A Comprehensive Guide to the Grounds

TRAILS AND TREESENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

Table of Contents

Nestled on a Hilltop Pg. 1Geothermal Energy Pg. 4Solar Energy Pg. 5Wind Energy Pg. 7The Sundials Pg. 8Composting Pg. 8The Native Garden Pg. 10The Butterfly Garden Pg. 10The Bird Feeders Pg. 10The Bird Blind Pg. 11Watershed Education Pg. 11The Vernal Pool Pg. 11The Natural Springs Pg. 12The Dam Pg. 12

1

Nestled on a Hilltop Ed Charles, AuthorJake Kurtz, Editing & Photography

Nestled on a hilltop at 635 feet above sea level, 1/2 mile north of the village of Shepherdstown,

2 miles south of the Borough of Mechanicsburg, and approximately in the center of Upper Allen Township is a very special place called “Trails and Trees Environmental Center.” What makes it such a special place? Its Location:

Trails and Trees Environmental Center is located at 40o 10' 39'' north and 76o 59' 29'' west, which is in the northeastern portion of Cumberland County. From the center’s hilltop, one can see four counties, and five of Pennsylvania physiographic provinces: the Appalachian Mountains, South Mountain, the Great Valley, the Piedmont, and the Gettysburg Lowlands.

On a clear day, one can view all the way to the Blue Mountain Tunnel on the PA Turnpike, Boiling Springs (which houses the largest freshwater spring in Pennsylvania), and the trail that Olympiad Jim Thorpe ran as he journeyed from the Carlisle Indian School to Harrisburg’s City Island to compete in a football game. After he played, Thorpe turned around and ran back to Carlisle.

The topography of the center is slightly rolled with one steep ravine. The ravine has a 15-30% grade and contains an intermittent stream flowing in a northwest direction. The elevation ranges from 635 feet above sea level at the hill summit to 520 feet at the lowest part of the ravine. Most of the soil of the area is made up of Bedington shale silt loam with a 3-8% slope.

The sediments on the site were deposited during the Ordovician period (425-475 million years ago) in ocean water. It was folded and faulted during the Appalachian period and consists of dark gray slate with minor sandstone and limestone (Martinburg Formation). Many large rocks made up of white quartz can be seen along the trails throughout the Center.

The Great Valley, throughout time, has always been teaming with interesting places, features, activities and people. Its rich history is worth further investigation. The Property and its Contents: The approximate 26 acres upon which Trails and Trees is currently located was used for mixed farming from the 1850’s to 1998 as pastures, corn fields, and orchards. The ravine itself has remained in the forest the entire time. In 1998 the apple orchards were removed to make way for the Mechanicsburg Middle School. Past Upper Allen Elementary teacher, Ed Charles, recalls taking his

2

third grade class to the apple orchard every “Dental Health Day” to pick and eat the big, red apples. He also remembers receiving a few migrant workers' children in his class every year for about three weeks during apple harvest time while their parents worked.

The farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings, all of which sit on the 26 acres, were acquired from the owner, Xenia Miller, when the state claimed the property by eminent domain in 1973. The school district and the state each paid $65,000 to Miller with a few stipulations. One being that the property had to be continuously used for educational purposes. Additionally, she requested to remain living on the property until she felt the desire to move away.

The farmhouse on the lot is a pre-Civil War farmhouse built in 1855. It was owned and inhabited by J. Miller at the time it was built. The most recent inhabitant of the house was Martha Hunter, who resided there from the 1950s until 2002.

The second floor of the farmhouse has three bedrooms which, at present, are used to store environmental educational materials. The first floor, after remodeling, consists of half bath, a dining/living room with a brick-closed fireplace, winter kitchen and two short hallways. In addition, there is a full primitive basement used for storage and an attic.

One not-so-well-known fact is that the bricks used in construction of the house were made on-site. The original window glass was handmade in Philadelphia, making it the most expensive component of the structure.

At the time of purchase, there was no running water. In fact, a 75 foot hand-dug well supplied water for the house. As a picture hanging in the farmhouse shows, until the late ‘70s there were several outbuildings. Moreover, a barn once stood on the property until demolished by a severe windstorm in the 1950s. There was also a wooden milk shed with a concrete floor and a chicken coop until removed by Boy Scouts in the late ‘70s. In the past, a large brick summer kitchen and an outhouse on the site once stood.

