Lower Frederick Township Joining 'Bird Town'

will now be a part of the Audubon Society’s "Bird Town Pennsylvania" program after a unanimous vote approved the environmental project Tuesday night at the township’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

The Bird Town program promotes the protection of bird sanctuaries and educates the public on how they can create and contribute to healthy ecosystems in their backyards and community.

Park Board Chair Robin McGovern addressed the board with this program and said Lower Frederick is the perfect place for this program. “Being such a rural community, we have the perfect opportunity now to become environmentally friendly and protect the resources we already have,” said McGovern.

A large part of the program will be educating homeowners on how they can create ecosystems in their backyards that are not only beneficial to birds but to the surrounding environment. “I think that most people want to be green. I think most people want to protect the environment, they just don’t know how to go about it,” said McGovern.

The township says they hope to have six volunteers who will be educated by the Audubon Society on how to assist local residents and provide information. There are currently two spots still available.

The education will include what native species of plants should be planted and how to naturally prevent soil erosion and small stream flooding, among other things.

Vice Chairman Bob Yoder says he fully supports the program because it “fits” the township, and he found the angle of helping homeowners create a natural habitat in their backyard interesting.

The program will not cost the township any money this year because of a grant the Audubon Society received, but it will cost $450 a year for as long as the township is a part of it.

There is already a bird sanctuary in the township off Delphi Road, named the Eva Meng Reserve.

Four signs will be placed around the township that read “Welcome to Bird Town,” along with a Bird Town link on the township’s webpage.

Also brought to the board’s attention Tuesday night was Wawa’s plan to remove the channelization island outside the Route 29 Wawa that prevents drivers from making a left turn into the store’s parking lot.

The island was originally placed there by PennDOT, but township Engineer Carol Schuehler, P.E., said it was “problematic,” so PennDOT has decided to allow Wawa to remove it. 

There is no timetable on when the island will be removed.