Warwick Township manager Dan Zimmerman stands beside a restored segment of Lititz Run. The township is being honored for its efforts to restore its waterways.
For 13 years, Warwick Township has had a communitywide commitment to improving its streams and managing its stormwater.
That across-the-board diligence — showing the role of local government in restoring watersheds — has earned Warwick Township the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's 2010 Conservationist of the Year award for Pennsylvania.
About 100 people, including township officials, are expected to attend an award reception Tuesday night at Landis Valley Museum.
The township was singled out for putting its money where its mouth has been since 1997, when the township helped launch the Lititz Run Watershed Alliance, a grassroots group.
Since then, the township has gotten all sectors of the community enthusiastic about Lititz Run and other streams in the watershed.
For example, every farmer in Warwick has adopted conservation plans sought by the township.
One of the newest developments in the township went beyond ordinance requirements to preserve 15 acres of wetlands.
Every industrial park in the township has modified its stormwater systems to enhance performance.
And, over 13 years, the annual Watershed Day arranged by the township and the school district has impressed on more than 4,000 students the importance of water quality.
With that kind of involvement, no wonder Daniel Zimmerman, township manager, is reluctant to call the honor a municipal award.
"We are thrilled about it because we think it's a recognition of the community itself and their efforts," Zimmerman said on Monday.
"When you get an award like that, it just shows you are hitting on all four cylinders in the community.
"We have a great deal of gratitude to all sectors — farmers, businessmen, industries and just the citizens in the community.
"People just get it and understand what they have to do, and just try. Momentum breeds momentum."
The township has been a leader.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation cited the township's decision to install porous pavement and sidewalks at the township building, as well as bioretention basins.
Using those as demonstration projects, the township convinced a number of commercial properties to upgrade stormwater facilities with similar techniques.
Working with local Girl Scouts, the township promoted the installation of rain barrels in backyards.
The township's transferable development rights program has preserved 20 farms, totaling 1,318 acres.
Many of those landowners have worked with Lititz Run Watershed Alliance and the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited to further improve Lititz Run. Among them was the Millport Conservancy.
That led to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listing the Lititz Run restoration as a "National Showcase Watershed" in 2002.
Also, last year, the state upgraded the stream to a cold-water fishery because of its improved water quality.
Logan Myers III, chairman of the Warwick Township supervisors, was scheduled to accept the award Tuesday evening from Matthew Ehrhart, CBF's executive director for Pennsylvania.
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