The large meadow that overlooks South York Street includes 34 "heritage trees" as of 2012. These trees were purchased by the school district under the supervision of Ed Charles. The seedlings each came from various famous or historic locations in the United States. For example, there is tulip poplar taken from the historic location of Mount Vernon, a black locust tree from Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, and even a sycamore tree that was planted from seeds that went to the moon and back on an Apollo space craft. The center has planted more than 75 different species of trees. There are oak trees on the property that date back to more than 200 years ago. One oak dates back to the time before our nation was founded. The trees are planted to approximate the locations of the 30 largest cities and their historical events on a 600 foot map of the United States.

The actual environmental center was established shortly after the first “Earth Day” in 1970. The Ecology Club, advised by Allen Houser and Ed Charles, at the Simpson Street School collected aluminum

3

and tin cans for recycling. An area was needed to store the cans, and permission was granted by the school district to use the site, which became the environmental center.

A district-wide contest was held to name the location with several interesting entries. Karen Hamilton, while attending Shepherdstown Elementary School, named the Trails and Trees Environmental Center. The name was sent to school board for final approval in 1989.

The pavilion was built in 2000, and is coordinated in looks with the classroom building; designed to blend in with its natural setting. Two-thirds of the structure is reserved as teaching space with large wooden picnic tables that seat 6-10 students. Electric outlets in the columns and a large whiteboard give quality to the pavilion. The remaining third of the pavilion is a storage area that holds the necessities of such a diverse facility.

About 10 feet behind the northeast corner of the pavilion is a compost teaching area. There is an ever increasing variety of active compost containers used to

educate students and the general public about the process of biodegradation.

Five trails enter the woods from along the tree line, all of which lead to the stream at the bottom of the ravine. If you walk east on any one of the trails from the ravine, you end up at the Middle School. If you walk west, you will come out at the pavilion/farmhouse. Several miles of trails and four teaching stations were constructed by 25 different Boy Scouts as their projects to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

About 50 feet behind the northeast corner of the pavilion is a bird blind. This blind has been built and refurbished over the years by several organizations, Eagle Scouts, and district employees alike.

During the construction of the Middle School, two springs were buried. However, at the bottom of the ravine, halfway through the wooded area, lies Down Run. Down Run is a small stream fed originally by four springs. The stream flows under West Winding Hill Road, through the pasture land, cemetery, and into a sinkhole just before the PA Turnpike. Underground, it becomes part of the headwaters for Cedar Run Creek. This creek runs through industrial areas and eventually empties into the Yellow Breeches Creek behind Rolling Garden Cemetery located in Lower Allen Township. The Yellow Breeches enters the Susquehanna River in New Cumberland, and the river drains into the Chesapeake Bay.

The newest building (started in 2010), contains two flexible classroom spaces, a shared kitchen that will also serve as a preparation room for experiments, a couple large storage rooms and two restrooms. The building also provides a home to the administrative offices of Mechanicsburg Area Parks and Recreation. The building’s capacity is 60 students and up to four staff members in the office suite. This 5,434 square foot building, like many of the other modern structures on the site and remolded farmhouse, are compliments of the hard work and generous donations provided by the local non-profit organization: The Wildcat Foundation. The environmental classroom is powered by solar panels, a geothermal heat pump, and a windmill; and is connected to the Upper Allen sewage facility.

4

Surrounding the new classroom building and the pavilion are specialty native plant gardens, educational gardens, swales, and rain barrels. The 55 gallon, recycled apple juice concentrate containers have been adapted to collecting/storing/and slowly dispersing rainwater by drip-hose to the surrounding vegetation. In certain key collection points to hold more water from a larger roof-surface area two barrels, which can hold around 110 gallons, are linked together to serve more plants.

Thanks to the construction requirements for the new classroom building, Trails and Trees has one medium-sized vernal pool. It is located at the lowest end of the swale. The vernal pool is used as an educational tool to teach the value and threat to this little-known, quickly disappearing, extremely valuable natural phenomenon.

As of 2012, there is an area in the lower part of the meadow that has been left to fallow into various grass lengths in attempt to create an additional habitat for the site's insects, birds, and other animal populations.

In the northeastern part of the meadow, close to one of trailheads and the pavilion, a "Teaching Garden" has been created as a result of a Wildcat Foundation grant. Thanks to various styles of gardens, and soil types, plant varieties (ex: heirloom vs. hybrids) and fencing options, both MASD students and the general public are taught gardening skills. At the eastern end of the fenced garden are wheelchair accessible gardening locations.

