In 2023, as a way to help support the efforts of the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) maintain the 640-acre Montour Preserve in Montour County, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association pulled together the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership -- a coalition of local associations, agencies and other groups with a passion for environmental education who agreed to help enhance programming and awareness at the preserve in an effort to help boost traffic, necessary upgrades and funding. 

Among the growing list of partners in this initiative:  ​If you would like to get involved with this project as a partner, please contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky at [email protected] or 570-768-6300.​
Provide feedback on the Montour Preserve and what upgrades you'd like to see and programs you would like added to the calendar:
​Stories related to the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership:
The following video was created to help promote the Montour Preserve during the effort to develop the partnership and find a funding source for it. The video was created by Michael Kinney with voice-over by long time preserve naturalist Jon Beam:
​Deferred/wish-list projects

As the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) carefully tried to manage its meager incoming cash flow and budget lines, numerous projects at the Montour Preserve had to be deferred to be tackled when more funding became available in the future. Other items were on the "wish list" of things that would be ideal to upgrade or improve when more funding became available. This list will be reviewed and re-prioritized now that new funding is coming in. However, if certain projects stick out and "speak" to you as something you or your group/business would like to help address, please reach out as soon as possible to us by clicking here. 

  • The Chilisuagi Trail bridge across the Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek, near trail mile 1.6, continues to be damaged by various flood events, but MARC lacks the estimated $40,000+ that will be needed to engineer, permit, and construct a new bridge.
  • Additional trail bridge repairs/upgrades. $60,000 (estimated cost)
  • The Muskrat Educational Blind in the restricted area of the preserve has been severely damaged by flooding and will cost upwards of $40,000 to $50,000 to fix. 
  • Parking lot and road resurfacing. $95,000 (estimated cost)
  • Boat dock replacement/handicap accessibility improvement. $40,000 (estimated cost) 
  • Picnic area plumbing repair. $8,000 (estimated cost)
  • Electrical surge protector installation. $8,500 (estimated cost)
  • Visitor Center exhibit repair and replacement. $15,000 (estimated cost)
  • Visitor Center outdoor light fixture repair and replacement. $750 (estimated cost)
  • Heron Cove boat launch light fixture repair and replacement. $3,000 (estimated cost)
  • Goose Cove #2 Pavilion concrete pad replacement. $2,500 (estimated cost)
  • Trail markers and signage. $10,000 (estimated cost)
  • ADA upgrades with push-button wheelchair door access at two main doors and bathroom doors. Estimated cost: $20,000 (estimated cost)
  • Tech upgrades in auditorium (projector on last legs), including sound system, improved wifi, etc. Estimated cost: $10,000 to $15,000 (estimated cost)
  • Handicap accessible surfacing the Goose Woods Trail around the observation pond trail. Estimated $25,000-40,000.
  • Fresh paint and carpet in auditorium. 

Your Pollution Hotline Number:
​570-768-6300

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