For the past 35 years Salt Springs State Park has had a strong bond with the Susquehanna County Conservation District, the Susquehanna County Commissioners, the Endless Mts. Resource Conservation & Development Council, USDA/NRCS, DCNR Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry, and TREHAB.
It was the Conservation District and County Commissioners of the late sixties that laid the groundwork for the working relationships that exist today. A commitment made between the Conservation District, County Commissioners, EMRC&D and USDA/SCS staffs led to the acquisition of the park by the Nature Conservancy from the Wheaton family in 1971. Two years later, management of the park was turned over to the Bureau of State Parks, DER.
In the mid-seventies, the Conservation District took on the role of park "savior," following several years of poor on-site park supervision, combined with storm events, that led to serious erosion of soils in the old growth stand of hemlocks. Although the Conservation District's board shared my concerns, their mission priorities and financial resources were devoted to other areas of environmental need. However, they approved my request to work with Commissioners, TREHAB, the Bureau of State Parks and other entities to address erosion and tree stand health issues at the park. During the ensuing years, as they saw the value of the park projects, the Conservation District directors allowed me to include the park improvements in our long range plan.
In the late-seventies, I obtained work crews and crew chiefs through the County's Summer Youth Employment Training Program, then in its infancy and administered by TREHAB. The main goal at that time was to keep hikers from using the trail along the stream, which was becoming badly eroded and endangered the stability of the shallow-rooted old growth hemlock trees growing along the edges of the gorge.
With the help of the Conservation District staff, federal USDA-SCS (now NRCS) and state DER (now DCNR) Bureau of Forestry staffs, we taught the work crews of teenagers how to cut and clear alternative trails, build thank-you-ma'ams to divert water, cut notches in sections of fallen down trees to make benches, line the trails with smaller diameter trees, and mark the trails by using the tops of cans, painted in various colors. We created a self-guided trail hike booklet. There were three separate and distinct trails, based on differences in habitat and slope steepness. The workers learned marketable work skills. They were also taught how to write résumés and be competitive in a poor job market.
With tools provided by the Conservation District we built the original welcome sign, a tall handsome structure visible from the entry road leading to the Wheaton House. We also built and installed two new bridges to replace the one rickety, precarious old bridge. The first of a series of summer work crews built the original informational kiosk that sat across from the first bridge (since relocated to the campgrounds). We filled it with information, including The Legend of Salt Springs and a color-keyed map of the trails. Park Supervisor Gerry Frost brought in additional benches and BBQ pits and paid a local person to provide mowing of the lawn areas. Gerry also provided some of the construction materials, including timber for the bridges.
I am very proud of that collaborative effort that continued for about 10 years. The park and the surrounding Friends' lands are today in very good hands. The Friends of Salt Springs Park Board of Directors has been increased to 15. The individuals who make up the Board are among the most respected members of our Susquehanna County community and represent a variety of personal and professional backgrounds.
Since my retirement from the Conservation District in 2003, I have served as a Friends' board member, with two years as VP. The SCCD continues to generously provide financial support and staff time to the Friends' educational endeavors. The members of the Friends' Education Committee have assisted our education coordinator Nancy Wottrich in conducting an ambitious and effective environmental education program for elementary school children and adults. Our administrator Debra Adleman has combined her talents with those of the Historical Committee members to provide interesting and engaging programs that promote the historical significance of the park and the region to the greater community.
And the conservation of the hemlock forest, the gorge with its waterfalls, the historic homes, and the salt springs still continues. The County Commissioners still help to co-sponsor work crews through the Penna. Conservation Corps for our special grounds and buildings projects. The long standing support of the Property Committee will help to ensure the continuing conservation of the old growth hemlock forest and the special habitat they provide to the flora and fauna that reside there. The Friends of Salt Springs Park have a lot to be grateful for. We thank our partners in conservation and hope that our collaborations will continue in the ensuing years.
The accompanying story illustrates how important it is to create collaborations or partnerships with agencies, groups and individuals. They strengthen our resolve in accomplishing mutual goals and create outreach opportunities that engage the public in protecting and enhancing our natural and historical resources.
Below is a list of the agencies and organizations mentioned, along with links to their websites.
EMRC&D - http://www.endlessmountainsrcd.org
EMRC&D is a six-county regional organization dedicated to promotion, education and technical assistance for natural resource conservation and development and coordinates rural development projects. RC&D helps to administer USDA's Alternative Energy, Stream Buffers, and Invasive Species Programs. It has successfully led Flood Summits, Incubator programs and the formation of local Watershed Associations for the past 15 years, leading to several Natural Stream Restoration Projects. It has also conducted a Woodland Resources Adventure camp for youth for the past 20+ years.
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - http://www.susqco.com
The Susquehanna County Commissioners invite you to experience the best of Susquehanna County. The County Commissioners provide an atmosphere conducive to friendly to business and industry while promoting minimal impacts on our countryside . . . its land and waters.
SCCD - http://www.suscondistrict.org
The Susquehanna County Conservation District provides information and technical assistance to assist people and communities in the wise use of their natural resources. Through partnerships among the private citizen, non-profit groups and public agencies, the district promotes a cooperative approach to natural resource issues.
USDA/NRCS - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
Over 30 years ago, Congress established a unique program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that empowered rural people to help themselves. The USDA focus was to assist local people by providing tools and technical support to stabilize and grow their own communities while protecting and developing natural resources. In return, local "Councils" provide local direction and planning and coordinate implementation of specific projects within their boundaries. The focus on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the most successful rural development programs of the federal government. Project focus provides for the sustainability of local economies and resources.
TREHAB - http://www.trehab.org
The TREHAB Community Action Agency is committed to act as a service provider and advocate for the poor, unemployed, and underemployed, the elderly, and other groups at risk. More recently, the agency is committed to serving the community as a catalyst for energy conservation and renewable energy.
BUREAU OF STATE PARKS - http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/education/index.aspx
The DCNR Bureau of State Parks' environmental education program aims to develop a citizenry that is aware of and concerned about the total environment and its associated problems and that has the knowledge, attitude, motivations, commitment and skills to work individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.
BUREAU OF FORESTRY - http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry
The mission of the Bureau of Forestry is to ensure the long term health, viability and productivity of the Commonwealth's forests and to conserve native plants.