ClearWater Conservancy broke ground on the Hamer Community Conservation Center on August 5, marking the construction start on a long-envisioned space dedicated to local conservation, community engagement, and environmental education in the Spring Creek Watershed.
The event welcomed a broad and enthusiastic crowd of funders, contractors, nonprofit partners, elected officials, ClearWater members, donors, volunteers, and community supporters—all of whom share a deep commitment to protecting central Pennsylvania’s natural resources.
“ClearWater Conservancy is excited to see our new home become a reality here in the heart of Spring Creek. At its completion, we will have an exemplary Hamer Community Conservation Center where we will be able to support our community with a place to meet, a place to educate through model gardens and buffers and a place to discuss conservation practices” said Donnan Stoicovy, Board President of ClearWater Conservancy. “This new center will really bring ClearWater’s strategic initiatives to Connect, Protect, Restore, and Steward the natural resources of our beautiful backyard of central Pennsylvania to a new level!”
About the Hamer Community Conservation Center
The Hamer Community Conservation Center at ClearWater Conservancy is a 10,392-square-foot, two-story facility designed to serve as a vibrant hub for community engagement, environmental education, and conservation leadership. The facility is being brought to life through the design work of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) and the construction management team at Alexander Building Construction. The building will feature a variety of spaces including basement-level workshop and program support spaces, private and open office areas, a library, a large meeting/community room, a kitchenette, and flexible gathering areas, along with outdoor demonstration zones and accessible pedestrian trails leading to Spring Creek.
The original barn on site, salvaged in March, will live on through the creative repurposing of its materials, including floor joists milled into the main entrance façade siding, interior architectural elements from existing barn doors, hardware, and site benches that preserve its legacy. A standout feature of the project is its commitment to sustainability and heritage: solar panels, geothermal systems, and landscaping that incorporates original stone foundations will complement the timber-framed barn structure. The construction team is set to mobilize on site within the next few weeks, with project completion anticipated by August 2026.
Located within the Spring Creek Watershed, the Hamer Community Conservation Center will serve as ClearWater Conservancy’s permanent headquarters and a hub for environmental education, collaboration, and on-the-ground conservation. The center will include:
- Professional workspaces for conservation staff and partners
- Indoor and outdoor areas for public events, workshops, and learning
- Demonstration sites showcasing best practices in land and water resources stewardship
- Direct connections to nature through stream access
This new facility will greatly expand ClearWater’s capacity to deliver conservation programs and engage the community in long-term stewardship and conservation of local lands and waters.
Community-Powered
Special thanks were extended to the Hamer Foundation, whose leadership support helped make the project possible, as well as to the Appalachian Regional Commission, Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Community Conservation Partnerships Program, West Penn Energy Fund,
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and the many individuals, families, and organizations who have contributed to this bold and collaborative vision.
