MUSSER GAP FOREST GATEWAY On September 27, 2005, Katie Ombalski, Conservation Biologist for ClearWater Conservancy, will be making a presentation on ClearWater’s latest land conservation project: The Musser Gap Forest Gateway. This event is sponsored by the Sierra Club Moshannon Group. In 2003, the private landowner submitted a land development plan for his 423-acre property located in Musser Gap along Tussey Mountain in Ferguson Township. This property borders Rothrock State Forest and is located within two Important Bird Areas (IBA): the Rothrock Important Bird Area and the Tussey Mountain Important Bird Area. The property also contains many sensitive water resources. After talking with ClearWater Conservancy, the landowner has agreed to explore alternative conservation options for his property. ClearWater proposes to purchase the property and give it to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry to be incorporated into Rothrock State Forest for development into a “Forest Gateway”, similar to Galbraith and Shingletown Gaps. Conserving Musser Gap would buffer the Rothrock State Forest boundary from development, protect over 400 acres of additional forested habitat from fragmentation, and also protect many sensitive water resources. In July 2005, ClearWater Conservancy was awarded a $606,000 grant from the DCNR to apply towards the purchase of the 423-acre property. ClearWater Conservancy is currently working with the landowner to continue to move the project forward. Fundraising for the acquisition of this land will begin in fall 2005. The Moshannon Group has worked with ClearWater to obtain a Huplits grant to assist with the acquisition of the Musser Gap property. For more information about this project, you can call Ron Brourman at (814) 867-0624 Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 PM at the Centre County Solid Waste Authority’s Green Building located at 253 Transfer Road just past the Nittany Mall