Last year, MWA conserved nearly 200 acres of land along Rasler Run, a tributary to Indian Creek. This spring, we added 55.7 adjacent acres to this property, a purchase made possible by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancyā€™s Colcom Foundation Revolving Loan Fund for Local Land Trusts and a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
Rasler Run is designated as a high quality coldwater fishery and Class A Wild Trout Stream. Part of the conserved property is also a Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional ecological diversity.
Our vision is to conserve this areaā€™s high ecological diversity, while also welcoming the community for recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and primitive camping. To bring this vision to life, MWA first has to conduct more biological surveys, develop a management plan for the property and prepare accessible recreational areas.
On a preliminary survey, our conservation team noted a thick stand of hemlock trees growing along the stream. One of our main concerns is the presence of the invasive and destructive hemlock woolly adelgid.
The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is a serious threat to our state tree, the eastern hemlock, in Pennsylvania and across the United States. This non-native, invasive insect has caused significant hemlock defoliation and mortality in Pennsylvania forests. To combat the adelgid, we are currently researching treatment methods that will help Raslerā€™s hemlock stand thrive.
When completed, the project will not only benefit the local community but also Pennsylvania at large. We will preserve the water quality of Rasler Run, one of the few Class A Wild Trout Fisheries in the state, and also provide another terrific place for people to recreate in the Youghiogheny River watershed.
Previously, there was restricted access to fishing in Rasler Run because the majority of the land bordering the creek is privately owned. In the next few years, we hope to improve access and designate recreational areas on the property so the community can finally enjoy Rasler Run!