Nestled into the western side of Laurel Hill in Southwest, PA’s Laurel Highlands, sits Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s (WPC) Bear Run Nature Reserve. Visitors enjoy hunting, fishing, backcountry camping, and over 25 miles of hiking trails. Tulip tree, red maple, chestnut oak, American beech, sugar maple, black cherry, and at least 494 other species of plants call Bear Run Reserve home. Likewise, black bear, fisher, bobcat and more than 53 bird species live at Bear Run. With 5,100 acres of land and water carefully managed for the diversity of the region’s native plants, animals and their ecosystems, Bear Run Reserve is, “integral to biodiversity conservation in the Laurel Highlands and the mid-Appalachian region.”1
Andy Zadnik, WPC’s Director of Land Stewardship, oversees PMSC AmeriCorps member Zachary Zelazny who provides a “regular stewardship presence” on the reserve, reports Zadnik,–maintaining trails, helping to “facilitate access and education for visitors,” coordinating volunteers, and serving to bring out the very best of Bear Run. Mr. Zadnik argues that, “people can’t experience this place if they can’t access it,” which is why Zack’s service at the Reserve is “crucial” to meeting WPC’s goal of creating “as close to a natural ecosystem as possible,” while still allowing for “low impact visitors,” to experience the majesty of Bear Run.2
As visitors hike the trails at Bear Run this Spring, they will likely notice lots of deciduous saplings popping up along the way. Zelazny reports, “It’s a good sign…. that means it is a healthy forest.” The team is managing Bear Run for a mature forest– working to create a “more diverse forest” and “controlling the system for native species.” Using GIS to track data points, Zack spends many of his days servicing trails and collecting maintenance points along the trails for the benefit of the entire Land Stewardship team. The data can then be utilized for volunteer work days, large scale management plans, and ultimately towards more complete ecosystem restoration. Zadnik claims that Zelazny provides the literal “boots on the ground” at Bear Run Nature Reserve– stewarding the land for the benefit of the land itself and for the people who enjoy it as “their favorite place.”2
With passionate stewards like Zachary Zelazny caring for plants, animals, waterways, and trails across Southwestern and Southcentral, PA, PMSC AmeriCorps members continue getting things done to preserve and protect the “very special places” across the region– bringing out the very best of PA and of America.2
Sources: 1 waterlandlife.org; 2 interview with Andy Zadnik and Zachary Zelazny, Thursday, 3/16/23
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