Geothermal EnergyThe term Geothermal Energy refers to the heat inside of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet

stays relatively the same temperature. When those temperatures can be harnessed, they make a great alternative to gas or oil heat. Ground source heat pumps are electrically powered systems that collect the stored energy from the ground to regulate temperature in buildings with a geothermal system.

How it Works:Pipes run underground and through the building to create a loop of pipework. Inside of the

pipes there is a water or antifreeze solution as a means of transportation for the heat. The Earth will heat up the fluid in the pipes, and then the fluid will carry the heat through the pipes and into the building. Geothermal systems are programmed to use the heat from the Earth during the winter to warm a building, and in the summer to carry the heat out of the building into the ground. Geothermal doesn’t just warm the building, it also heats the water used in sinks and showers.

5

Costs:Energy Star approves

geothermal systems as one of the most efficient heating systems, stating that they are 45% more efficient than standard heating systems. However, the initial cost of a geothermal looping system costs between $20,000 and $25,000 due to the extensive installation process. Once the initial cost has been met, monthly heating and cooling bills can be lowered by 40-60%. The typical payback period on a geothermal system is between 2-10 years while the lifespan of the typical system can be 18-23 years.

Benefits:There are several positive

reasons to make the switch to geothermal. This includes a 30% tax credit for any residencies that have it installed by 2016, and results in lower utility bills. Since there is no combustion in geothermal, as there is with oil and gas, there is no chance of carbon monoxide poisoning or other potentially harmful effects. With the help of high efficiency air cleaners, a high indoor air quality level can be reached. Geothermal systems are cleaner for the environment since they do not emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other greenhouse gases. These gases are responsible for contributing to poor air quality.

Solar PowerSolar Power is the process in which the sun’s energy is converted into electric. The center has 24

solar panels on its roof.

The light from the sun is collected through a solar panel or cell, and converted into electrical currents. The solar cell has a thin film of small crystals that when the energy from the sun hits, the crystals absorb the light and become charged allowing energy to move freely. The free moving energy creates an electrical current. This electrical energy is then channeled to an inverter, which turns the suns electrical energy into the same kind of electrical energy in your outlet

Cost Savings vs. Expense:According to a 2012 statistic, the national average of energy consumption by residential homes

is 903 kWhs (Kilowatt Hours) per month. A mid-size, 24 panel solar energy collection system costs approximately $10,000 without cost of installation. A system this size can typically generate 815kWh, which accounts for approximately 90% of energy usage a month. That means you could save 90% on your electric bill if you fall within that average. In some cases, the energy consumed in the household does not exceed the amount of energy collected in a month. If you are connected to your local power company, the extra energy will go to them. This is a benefit because you get paid for the energy sent to the power company. There are other incentives to installing solar panels such as the government gives a

6

30% tax deduction for those who install a system. Some states and local power companies will also give incentives to install a system.

Solar power can be an extremely effective way to power a home. However, it does have an initial cost drawback. There is an inconsistency with solar energy as it is only collected when the sun is shining directly onto the panels. If panels aren’t installed correctly, the collection process is hindered and it won’t pay for itself as quickly. However, if the initial cost is met and panels are installed optimally, then the panels will pay for themselves in a matter of years.

Benefits:Though it may not be as cost efficient as other alternatives, solar power is still one of the best

green practices. The more solar power is used, the less other methods of getting energy are used. For example, the more solar power is used, the less coal is used to produce electricity. Coal produces a lot of carbon emissions which decreases air quality and increases health issues in areas where large quantities of coal are burned.

Solar power is not entirely cost efficient, but is still significantly better for the environment. For long term planners, solar power is a great option because it will pay back over a long period of time in addition to helping the future of the environment.

7

Wind PowerIn the center’s wind mill, there are three blades that capture the kinetic energy from the wind as

it passes through. The blades found on top of a tower are typically 100 feet tall to maximize the wind’s energy. The spinning blades then turn a rotor that leads to a generator. This generator then converts the wind energy into electricity.

Cost of a System:Having a wind turbine

system in any backyard can either be extremely beneficial or costly. The first thing anyone who is interested in a wind power system needs to do is ensure wind is prevalent in the area. There are a few ways of checking the wind turbulence. The most accurate but most expensive way can cost $600-$1,200. The second thing after one determines the amount of wind passing through involves permits, zoning, and local ordinances. Some areas have a height restriction of a structure and can set back the effectiveness of a wind turbine system. Once a proper assessment has been conducted, and the zoning and permits are clear, a wind turbine system can be purchased and installed.

