WILD RESOURCE CONSERVATION FUND 2000 Annual Report [30 Pa.B. 4402] Wild Resource Conservation Board Members
John Oliver, Secretary
Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesHonorable Peter A. Colangelo, Executive Director
PA Fish and Boat CommissionHonorable Vern Ross, Executive Director
PA Game CommissionHonorable Mary Jo White
Majority Chairperson
Senate Environmental Resources & Energy CommitteeHonorable Raphael J. Musto
Minority Chairperson
Senate Environmental Resources & Energy CommitteeHonorable Arthur D. Hershey
Majority Chairperson
House Committee on Environmental Resources & EnergyHonorable Camille ''Bud'' George
Minority Chairperson
House Committee on Environmental Resources & Energy1999--2000 Projects Project Sponsor Amount Plant Related Projects * Checklist of Liverworts Academy of Natural Sciences $4,000 * 2000 Rare Plant & Natural Communities Inventory Cleveland Museum $9,000 * Field Studies of Plant Species of Special Concern Phipps Conservatory $18,000 * Updating the PA Natural Diversity Inventory Morris Arboretum $20,000 * Develop educational materials & conduct surveys on aquatic vegetation control Morris Arboretum $15,000 * Explore ways to make PA Natural Diversity Inventory readily available to regulatory agencies Penn State Univ. $15,000 * Field Studies of Plants of Special Concern The Nature Conservancy $20,000 * Update and Modify the PA Natural Diversity Inventory The Nature Conservancy $18,900 * Refine PA's Natural Plant Communities Classification System Western PA Conservancy $30,000 Bird and Mammal Related Projects * Feasibility Study on the Pine Marten Reintroduction Frostburg Univ. $8,000 * Develop and produce material promoting fish and wildlife mgmt. Lisa Williams $18,000 * Maintain the Official List of Birds of PA Ornithological Records Committee $2,000 * Study the Status and Distribution of Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers Ornithological Records Committee $2,500 * Northcentral PA Important Bird Areas Study PA Audubon Society $15,000 * Study possible Important Bird Area Land Acquisition for Freedom Twp. Adams County PA Audubon Society $8,000 * Wild Action Grant PA Game Commission $4,000 * Develop Fact Sheets on PA Wildlife Penn State $12,000 * Identify invertebrates collected at the June 1999 BioBlitz Penn State $5,000 * Develop of the Special Areas Project Society for Ornithology $10,000 * Research special concern mammals of PA The Nature Conservancy $18,000 * Construct a Bat Maternity Condo at Blue Marsh Lake U S Army Corps of Engineers $2,000 Fish, Reptile and Amphibian Related Projects * Assess the genetic variations of timber rattlesnakes Beaver College $16,300 * Develop a statewide atlas on reptiles and amphibians Indiana Univ. $32,504 * Crayfish Census of West Branch of Susquehanna River Lock Haven Univ. $2,000 * Effects of Disturbances on Vernal Pond Amphibians Shippensburg Univ. $5,408 * Field Studies to conserve and manage fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatics The Nature Conservancy $44,180 * Determine range of Massasauga Rattlesnake Western PA Conservancy $12,000 Multi-Purpose Projects * Create a display for Wildwood Lake Olewine Nature Center Friends of Wildwood Lake $30,000 * Develop Susquehanna Birding Trail from MD to Luzerne Co. PA Audubon Society $34,000 * Develop a strategic plan for natural diversity in the Commonwealth PA Biological Survey $20,000 * Research and publish a booklet on selected PA common and rare butterflies Penn State $30,000 * Develop educational curriculum on reptiles and amphibians Powdermill Nature Center $19,000 The Balance Sheet and Statement of Unreserved Fund Balance provided were prepared by the Comptroller's Office on a cash basis of accounting, combined with an encumbrance budgetary system. They were not prepared in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Principles.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Wild Resource Conservation Fund
Statement of Unreserved Fund Balance
for the period ended June 30, 2000Unreserved Fund Balance, Beginning $ 576,339.49 Revenue Received: Income Tax Check-offs $ 201,253.67 Voluntary Donations 59,392.70 Sale of Stamps 120.00 Income from ''Osprey'' Film 6,510.44 Wild Plants License/Permits 860.00 Sale of Publications 9,304.66 Wild Resource License Plate 164,819.54 Wild Resource Tee Shirts 1,288.00 Interest on Securities 46,338.44 Total Revenue Received $ 490,262.45 Prior Year Commitment Liquidation's $ 297,028.26 Total Funds Available $1,363,630.20 Deductions: Administrative Expenses $ 343,759.29 Administrative Commitments (1) 57,603.94 Project Expenses (2) 279,614.91 Project Commitments (3) 264,405.50 Total Deductions $ 945,383.64 Unreserved Fund Balance, Ending $ 418,246.56 (1) This figure does not include administrative commitments of $10,800.00 contingently committed against future years spending authorizations.
