CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION The Value of Riparian Buffer Zones Conservation education has a new venue at Peace Valley Nature Center. Thanks to the efforts of board member Bob Rutt, Landis Fence of Dublin fenced an acre (more or less) of land in the riparian area near the North Branch of the Neshaminy Creek off Habitat and Swamp Trails. Landis Fence provided the labor at no charge, the remaining funds were provided by an account set aside for conservation and education. The sturdy long lasting fenced area will be utilized for many programs and learning opportunities. The first thing that will be addressed is the removal of the invasives. The area has been overrun by non-native invasive grasses and shrubs. This is a monumental task and will involve resources and many volunteers. We realize this will take time, so bear with us as we work toward this goal. We will reintroduce native shrubs, trees and perennials to the fenced area for re-establishment. These plants are well adapted for this environment. This site was chosen because of its importance as a wetland and riparian area. What is the value of riparian buffers? Water quality depends on riparian buffer zones. They help prevent sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides and other pollutants from reaching the stream or water body. They are most effective when they include a herbaceous filter strip within the forested area along the stream. The vegetation is an important source of energy and nutrients for stream communities. Overhanging vegetation keeps the stream cool thereby increasing the diversity of the species in the stream. These native plants provide habitat for many species of wildlife. Riparian buffers also provide means of travel for a variety of wildlife, such as birds, deer, migratory songbirds, fox and rabbits. They also slow floodwaters which helps to maintain stable streambanks, and protect the water channel from widening and creating more silt and sediments entering the water supply. As you travel throughout Bucks County and surrounding areas, look at the stream and water area buffers. Many of our local streams do not have an adequate riparian buffer zone, which results in loss of water quality and reduced wildlife and fish populations. Erosion causes loss of valuable soil, increased water temperature and a decrease in dissolved oxygen. The eroding streambanks contribute to sedimentation and lead to a wide shallow stream that has little habitat value. The lack of shade exposes soils to drying by sunlight and wind and reduces the water storage capacity of the riparian area. SERVICE PROJECTS Boy Scout Troop 71: Placed wood chips on Pond Path Eagle Scout Ryan Sempowski: Designed and built the table storage closet in the Solar Building FRIENDS OF PEACE VALLEY NATURE CENTER MEMBERSHIP AND DONATIONS Welcome New Members: Robert B. Parr Jeannine Mitchell & Steve Dylinski Chris Ring Sharon Shaw & Bill Luckenbill Cass Gwalthney Martha Slekovac Lania & John Peterson Barbara Hawthorne Hayden & Rose Evans Mimi Peluso Pat & Bob Rossi William, Mary, Jacob, & Alex Thompson Joyce Patterson & Bill Corcoran Donations: Erika Lutweiler Larry & Anna Mae Galbraith Virginia Cope Dr. E. Stanley & Marian Cope Marjorie W. Stowe Michele, Gary & Alex Taylor Jim Lawser & Martha Taylor Elisabeth Y Gentieu Tad & Maria Everhart Nancy B. Murray Ruth F. Thomlinson In Memory of: Buckingham 4-H Club Network for Good/Stuart Wilder North Penn Water Authority Nancy Von Klemperer An unusual donation! At her Birthday Party held at Peace Valley Nature Center 8 year old, Lidia, decided she did not really need gifts. She decided to request donations be given to the Nature Center. Her act of community and caring is appreciated by the Nature Center, its members and community.

GREAT BLUE HERONS Ardea herodias By Judy Mirbella A bird enjoyed by many at Peace Valley Nature Center is the Great Blue Heron. Its size and habits attract the interest and curiosity of many, young and old alike.Great Blue Heron, of the Family Ardeidae, Order Ciconiiformes, is our largest and heaviest heron.Its length is 46 inches; its wingspan is 72 inches; its weight is 5.3 lbs.Despite this, it is a graceful flyer with slow wing beats, arched wings, long legs extended behind and long neck coiled back in flight.Despite its grace in flight, however, it can be a raucous, noisy bird with a deep, hoarse croaking voice. Many enjoy watching this heron stalking its prey in the shallower waters of Lake Galena.It moves slowly through the water, making barely a ripple, waiting for fish or other aquatic animals to come close.It spears its food with a quick strike of its bill, which is adapted for spearing and grasping its prey.Often the fish caught must be maneuvered and flipped several times to have it in the right position to go down the bird’s gullet.Sometimes it is hard to imagine how such a large fish can fit down such a skinny neck!Its sixth vertebra is modified to allow the neck to form its S-curve.The bones of the neck can create a coil, which allows the bird to strike its prey with such incredible speed.The Great Blue Heron is carnivorous, eating fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and almost any live prey available, including voles and even other small birds when it feeds in dry fields as opposed to wetlands. The Great Blue Heron is a colonial nester.The heronry can contain many nests, often built in tall dead trees in standing water.The male collects sticks, and the female arranges them into a platform nest, often appearing to be not very sturdy.The usual number of eggs laid is from three to five.There is usually one brood a year.Both parents incubate the eggs, which always includes a noisy "changing shifts" ceremony with much croaking and bill clacking going on.The young fledge in six to eight weeks, but can walk around the branches in two weeks.Both parents also feed the young. Many people may be surprised to learn that there are nesting colonies of Great Blue Herons in Bucks County.The most recent available survey information