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NEXT  SRTA MEETING - Susquehanna Room - Ranch House Restaurant
 
Thursday, February 23, 2012:  Business Meeting  7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Main agenda items: Island campsite flood damage mitigation & GRA preliminary plans.

All current, past and prospective members and interested individuals from the community are welcome to attend.

Attendees may arrive early and purchase dinner to be served in the meeting room  6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Great home-made desserts are available!
 
The Ranch House Restaurant is located in Amity Hall on the west side of US 11/15, 1 mile north of the interchange with US 22/322

Shady Nook Launch Area Ready 

As anticipated in the Spring issue of Waterways, the upgrade to the Susquehanna River Shady Nook launch area in Monroe Township has been completed and is ready for the 2011 fishing and boating season. Located on the west shore, river right side, just below both the Sunbury Fabridam and the Sunbury Generation power plant low head dam, this launch area is an ideal put-in for anglers wanting to visit the renown bass fishery downstream and a starting point for Susquehanna River Water Trail – Middle Section boaters. 

Although SRTA maintains a primitive campsite on the upper end of Byers Island between the two dams, for the convenience of anglers and through-travelers from the north and west branches of the river, the Shady Nook launch site remains a very popular starting point for river trips and visits to the 22 other island campsites downstream.  The popularity of this location is enhanced by its proximity to a shopping/lodging area having the amenities appreciated by river users. The spacious parking area is ideal for short and long term parking. 

Upgrades include a new concrete ramp; a wider, direct access road and a larger directional sign from River Road. A small drop-off from the lower end of the ramp, only apparent in extreme low water conditions, will be monitored for the possible need of additional gravel fill. SRTA island campsite 120a is located almost directly across the main river channel, on the west shore of Byers Island.  

For anglers choosing to fish between the two dams and for through paddlers, SRTA maintains campsite 121 near the upper end of Byers Island. Since the ideal spot for a campsite and a user-friendly landing area don’t coincide, a new landing area has been marked on the same west side of the island, 75 yards upstream from the campsite and the former landing spot. 

For paddlers in the area, there is a third campsite, 120b, located on a long, narrow island along the west side of Byers Island.  Although the east side of this island has a steep landing area, the channel between it and the larger Byers Island has a well protected, user-friendly set of steps carved into the bank.  They are curved at a downstream angle that should protect them from ice and high water damage.

None of these three Byers Island campsites are marked on the current SRTA Trail Guide, having been established since its publication.  However they are clearly pictured on our web site.

Island Improvements

Although SRTA island campsites will continue to be maintained as “primitive” settings, we are using donations to make some “improvements” so the sites can continue to be used by our water-born visitors. The visitors have to be able to find them to use them  – not always easy at water level in an archipelago of islands.  To that end, larger landing area signs and a few directional arrows have been added recently.  PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) logos have been added to the signs to assure that the sites are public property, available for responsible use by all visitors. Small, silver PA Bureau of Forestry (BoF) medallions are posted on some area trees to support the public ownership. 

Landing spots, portage trails and campsites are being marked with signs to counter the ever-growing vegetation (i.e. knotweed, poison ivy, etc.) that constantly obliterates evidence of human visitation. That is the largest job of our crew of island steward volunteers. Our visitors have been of great help in keeping the campsites user-friendly for subsequent visitors, by subscribing to the Leave No Trace principles. Thanks visitors! 

Our current goal is to decrease the challenge of island landing areas. Except to local otters, there is nothing like the challenge of climbing a steep, wet, mud bank from boat to campsite, especially while carrying gear. A nearby, shallower ascent may work on a few islands. Other landings will call for on-site assistance, such as the steps described in the previous article, a belaying rope, or a non-slip recycled tire type of mat like those used for door mats – whatever will withstand the forces of water and ice. See you on the river! 

Wildlife Leadership Academy

For three years, SRTA has sponsored a scholarship to the annual five-day Wildlife Leadership Academy field school, administered by the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education (PICE). The program is a cooperative education initiative, equipping future leaders with a better understanding of wildlife and conservation.

The mission is “to empower high school youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to become ambassadors for conservation in order to ensure a sustained wildlife legacy for future generations.” It is “not to recruit or train future wildlife or conservation professionals, but to equip future leaders from all walks of life with a better understanding of wildlife.”

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is a year-round program that engages youth in conservation throughout their high school years and beyond, beginning with the summer field schools. It begins with an intensive week in the field, engaging in hands-on learning about wildlife biology, habitat, and ecosystem management in PA. Students learn through field studies and classroom activities. Labs are taught by leading wildlife biologists and professionals in the state.

The program develops critical thinking, the ability to work in teams, and public speaking - important life skills. The activities emphasize team building skills and critical thinking. Students learn from media professionals how to tell their own stories through print media, educational programs, and television and radio interviews. After the school, students commit to engaging in at least three public outreach and/or conservation service projects. 

To date, participants have conducted 159 conservation education and service projects, engaged in 730 contact hours with the public and have reached an audience of over 6,000 people across 24 counties in the state. SRTA has sponsored a student scholarship because of the belief that this program directly supports our purpose as stated in the bylaws: “promote sustainable use of the river and work toward the continued stewardship of the river and surrounding watershed in partnership with private individuals, environmental and recreational organizations, and government agencies at local, county, state, and federal levels”.