(2) This figure does include $45,963.91 in expenses from special projects approved by the WRCF board.
(3) This figure does not include project commitments of $176,663.00 (of which $18,396.75 are special projects) contingently committed against future years spending authorizations. This figure does include $45,802.01 in special projects approved by the WRCF board.
(Prepared by Comptroller's Office) Public Hearing The Wild Resource Conservation Board has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, September 12, 2000, 1 p.m. at the PA Fish and Boat Office, 1601 Elmerton Ave., in the Delaware Room, Harrisburg. The purpose of the hearing is to provide individuals and organizations the opportunity to comment on the recommendations and programs funded with moneys from the Wild Resource Conservation Fund. The Wild Resource Conservation Board is interested in hearing from any individual or organization that wishes to make comment on the projects submitted for funding to the agencies, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources list published in this issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Agencies project recommendations for funding will be presented at the public hearing.
Only comments from the general public regarding the projects received will be heard at the September 12, 2000 public hearing.
The Board will then evaluate all recommendations submitted for its consideration and final funding decisions will be approved at the annual meeting on November 21, 2000.
Annual Meeting The Wild Resource Conservation Board has scheduled an annual meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2000, 1 p.m., PA Fish & Boat Commission, 1601 Elmerton Ave., in the Erie Room, Harrisburg. A full report will be presented on the allocation of moneys from the Wild Resource Conservation Fund. The Board will consider all presentations made at the public hearing and the plans outlined by the professional technical staffs of the Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The recommendations funded by the Board will be administered by the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The recommendation selections will be based on their individual contribution to the management goals of three agencies and those outlined in the Wild Resource Conservation Act.
The following list includes the project recommendations requesting funding for 2000-2001 received by the Wild Resource Conservation Board. The public is invited to offer comment at the public hearing on September 12, 2000. The public hearing will be held at The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 1601 Elmerton Ave., Delaware Room, Harrisburg, PA at 1 p.m. Please limit comments to 5 minutes and provide eight copies for the Wild Resource Conservation Board.
Project Submissions to DCNR for WRCF Funding in 2000 * Title: Pre-European Settlement Forest Map for Pennsylvania
Objective: Create a digital pre-European settlement forest cover map of PA based primarily on witness tree data; and prioritize future witness tree studies on criteria of data quality, accessibility, and the location and extent of past witness studies.
Justification: Over the past century, ecologists have utilized trees recorded in surveyor's notes to reconstruct forest composition at the time of European settlement. By transcribing these original survey maps to modern USGS topographic quadrangles, species-site relationships and the role of disturbance such as wind throw and fire can be established. However no initiatives have been to compile these studies into a single state map depicting the composition of PA's forests at the time of European settlement. PA is unique from other eastern states in that the majority of witness tree data are readily available for analysis.
Sponsor: Penn State
Cost: $22,500
* Title: Field Studies and Review of POSCIP
Objective: Data recording and specimen verification discover and document new taxa for Pennsylvania, field surveys for POSCIP species, provide herbarium services to the Heritage Program.
Justification: Monitoring and conserving PA's plant diversity is dependent on the most complete and accurate information possible, including data from current field surveys, historical collections, and literature reviews. Correct identification of historical specimens is critical to the reliability of the PNDI database as a tool for environmental review as well as to current monitoring efforts.
Sponsor: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Cost: $25,305
* Title: Field and Office Studies of Plant Species of Special Concern in Eastern PA
Objective: Conduct field surveys in eastern PA to attempt to locate denovo populations and confirm extant or historical populations of plant species of special concern having state suggested status of endangered, threatened, rare or undetermined. The surveys will involve a minimum of 25 species on the Plants of Special Concern in PA (POSCIP) list.
