NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Alaron Conservancy has received the Conservation Business of the Year award from the Lawrence County Conservation District.
Alaron is an industrial facility near Wampum, Pa., along the Beaver River corridor. Company president Joe Haverson decided to create a conservancy and nature trail as an ecological attraction to 8 acres of property that are adjacent to the business.
Mike Miller, Alaron’s special projects manager, was in charge of making this happen.
Today, there is a half-mile walking trail through the woodlands. It has educational signs, foot bridges, benches and tree identification tags. Invasive plant species were removed while the trail was being constructed.
Alaron has also planted 350 trees on site and the company has partnered with other organizations to improve Davidson’s Creek, which is affected by abandoned mine drainage. One the stream is restored, Alaron will introduce native aquatic and amphibious species to the watershed.
Alaron Conservancy and Miller were recognized at the Lawrence County Conservation District’s annual awards lunch Jan. 8.
Rainfall monitors
The district also honored its 2008 volunteer rainfall monitors at the lunch. Since 2002, the district has collected daily rainfall recordings from 11 stations throughout the county. Each station is monitored by a volunteer.
Those who volunteered in 2008 were Charles Barth of Enon Valley, Tim Sturgeon of Fombell, Betsy Mancino of New Castle, Ernest Rodgers of New Castle, Clarence Harms of New Wilmington, Richard Voytko of New Castle, Stanley Walczak of New Castle, Donald Cramer of Portersville, Henry Karki of New Castle, Ron Tracy of Volant and John Gebhart of New Castle.
FFA speakers
Members of the Lawrence County FFA chapters were featured speakers at the lunch. Wilmington FFA gave a presentation on making homemade ice cream, Laurel FFA presented information on farm safety and Mohawk FFA taught the audience how to make apple butter.