Benefits:There is a lot of planning and expense that is required for

having a wind turbine system power your home. However, once the process is complete, a wind turbine system could save you 50-90% on a monthly electric bill. Another benefit of wind systems, they are good for preventing a power outage in most any household. Aside from saving money on the monthly electric bill, wind turbines are one of the cleanest forms of energy. There are no carbon emissions and no pollution is produced.

8

The SundialsAnother unique feature to the Trails and Trees Environmental Center are sundials. A large

horizontal sundial (which is accurate up to 15 minutes) can be found next to the teaching garden, and a smaller one can be found near the vernal pool as a dedication to a former teacher.

Sundials are among the first methods by which mankind kept time. The ancient Egyptians are known to have used sticks or columns to cast a shadow. Based on the length of the shadow, the Egyptians would calculate the time of day.

Sundials need sun and something to cast a shadow. However, there is more involved in order to gather accurate time due to the tilted axis of the earth. There are multiple styles of sundials that one can own. The most common type is the vertical sundial, where the base plate is vertical and the pole, also known as a gnomon, is aligned to the earth’s axis. To accurately place a sundial, one needs to find true north or south, and position them parallel to the earth’s axis in terms of longitude.

CompostingCompost is organic material that can be used as a soil or to enhance existing soil in order to

grow healthy plants. Humus is matured, stable compost and is dark brown or black. It is created by combining organic wastes and allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process.

Composting takes organic material and breaks it down over time by facilitating the best conditions. The best condition to inspire the process is allowing for lots of air to circulate through a pile of organic material. Inside the pile, there are microorganisms working their way through a pile to break down the materials into simpler elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon. The right amount of water and allowing air circulation produces more microorganisms, which results in a faster break-down of the organic materials.

Methods:The two most common ways for residential composting are backyard and vessel composting.

Backyard composting requires little cost but can require daily upkeep. It takes the longest out of the two methods. A concern with this method is odor management. There is no containment of the organic material therefore odors can attract unwanted bugs or animals. A way to correct this concern is to cover the pile with premade compost.

In vessel composting, a container is purchased or created to store the organic materials. These containers facilitate air circulation and can contain just about any organic material without any

9

unwanted side effects. A disadvantage to this method is vessels can be initially expensive, however it is a faster method.Composting requires organic materials. Organic materials when broken down give off both carbon and nitrogen, which produces fertile soil. Organic material is anything that is produced naturally. Grass clippings, food waste, newspapers, and cardboard are among the examples. Different organic matter will break down at different rates, but will eventually break down. You can speed up the process by adding soil/premade compost and cutting larger matter into small pieces.

Compostable Items: Coffee grounds and filters Dryer lint Egg shells Flowers/cuttings Fruit and vegetable scraps Leaves Shredded paper Wood chips

Why Compost?There are many

benefits to composting, both personal and ecological. Some ecological benefits of composting include reducing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces the amount of waste in landfills -- which also reduces the chance of methane build up, and reduces the need for water and pesticides.

A big personal benefit of composting includes less household waste. Depending on what you use the soil for, it can create a healthier yard or garden and has the potential reduce costs of other chemical weed eaters or fertilizers.

Where to Compost:Composting can be done in any backyard or at 842 West Church Road with the Mechanicsburg

Borough and Silver Spring Township joint facility. However, only residents are allowed and must purchase a membership card from the borough office.http://mechanicsburgborough.org/composting/

Please note: Trails and Trees composting is located behind the pavilion. However, this is a teaching area not open to public dumping.

10

The Native GardensThe Trails and Trees Environmental Center offers a place to view native trees and plants as found in our Native Gardens. The Native Gardens are located on the outside borders of the main building. For a list of plants that have been planted, see Native Gardens Plant List. The gardens have a variety of native plants as well as a variety of people who have planted them. Mechanicsburg Area Adult Environmental Club, volunteers, and other organizations can be accredited for the planting of these gardens. If anyone is interested in planting native trees and plants around the center, feel free to contact

Mechanicsburg Area Parks and Recreation.

The Butterfly GardenA butterfly garden is a garden with plants that

attract caterpillars and butterflies. The purpose of a butterfly garden is to provide a safe habitat for butterflies since their habitat is rapidly disappearing. Trails and Trees’ garden is located between the pavilion and tree line. It was planted by a Penn State Master Gardener, Maryann Skubecz. The best time of year to come see the butterfly garden is at the end of summer into fall, in time for the plants to bloom.