Justification: Field work is necessary for the proper conservation of wild plant resources in PA without the new and revised data that field surveys provide the completeness and reliability of the PNDI database, and therefore plant conservation, would be compromised.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Cost: $25,000
* Title: Update and Expansion of a Supplement to the Data Management System for the PA Natural Diversity Inventory--East
Objective: Update and expand the supplemental database developed to record, store and map negative data.
Justification: Database was developed using a subset of data that included plants and natural communities in Cumberland County PA. The negative database provides field staff with more complete information on species distribution and plant community types. It also targets sites that do show potential for species occurrences, to provide recommendations such as what to look for and the time of year to revisit.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Cost: $36,000
* Title: Field, Herbarium Studies of Six TU Plant Species
Objective: Evaluate the taxonomic status of six plant species or species complexes, evaluate the field status of six plant species or species complexes, determine how each species complex should be treated within the PNDI context, provide recommendations for appropriate PNDI status of the plant involved.
Justification: The vascular plants segment of the Species of Special Concern in PA list contains 138 species classified as TU (tentatively undetermined). A comparison of the Species of Special Concern List prepared for the Vascular Plants Technical Committee in March 2000 revealed a number of cases where the taxonomic or nomenclatural treatment of plants differed between the recently published book The Plants of Pennsylvania, An Illustrated Manual (Rhoads and Block 2000) and the SOSC list. Many of these cases involve differences in the treatment of subspecies or varieties. This raises the questions of how these plants should be treated in the PNDI program.
Sponsor: Morris Arboretum
Cost: $38,797
* Title: Documenting the Native and Introduced Flora Associated with Glacial Lakes in Northeast PA
Objective: Compile for each glacial lake in western PA a list of plant species presently documented with herbarium specimens (recent and historic), conduct field studies to produce more complete and current lists of the floras of these lakes, map the locations of invasive alien plant species, map locations and assess the size and condition of occurrences of plant species of special concern, map the major habitat areas of the lakes, collect data that will assist community ecologists in characterizing aquatic natural communities, provide baseline data from which changes in population sizes of rare species and invasive species can be detected, provide recommendations for conservation planners and stewards regarding protection of rare plants and management of invasive species.
Justification: Glacial Lakes are among the most treasured natural features of PA. Of the 2,500 lakes in the Commonwealth, only 50 were naturally formed. These lakes are important scenic and recreational resources, and are the focus of much tourism activity. Glacial lakes also comprise habitat for many species of plants and animals that would not otherwise inhabit PA.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Cost: $29,000
* Title: Lawrence County Natural Heritage Inventory
Objective: Provide an accurate database of the important and unique natural biological resource sites within the county which will aid county and local governments in land and use review and planning decision making processes, assist federal, state, and local agencies in streamlining their environmental permitting processes thus avoiding costly delays for various development activities; aid public and private interests with information for the protection and preservation of significant sites harboring natural biological resources, alert land developers to significant natural resource area locations to channel development around environmentally sensitive sites
Justification: Lawrence County was awarded a grant from DCNR to conduct a Natural Heritage Inventory. The grant totals $88,582.00 which includes a match of $44,291 (50%). Because Lawrence County has one of the lowest per capita in PA is seeking this grant to meet the match requirement of the NHI grant.
Sponsor: Lawrence County Dept. of Environmental Services
Cost: $30,000
* Title: 2001 Rare Plant Inventory within Northwestern Pennsylvania
Objective: Continue to search for new occurrences of rare plant communities and plants of special concern in PA, stewardship projects at Presque Isle and Erie National Wildlife Refuge will be maintained and a stewardship project to restore rare habitat on the privately owned Harmonsburg Fen in Crawford County will be initiated.
Justification: There is a great need for additional inventory in Northwestern PA for Plants of Special Concern in PA. If rare plants or rare natural communities are identified prior to development, a development can be altered or constructed in a manner that will allow the plants to survive. Discovery of a rare natural communities allows conservation groups to make an effort to purchase a property before it is threatened by development. Landowners often decide to contribute a property after they have been informed that the property has statewide or global significance.
