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tial and measurable progress in understanding patterns of activity and fatalities and implementing deterrence and curtailment options to reduce fatalities (Ed Arnett, Bat Conservation International - $45,000). Fort Indiantown Gap Grassland Habitat: Improve high quality native warm-season grassland habitat by implementing an ecosystem based restoration plan to benefit 19 WAP priority species. Rehabilitating former grasslands and expanding current grasslands at FIG will have a tremendous impact on the cohesiveness and connectivity of this segmented habitat (Todd Bacastow, Pennsylvania State University - $41,549). Piney Tract Important Bird Area Grasslands Management: This project will improve habitat at the Piney Tract IBA, a site of global significance to several grassland bird species of conservation concern. Invasive trees and shrubs will be removed and bird populations will be monitored in response to the removals. The results will help inform additional restoration efforts on similar habitats (Sarah Sargent, National Audubon Society $30,000). Analysis Of Breeding Bird Atlas Data In Preparation For Publication: This effort will compile and analyze data resulting from 5 years of the 2nd PA Breeding Bird Atlas. The result is a new comprehensive assessment of all breeding birds, summary of broad distribution and abundance patterns, and thousands of point-specific locations for priority species. The resulting report will focus on new conservation guidance and tools for conservation and management of breeding birds and new evaluation of habitat associations. (Bob Mulvihill, Carnegie Museum of Natural Science at a cost of $120,000). Board approves three land donations The Board approved three land donations offered in Greene, Lebanon and Luzerne counties to be added to the agency’s network of 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands. In Greene County, the Board accepted a donation of 125 acres in Richhill Township, adjoining SGL 302. This donation from Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, of Pittsburgh, consists of 60 acres of mixed hardwoods, 35 acres of shrublands and reverting old fields, and 30 acres of agricultural land — 20 acres are tillable. There is a small stream originating from ground water and springs on the property that flows into the Enlow Fork of Wheeling Creek. Indiana bats, a federal- and state-listed endangered species, are on or near the property. There is no surface mining taking place on the tract, but there is a 10foot square fenced vent shaft and a 2acre vent shaft adjacent to the tract, which will need to be subdivided prior to the donation. The entire property currently is being long-wall mined and will be subject to planned subsidence. No evidence was seen of acid mine drainage. In Lebanon County, the Board accepted a donation of 1.99 acres in Cornwall Borough, adjacent to SGL 156. This donation from Catherine M. Fitzgibbons, Cornwall, is a forested parcel about 4,268 feet long by 20 feet CONTACTING Northwest — 814-432-3187 Southwest — 724-238-9523 Northcentral — 570-398-4744 THE REGION OFFICES Southcentral — 814-643-1831 Northeast — 570-675-1143 Southeast — 610-926-3136 DECEMBER 2008 35

Pennsylvania Game News - December 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - December 2008