SEE...The Difference!

Stell Environmental Enterprises, Inc.

Project Description

From space, an observer looking at southeastern Pennsylvania sees little in the way of large, unbroken blocks of forest.  There is only one notable exception to this observation, the large forested highlands located in southeast Berks and northwest Chester counties known as Hopewell Big Woods.

 

The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership was formed by Natural Lands Trust, a regional conservation organization, to give public and private stakeholders a forum for discussing the future vision of this significant landscape.  SEE is working with Natural Lands Trust on a public outreach process that will develop and institutionalize a conservation vision for the natural resource.

 

SEE is directly responsible for leading a public outreach effort that engages the support and involvement of local citizens, elected municipal officials, and private landholders to help create a conservation vision for this important natural landscape.  Activities include developing outreach materials, attending municipal government meetings, presenting at Hopewell Big Woods Partnership workshops and meetings, and seeking feedback from local government officials during day-to-day interactions.

 

A strong conservation vision that embraces an outdoor recreation economic perspective has evolved.  The success of this public involvement project has been confirmed by the ultimate passage of resolutions of support from the local government entities in the area.  The impacts of this municipal support and that of local citizens have resulted in a decision to convert a closed state highway to a multi-modal recreational trail.

 

Local community members appreciated our concern and desire to understand their needs while working on the project.  A key to the success of the project was incorporating outreach efforts with existing local community events and meetings, rather than holding stand-alone meetings for the project.

 

The project area was recently recognized by The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to be one of the state’s top five natural resource priorities.

Hopewell Big Woods Complex

Hopewell Big Woods: Public Outreach and Municipal Government Involvement

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