John Birely Memorial Upland Trail Head is located at 14328 Buchanan Trail East Waynesboro, PA 17268
Happel’s Meadow Wetland Preserve Committee
Happels Meadow Wetland Preserve Committee meets monthly to promote and support educational programs, historical preservation, community improvement projects, cultural activities, and special projects that benefit the preservation and interpretation of the wetland.
Committee members have partnered with volunteer grade school and college students, scouting groups, biologists, engineers, mycologists, naturalists, foresters, landscapers, and gardeners to spread our message of wetland conservation at outreach events.
Our mission is to protect and enhance the Meadow’s swamp, marsh, and wetland forest ecosystems, sustain or increase the biodiversity of plants, animals, and fungi, restore native plants found in the Meadow, and provide recreation and education.
Accomplishments:
Recorded stories from long-time residents at our “Memories and Stories of Happel’s Meadow” event on April 3, 2025
Spread our message of wetland conservation at Blue Ridge Summit Free Library Ice-cream Social July 19, 2025
Worked with local groups to maintain 4.8 miles of trails; spread mulch; and repair bridges
Began measures to control invasive plants found in the swamp, marsh, and wetland forest ecosystems, such as Alliaria petiolata = garlic mustard, Conium maculatum = poison hemlock, Rosa multiflora = multiflora rose, Microstegium vimineum = Japanese stilt grass, Celastrus orbiculatus = [Oriental] bittersweet, Lonicera morrowii = Morrow’s bush honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica = Tartarian bush honeysuckle, Polygonum perfoliatum = Mile a minute vine, and Pastinaca sativa = wild parsnip