Our monthly meetings are open to the public (see sidebar for next meeting date and location) and our annual meeting in November features a speaker and advertised program. BSWA's 2010 annual meeting was held on November 9th at Green Ridge Village near Newville. This years keynote speaker was John Arway, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Mr. Arway spoke about the need for water quality in Pennsylvania and included points about the recently developing Marcellus Shale extraction efforts. Mr. Arway also talked about ways of receiving funding for the PFBC which is currently funded solely by fishing license sales. Charlie McGarrell, habitat improvement specialist with the PFBC also took the podium to give a broad outline of the recently completed joint habitat enhancement project on Big Spring. Following the talks the Watershed Association had its annual meeting which included Director elections for 2010. Following the presentation the annual election of Officers and Directors for 2010 took place. Elected BSWA Officers as follows: Keith Clinton - President, Bill Ferris - Secretary, Mark Spicka - Treasurer Elected Directors: Joe Dubiel, Bill Franz, Vern Gauthier, Todd Hurd, Tom Smithwick, Bob Miller, and Linda Watson

John Arway speaks to those gathered for the 2010 annual meeting.

On another front, this on October 31st approximately 30 volunteers arrived including local boy scouts, members of the Big Spring H.S. environmental club, local residents, BSWA members, and friends arrived at the Barrel Factory to clear the grounds (for more about its history, go to the Barrel Factory tab).


Springfield resident Mary Blakeslee organized the groups into work parties and Laszlo Bockh donated and manned the wood chipper. On hand were three chain saws and a number of pruners. Safety glasses and work gloves were provided by BSWA.

The work party cleared approximately a half an acre of ground from underlying shrubs and small crowded trees. The group was surprised to see the rock remains of numerous buildings on the property and how they were tiered on the steep ground. With plantings to be done this spring the grounds with the terraced effect should look spectacular. Mary donated and provided lunch to those able to stay afterward. Thank you to Mary, Laszlo, and all who donated their time and equipment to clear the ground. Another clean up may be done in the spring of 2010.

The Big Spring Watershed Association is also part of the PA Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Under this program, BSWA sponsors twice yearly cleanups along the beautiful Big Spring. We are always looking for volunteers to help us in our efforts. In BSWA’s Last clean up day: A rainy Saturday, 17 October.Collected 11 bags of trash. Thanks to all who came out to participate and especially to Rick Yocum for helping/driving and the West Pennsboro Twp. for loan of their truck for the event.

Next Clean Up Day: Saturday, 8 October with same meeting times and place, etc.Check back to this site for more information or contact Linda.

Some of the volunteers for the October 08 Big Spring cleanup were (left to right): Ted Watson of the Big Spring Watershed Association, Professor Tim Wahls, and students David London, Carrie Evans and Jasmine Ford of Dickinson College.