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Wetland Walks
The Beaver County Conservation District owns and maintains an environmental center and an 18 acre mitigated wetlands off Route 151 in Independence Township. What is a "mitigated wetland?" you ask. It simply means: a new wetland in a nearby area has to be constructed (usually at a 3-1 ratio) to replace the draining of an existing wetland in compliance with Federal and Environmental Laws. The wetland was designed by Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. and built by Graziani Construction co. due to the expansion of the Pittsburgh International Airport In March of 1990, the then sitting Board of Beaver County Commissioners agreed to let Allegheny County put the wetlands on a 78 acre bankrupt farmland, formerly the Maslek farm, in Independence Township. This was to be fair trade off for the new jobs that the new airport was to generate for Beaver County residents. The marsh was completed in March of 1993. The wetland consists of two ponds connected by a channel. A walking trail of about 1.5 miles, encompasses both ponds and takes you through a picturesque wooded hillside. It is located 5 minutes from Interstate 376. Take the Hopewell Exit #48 to Route 151. Follow the signs at Cowpath Road to the Beaver County Conservation District Environmental Center. The public is welcome at the wetlands which offer an opportunity to see migrating waterfowl, birds, insects, and mammals in this unique habitat. The wetlands gates are open to the public Monday through Friday (look for posted hours)
Wetland walks for the public are conducted the second Wednesday of the month, April through October. |