Winter 2018 OFFICERS President CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS John P. Supplee HIGHLIGHT RED STREAMS Vice President Amanda DeWeese BLUE ACTIVITY Secretary Edward Leo Red Streams Blue construction has been The second project was on Plum quiet for the last 18 months, but this fall Run, a tributary to the main stem of Treasurer Thomas Varley two projects were completed. The first the Brandywine Creek. Construction is on the upper east branch Red Clay involved streambank stabilization on BOARD OF DIRECTORS Creek and restored 1,500 feet of stream. 400 feet of stream, installation of five Ray Ajalli Lisa M. Brubaker Eroding streambanks were regraded in-stream structures including cross Steve Castorani and seeded with native grasses and vanes, J-hooks, and straight vanes, William F. Cooke, Jr. Marlin Dise wildflowers, which will prevent further and a buffer planting in spring 2018. F. Neil Dougherty erosion. The stream was fenced to With this project Plum Run has five Brent du Pont prevent access by horses and a 35 foot restorations protecting over one mile Brenton R. Grant, III Kerry R. Haber tree and shrub buffer was planted by of stream. Still to come is construction Andrew Homsey 56 volunteers. Stream crossings and on about 5,000 feet of Plum Run below Thomas Gantt Hubbard J. Kai Lassen water access were provided for the West Chester University. Both the Plum Dr. Richard Lighty horses and a grassed waterway, animal Run and Red Clay projects were funded Alisha McDougal walkway, and animal heavy use area by grants from the National Fish and David McKeon Lauressa J. McNemar were constructed. This project, along Wildlife Foundation through the William James P. Nolan with two previously completed projects Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Michael E. Riska John Rush downstream, will protect nearly one Watershed Initiative. Additional support Jerry Schneider mile of the Red Clay Creek. for the Red Clay project came from Peter Temple SUEZ Water, CSX Rail, Stroud DIRECTOR EMERITUS Water Research Center, Harry Alberts and the USDA. Carl J. Meister, Jr. David L. Myers Josephine C. Parman A. Duer Pierce Dr. Eva Verplanck through 1986 and was Delaware’s first EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CEO James E. Jordan, Jr. and only fly fishing stream for several years. Stocking was discontinued after RED CLAY 1986 due to fish tissue contamination. RED CLAY CREEK BRC has worked diligently for the past VALLEY several years to have Red Clay stocked CLEAN UP TO BECOME A with trout for a put and take fishery, Save the Date! More than 800 DESIGNATED our efforts included stocking trout on volunteers will be needed on March 24, TROUT STREAM an experimental basis, with follow-up 2018 to clean up more than 90 miles electro shock fish recovery and tissue of stream and roadway for the Annual Red Clay Valley Clean Up. Please stay The state of Delaware, DNREC has analysis by a certified laboratory. designated the Red Clay Creek as tuned to our website and FB page for BRC applauds Delaware’s decision and sign-up information. a trout stream and will be stocking is currently in communication with trout in the Red Clay this Spring, on the state officials and hopes to assist a limited basis; the designated trout and enhance their efforts. Please visit stream will be from DE/PA state line our website or the DNREC, Division to the bridge at Benge Road. This of Fish & Wildlife website for updated same stretch of the Red Clay was a trout stream in Delaware from 1971 information, as it becomes available. 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA 19382 | 610.793.1090 [email protected] | brandywineredclay.org | 1 Carol Buckley was EDUCATION AWARDS named as BRC’s Michael Replogle, an Earth & Space and AP Environmental Environmental Science at Kennett High School was awarded BRC’s 2017 Instructor of the Year. science teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Rep’s passion for A naturalist at heart interweaving science and real-world experiences into the and former “lab rat” curriculum are clear indicators of his desire for his students to she brings broad scope be successful lifelong learners and stewards of the environment. of knowledge to her teaching. BRC Education Coordinator Julia Steiner and Environmental Instructor of the Year award recipient Carol Buckley Fall has come and gone, but not without gracing us with beautiful weather for hands-on learning at the Myrick Conservation Center’s Pond. Sign up for one of our standards- Awardee Michael Replogle, BRC Education Coordinator Julia aligned school programs Steiner and Kennett High School Principal Jeremy Hritz today! NEW MEMBERS AS OF 12/31/17 Ms. Karen Allen Mr. John Cornwell Ms. Mary Griffin Ms. Maricia Snavely Mr. and Mrs. Todd Ballantyne Mr. & Mrs. Edward