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1. Tomlinson to Give Presentation on Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan at TU Chapter #688’s Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5
2. Register Now for The Know Before You Go and The Quadrantids Meteor Shower Virtual Programs Being Held This Friday, Jan. 1 and for The How to Choose and Use A Telescope Virtual Program on Friday, Jan. 8

Diane Eaton
dianetn@ptd.net
(570) 724-3800

TOMLINSON TO GIVE PRESENTATION ON PENNSYLVANIA’S CHESAPEAKE BAY PHASE 3 WATERSHED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AT TU CHAPTER #688’S ZOOM MEETING ON TUESDAY, JAN. 5

At 6:30 p.m., this coming Tuesday, January 5, Trout Unlimited Tiadaghton Chapter #688 based in Wellsboro is meeting via Zoom. Officers, members and the public are invited to attend by going to the Zoom website, clicking on “join meeting” and enter the following numbers 8387661706. The password is “white”.

This Zoom meeting will open with a fly tying demonstration by TU member Dave Cahill, followed by a presentation by Tioga County Conservation District Manager Erica Tomlinson. She will share information about Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase 3 WIP) created to reduce three types of pollutants, including soil from excessive erosion and nitrogen and phosphorus from too much fertilizer use along more than 12,000 miles of streams in Pennsylvania through 43 counties, including Tioga.

Phase 3 WIP specifies the steps Pennsylvania is taking through 2025 to meet local water pollution reduction goals. State agencies, led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), are working with interested parties in the counties whose local waters run into the Chesapeake Bay to create Countywide Action Plans. These plans will outline how each county’s share of the state’s 2025 pollution reduction goals will be met.

Residents are working together to restore and protect streams and rivers in the Commonwealth’s part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed because they value what clean local waters mean for quality of life, including clean drinking water; food and beverage production by farmers; public health; less erosion and flooding, reducing the expense of related repairs; property value protection; outdoor experiences, such as fishing, boating and swimming; income from recreation and tourism businesses; and habitat for fish, insects, birds and animals.

The regular business meeting will follow.

For more information, call TU Chapter #688 President Jere White at (570) 662-2167 or email whitesgordonsetters@gmail.com.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO AND THE QUADRANTIDS METEOR SHOWER VIRTUAL PROGRAMS BEING HELD THIS FRIDAY, JAN. 1 AND FOR THE HOW TO CHOOSE AND USE A TELESCOPE VIRTUAL PROGRAM ON FRIDAY, JAN. 8

Want to walk, hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe or go sledding or ice fishing in state parks in Tioga or Potter counties or see breathtaking views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon or learn about the Quadrantids Meteor Shower or How to Choose and Use a Telescope?

Know Before You Go Virtual Programs are This Friday, Jan. 1

Find out about the variety of outdoor recreational opportunities offered in Tioga and Potter counties by registering now at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ for one or more of the four 15-minute Know Before You Go virtual programs being presented this Friday, Jan. 1 by Tim Morey, Hills Creek State Park Complex natural resource specialist. Those who register for any of the Know Before You Go virtual programs will receive a link to the online session(s) they choose. A download is not required.

The Know Before You Go virtual programs include:

• At 9 a.m., learn about viewing the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon at the overlook at Leonard Harrison State Park (4797 PA Route 660, Wellsboro, PA 16901); cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking or hiking on the Pine Creek Rail Trail and the vistas that can be seen on the Mt. Tom Trail, all near Wellsboro in Tioga County.
• At 10 a.m. find out what there is to do from trails to hike to ice fishing and sledding at Lyman Run State Park (454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, PA 16922). This park is 8.7 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and Lyman Run Road in Potter County.
• At 11 a.m. learn about trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking and hiking to where to ice fish and sled at Hills Creek State Park (111 Spillway Road, Wellsboro PA 16901) This park is seven miles northeast of Wellsboro in Charleston Township, Tioga County.
• At 3 p.m., find out what trails are available and viewing the night sky at Cherry Springs State Park (4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, Pa. 16915). This park is 12 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44 in Potter County.

During each of the 15-minute virtual Know Before You Go programs, Morey will talk about ice and snow depths, trail conditions and parking lot conditions and provide tips on how to enjoy the outdoors safely. He will also answer registrants’ questions.

“Since in-person programs have been cancelled as part of the state’s COVID-19 remediation efforts, my goal is to help people enjoy winter outdoor recreational activities on their own in Tioga and Potter counties,” said Morey.

Because the programs are virtual, they are NOT physically taking place at any of the sites listed. Registrants participate from their homes.

The Quadrantids Meteor Shower Virtual Program is This Friday, Jan. 1

At 3:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 1, a 30-minute virtual program on the Quadrantids Meteor Shower will be held. It will not take place at a park. Find out about meteors, how these “showers” are forecast and useful observing tips to watch from home or at a nearby park. This meteor shower will peak sometime after dusk this Saturday, Jan. 2; between 2 a.m. and dawn on Sunday morning, Jan. 3 and after dusk Sunday night. At its peak, the shower is expected to produce around 120 meteors per hour but the exact number depends on viewing conditions. Register at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ to receive a link to this program. A download is not required.

How to Choose and Use A Telescope Virtual Program is Friday, Jan. 8 at 12 p.m.

Being offered online at noon on Friday, Jan. 8 will be a 30-minute virtual program on How to Choose and Use A Telescope. This program is for those who have a telescope but are having a problem with it or need help to use it properly and for those who are Interested in purchasing a telescope and want to find out what to look for and what to avoid. There will be time for questions. Those who participate in this program and just bought a new telescope or are having trouble with their existing telescope can schedule a one-on-one virtual follow-up session. Register at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ to receive a link to this program. A download is not required.

Sign In 15 Minutes Before Virtual Program Start Time

It is recommended that registrants link into the virtual program(s) 15 minutes before the listed start time(s) as it can take longer to connect than expected depending on the type of computer or device they are using.

Groups, Classrooms Can Schedule Virtual Programs

The two 30-minute virtual programs are available by request for presentation to groups, such as scout groups or individual classrooms as scheduling permits.

FMI: For more information about these programs or how groups can schedule a presentation, email Morey at tmorey@pa.gov.