’t be long or very detailed. If submitting a photo, requested are Hi-definition photos for newspapers. Your smart phone should have the option of sending a Hi-definition 3 + MB photos. A digital camera can do even better.

Membership: Susan will take calls regarding need for new members and Jan will keep the data. Susan requested a map of the stream sites to help match prospective members with teams. She also needs to know which teams are in need of new members. Susan has sent a request for new members to RSVP. Susan will keep a list of 'floaters' who would be willing to go out to other streams if needed. They will available on our website as well.

Data: Team leaders should check past data to compare current values. If current values are concerning, they should be reported to Justin Kosak at the Conservation Office: (814) 355-6817.

Anniversary: Our 20th Anniversary will be in February 2022. We will celebrate in some way.

Training Updates: Ralph shared two documents and asked for comments from the group. The "CCPASEC Stream and Environment Assessment" document includes a one-page assessment form and one page of directions. Its intended for description of the stream bottom properties with a goal of making more accurate readings. It was suggested that the form be completed twice per year along with macros unless there is a change to the stream. The second document "Procedures for calibrating the Oakton meter" discusses the use of sachets. When calibrating the Oakton meter, its probes should be cleared of the previous standard before placing it in another standard avoiding cross-contamination of the standards and allows for reuse an extra month. The standards can be used for two months if you place the contents of two sachets of a given standard into a pre-cleaned container. The probe should be wiped off with a paper towel or cloth, and then shaken vigorously before placing it in the next standard.

August Picnic: Clearfield County PaSEC is interested in picnicing with us August 11. Susan Robb will check on having a tour of the new nature center at Bald Eagle State Park followed by a picnic.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be August 11, 2021 at the picnic.

June 9, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Equipment & Supplies: An additional locator beacon is needed since it is difficult for the two Marcellus teams to share. Dan will check into the cost of a beacon and the addition to the subscription of a second beacon.

Publicity: An article about CCPaSEC appeared in the Good Life section of the June 6 issue of the CDT, "Volunteers take action to monitor Centre County's watersheds". Our new brochures will be finalized and will be printed subsequently.

Quality Control: The Equipment Check Report for 2021 is complete. QC Duplicate Testing is in progress.

Membership: New members are needed. Two new members have joined Team 7, Buffalo Run. A proposal will be made to designate a month to "bring a friend" to the monitoring sites to try and recruit new members. A suggestion was made to place an information table at the Axeman Brewery or a farmer's market for recruiting also. Someone might be able to teach a class presented through OLLI like the session for the PA Naturalist Program last October. Susan R may head a sub-committee to look into this. Trout Unlimited and RSVP will be advised that we need new members.

Meeting with ALLARM (database): Our data will be uploaded to the Chesapeake Data Explorer database (Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative) by mid-July. Only data through December of 2020 will be uploaded for now. ALLARM members will show us how to use the database at a Zoom meeting to come. Any members wishing to attend should forward their name/email addresses to Joyce to be included in the meeting.

Anniversary: Our 20th Anniversary will be in February 2022. We will celebrate in some way.

Training Updates: Ralph is working on a stream side review to provide more guidance for filling out Stream Habitat data on our recording sheets. He and Dan are working on a document for use of packets for calibration of meters.

Clearances to work with Kids: All three clearances are required to work in the schools according to an elementary school principal, even if there is a teacher present.

August Picnic: Carolyn will check on this.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be July 14, 2021 at 9 AM on Zoom.

May 19, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Equipment & Supplies: Meters were checked and batteries were replaced during the Equipment Check at Bald eagle state Park.

Publicity: An article by Gary Moorman, ‘Monitoring the streams of Centre County’, was published in the Centre County Gazette’s April 29-May 5, 2021 edition, p. 6. Our new brochures will be finalized in mid-June and will be printed subsequently.

Quality Control: QC Duplicate Testing is in progress.

Membership: New members are needed.

Website: Team 9 has two new sites to monitor so two new site pages have been added to the website as well as links to their data sheets. The value of our volunteer hours for 2020 has been updated to $26.67. This new value gives CCPaSEC's contribution to the community for 2020 at $54,444.14.

Annual Clean-up Day: 8 members participated in the clean-up.

Team 5 News: Elk Creek Mill Site is no longer available to be monitored. Team 5 will select a new site which is closer to the Millheim Narrows site.

Training Updates: Ralph is working on a stream side review to provide more guidance for filling out Stream Habitat data on our recording sheets. A note will be sent out to the team leaders requesting that they review the document.

Macros: Genie noted Macro Surveys should be scheduled for April, May, or June.

CentreGives: CentreGives was held May 11, 2021 at 9 AM to May 12 at 9 PM.

Clearances to work with Kids: Sharon Manno has investigated clearances required for working with children. A Department of Human Services website was found explaining requirements: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/keepkidssafe/clearances. Two clearances are free to volunteers. There is a fee for the FBI criminal history clearance. We will check on which clearances are required.

Team 7 News: One of the Buffalo Run sites will be moved about 100 yards downstream. New site details, coordinates, and possibly a new data sheet will be needed, as well as a new site photo.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be June 9, 2021 at 9 AM on Zoom.
Please note: This is the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

April 14, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Changes to the Constitution & By-laws: The amendments to the Constitution & By-laws were discussed. A vote to accept the changes was taken and amendments were approved.