Sponsor: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cost: $15,000
Project Submissions to the PA Fish and Boat Commission for Funding in 2000 * Title: Crayfish Census of the West Branch Susquehanna River Basin
Objective: Sample major tributaries and all counties of the West Branch Susquehanna River. Sites producing crayfishes difficult to identify (because the males are in Form II) will be resampled to obtain Form I males (used for positive identification).
Sponsor: Lock Haven University
Cost: $3,027
* Title: Conservation and Management of Fish, Herptiles and Aquatic Species--Special Projects.
Objective: Complete a series of specific projects related to the monitoring and management of nongame fish, amphibians, reptiles and aquatic organisms.
Justification: 46 fish, 12 amphibians, and 2 freshwater mussels are presently on the PA Endangered and Threatened and/or Candidate Species Lists. Project views, special studies and data management to adequately address the conservation of these species will be accomplished by the special projects.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Cost: $46,800
* Title: Assessment of Genetic Variation and Gene Flow Among Populations of the Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, in Eastern and Northcentral Pennsylvania
Objective: Assessing the level of genetic variation present in populations of timber rattlesnake, Crotalus homidus. in eastern and northcentral Pennsylvania. Collect tissue samples, which will allow us to expand our analysis of genetic variation of timber rattlesnakes to six populations in the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Northcentral regions of PA.
Justification: This project will provide information about the gene flow among these populations of timber rattlesnakes in PA.
Sponsor: Beaver College
Cost: $18,875
* Title: The Effect of Forest Management Practices on Vernal Woodland Pond Amphibians
Objective: Survey of ponds in bordering and some distance from a clear-cut in the Michaux State Forest near Fayetteville, PA and investigation of a single pond bordered by a clear-cut near Dillsburg, PA for which we have amphibian population estimates for several years prior to a clear-cut.
Justification: Because populations of amphibians often demonstrate dramatic fluctuations between years, it is virtually impossible to draw conclusions from a study lasting a single year. It is essential that the project continue in order to adequately assess the impact of timber harvest on these populations.
Sponsor: Shippensburg University
Cost: $8,456.48
* Title: Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project
Objective: Using volunteers to inventory the entire state of PA in the areas near their homes, of all herps. Provide detailed distribution maps for all species of amphibians and reptiles in the state, provide detailed database on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles that will aid environmental managers in making informed and ecologically sound decisions regarding resource utilization within the state. Identify localities of endangered or threatened species of amphibians and reptiles so that they may be protected.
Justification: Volunteers will make it possible to inventory the entire state at a minimal cost.
Sponsor: Indiana University
Cost: $35,654
* Title: The Vernal Pool Inventory Pilot Project
Objective: A part-time vernal pool inventory pilot project coordinator for the first year of a 4-year initiative to develop a solid infrastructure for a long-term program. Map and monitor 12 vernal pools in three central PA counties, develop protocol for volunteers documenting vernal pools in PA.
Justification: Vernal pools or ephemeral wetlands are critical breeding habitat in the northeastern US for four species, spotted and Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs and fairy shrimp. These highly productive landscape features provide biomass to associated upland ecosystems and are important habitat for a number of vernal pool species in northeastern North America that are on state endangered and threatened species lists.
Sponsor: Michael McCarthy
Cost: $13,300
* Title: Pennsylvania Aquatic Community Classification Project
Objective: Further PA Natural Community Classification project, provide a reference set of high quality aquatic communities for PA as well as develop comparative data from impaired stream systems, identify potential biotic indicators of community integrity and/or impairment (both floral and faunal), compile a database of information for future monitoring/mitigation-assessment projects.
Justification: Assessing and Monitoring the Ecological Integrity of waterbodies has been identified as a priority project for DCNR, DEP, PFBC, the PNDI and the Nature Conservancy. It is impossible to assess or monitor ecological integrity of watersheds without fundamental baseline data to characterize waterbodies, especially streams and rivers to community type.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Cost: $30,600
* Title: A Basin-wide Survey for Native Freshwater Mussels of the Allegheny River with Emphasis on Federally Listed Species
Objective: Estimate density, abundance, and distribution of P. clava and E.t. rangiana and proposed state listed species in the middle Allegheny River, estimate area and proportion of the middle Allegheny that supports viable populations of P. clava and E.t. rangiana and evaluate river hydraulics at these sites.
Justification: The Allegheny River drainage is known to support some of the best remaining populations of two Federally listed endangered freshwater mussel species, the clubshell, and the northern riffleshell.
