Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Preserve Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reports outline restoration, maintenance plans for Thompson Woods Preserve
Summary
Township and borough committee leaders reported on governance, maintenance, and forest‑health priorities for the 43‑acre Thompson Woods Preserve and described recent trail repairs, bollard installation, inventories, and a five‑year update with partners including Penn State and Clearwater Conservancy.
College Township assistant manager Mike Bloom and Bill Keough, chair of the Thompson Woods Preserve Governance Committee, presented an update on the preserve’s governance, recent accomplishments and next steps.
Bloom described the preserve as a roughly 43.3‑acre natural area jointly overseen by State College Borough and College Township and reviewed the intermunicipal governance agreement that created two committees: a governance committee (policy direction) and an advisory committee (technical planning). He said the governance committee has prioritized branding and education, maintenance, vegetation and forest management, and enforcement.
Bill Keough reviewed recent work, including flora and fauna inventories, development of educational resources, trail surface repairs near Aspen Heights, installation of a bollard to prevent vehicle entry, and targeted tree removals to protect adjacent private property. Keough said the preserve’s forest health is "not in good health" and that the committee is evaluating options from a five‑year update prepared by consultant Mike Wolfe to restore ecological function.
Presenters also noted partnerships with Penn State graduate students, the Clearwater Conservancy and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for habitat work and wayfinding improvements. A public question about invasive species elicited a response that the Wolfe plan highlights four to five high‑priority invasive plants but did not list them aloud.
Council members thanked the presenters and encouraged continued coordination with neighboring property owners and regional partners as funding sources are pursued.
