Rolecki, Michaela, Conservation Professional, Chesapeake Conservancy , 1250 W Sassafras St, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, mrolecki@chesapeakeconservancy.org; Thomas, Shannon, Conservation Professional , Chesapeake Conservancy, 1250 W Sassafras St, Selisgrove, PA, 17870, sthomas@chesapeakeconservancy.org; Wilson, Matt, Research Professional Susquehanna University 1250 W Sassafras St Selinsgrove PA, 17870, wilsonmatt@susqu.edu; Binkley, Ainslee, Earth and Environmental Science, Susquehanna University, 1250 W Sassafras St, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, binkley@susqu.edu;
Chesapeake Conservancy (CC) is a watershed-wide organization focused on the conservation of land and protection of waterways through the use of data-driven precision conservation techniques and regional partnerships. The Conservancy’s partnership with Susquehanna University (SU) has allowed us to support conservation research and empower students through leadership focused internships, filling gaps in knowledge and contributing to Conservancy projects. Together we have restored a wet meadow, researched outcomes, and piloted seed collection and tree grow-out programs, showcasing the impact students can have on region-wide outcomes and the work of their university partners.
In 2021, the restoration of a historic dump-site in Selinsgrove was facilitated by the SU/CC partnership. This project is now a thriving wetland informing future restoration practices through student-led research. Results will guide future projects, improving approaches and success for conservation organizations pursuing similar management strategies in the future. In addition, CC’s programs benefit in other ways from the wet meadow, as it has become a primary source of student-led seed collection and grow-out at the on-campus greenhouse. These projects provide free plant material to partners and areas of need in the Chesapeake basin. This presentation will discuss the evolution of the restored wet meadow and how we collaborate with university partners to expand our impact.
wet meadow, partnerships, restoration