People of the Preserve

The Preserve encompasses 134-acres of PA state land that is leased from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (“DCNR”). The Preserve’s mission is to “increase the knowledge and use of native
plants by serving as an educational resource and destination that inspires conservation action.”

The Preserve recognizes that to effectively steward our native plant collection, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem is a prerequisite. The Preserve’s native plant communities provide critical habitat for numerous
pollinators, birds and other animals, and help to maintain a healthy Pidcock Creek watershed.

For this document, climate change refers to global long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. It draws largely from DCNR sources, and where applicable, aligns with DCNR’s climate change policy.
Source materials used to formulate this position statement are listed at the end of this document.

Specifically, DCNR reports that, “Since the early 20th century, the Commonwealth has seen a temperature increase of more than 1.8°F. Winter temperatures have risen even faster, increasing 1.3°F per decade from 1970 to 2000 in the northeastern US. The frequency of very hot days has increased significantly, and by the middle of the century the northeastern part of the country is expected to see 20 to 30 more days above 90°F” (PA DCNR, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, June 2018). The Preserve’s many mesic forest species, including the American beech (Fagus grandifolia), Eastern hemlock (Tsuga
canadensis), and Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), are among those projected to have reductions in suitable habitat, growth potential and biomass under a high degree of warming over the next century
(2018 USDA Mid-Atlantic Region Climate Change Assessment Report).

Species migration as a result of a warming climate may already be impacting the makeup the Preserve’s forest matrix as the range of species such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum) moves north of the
mid-Atlantic region and southern species such as umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) move into the Preserve in greater numbers.

Changing weather patterns have brought increased instances of drought and flash flooding, making erosion and watershed management increasingly challenging. In addition, multiple academic research
studies conclude that climate change impacts the growth patterns of invasive and noxious plants. Just one example is poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) which has been shown to be growing faster, larger and
more toxic (Lawrence, Kait).

In summary, the Preserve acknowledges that climate change adversely impacts the Preserve’s native plant collection, its mesic forest ecosystem, the visitor experience, and the health and safety of its communities.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve seeks to inform and engage a community that embraces the vital significance of Pennsylvania’s native plants and the habitats in which they are found. It is the Preserve’s
position that climate change is a well-established, scientifically validated phenomenon that presents serious challenges to the Preserve’s mission-centric work.

The Preserve has been experiencing, and will continue to experience, measurable changes in weather patterns, temperature, precipitation and storm intensity, including:
 Higher temperatures throughout the year, with longer periods of above average temperatures
 Increased total annual precipitation
 Longer periods of little or no rainfall
 Increased frequency and intensity of damaging wind and storm events
 Decreased annual snow cover

These weather patterns are impacting the Preserve in the following ways:
 Eroding stream embankments
 Increasing storm water run-off
 Increasing forest windfall
 Increasing damage to infrastructure, the deer exclosure, structures, trails and roadways
 Reducing the quality and efficacy of native plant habitat

Climate change, in combination with other environmental stressors, including invasive species, pests, disease and deer pressure, is negatively impacting the Preserve’s native plant collection and will threaten
the long-term survival of some native plant species that are present on site.

The Board, its standing committees and staff are committed to developing practical, achievable plans that combat the effects of climate change while honoring the Preserve’s resources.