Sponsor: US Geological Survey
Cost: $25,000
* Title: Status of Luxilus Species in PA
Objective: The common shiner, and the striped shiner are the only two members of the genus Luxilus that are found in PA. These two species are sympatric throughout a relatively narrow area from northeastern Illinois, northern Indiana and Ohio, southern Michigan and Ontario, and western PA and New York. A sample of Luxilus populations will be collected from all the major drainages in the Commonwealth. Fishes will be extensively sampled on both sides of the divide that separates the Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers. A series of morphometric data will be analyzed and meristic data will be used to determine morphological differences among populations.
Justification: It is feasible that a new rare and endangered fish is presently residing in northcentral PA.
Sponsor: Penn State
Cost: $44,384
* Title: The Structural Characteristics of Timber Rattlesnake Dens in PA
Objective: Locate critical habitat of foraging areas, basking areas, and over wintering dens or hibernacula. The timber rattlesnake has different habitat requirements depending upon the time of year and the physiological condition of the snake.
Justification: Previous research has thoroughly described the structure and appearance of foraging and basking areas in PA. However distinctive geographic, vegetation or physiographic features that may allow conservation biologists to identify actual hibernation dens have not been ascertained. The location of the over wintering dens used by a timber rattlesnake population is an extremely important factor it provides specific microclimatic conditions that allow survival of snakes over the 5-6 month winter hibernation period.
Sponsor: The College of New Jersey
Cost: $4,960
* Title: The Impact of Timber Harvesting on Woodland Amphibians
Objective: Vernal pools located in forests with known age disturbances will be monitored to determine the number of breeding amphibians. Ponds will be selected based upon the community structure (# of salamander and frog species). Those with the highest number in the assemblage will be given the highest priority.
Justification: Impacts based upon 1 or 2 years of data is very risky.
Long-term amphibian studies need to begin now so that we might better understand the impact of forest disturbances.Sponsor: Randy Cassell, Cumberland Valley High School
Cost: $22,000
Project Submissions to the PA Game Commission for Funding in 2000 * Title: Wild Action Grant Program
Objective: Provide financial support for 25 schools and/or youth groups to improve habitat for wildlife on school and community grounds and incorporate these habitats into classroom curriculum and club programming.
Justification: To ensure habitat conservation for native plants and wildlife both now and in the future, it is essential that habitat conservation education programs be implemented in our schools and youth organizations.
Sponsor: PA Game Commission
Cost: $4,000
* Title: Special Concern Mammal Species Research and Management
Objective: Continue research on the least shrew in Franklin, Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties, coordinate all summer bat maternity concentration survey programs, research in Wyoming State Forest concerning the rock vole, and rock shrew, coordinate the important mammal areas project for the PA Biological Survey's Mammal Committee.
Justification: The continuation of inventories of the various special concern species coupled with long term research of communities and populations will result in the information needed by wildlife management professionals as the formulate strategies. These continued inventories would also permit us to create a picture for future referral in assessing the success of our wildlife management programs.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Cost: $30,000
* Title: Maintenance of the Official List of Birds of Pennsylvania
Objective: To maintain the official list, review status of all species, archive copies of slides, review new records, publish results, to hold committee meetings.
Justification: Until recently no formalized system of reviewing current and historical bird records in PA had been established. The ornithological and birding communities usually accepted published historical records, without question. To achieve a system of review and records the PA Ornithological Records Committee was founded and a system established.
Sponsor: PA Ornithological Records Committee
Cost: $2,000
* Title: Development of a Population Monitoring Procedure for River Otters: Application of Genetic Techniques to Identify Individuals from SCAT
Objective: Investigate the potential for use of DNA obtained from river otter scat for generation of genetic data from microsatellite loci. Assess the information content of microsatellite loci (identified as useful in objective 1) for the identification of individual river otters. To develop appropriate sampling methodologies for surveys of river otter populations based on genetic analyses of scat. Use genetic analysis of DNA from otter scat to gather population census data for river otters in Pennsylvania.
Justification: This will enable us to determine the composition of otter groups using marking areas and determine if all otters active deposit scats during visits to a marking site.