Cunius Ms. Lori Kier Mr. and Mrs. Martin Strommer Mr. Erich Bollman Mr. Brent du Pont Ms. Julia Lacy Ms. Isabelle Trombetta Ms. Melissa Brady Ms. Linda Ennis Mr. Eric Matuszak Jim and Amy White Ms. Meredith Burns Ms. Ellen Ferretti Clifford Frasch and Brenda Reis Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young Mr. and Mrs. Nate Chapman Diane and Bill Goad Ms. Katherine Rigo Mr. Justin Collela Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Grafton Ms. Rachel Roberts Volunteer Work Day WE Couldn’t DO IT WITHOUT YOU! On Sept. 30 more than 100 volunteers gathered at BRC’s Myrick Conservation Center property for our Annual Volunteer Work Day. Projects completed included: tree and invasive 2removal, | Browning Barn clean-up, restoration of the Lenape Village and Team Challenge areas, putting the vegetable garden to bed for the winter and road clean-up. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who took the time out of their busy Fall schedules to help us keep the property well maintained for all visitors. 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA 19382 SPRING 2018 MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS BOOKS AND BOOTS NIGHT HIKE 10:00-11:30am 7:30-9:00pm March 26 February 15, March 8, April 12 All ages For Children 3-5 years old Experience the magic of BRC’s property after dark! Hike to our pond Books come to life at the Myrick Conservation Center as Potter and listen for the frogs and see how many species you can identify. the Otter reads a book to inspire. The story continues with an on- Look to the skies for our winged friends and see how many you theme craft and a real-life outdoor adventure. Please register by the can count. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy, weather proof shoes Wednesday before class. Please remember to dress for the weather! suitable for uneven trails. Members: $6 / Non-members: $8 Member: $5 / Non-member: $8 *register for all four programs and get the fourth one free! SPRING CRAFT NIGHT WILDLIFE OF THE 5:30-7:30pm April 17 BRANDYWINE AND Ages 7 & up RED CLAY VALLEYS Join us in making some fun Spring crafts! Go on a hike to gather your materials and get inspiration from our 318-acre property. Let your Wednesday, January 24 7:00-8:30pm imagination run wild while you create crafts from natural and recycled Join us for a photographic tour of the abundant and diverse items. wildlife found in the Brandywine and Red Clay Valleys, as nature Member: $3 / Non-member: $5 photographer Derek Stoner presents a showcase of the unique animals that call this region their home. From the tiny Ruby- throated Hummingbird to the migrating Monarch Butterflies and Water QualitY SEMINAR regal Red Foxes, there are many amazing creatures that depend 11:00-12:30pm April 21 upon the conservation efforts and healthy habitats in this region. All ages Take a journey through the seasons as we experience an array of Ever wonder what is in your water? Join BRC’s Education Coordinator, photographs, audio recordings, and taxidermy specimens of our Stephanie Bernasconi, and learn about what makes water healthy and native wildlife. how you can improve the water that surrounds you. Member: $8 / Non-member: $10 Member: $5 / Non-member: $8 WINTER HIKE 10:00-11:00pm January 28 BIRDING WITH THE WEST CHESTER Take what you learned from Derek Stoner’s lecture and see it in real UNIVERSITY BIRDING Club life! Hike our 318-acre property and see what organisms you can find. Members: $3 / Non-members: $5 8:00-10:00am May 5 All ages FISHING THE BRANDYWINE, Join associate professor Dr. Josh Auld and the rest of West Chester A tale OF THREE RIVERS University’s Birding Club as you learn how to identify local birds. Hike through our many “mini-environments” and see how many birds you 6:30-8:00pm March 7 can find. This presentation will look at the Fly Fishing opportunities of one of southeastern Pennsylvania’s best rivers, the historical Brandywine. A cold-water trout fishery at the top, a blue-ribbon smallmouth bass river through the middle and tidal water at the bottom, the OUTDOOR YOGA Brandywine has it all. We will discuss gear, techniques, tactics and 4:30-6:30pm May 9 places to go during this hour-long presentation. Whether you have Ages 10 & up fished the “bwine” for years or are just starting out there is something Celebrate the end of the day with a truly organic experience. Every in this presentation for you. level welcomed for this two-hour outdoor yoga class. Bring a mat, Member: $10 / Non-member: $15 water bottle and comfortable clothing. You will surely leave feeling refreshed and heathy. YOGA & WOODS WALK Member: $5 / Non-member: $8 4:30-6:30pm March 20 Ages 10 & up Join us at our property and embrace the peaceful surroundings by Pre-Registration required for all programs practicing yoga among the trees.