The Bird FeedersBird feeders are a great way to help make life easier for the birds and introduce oneself to the

natural world. It’s a great family activity no matter the age! Several feeders are located on the northeastern corner, outside of the farmhouse. The feeders currently contain a generic mix of seed that will provide food for a variety of birds.

The time of year and seed in the feeder help determine which birds can be seen. Some birds are migratory which means they fly south to warmer climates for the winter. However, there are still several bird species that stay behind and will eat from the feeders during the winter.

Some that have been spotted at our feeders include: Downy Woodpecker American Pine Siskin Dark Eyed Juncos

Tips for Home Feeders:There are many things that one needs to consider before having bird feeders. First of all,

consider the location. Feeders should be placed somewhere that is easily observed but still safe for birds. Different seeds will attract different types of birds. Some of the recommended seeds that entice a variety of birds include safflower, sunflower, and white millet. Suet and peanut butter are also effective feeds to attract birds.

11

The Bird BlindA bird blind is a small shelter that

allows for safe viewing of birds in the environment. Blinds are essential to making birds feel safe when being observed. This center has a bird blind located near the intersection of Old Road Trail and Northside Trail. This bird blind was installed in 1997 and has fallen into disrepair.

Watershed EducationA watershed is an area of land that

drains to a particular river, lake, bay or other body of water. Watersheds are also known as “basins” or “drainage basins.”

The Local Watershed:Trails and Trees Environmental Center and the surrounding area is a part of the Chesapeake Bay

watershed. This means that all of the local rivers and creeks feed into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed encompasses more than 64,000 square miles of land. It falls within 6 states, over 17 million people live within it, and it is the largest coastal body of water. More than 100,000 creeks, streams, and rivers feed into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The Importance:Being a part of such a big watershed, everything done can impact the Chesapeake Bay’s health.

The Chesapeake is one of the largest and most diverse ecosystems and almost any action can have an impact on it. Responsibility is key when understanding what ends up in our waterways. Litter, chemicals, and other foreign substances can be detrimental to the health of the ecosystem.

The Vernal PoolA vernal pool is a contained body of water in the

ground that doesn’t have an above ground outlet such as a stream or creek. Water gathers by the naturally rising water table in the fall and winter via snow/ice melting and rain. Vernal pools typically are frozen in the winter months, but when it thaws it becomes a habitat and breeding grounds for many amphibians. Often times, by the end of summer the vernal pool is dry, or mostly dry.

Importance:In today’s expanding developed world, nature is struggling

to find places to exist. Therefore wildlife is also struggling to find places to call home. Some species are considered obligate species. This means that in order for the species to survive, they need to find

12

a vernal pool to produce offspring. In the springtime, vernal pools are home to many amphibians including, frogs, newts, and salamanders. Due to the fact that vernal pools typically dry out and do not have any flowing water, they cannot contain water predators such as fish, making vernal pools safe for many amphibians.

The Natural SpringsA spring is a water source that is formed underground where groundwater gathers and builds

until it reaches the surface. This creates a surface pool that is an all-natural water source and can vary in size. Springs will usually feed a stream or creek because the pressurized water at the surface will be fed continuously. Due to the water constantly being fed to the surface from underground, the water will stay a constant cooler temperature.

Natural Springs in History:Humankind has known that fresh, clean water is an

important resource. Before water became easy to relocate, areas that were developed first were near sources of clean water. People that lived near water would use springs as a source for their cleaning, drinking, and cooking. The major difference from then and now is people used to use much less water. The average household would use only a couple gallons of water per day as water had to be transported via a bucket system to the house. Since it is labor intensive, people only used what they needed.

In Danger:Today, water sources are dwindling at a very high rate. One reason that water sources are in

danger is pollution. Garbage as it breaks down or leaks excrete toxins that seep into the ground and contaminate potential drinking water. The development of land destroys locations that were once a source of water. It is important for people to be conscientious of how we use our water for the future.

In the Center:The center has two natural springs on its 26 acres. One can be found along the Pennsylvania

Trail. Both springs feed Dry Run Creek, which also runs through the property.

The DamA dam is any barrier that holds back

water. Dams are used to manage the flow of a water source. Dams are used to save water, prevent the flow of excess water into a specific area, and sometimes to generate hydroelectric power.

Trails and Trees has its own dam that was constructed by an Eagle Scout in 1992. It can be found near the amphitheater on the Old Road Trail.