Who We Are
For years, the area around the Kernsville Dam has been enjoyed by the residents of Berks and Schuylkill counties. The combination of mountain and river produced an area unique in its diversity of both wildlife and outdoor recreational potential. In 2001, this diversity was threatened by development. That threat helped bring together a group of concerned citizens to form Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc.
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Blue Mountain Wildlife, Incorporated seeks to encourage those who have discovered the treasures of this area to join with us in an effort to maintain and improve it. We also seek to introduce the area to those who might enjoy its splendors. Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc., is cultivating strong relationships with other organizations, both public and private, to help us in our goal of preserving this area for ourselves and for future generations. |
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Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc., is not just about the preservation of one area. We plan to become the stewards of the Hamburg-to-Port Clinton portion of the Bartram Trial, a walking and bicycle trail that will connect Philadelphia to the Coal Region. We plan to sponsor educational programs to enlighten both young and old as to the wild treasures of the region. And we plan to aid other like-minded individuals and groups in the region to preserve, protect and maintain our diminishing wild areas. We invite you to join with us. |
The Kernsville Dam rests astride the Schuylkill River on 252 acres of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mines property nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge (or Kittatinny Ridge) in northern Berks and southern Schuylkill Counties. The area falls within the borders of three townships-Tilden, Windsor and West Brunswick-and the Borough of Hamburg. Two miles of the Schuylkill River flow through the area. The area is the gateway to the scenic and historical Schuylkill River Gap, which has been a regionally and nationally important transportation corridor for foot, canal, rail and road traffic for over 200 years. The dam, and its attendant desilting basin, was erected in 1949 to capture and remove coal silt from the river. The Kernsville Dam has become an important wilderness area, boasting a variety of wildlife in the water, in the air and on the land. The Appalachian Trail, running from Maine to Georgia, tracks through its upper reaches and the proposed Bartram Trail, running from Philadelphia to Pottsville, will track through the heart of the area. Boaters and kayakers, hikers and birdwatchers, fishermen and hunters, and wildlife and nature enthusiasts have all enjoyed the area for generations.
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 click on maps to enlarge |
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The roots of Blue Mountain Wildlife, Incorporated (BMW, Inc.), go back to the early 1980's. Mr. Ron Cassler founded Hamburg Ecology Life Patrol (H.E.L.P.), which cleaned up the Kernsville Dam area, rebuilt the restrooms, and maintained trash removal and grass mowing on a weekly basis. H.E.L.P. relied upon limited funding and volunteer labor provided by its members. H.E.L.P. was active throughout the 1980's and early 1990's, and several members are active participants in BMW Inc. today. |
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In November, 2000, the first series of public meetings presenting plans for intensive development of recreational facilities in the Kernsville Dam area brought together a group of concerned citizens to form the "Friends of the Kernsville Dam". Throughout the series of public meetings the "Friends of the Kernsville Dam" offered several pre-existing alternative sites for recreational facilities as possible ecological solutions. None of these were incorporated into the proposed plans. The "Friends of the Kernsville Dam" circulated a petition in opposition to the proposed plans. Approximately 1,300 signatures were collected. The "Friends of the Kernsville Dam" approached nearby municipalities with the petition to solicit support in opposition of the proposed plan. |
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The "Friends of the Kernsville Dam" then evolved into "Blue Mountain Wildlife, Incorporated" to help solidify existing support to preserve the wild area around the Kernsville Dam and develop alternative locations for recreational facilities throughout northern Berks County. BMW, Inc. consulted with and received support from nearby property owners and businesses to develop an alternative plan. The Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern Railroad Company became a corporate sponsor. On October 10, 2001, BMW Inc. presented its plan for the preservation of the Kernsville Dam area at a press conference to various agencies and organizations. At this time the public became aware through media coverage. BMW, Inc. then presented the plan to eight nearby municipalities and gained the attention and support of local leaders. |
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Since our beginning in October of 2001, Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc. has become a certified 501(3)C non-profit organization. Our membership has grown to over 240 members and is steadily increasing. We have received an incredible amount of support from our membership at the Earth-Day clean-up weekends that have been held each spring. We have also been blessed with a great deal of financial and technical support from many local businesses and individuals. We even received $386 raised by the kids at the Hamburg Elementary School. They adopted our organization for their Earth Day project in the spring of 2003. |
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We have created a detailed concept plan for passive recreational activities in the Kernsville Dam Area which includes: many hiking & biking trails, nature trails, butterfly & hummingbird gardens, wheelchair accessible fishing locations & fishing pier, a boat launch, picnic areas, etc. Our plan has been well received by the local municipalities and by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (PA DEP -BAMR), the state agency that administers the Kernsville Dam area. In the fall of 2003 we received a lease for the area from PA DEP-BAMR which will enable us to begin implementing our plans. Also in the fall of 2003 we applied for and received a $25,000 grant from the Berks County Open Space and Recreation Commission. The grant requires 50% matching funds which we are well on our way to meeting. |
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In early 2004, we began working on the lower trail system that will be a link for the Schuylkill River Greenway Association's (SRGA) "Bartram Trail" which will eventually run from Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River to above Pottsville. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us. There are many interesting projects that will require the continued support and involvement from our membership and community. Please come and get involved. You'll get to know lots of new friends and neighbors and have a great time doing it. |