says there are as many as seven known colony sites, with an approximate total of one hundred thirty-eight nests.The majority of these sites are on private property, and some are on state owned lands.The Bucks County Heritage Conservancy either has or is in the process of obtaining conservation easements on some of these private locations.As we know, the alteration of habitats, either natural or unnatural, is the greatest threat to most species.The presence of the Great Blue Heron is a stunning indicator of the health of a wetlands ecosystem.We hope these magnificent and beautiful birds will continue to delight us at Peace Valley, and, who knows, maybe they will some day nest very nearby. OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR Barbara Burdack A fairly good part of my life growing up was spent living on a lagoon at the northern end of Barnegat Bay. No computers, no video games, and on a good day three or four TV channels if we were lucky. We never complained because we had an endless supply of excitement right out back in the lagoon and on the island across from my house. The distance from one side to the other was perfect for using a seine net. With one of us on the island and another on the side where the houses were we could drag that baby for quite awhile; and oh the treasures we collected!! Hours were then spent poking in the mud and other gook we brought up to see what critters we had collected. Naturally everyone was returned to their habitat safely and in one piece (as far as we could tell anyway). Fast forward a few decades and I still get a thrill out of poking in mud and gook looking for critters. The best part about it now is that I get to share that joy with new generations of kids, many of whom have never experienced anything like it! I have to say my favorite part of this job is seeing the excitement on a child’s face and of course hearing all of the shrieks and "wow, that is so cool". Nothing quite comes close to their reactions when a whole new world is uncovered under a decomposing log in the woods. I currently live in Warrington with my husband Mark, son Kyle who is in 10th grade at CB South and daughter Leanna in 8th grade at Tamanend Middle School. A member of the Warrington Twp. Bike & Hike Committee, naturally I love spending time outdoors bike riding, cross country skiing, hiking, camping, and backpacking. Having a degree in photography I still have a habit of taking a lot of pictures and occasionally exhibiting them in area art shows. But I really love to play in the water; maybe it’s because I’m a Pisces. POLLINATOR BLITZ Pollinators, can't live without them! Over 75% of all flowering plants are pollinated by animals. Flowering plants depend on the assistance of pollinators. The fruits and seeds of these plants are an important food source for wildlife and people. These pollinators include bees, birds, bats and many insects. "Before the honeybee was introduced from Europe in 1622, over 4,000 species of bees were native to North America. These include a vast and colorful diversity of gentle bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, mining bees, sweat bees and others. Many of these bees are more efficient crop pollinators than the non-native honeybee-especially for New World fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, tomato, cranberry and blueberry-as well as wildflowers. Even without active management these native bees are responsible for pollinating American crops worth $3 billion annually." College of Agricultural Sciences Penn State Extension, "Conserving Pollinators: A Primer for Gardeners." "Much publicity has focused on honeybees and their decline. The honeybee is not native to North America, but has a crucial role in the pollination of many of our foods. It has been estimated approximately $20 billion worth of crops in the U.S. are pollinated by honeybees. The value and pollination services provided by native bees and other wildlife is even greater. It is estimated that honeybees pollinate 15% of the common food crops worldwide." USDA A recent study by the National Academy of Sciences found that populations of honeybees and some wild pollinators are declining. It is believed declines in wild populations are the result of habitat loss and degradation, while declines in the managed bees is linked to disease (introduced parasites and pathogens). LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LOCAL POLLINATORS! Saturday June 27 ~ 1:00 pm Gather those bug collecting jars, don your magnifying lens and join us to search for those 6-legged critters that make our food chain work. We will traverse field and forest to find insects and identify them. Special care will be taken to maintain the population of insects, we will do no harm. A fine day for catching and identifying insects. There is an opportunity to make a pollinator abode. We will supply the tools and materials, you supply the drilling and hammering. (Adult supervision required.) The fee for each pollinator house is $5. The Blitz is FREE COMMON GARDEN PLANTS FOR BEES & OTHER POLLINATORS! You don't have to like them, but you certainly should appreciate them! The following list of plants support a wide diversity of bee species. Giant hyssop Agastache Borage Borago Paint Brush Castillega Bee Plant Cleome Cosmos Cosmos Globe Thistle Echinops Wallflower Erysimim Joe-pye-weed Eupatorium Sunflower Helianthus Purple gay-feather Liatris Mint Mentha Sage Salvia Thyme Thymus Basil Ocimum Marjoram Origanum Rosemary Rosmarinus Skullcap Scutellaria Mullein Verbascum Verbena Verbena Zinnia Zinnia English Lavender Lavandula Bergamont (bee balm) Monarda ATTN: VOLUNTEERS If you would prefer to have the newsletter sent electronically to your personal email address, please let usknow. Email ghill@co.bucks.pa.us This will help us save paper and lower our carbon footprint. Please contact Mary Jo Lisewski if you would like an email reminder of upcoming events and programs. Click [HERE] to view back issues of our newsletter.

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