Updated 30 Oct 06

What is the Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve? Dr. Stan Yoder, a devoted community activist and outdoorsman, lived in Boalsburg for many years. He practiced medicine as an orthopedic surgeon and touched the lives of many of us who live in the area. The Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve Committee, in cooperation with Harris Township Supervisors, has established a 15-acre nature preserve in Harris Township to honor Dr. Yoder, a person whose life exemplified the ideals of neighbor, friend and naturalist.

Where is the Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve? The preserve is at 450 Main Street, Boalsburg, on the south side of Main Street, west of the Diamond (Church St. - Main St. intersection) and east of Bailey Lane. A gravel parking area is available for park visitors.

About the Preserve
On October 15, 2001, the 15 acres of land where the Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve has been established officially became the property of Harris Township. The purchase of the land by the Boalsburg Village Conservancy (which was then donated to Harris Township) was made possible by the efforts and contributions of hundreds of supporters, grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Centre County Community Foundation, and a sizeable loan from a very generous individual. Fundraising efforts continued through November of 2003 to repay this debt. At a fine art auction on November 8th, their fundraising goal was reached.

Though in an "natural" state, the park is now available for public use - walking, jogging and birdwatching as part of the Centre Region Parks and Recreation system. The Harris Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has coordinated the development of a Master Site Plan for the park retains & enhances the important attributes of the nature preserve.

This land is one of the last undeveloped wooded parcels in the immediate Boalsburg Village area and is a vital link in the Nittany and Bald Eagle Greenway, extending from Tussey Mountain to the Spring Creek Corridor. It is home and habitat to a variety of native plant and animal species, including Coopers Hawks, Scarlet Tanagers, Screech Owls, white-tailed deer and Arisaema atrorubens, also know as the Indian Turnip. Preservation of this woodland will enhance the quality of life for all Centre Region residents.

The Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve Committee
The Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve Committee was a subcommittee of the Boalsburg Village Conservancy, a preservation organization that works to maintain the historic beauty and character of the Village of Boalsburg. The Committee originally formed in February of 2000 for the purpose of acquiring land for the establishment of the Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve. In addition to receiving several grants and hundred of donations, the Committee held numerous fundraising events for the park. They wish to thank everyone who has supported this project in so many ways.

Now that the Preserve is fully paid for, the Committee will focus future efforts on raising funds to support the Preserve. For further information about the Committee or the Haunted Walk, email Dr. Roy Love at rmlove104@adelphia.net or Patty Devecka at psdevecka@aol.com.

The site was officially dedicated to the memory of Dr. Stanley J. Yoder (1938-1999) on Sunday, 29 Oct 06. A memorial to Dr. Yoder will also be placed at the Preserve.

Funds & Fundraising
The challenge involved raising $626,534.57 to purchase the land from GTW Associates, $12,000 in "carrying charges" over the summer of 2001 while the group raised the funds, and $9,000 to Land Studies Inc. for a site evaluation and for grant application work.  TOTAL COST $647,534.57 (= $43,169/acre).

Fundraising events such as auctions, quilt raffles, fajita sales, coffee house concert series and ornament sales brought in over $100,000. The remainder came from contributions from over 700 groups and individuals.  The committee received several grants - the largest being $175,000 from PA DCNR.  Additional grants came from PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development and the Centre County Community Foundation.  Without the generous interest-free loan of  $175,000 from Mr. Joe Banks, the group would not have achieved their goal of acquiring the land and presenting it to Harris Township.  Mr. Banks specified no deadline for repayment - he really trusted the  group and believed in the cause!

Species of Birds
On Sunday, July 22, 2001, The Memorial Preserve Committee held a walk of the Preserve site. The following table is a list of the species of birds they found. Species are sorted alphabetically by common name; the second column is the scientific names of these species.

This information is courtesy of the Stan Yoder Preserve Committee and
was formerly posted at YoderPreserve.org.