Vertebrate Biology Class Participates in Nature Conservancy Study

Students in Dr. David Broussard’s Vertebrate Biology class traveled to the Nature Conservancy West Branch Wilderness Preserve in Clinton County near Hyner View State Park for a weekend field course September 21-23. Students and faculty from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as staff from the Conservancy, also participated.

At the Conservancy, students had the opportunity to observe techniques that are being used to study and protect wildlife. Students also gained experience in radio telemetry, small mammal live-trapping, bird watching, and the capture and release of reptiles and amphibians used for observation.

The group of 35 participants learned about the efforts the Conservancy is making as part of the “Pennsylvania Old Growth Restoration Project.” This estimated four-to-five year project includes numerous ways in which the Conservancy is working to return Pennsylvania state forests to better, more natural conditions classified as “old growth.”

In addition to the first-hand look at the various ways in which the Conservancy protects the forest and its inhabitants, the students were able to experience the positive impact a non-profit organization can make. Over the next couple of years, Dr. Broussard will be observing small mammal populations and Dr. Jeff Larkin, of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, will be monitoring the songbird population. The results of their studies will be presented to the Conservancy to aid in its current efforts to restore and protect wildlife.

Aquatic Biology Class Kayaks the Susquehanna River

Dr. Mel Zimmerman’s Aquatic Biology class took a kayak trip along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River on September 13. Fifteen Lycoming College students traveled by land and water over eight miles of undeveloped territory between Montoursville and Muncy, known as the “Jewel of the West Branch.” The trip was organized by Canoe Susquehanna Outfitters of Lewisburg.

As part of their field work, students conducted water tests, river ecology observations, and logged historical perspectives. The water testing results were recorded in the water quality database for the lower West Branch, which is maintained by the College’s Clean Water Institute. In addition, students collected fresh water mussels and benthic macroinvertebrates. They also found remnants of a pre-colonial eel fish trap, which was used prior to the construction of the large hydroelectric dams in the river that now inhibits the eels’ migration to the ocean.