Millersville University and PP&L, Inc. have entered into a "Partnership for the Environment," an ecological study areas cooperative agreement that allows the University to use the power company's Holtwood Project lands for long-term environmental study.

The Holtwood Project, in the Lake Aldred area, includes some 5,000 acres in both Lancaster and York counties in the lower Susquehanna River Gorge. The lands contain some of the best unspoiled areas remaining in the region.

The agreement sets guidelines and responsibilities for both partners,governing educational and research projects — to be approved in advance — that Millersville University faculty and students will undertake on the Holtwood lands.

Much of the PP&L land at Holtwood has remained in its natural state, and relatively undisturbed, since the company purchased it in the early part of this century. Millersville's biology department has used the area informally for many years for student field trips and sporadic, short-term studies.

"This compact formalizes the long-standing spirit of mutual cooperation between PP&L, Inc. and Millersville," said Dr. Albert Hoffman, dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at Millersville University. "Through it, we can facilitate continuing study of the environment by preserving natural sites that are ideal for long-term research."

"Further," Dr. James Parks, professor of biology at Millersville University, explained, "this work can yield basic knowledge, instruct future environmental scientists in the proper methods of inquiry, and produce greater appreciation of the natural world by us all. This is an act of stewardship toward the environment on behalf of the community."

Mark W. Arbogast, PP&L, Inc.'s land management superintendent at Holtwood, said that since the Holtwood Project had a large amount of land with environmental value available and since Millersville was looking for such an area to conduct environmental studies, it was only natural that such a partnership would be formed — one that actively demonstrate's PP&L, Inc.'s concern for the environment.

"We are pleased that Millersville can use these lands for research," Arbogast said. "Yet to evolve more fully, however, is the environmental education aspect of the partnership." He noted that Millersville students have served internships at Holtwood, and that plans are under way to offer other cooperative ventures such as teacher workshops and public wildflower courses.

Millersville's biology department faculty members who are involved with ecological and environmental studies have increased in numbers over the years. Some of them have established research programs that involve long-term monitoring of populations and, thus, require study sites that will be undisturbed for several years. "The need to carry on such studies in eastern Pennsylvania will only increase," said Dr. David Zegers, Millersville University's professor of biology, "even as changing demographic, cultural and economic forces bring land-use demands that are incompatible with long-term habitat stability."

"I hope this will be the first in a series of partnerships with PP&L, Inc., which advance ecological science and environmental education," stated Dr. Parks. "Together we can better protect and understand our natural environment. This is a suitable legacy for our children."

PP&L, Inc.'s Holtwood Lands — including Shenk's Ferry, Kelly's Run, Lock 12 Historic Area and Otter Creek — are managed for public recreation and the conservation of soil, water, timber, wildlife and unique natural areas. Forest planting, thinning and harvesting are carried out for maximum timber production and for an improved wildlife habitat on 600 acres of timber land registered in the American Tree Farm System. Over 250,000 people annually make use of the lands for camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting and hiking.