Sponsor: Frostburg State University
Cost: $42,700
* Title: Important Bird Area Baseline Surveys/Conservation Planning for Eight IBA Areas
Objective: Obtain much needed scientific information on the bird communities and habitat relationships within the eight identified Important Bird Areas in PA. Provide the land manager, DCNR (including two state parks and three state forests) and PA Game Commission (three SGL areas) with specific data on bird populations and bird-habitat relationships, and provide management options to maintain and/or enhance these valuable avian communities. Create seasonal bird checklists for each IBA site, and where appropriate (both state parks, and Quehanna Wild Area) recommend birding trails to facilitate nature-based tourism.
Justification: PA's two most important avian habitats are forest and wetlands. ''Penn's Woods'' is an important part of the state's identity and is our most significant bird habitat.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Audubon Society
Cost: $38,000
* Title: Mycophagy by small mammals: Implications for Management and Preservation of PA's Forests
Objective: In order to understand the role of small mammals in the ecosystem one must delineate the requirements and degree of consumption of underground fleshy fungus by small mammals. Knowledge of forest succession will aid in developing ecologically sound management practices for our forests.
Justification: Small mammals in forest ecosystems consume large quantities of spores underground fungi (mycorrhizal fungi) that pass unharmed through the digestive tract of these consumers. Spores within fecal remains are deposited back into the soil at some distance from the site of ingestion. Mycorrhizal fungi do not produce aboveground fruiting bodies and researchers believe that small mammals are the primary agents of dispersal of the fungal spores that are essential to the health of the forest. Small mammals are important in reintroducing soils after clear-cutting and perform a similar service in the regeneration of forest gaps, buns, and cuts in PA forests.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Cost: $19,227
* Title: Assessment of Metapopulation Structure in Neotoma magister Using Microsatellite DNA Analysis
Objective: Recent inventories of Allegheny woodrat habitat have revealed clusters of active sites resulting in the identification of 21 potential metapopulations within the state. However, before a metapopulation approach can be used as a management tool for this species, there is a need to evaluate woodrat population structure based on a genetic approach. The objective is to use microsatellite DNA analyses for evaluating the metapopulation structure of N. magister.
Justification: We will develop a protocol for using genetic analyses as a rapid and cost-effective tool for evaluating the population structure of this species. This will, in turn provide a variety of benefits for those concerned with the management and conservation of this threatened species.
Sponsor: Penn State
Cost: $5,221
* Title: Conservation of Museum Bird Specimens at the Academy of Natural Science
Objective: Purchase 12 new curation cabinets for scientific bird specimens.
Justification: New curatorial quality cabinetry is needed to protect this valuable natural history collection for use by future generations of scientists. There are currently 20,000 bird study skin specimens collected over the last two centuries in the Academy collection that represents one of the fines series of birds in the world.
Sponsor: Academy of Natural Science
Cost: $26,370
* Title: Population Dynamics and Ecology of a Suburban Population of Eastern Bluebirds
Objective: The Eastern Bluebird possesses a number of traits that make it an excellent model species for addressing questions concerning aspects of population dynamics and for studying how birds respond to suburbanization. This research project will address two broad questions 1) how do individuals and populations respond to urban development. 2) How does food abundance influence aspects of population dynamics including reproductive output, dispersion patterns and migratory status.
Justification: Results will be used to develop guidelines to minimize the adverse effects of development on bird populations. In addition this research will increase our understanding of population dynamics of a species of great public interest.
Sponsor: Penn State
Cost: $25,000
* Title: Monitoring Breeding Birds in PA's Ridge and Valley Forests
Objective: Computerize 20 years of breeding bird census (BBC) data from two research plots on Hawk Mountain and 10 or more broadleaf forest plots from the Appalachian region including five or more in PA forest BBC sites.
Justification: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and its contiguous State Gamelands 106, Weiser State Forest, and Hamburg Watershed form one of the largest protected blocks of forest in southeastern PA extending over 14,000 acres. State agencies and conservation groups have discussed the need to establish biodiversity monitoring programs across the state, particularly in regard to monitoring forest health and meeting ecosystem management goals. Birds can be useful environmental indicators. Volunteer resources are available to assist with monitoring efforts, making the cost of long-term monitoring more economically feasible.
