Dear Berks Conservancy Friends,
The Berks Conservancy believes nature is essential to our quality of life. We demonstrate this through the creation and management of trails, water and land protection, wildlife habitat creation, and tons of education.
As Senior Ecologist, I dedicate every single day to improving the environment in Berks County. For example, I spent three days last week planting 82 trees with students from Robeson Township Elementary school near Birdsboro. In addition to getting dirty and learning how to plant a tree, the students also learned about their local stream (Hay Creek) and why it is important to protect nature. For me, the tough work occurs before the children visit the project site! Prior to this type of project we develop a management plan for the property and choose the best possible management practices to improve the water quality and the wildlife habitat. Then we choose proper native tree species for the specific locations. And, while we love to see the students planting trees, we prep the holes in advance so their tree planting experience is rewarding!
In early October we completed a similar project with middle school students from Kutztown Area School District. The students planted several hundred trees on a local farm that is home to Kutztown’s water supply (wellhead). In addition to the field work, the students toured the Borough of Kutztown’s water treatment plant to gain a full understanding of our important water resources. What a pleasure it is to see the excitement in these students when they understand how their hard tree planting work directly benefits their drinking water supply!
Most days I am busy juggling relationships with many of our local farmers. Agriculture remains our number one industry in Berks, and we enjoy helping the landowners develop best management practices to help improve their properties and to help improve your drinking water supplies. Recently, much of this work has occurred in the Maiden Creek Watershed which flows into Lake Ontelaunee and affects drinking water for over 100,000 people.
Why do I remain so dedicated to this hard work? For those of you that know me, you know that being a good steward of our environment is who I am, always has been. I have dedicated my personal life and my career to protecting and improving nature in Berks County. I can rest at the end of each busy day knowing that I helped to protect a part of our community for future generations.
Please join me in supporting the efforts of the Berks Conservancy. Help us protect nature.
Click here to donate now.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Larry Lloyd, Senior Ecologist
