Afield: Eagle Scout project makes Centre County wetlands accessible. Here’s what to know

Wildlife lovers of all ages and mobility levels are getting a big boost from a large Eagle Scout project at the Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Birding Area, located off Miles Hollow Road northeast of Port Matilda. The area, owned by the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation, is a popular spot for birders, nature photographers and dog walkers.

The ambitious project includes a level trail and an elevated viewing platform that will allow even small children or someone in a wheelchair to have an excellent view of the open water in the wetland.

Beginning at the Dreibelbis Birding Area sign, the 800-foot trail snakes its way northeast between the wetland and Alternate Route 220. Work is nearly finished on the viewing platform that is about halfway down the path.

The project is a labor of love for Scout Troup 32 member Will English — a rising senior at State College Area High School. Last summer, when he and his father Chris first looked at what would become the trail site, it was a tangle of chest-high weeds, invasive shrubs and multiflora rose. Only the most adventurous souls braved the brush to view the wetland. But Will English had a vision.

Seventeen-year-old Will, who also enjoys hunting and weightlifting, has a personal reason for selecting this difficult project.

“I chose this project because my uncle lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, and I like the fact that Wildlife for Everyone wants to make their wetland accessible for everyone — including someone in a wheelchair,” Will said. “My project will help fulfill that mission.”

Last summer, with guidance from Wildlife for Everyone, Will and his dad laid out the trail with flagging and cleared the largest shrubs. Local resident David Swisher saw value in the project and used his brush hog to take care of the remaining vegetation. With Swisher’s generous help, the impenetrable swath of vegetation became a rough path.

Nearly 200 species of birds have been observed at the wetland. That path was used by many birders in the spring. The trail became even more valuable after a rare pair of common gallinules were spotted from the trail in late April.

Beginning in early June, Will and Chris tacked down 800-linear feet of the six-foot-wide underlayment and started covering it with limestone, using shovels and a wheelbarrow. Wetland neighbors Kari and Jeff Gleason came to the rescue with their small backhoe and distributed much of the trail base from the first load of 2RC limestone. Jeff Gleason also dug the holes for the platform foundation, which was then constructed by Will and his father. Triangle True Value Rental and Building Supplies in Bellefonte donated rental of a backhoe to spread the remaining stone.

More recently, scouts and friends of the Englishes have been busy working on the centerpiece of his project — the elevated viewing platform. According to Will, framing started on July 15, and the platform should be completed this week.

The 12-foot by 6-foot platform is constructed of rough-cut white oak, built on a foundation of concrete pillars and topped with Trex decking. It will include a see-through safety railing.

“This platform is bomb-proof,” Chris English commented about the sturdy, rustic-looking construction. A gradual ramp will get viewers to the top of the 30-inch-high platform. “The view from up there is fantastic.”

Chris sponsored a GoFundMe page for his son and record-keeping sheds light on the scope of this project. Two rolls of underlayment cloth were tacked down and over 90 tons of crushed limestone were spread, creating 800 feet of trail. Nearly 300 hours have been spent on the project, with more to come. Even with several thousand dollars worth of donated materials and services, the project has cost an additional $3,000, which has been covered mainly by donations.

Sometimes projects such as this have a value beyond what is obvious at the outset. Will’s father reflects on that.

“I have watched Will grow quite a bit from the beginning of the project — he has been able to coordinate his friends, family, and scouts to attend the workdays and has put in long hours, especially on the underlayment and gravel spreading. Just the gravel underlayment and footers accounted for over 200 hours of combined work,” Chris explained.

“It is also interesting to see his appreciation grow for the natural beauty of this property with its frogs, swallows, herons, butterflies, wildflowers and snakes,” he added. The platform area is a great location since it is the natural centerpiece of the wetland, with an excellent view of plant and animal life.

Will thanked all of his friends, relatives and birders who donated money and time to help make the project a reality. The following businesses donated or provided materials and services at a reduced cost: Scott’s Landscaping donated 800 feet of underlayment; Lou Sycz and Pine Creek Lumber Company donated all of the white oak lumber; Triangle True Value donated the tractor rental; New Enterprise Stone and Lime delivered four truckloads of 2RC limestone at a greatly reduced cost.

The trail and viewing platform will make an area of the wetland that had not been previously accessible easy for everyone to enjoy. A “grand opening” celebration is being planned for early fall.

More wetland work

Just a half-mile down the road at the Soaring Eagle Wetland, another Wildlife for Everyone wetland project is set to begin in early August. This work will include a small paved parking area, an accessible trail to Bald Eagle Creek and a wildlife viewing and fishing platform at the stream. John Claar Excavating of Woodward is the contractor for this project.