Mercer County
The first steps in ensuring protection of environmentally sensitive/ecologically important areas are identifying them and determining their importance. This information helps county, state, and municipal government, the public, and business interests plan development with the preservation of these environmentally important sites in mind. The Mercer County Natural Heritage Inventory is designed to identify and map important biotic (living) and ecological resources present in Mercer County. The biotic resources inherited by the citizens of this region include:
· areas that have been left relatively undisturbed by human activity
· potential habitats for species of special concern [species facing imperilment at a state and/or global level (i.e., endangered, threatened, etc.)]
· significant natural communities (assemblages of plants and animals) areas important for general wildlife habitat, open space, education, scientific study, and recreation.
This Natural Heritage Inventory focuses on areas that are the best examples of living ecological resources in Mercer County. Although agricultural lands and open space may be included as part of inventory areas, the emphasis of the designation and delineation of the areas are the ecological values present. Existence of habitat for specific plants and animals and the rarity of natural communities are important selection criteria for Natural Heritage Areas but equally important are the size and homogeneity of an area containing good quality natural features. Large areas provide the backbone that links habitats and allows plants and animals to shift and move across sizable portions of the landscape. There are many important resources in Mercer County not addressed in this inventory. Historic, cultural, geological, educational, water supply, agricultural and scenic resources are among many the county will address through other projects and programs.
The Report
Download the complete Mercer County Natural Heritage Inventory (PDF file) - 12.3 MB.
Where to go for Copies
Aside from WPC, copies should be able to be obtained from the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission 2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148.
Contact
Jeffrey Wagner
CNHI Coordinator/Ecologist
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
209 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 586-2312
jwagner@paconserve.org