Free compost bins

PIKE COUNTY — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Penn State Cooperative Extension are teaming up to offer free back yard composting bins and six composting workshops to Pike County residents.

Each person who pre-registers for a workshop and attends will receive a free composting bin (one per family), as long as supplies last.

This cooperative effort is an opportunity for residents to learn about nature’s own way of recycling. Plus, composting at home is something everyone can do to help reduce the amount of waste going to a landfill.

The workshops, sponsored by the Penn State Master Gardeners, are scheduled for:

• Wednesday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Lackawaxen Fire Hall
• Saturday, April 28, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Greentown Township Building
• Wednesday, May 2, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Pike County Office on Aging, Blooming Grove
• Wednesday, May 9, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Bushkill American Legion
• Monday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Dingman’s Firehall, Log Tavern Road
• Thursday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Westfall Fire House

All workshops are handicapped accessible. For specific accommodations, call in advance.

Pre-registration is required by calling 570/296-3400, e-mailing pikeext@psu.edu or faxing 570/296-3406.

Fishing derby

MILFORD —The Pike County Commissioners and the Pike Recreation Department will hold the fifth annual Fishing Derby for children under 16 years of age on Saturday, April 21, at the Pike County Park, located off Route 6 on Schocopee Road. An adult must accompany all participants. Pennsylvania fishing rules and regulations apply.

Hours for the event will be 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. Participants arriving between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. can help stock Lily Pond with fish. The event is free. Loaner rods are available while supplies last.

Sponsors include Wal-Mart, Blooming Grove Hunting & Fishing Club, Lone Pine Hunting Club, McDonald’s of Matamoras, Pecks Pond Rentals Inc./Store, Pike County Outfitters, Sportsmen’s Rendezvous, Schmidt Construction of Greeley, The Durados/Maui-Maui Records, The Wildlife Preserve Club and White Water Willies.

For more information or to reserve a rod call 570/296-3400.

Take a snapshot of your watershed

REGION — The Shohola Watershed Conservancy (SWC) along with the Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) will participate in Pike County’s Watershed Snapshot 2001 on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 2:00 p.m., at the Shohola Falls picnic area, located approximately four miles east of the Routes 6 and 434 intersection, on Route 6.

The National Park Service (NPS) will also participate in Water Snapshot 2001. Water samples will be collected throughout the Delaware River basin from the headwaters to the Delaware Bay. The test results will be consolidated into an annual Water Snapshot report.

Water Snapshot 2001 provides an opportunity for people of all ages and all experience levels to collect water samples. The water quality data collected will be used to help create an awareness of the “health” of local watersheds and to foster an understanding of the valuable role watersheds play.

On April 22, volunteer members of the SWC will introduce participants to methods of water quality assessment and provide information to those who are interested in completing their own snapshot.

The original vision behind Water Snapshot was to draw attention to the water quality monitoring work done by volunteers and to encourage more people to participate in the effort. As part of Water Snapshot 2001 the NPS, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is reaching out to local schools by providing programs and helping students understand the importance of water sampling. Rangers from the Interpretive and Resource Management Divisions will visit sixth grade classrooms at Sullivan West Central School District’s Delaware Valley and Narrowsburg campuses in New York, and Wayne Highlands School District’s Damascus Elementary School in Pennsylvania. The visits will be geared towards teaching students the importance and value of local watersheds and water conservation. After the classroom visits, students will visit a section of the Delaware River near their school and do hands-on water quality sampling.

For more information about the Shohola Falls snapshot project call Sally Jones at the PCCD at 570/226-8220 or e-mail pikecd@ptd.net. For information about the SWC call Joe Zenes at 570/685-2835.

Volunteers to clean up D & H Canal

BEACH LAKE — Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Acting Superintendent Sandra S. Schultz announced the schedule for the fourth annual D & H Canal clean up. On Friday, April 27, volunteers will clear brush and extend the path of wood chips along the historic canal.

The Towpath Trail at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is being developed along the bank of the Delaware River, over the route of the former Delaware and Hudson Canal towpath built in 1828. The trail extends under the former Delaware Aqueduct, completed in 1848, which is now known as the Roebling Bridge and connects Lackawaxen, PA, and Minisink Ford, Town of Highland, NY. This year’s project will build upon previous accomplishments to improve the towpath trail and the area around the Roebling Bridge.

Project co-sponsors include the New York State Department of Transportation, Town of Highland, Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance, the Friends of the Roebling Bridge and members of the Upper Delaware Council. The project celebrates National Park Week, National Volunteer Week and April in Pike County.

Volunteers are advised to wear appropriate clothing for working with brush and briars, sturdy shoes and gloves, a hat, long sleeves and long pants instead of shorts. Bring your own clippers or favorite hand tool for yard work. Bring the sunscreen and insect repellant you are accustomed to using. Watch for emerging poison ivy. Refreshments and lunch will be provided, and volunteers will receive a certificate recognizing their contribution. Cleanup volunteers will also receive a coupon for a free tour of the Zane Grey Museum.

The public is invited to participate in the clean up or to help with other National Park Service projects. For more information or to sign up call 570/729-8251.

Invasion of the loosestrife

HONESDALE — Many residents and tourists may have seen the beautiful purple fields of loosestrife in the area. Loosestrife, one example of an invasive plant, has taken over many habitats, crowding out the natural plant life.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society will host a program about INvasive plants on Thursday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m., in the meeting room at the Honesdale Chamber of Commerce building. Instructor David T. Messersmith, a Penn State Cooperative Extension agent, will discuss invasive plants threatening northeastern Pennsylvania, the characteristics that make a plant invasive and the impact on natural areas.

For information or directions call Bob Campbell at 570/676-9969.

Valuing Pennsylvania’s water resources

MILFORD — In Pike County, water out of the faucet is almost always safe to drink. However, many people around the world don’t have that luxury. A new Penn State Cooperative Extension publication, “Valuing Pennsylvania’s Water Resources,” is designed to educate members of watershed groups, public officials, business people, water supply managers and interested citizens about the many uses of water and the value of these uses and services to individuals and society.

The publication begins with an overview of national and Pennsylvania water resources and a discussion of how these resources are managed. A second section discusses ways that water is valued and why the price of water is low relative to its value in different functions and uses. Other information pertains to water quantity issues including drought, flood and global water concerns.

For a copy of “Valuing Pennsylvania Water Resources” contact the Pike County Cooperative Extension office by phone at 570/296-3400, by fax at 570/296-3406 or by e-mail at PikeExt@psu.edu.