Manada Conservancy

A huge thank you to the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA), Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. - HRG, and the incredible volunteers who joined us at Clawson Van DeHei Preserve this past Monday!

In partnership with the PWEA and HRG, more than 40 volunteers came together to help restore and enhance this special property by planting over 600 native plants. Additionally, these volunteers helped prepare the ground to install permanent signage that will educate the public on the ecological and historical significance of the preserve. The native plants added will provide valuable habitat for pollinators and wildlife while supporting the long-term health of the area.

Conservation is a community effort, and we're grateful for the dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm everyone brought to the project. Together, we're creating a healthier landscape for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you, PWEA, HRG, and the volunteers for making such a meaningful impact!

☀️ School’s out and summer adventures are just beginning! 🌿📚

Celebrate the first week of summer with a trip to Manada Conservancy’s StoryWalk® at East Hanover Township Park and Recreation - Dauphin County, PA the perfect way to enjoy the sunshine, stretch your legs, and share a story together outdoors. 📖🥾

Don’t forget to grab one of our FREE adventure backpacks from Dauphin County Library System before you head out! Packed with fun activities and tools for exploring nature, they’re a great way to keep kids curious and engaged all summer long. 🌼🦋

Make memories, explore the trails, and start summer off with a little fresh air and imagination! 💚

World Environment Day is a reminder that conservation protects more than land. It protects water, wildlife, agriculture, and the places that connect communities to nature.

🪵❓ Who made these holes?

These distinctive rectangular holes are the work of a Pileated Woodpecker!

About the size of a crow, these birds use their powerful bills to excavate dead trees and fallen logs in search of carpenter ants and other insects. Their excavations can be so extensive that smaller trees sometimes break apart! But these holes also help other wildlife by creating shelter opportunities for species like owls, ducks, bats, and swifts. 🦉🦇

📚 Facts sourced from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds guide: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/overview

👀 Any guesses what made these tracks? 🐾

If you said black bear… you might be right.

Pennsylvania is home to thousands of black bears, and summer is an active season for them as they search for food, explore territory, and avoid the heat. While seeing signs of wildlife can be exciting, it’s important to know how to stay safe if you encounter a bear outdoors.

🐻 Bear safety reminders:
• Give bears plenty of space and never approach them
• Stay calm and slowly back away if you see one
• Make yourself look big and speak in a calm, firm voice
• Never feed bears or leave food/trash behind
• Keep campsites and hiking areas clean

Experts note that black bears are generally shy and usually avoid people when given the chance. Most encounters end peacefully when humans respect their space.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation: https://paparksandforests.org/black-bears-summer-encounters-when-adventuring-outdoors/

Photo: Rich Zaino

Today we’re recognizing Pennsylvania Native Species Day 🌿

Native plants and wildlife play an important role in keeping our local ecosystems healthy and thriving. From supporting pollinators to improving habitats and waterways, protecting native species benefits us all.

Looking for ways to participate or learn more? Explore events and resources happening across the state here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/about-pda/boards-commissions/governors-invasive-species-council/pennsylvania-native-species-day

We’re excited to partner with Brownstone for next month’s Second Sunday Community Series 💚 Hope to see you there!

Join us for the Second Sunday Community Class series at Brownstone — monthly gatherings blending movement, creativity, and community to support local nonprofits. Next up: Sunday, June 14 at 10:30 AM — All Levels Clinical Somatics with Adrienne, benefiting Manada Conservancy. Come slow down, release tension, and reconnect with your body.

Bring a friend and give back together. Learn more and reserve your spot: https://wix.to/pOVckcQ

🌿📚 Come check out our new StoryWalk® at East Hanover Township Park and Recreation - Dauphin County, PA!

This self-guided experience combines reading and nature by placing pages of a children’s book along a walking path, perfect for kids and caregivers to enjoy together at their own pace. The current featured story is Backyard Critters and Creatures by Cheryl Johnson, a fun and engaging look at the animals you might spot right in your own backyard.

Stop by, take a walk, and see what you discover along the way!

Did you see that? 👀🦎

Watch closely… this tiny creature moved FAST through the leaves.

Any guesses what it is?