Sponsor: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Cost: $19,285
* Title: Population Trends, Timing, and Relative Importance of Kittatinny Ridge Corridor for Non-raptor Migrant Birds in PA
Objective: Document the importance of the Kittatinny Ridge, a PA Important Bird Area to non-raptor migrants
Justification: In 1998 Kittatinny Ridge Corridor in PA was designated an Important Bird Area by the PA Audubon Society due, in part, to its critical importance to migrating raptors in the eastern flyway. Hawk Mountain located on the Kittatinny, also was designated a globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy. Each fall 20,000 raptors of 16 species are recorded using the Kittatinny Corridor, making it one of the most concentrated southbound routes for northeastern raptors. Up to 100,000 individuals of 150 species of non-raptor migrants also have been recorded using the flyway each fall. To date the relative ecological importance of the Kittatinny Corridor to non-raptor migrants is unclear. Limited research suggests that some species, i.e. Black-throated Green Warbler, Least Flycatcher, American Goldfinch, may concentrate on the Kittatinny in grater numbers than in any other regions of the eastern flyway such as the Atlantic coast and more northern Appalachian ridges.
Sponsor: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Cost: $18,200
* Title: Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology Special Areas Project
Objective: The Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology launched the Special Areas Project in 1990 as its first volunteer bird project. The project has grown to include over 105 management areas inventoried by volunteers. The Special Areas Project obtains information about birds found at many PA locations, and shares this information with appropriate government agencies, research and education institutions, interested conservation groups, and the general public.
Justification: The costs for project management pale by comparison to the value of the volunteer time devoted to acquiring bird data at the many locations. SAP ''captures'' local bird watching data that would otherwise be lost to anyone except the person that collected it. Birdwatchers have contributed over 11,000 party hours of field trip, with each party hour representing more than one person. The value of the time volunteers have devoted to the project is approximately $400,000.
Sponsor: Ecology III
Cost: $10,000
* Title: Monitoring of Productivity, Survivorship, and Dispersal in Populations of Louisiana Waterthrush across three Ecoregions in PA
Objective: Put two to four assistants into the field April--June to determine the rates of return banded LOWAs to the headwater streams where color-banded populations have been established through our previous efforts. Capture and band any un-banded recruits to the populations, monitor nests found on the primary study streams and band all nestlings.
Justification: There are few if any studies involving the geographic scope, broad local coverage, and large numbers of marked birds that characterize out studies of the LOWA in PA. We are in a unique position to collect empirical data on such important aspects of population biology as between-season dispersal of adults within and between season dispersal of juveniles, and survivorship for all age classes. Every season that are not field monitored and band maintained on LOWA populations represents lost opportunity and realized investment.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History, East Stroudsburg Univ., Penn State
Cost: $50,000
* Title: The Status, Distribution and Conservation of Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher
Objective: Determine the status natural history, habitat requirements, and conservation needs of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher by surveying likely nesting locations, monitoring breeding populations, observing breeding pairs, analyzing characteristics of nesting habitat and populations, and reactions of the birds to landscape characteristics and management activities in PA. Habitat data gathered and analyzed in this study will improve any management plans for this species.
Justification: The Yellow-bellied flycatcher is a Threatened species in PA and one of its rarest and most poorly known nesting species. In historical accounts it was considered one of PA's rarest nesting species that was not confirmed nesting for fifty years before the Breeding Bird Atlas.
Sponsor: Ornithological Technical Committee
Cost: $2,500
* Title: Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch Education Program
Objective: To provide visitors to Waggoner's Gap hawk watch site with interpretive information about birds, migration, habitat and related conservation efforts.
Justification: Educating teachers and other leaders will expand knowledge about habitat conservation and the roles that government and private organizations play.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Audubon Society
Cost: $30,000
Project Submissions which Cover Multi-Agencies for Funding in 2000 * Title: Wildlife in the Classroom
Objective: Get persons of all ages involved in outdoor PA, provide appropriate standards with suggestions on how to use them to teachers in both public, private and home school arenas, supply needed additions to curriculum for educators especially in Science/Technology, Environment/Ecology by publishing Keystone Conservationist which will have the ''Wildlife in the Classroom: A Teacher's Guide,'' teacher's in-services workshops, and calendar with pertinent information to educators.
Justification: Use Keystone Conservationist magazine to develop environmental curriculums in distressed school districts especially inner-city schools where lack of funding is prevalent.
Sponsor: Penn-Wild Publications Inc.
