Claverack has undertaken a lawn-to-native pollinator habitat transition project on the grounds of our headquarters building, located along Route 6 in Wysox, Pennsylvania. This page is dedicated to the development of this project from the initial planning phase and beyond. Please read the articles explaining the goals of our project and view the photos of the work completed to date. We encourage you to visit our site often for news and progress updates.
The articles below provide details about this exciting project.
Click on the image below to read the full article from Penn Lines:
Click on the image below to read the full article from Pennsylvania Forests:
Brian has also written a series of articles published in The Weekend Review and the The Rocket-Courier newspapers under the Bradford County Conservation District’s byline. Please click on the links below to read each article:
The images below show the lawn area where our native pollinator habitat will be located.
Pollinator Area Before Work Began
This is a drone photo of the area at the beginning of our project.
Pollinator Area Preparation
This is a drone photo of the area after the boundaries had been marked and mowed.
Seed Mix Design
This shows the graphic representation of the seed mixes to be planted based on the soil samples we collected.
Planning Meeting 3/25/24
Initial Planning Meeting
Members of our planning team from left to right: Laura & Mike Jackson, Consultants, Nancy Baker, Claverack Member, Kevin Brown, Bradford County Conservation District, Jason Diaferio, Pheasants Forever/NRCS, and Brian Zeidner, Director of Claverack Member Services.
Soil Samples Collected
Soil samples were collected and tested to determine the fertility of the soil as well as the optimum type of pollinator seed mix for each plot.
Site Evaluation
Considering the possibilities onsite with our partners. Shown from left to right: Mike Jackson, Consultant, Jason Diaferio, Pheasants Forever/NRCS, Brian Zeidner, Director of Claverack Member Services, Laura Jackson, Consultant, Nancy Baker, Claverack Member, and Kevin Brown, Bradford County Conservation District.
Designing the Plots 5/24/24
Design Team
Members of Claverack's employee design team from left to right: Steve Allabaugh, CEO, Brian Zeidner, Member Services Director, Brennan Coates, Field Service Technician, Abram Bennett, Engineering Intern 2024, and Robert English, Engineering Intern 2024.
Intentional Design
The team considers slope, visibility, aesthetics, site access, and future growth.
GPS Layout
Brennan marks points for the plot edges.
Preparing the Site 6/20/24
Visualizing the Design
Site borders and access paths were mowed to easily identify the plots.
Rovendale Provides Needed Equipment
Shown from left to right: Gabe Johnson, Rovendale Ag & Barn, Darvin Rovenolt, Rovendale Ag & Barn, Brian Zeidner, Director of Claverack Member Services, and Jason Diaferio, Pheasants Forever/NRCS.
Applying Herbicide
To eliminate competition, established grasses need to be removed so future native flowers and plants will thrive.
Installing Signs 6/21/24
Drilling Holes
We used a Claverack line truck to drill the holes for the sign posts.
Sign Construction
Due to expected wind conditions, our 4 ft. x 8 ft. sign required treated 6 x 6 posts.
Sharing the Vision
As we develop our site, we will install a permanent sign at this location. In addition, there will be informative signs located at the landing area as well as within the plots.
This project would not be possible without our valued partners. We are grateful for their help and guidance.
