Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Pennsylvania on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Pennsylvania
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last updated: April 2022

The Partners Program in Pennsylvania is administered from the Pennsylvania Field Office in State College, Pennsylvania. The Partners program in Pennsylvania was one of the leading programs in the nation in designing and implementing streambank fencing and wetland restoration projects. Projects are focused in areas where conservation efforts will provide the greatest benefit for federal trust species, which include: migratory birds, anadromous fish, and Federally-listed threatened and endangered species.

Wetland Restoration
The Partners Program in Pennsylvania focuses on wetland restoration because of their importance to migratory birds. Wetland restoration techniques focus on returning hydrology to formerly drained wetlands by removing or disabling field drainage tiles and plugging drainage ditches.

Grassland Improvements
Grasslands are an essential component of nesting habitat for many species of neotropical migratory birds. The Partners Program has cooperated with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and California University of Pennsylvania to promote the use of native grasses in agricultural programs, including rotational grazing systems. Other grassland management techniques include mowing, burning, planting both warm-season and cool-season grasses, and removing invasive plant species.

Stream and Riparian Area Rejuvenation
Streams and riparian (streamside) areas support fish, mussels, amphibians and serve as corridors that connect diverse fish and wildlife communities. Many Pennsylvania streams have been straightened, channelized and/or eroded and “armored” with stone or other man-made materials.

Invasive Plant Species Control
Invasive plant species are a major threat to fish and wildlife populations. Invasive, exotic plants reduce native plant diversity and degrade fish and wildlife habitats. The Partners Program assists private landowners to control invasive plant species and restore native species. The Partners Program has worked to reduce multi-flora rose invasions and improve fields for grassland nesting birds.

Development of Outdoor Classrooms and Outreach Programs
The Partners Program works with schools and nature centers throughout Pennsylvania to restore wetlands, grasslands, and wildlife habitats that are used as living classrooms with environmental educational programs. In addition, Partners Program staff present educational programs about the fish and wildlife to school children and others using these outdoor classrooms.

Improving Habitat for Species of Special Concern
The Partners Program is working to protect bog turtle habitat through our streambank fencing program. We are working to reestablish native grassland areas to provide habitat for the regal fritillary butterfly, a species in serious decline. Partners Program projects not only benefit federally listed species, but many State listed species as well. These include sedge wrens, American bitterns, shorteared owls, least bitterns, osprey, and eastern massasauga (rattlesnake).

Farming for Wildlife and Profit
The Partners Program recognizes the value of agricultural lands to wildlife and works with agricultural producers to keep farms both economically and biologically productive. The Partners Program also improves the effectiveness of the conservation provisions of the USDA Farm Bill by providing the technical expertise. We evaluate projects for fish and wildlife benefits and demonstrate and recommend management and restoration techniques.

Farmland Habitat Program
The program works to restore habitat for wildlife on agricultural and other lands by constructing streambank fencing, stream crossings, wetlands, grasslands, and border-edge cuts. We work with landowners to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, to restore degraded wetlands and stream vegetation, and to restore native grassland and wildflower habitat. The practices in turn benefit the landowners by improving livestock health, water quality, and forage.

Contact Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Pennsylvania

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Pennsylvania is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.