A Collaborative Triumph in the Conestoga Watershed: Hammertown Tributary
Some projects take years of dedication and require the efforts of many hands. The restoration at catchment Co49, Hammertown Road, an unnamed tributary of the Conestoga River, is one such endeavor. This project is a remarkable story of communication, trust-building among neighboring landowners, and collaboration between multiple conservation organizations, municipalities, and funders. Here’s a closer look at this incredible journey.
The Beginning
Fifteen years ago, a farm restoration project set the wheels in motion for what would become a transformative conservation effort. Led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD), this whole-farm conservation project included establishing a riparian buffer of new trees along the creek through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in partnership with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).
Building Momentum
As the landowner and his neighbors observed the positive changes brought about by these efforts, they began to engage in bigger conversations about conservation. Trust grew between the landowners and the involved organizations, leading to more and more farms implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) along the stream and in their upland areas. From 2008 to 2024, the project attracted funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), CREP, PennVest, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).
A Collective Effort
The project’s vision, as outlined in the Growing Greener Watershed Renaissance Initiative In April 2022, emphasized the need for property owners to commit to installing at least a 35-foot forested buffer along all streams. While stream health was part of the plan, the primary focus was on agricultural practices that promised high returns on investment. These practices aimed to help landowners achieve their farm goals, improve animal and soil health, realize long-term cost savings, and most importantly, ensure clean water.
The landowners’ involvement was crucial. They worked on various conservation measures such as grassed waterways, barnyard waste storage facilities, streamside fencing and crossings, rock-lined waterways, and nutrient management plans. Organizations like TeamAg, the township’s Agricultural Advisory Committee led by Gary Van Dyke, the Stroud Water Research Center, township supervisors, and Lancaster Clean Water Partners played vital roles in supporting these efforts.
The Heart of the Project: Community Trust and Cooperation
An Agricultural Technician from the Lancaster County Conservation District praised the cooperation among landowners:
“The landowners in the Hammertown Rd, Narvon area are an exceptional group to work with, based on years of interaction with the NRCS, the Conservation District, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Penn State, and a number of private consultants, with trust and cooperation also based on the area church leader’s views. This project involved over 22 landowners with diverse properties, including residential, forested, and farming parcels, within an 896-acre watershed.”
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
Phase 1 of the project concluded with the final streamside buffer planting of Phase 1 in June 2024. In July , organizers held a Hammertown Road Catchment Meeting at the Zerbe Mansion to celebrate with landowners and participating organizations. The event aimed to educate the public about the implemented BMPs and their positive effects.
But this is just the beginning. The Stroud Water Research Center has started monitoring water quality and hopes to show positive trends in water quality and macroinvertebrates as a result of the collaborative restoration efforts. This ongoing effort promises to yield long-term benefits for the environment and the community.
The Hammertown Road stream restoration project is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to conservation. Here’s to the many hands that have made, and will continue to make, this project a success.