Growing Native Plant Program Due Expansion in Centre County

The ClearWater Conservancy, the Morris K. Udall Foundation and the Penn State Center for Sustainability have begun building a facility for growing native riparian plants.

The Growing Native Program, started by the Conservancy earlier this year, is propogating twelve ecologically important riparian species from cuttings taken from natural stands in or near the Spring Creek Watershed.

Species include several native dogwoods and viburnums, as well as ninebark, black currant, and wild hydrangea. Cuttings were propagated by high school students in the Agricultural Science Program of the State College Area High School and the Horticulture and Landscape Program of the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology.

Penn State Center for Sustainability has donated space for a growing facility because the program is related to its efforts to improve water quality in the Spring Creek Watershed.

The mission of Center is to integrate education, research, and outreach on issues of sustainability through innovative, interdisciplinary projects, facilities, and hands-on learning opportunities. Focus areas of the Center include green design architecture and engineering, natural wastewater treatment, hybrid energy systems, engineering education and food security.

Thirteen past Udall scholars are helping to building the facility as part of their tour the country learning about environmental issues faced by different regions.

The Udall Foundation awards 80 scholarships per year to outstanding college undergraduates who will be future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also has particular interest in supporting students poised to tackle issues affecting Native American communities.

For more information, visit the ClearWater Conservancy webpage or the Morris K. Udall Foundation


6/22/2007

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