Wildlife & Land Management

GLRA's Wildlife & Land Management Overview

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority's Wildlife and Land Management practices foster both conservation and biodiversity of its natural ecosystems. Effective land management helps protect wildlife species and their habitats, ensuring a sustainable coexistence with wildlife. Sustainable agricultural practices enhance soil health, water quality, and plant diversity, benefiting both wildlife and agricultural productivity. Enhanced wildlife habitat management practices like brush management and habitat restoration create better conditions for various wildlife species, improving their habitats. Sustainable land management promotes practices that maintain ecosystem health while supporting agricultural and economic activities, contributing to climate resilience. Providing opportunities for community engagement and involving local communities in wildlife management efforts leads to more effective conservation outcomes and promotes public awareness about wildlife conservation. These practices not only benefit wildlife but also support agricultural productivity and community well-being. 

GLRA's facility has an extensive Wildlife and Land Management Plan, originally written by a PA Game Commission Biologist, along with many side projects employees have initiated and implemented to better the environment and the community. The following is a list of these such endeavors:

•  Wildlife Management Plan
Partnered with the PA Game Commission, the GLRA has instated a Wildlife Management Plan since 2021. This plan includes, but is not limited to, reduced mowing to preserve nesting habitats, building bird boxes, planting trees, keeping track of hunting, and testing for macro-invertebrates. Since this was instituted, the wildlife on the GLRA land has significantly improved to include increased numbers and more variety of animals, birds, and reptiles as well as increased community involvement with the wildlife. Two of our previous interns have done studies on the increased animal populations on GLRA land and Cornell Lab’s eBird website boasts increased sightings of various species of birds.

•  GLRA Union Canal Walking Trail
The GLRA hosts a walking trail that passes through scenic farmland and three historic canal locks. The trail is currently undergoing an expansion to better highlight the three canal locks and their history and to showcase the beautiful nature of the area. There are plans in place to build a bird watching platform and to enrich the surrounding areas with brush piles and native plants for natural habitats.

• Kestrel Banding
The GLRA has partnered with Zoo America for about 2 years to band and track Kestrel fledglings. There are currently 7 Kestrel Boxes on site that are checked and maintained by GLRA Staff. Since this partnership began, 7 fledglings have been banded and can be seen flying around the facility. 

•  Bird Boxes & Beehives
To assist wildflower and agriculture pollination, GLRA houses 8 beehives which employees and a bee keeper maintain. GLRA also has installed and monitored 25 Bluebird, 7 Kestrel, 3 Barn Owl and 1 Screech Owl Box for nesting and protection. 

• Pennsylvania Priority Grasslands Project
GLRA was selected for funding by the Pennsylvania Priority Grasslands Project to restore and enhance their grasslands for wildlife, with a focus on grassland dependent songbirds. Fields to be restored will receive a native grass and wildflower planting in November of 2025 or Spring of 2026. To prepare the future restored field for this native planting, unwanted vegetation and invasive shrubs will be removed in the spring of 2025. Ongoing work will prepare room for the future native planting. Come visit the restored fields in about three to four years and they will be home to many wildflowers, grassland songbirds, and pollinators. The Pennsylvania Priority Grasslands Project is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pheasants Forever, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This project was funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. If you would like to learn more, talk with GLRA staff and they can put you in touch with the Project’s Coordinating Wildlife Biologist.

• Mowing Plan
As a part of the Wildlife Management Plan, the GLRA implements rotational mowing on much of the property. The less active sections of the property are placed on a three-year rotational mowing plan while the more active sections are on an annual “mowing in thirds” plan. This ensures that habitats are available year-round while also allowing the landfill to conduct necessary work like inspections and surface emissions monitoring.