Equipment & Supplies: Dan will check on availability of a facility to do the Equipment Check for 2021.

Publicity: Our brochures have not been printed yet due to Constitution revisions. The March Newsletter is now available. Ken was complemented on it.

Quality Control: QC Duplicate Testing will begin April 15, 2021 and should be completed by September.

Membership: Membership Resource Advisors Susan Robb and Jan Hoffmaster asked for member updates to their information if needed. Contact them directly. Also, Team 1 needs a new team co-leader.

Website: The Teams page on the CCPaSEC website has been updated. If there are corrections, please contact Joyce.

Annual Clean-up Day: Scheduled for April 24, 2021: Members interested in participating will meet at the Benner Township Building at 8:30 am. Anyone else who wants to join can just come there.

Shale Network Workshop: Virtual 2021 Shale Network Workshop is coming up. Registration is required. Contact Susan Sapp for more information.

Training Updates: Ralph is working on a stream side review to provide more guidance for filling out Stream Habitat data on our recording sheets.. A note will be sent out to the team leaders requesting that they review the document. Team leaders will be asked to take it to their team for discussion.

Macros: Genie noted Macro Surveys should be scheduled for April, May, or June.

CentreGives: CentreGives will be held May 11, 2021 at 9 AM to May 12 at 9 PM.

Clearances to work with Kids: Review of regulations is needed. Sharon will research it.

Master Naturalist Program: CCPaSEC was again asked to participate in this program at Shaver's Creek in October.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be May 19, 2021 at 9 AM on Zoom.
Please note: This is the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

March 10, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Changes to the Constitution & By-laws: The amendments to the Constitution & By-laws were discussed. A vote to accept the changes will be held at the April meeting.

Publicity: We need a member to take over the publicity duties. Please notify Susan Sapp if you are interested. Ken is hoping to set up a display at a local bank. The Bellefonte Volunteer Fair will not be held this winter.

Quality Control: Bill Smith is working on a QC Duplicate Testing Schedule for 2021. He will be in contact with QC Team members for availability.

Training: Calibration standard sachets/envelopes: How often to change standards: Dan uses two sachets per container for two months. Clean off the probe before calibration and again before use. Do not use an abrasive substance on the porous membrane of the pH part of the probe which is a very delicate and sensitive part of the instrument. Dan has electrode cleaner available.

Membership: New Membership Resource Advisors are Susan Robb and Jan Hoffmaster. They will contact members whose information is incomplete in our records as well as new members.

Data: Rob, Joyce, and Bill will work with ALLARM (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring) to help copy our data into the Chesapeake Data Explorer database. This is a comprehensive data analysis tool used by groups such as USGS.

Annual Clean-up Day: Scheduled for April 24, 2021: Members interested in participating need to contact Genie Robine.

ClearWater Conservancy’s Art & Chocolate on 18 March 2021 7 pm: The winter fund raiser for the ClearWater Conservancy will be held virtually. Go to www.clearwaterconservancy.org to bid on items for the auction and participate in this free event. The bidding is open now. There will be music and cooking demonstrations.

Penn Environment’s Microplastics in PA’s Local Waterways Webinar presentation by Faran Savitzat discussed a study which found Microplastics in 100% of tested Pennsylvania Waterways — Including 4 in Centre County/State College, PA. Plastics were found in all local streams tested.

Macros: Genie noted Macro Surveys should be scheduled for April or May.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be April 14, 2021 at 9 AM on Zoom.

February 10, 2021 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Publicity: We need a member to take over the publicity duties. Please notify Susan Sapp if you are interested. The presentation materials for CCPaSEC are currently being stored in ClearWater's office. It was suggested to distribute our new brochures at local banks when safety permits.

Quality Control: Bill Smith is working on a QC Duplicate Testing Schedule for 2021. He will be in contact with QC Team members for availability.

Training and Membership: The flow procedure training will be addressed at the March 2021 meeting. Team leaders are to view the Teams page on our website to see if their members, days, and streams listed are correct. They should also make sure all team members are members of RSVP or ClearWater Concervancy. An informational email will be sent by Susan Sapp.

Volunteer Hours Report for 2020: Total hours reported - 2021.40; total miles driven - 7998.0. Numbers for 2020 were less than previous years due to the impact of COVID-19.

Data: The 2020 CCPaSEC Data Check is nearing completion. Rob, Joyce, and Bill will work with ALLARM (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring) to help copy our data into the Chesapeake Data Explorer database.

Equipment & Supplies: Supplies were ordered and received for 2021. Team leaders should notify Dan if they need more supplies.

Change to the Constitution & By-laws: The amendments to allow CCPaSEC membership to be based on ClearWater Concervancy or RSVP membership passed. The revised Constitution & By-laws will be posted on the website. A committee was formed to consider the ramifications of the changes.

Annual Clean-up Day: Scheduled for April 24, 2021. Members interested in participating need to contact Genie by the March 10 meeting.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour: Information will be sent to the membership. There is a fee to participate.

CCPaSEC's Twentieth Anniversary: 2022 will be our PaSEC's 20th Anniversary. A newpaper article or Town & Gown article would be nice to run, We would need new photos to contribute.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be March 10, 2021 at 9 AM on Zoom.