Centre County
The Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory was initially completed in 1991 and in 2002, was updated. Although the information is consistent with the earlier report, the presentation of the information has evolved significantly. The 1991 report provided information to identify, map, and describe Centre County's most significant natural places through investigation of plant and animal species and natural communities that are unique or uncommon in the county. Areas important for wildlife habitat and scientific study were also included. This update adapts and augments the work of the original report to provide current information regarding the condition of the resources identified in the earlier study and incorporate new information that has become available about Centre County's natural resources. New sites have been added, the boundaries of some previously mapped sites have been edited, and one site was removed. The format has been substantially revised as the report is now organized by planning regions and municipalities.
The inventory, while not bestowing protection to any of the areas listed, acts as a tool for informed and responsible decision-making. Public and private organizations may use the inventory to guide land acquisition and conservation decisions as local municipalities and the County may use it to help with comprehensive planning, zoning and the review of development proposals. Developers, utility companies and government agencies all may benefit from access to this environmental information prior to the creation of detailed development plans.
Using tested and proven methodology, the inventory operates as a report on the current status of information regarding Centre County's natural heritage. As this update has incorporated new information and added sites since the original edition in 1991, further investigations could also uncover new information about significant natural features or sites worthy of Natural Heritage Area designation. Additionally, in-depth investigations of sites listed in this report could reveal features of further or greater significance than those documented previously.
The Report
Download the complete Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory (PDF file) - 19 MB.
Where to go for Copies
Aside from WPC, copies should be able to be obtained from the Centre County Planning Office, Willowbank Office Building, 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488.
Contact
Jeffrey Wagner
CNHI Coordinator/Ecologist
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
209 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 586-2312
jwagner@paconserve.org