Cost: $14,950 for 1,000 magazine subscriptions
* Title: The Grasshoppers of Pennsylvania
Objective: Conduct a museum survey of the PA grasshopper records in the entomological collections of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania State University's Frost Museum. This will provide an historical perspective of the grasshopper species and their distribution patterns within PA.
Justification: Provide current information on the status and distribution of grasshoppers within PA.
Sponsor: Messiah College
Cost: $19,000
* Title: Butterfly Handbook for Pennsylvania State Forests and State Parks
Objective: Publish a general information booklet to assist the general public in observing butterflies commonly encountered in PA state forests and state parks.
Justification: The proposed butterfly brochure will accommodate the need for a brief introduction and basic information for butterflies suitable for people with a general interest in natural history.
Sponsor: Penn State
Cost: $16,693
* Title: Building a Team for Conserving PA's Biodiversity: Support for PNDCP
Objective: For PNDCP to function as a broad-based organization, involving government, industry, non-profit organizations and other interested individuals. Develop and implement a strategic plan for biodiversity in PA.
Justification: Conservation of biodiversity is vital not only to the ecological health of PA but also to its economic vigor and the quality of life of its citizens.
Sponsor: PA Natural Diversity Conservation Partnership
Cost: $30,000
* Title: Environmental Quality Review
Objective: Create greater public awareness and participation in the conservation of natural resources through a review of issues concerning PA's environment and the conservation of natural resources.
Justification: The PA Wildlife Federation published an annual Environmental Quality Index from 1987 to 1996. Due to staff turnover this publication was not produced. The current Executive Director and Board of Directors are dedicated to conservation education in the classrooms as well as in other non-traditional education settings.
Sponsor: PA Wildlife Federation
Cost: $12,500
* Title: Land Acquisition of Eckroth Property
Objective: Purchase 125 acres of land contiguous to both Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and PA Game Commission.
Justification: The Eckroth tract is of the highest priority for acquisition because of its value to the Sanctuary's ecological integrity as well as its control of a major portion of the entrance.
Sponsor: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Cost: $50,000
* Title: Multi-dimensional Diorama at Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
Objective: Contribute to the cost of the multidimensional interactive exhibit at the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary with the Wild Resource Conservation Fund listed as a contributor.
Sponsor: The Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Inc.
Cost: $35,000
* Title: Land Snails of Selected Pennsylvania Natural Areas
Objective: Inventory the land snail fauna of eight selected natural areas across PA, sample leaf litter land snails and soil pH, provide a species list of land snails found in each natural area based upon collected specimens, map and profile land snails of potential conservation interest, provide specimens to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Justification: More than 500 native land snails species have been reported in the Eastern US and there are several additional non-native species and a few undescribed species as well. They consume live and dead plants, fungi and a variety of insect larvae, beetles, small mammals, and birds such as thrushes and ruffed grouse. Snails can be important in moving the nutrient calcium up the food chain, as larger predators consume their shells of calcium carbonate.
Sponsor: Appalachian Conservation Biology
Cost: $10,760
* Title: Wild Resource Conservation Fund Poster: Translation into Spanish
Objective: Translate the text from the Wild Resource Conservation Fund's songbird poster into Spanish, print and distribute songbird posters to classrooms, community groups, and other interested parties. Use the poster in conjunction with the Spanish version of ''Pennsylvania Songbirds: A K-12 Guide for Activities in the Classroom'' to train PA teachers and to perform international outreach.
Justification: As the Spanish speaking population of the state increases so does the need to provide educational materials in both Spanish and English.
Sponsor: PA Audubon Society
Cost: $2,900
* Title: PA ''Songbirds: A K-12 Teacher's Guide for Activities in the Classroom'' a translation into Spanish
Objective: Adapt activities and translate student pages, visualization readings, trading cards and related student materials from ''Pennsylvania Songbirds: A K-12 Teacher's Guide for Activities in the Classroom'' into Spanish. Print the adapted Spanish version of ''Pennsylvania Songbirds.''
Justification: As more and more of PA's citizens are of Hispanic origin, it will become important to instill in them a sense of stewardship for PA's natural resources.
Sponsor: PA Audubon Society
Cost: $18,000
RAPHAEL J. MUSTO,
Chairperson[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-1448. Filed for public inspection August 18, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]
