Comes Natural Resources Learning Center gift unveiled/By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—Donald J. Comes enjoyed 4-H Club activities when he was a lad. All his life he has enjoyed learning about and living in harmony with nature, and sharing his knowledge and enjoyment of the land, and growing things.

Now in his senior years, Comes is active as a Master Gardener, and in a slew of projects where plants are flourishing in and around public buildings.

Recently Comes capped his teaching and sharing of love of nature by deeding 41 acres of his property along Route 46, near Crosby, to Penn State Extension of McKean County.

This is the first such gift to land to Penn State Extension, in the history of the land grant university. The purpose is to create a learning arena for today’s 4-H kids, and kids in general, and to adults as well. The “curriculum” would include the study of forestry and wildlife, streams, streams, stormwater management, tree planting and care, gardening (vegetable and flower), conservation practices, streams and riparian areas.

At a public unveiling of Comes’ gift and associated goals for the learning center, held at the Courtyard restaurant Tuesday night, Comes spoke of hopes for involvement of students and teachers in area schools. “I think we should go to every school in McKean County and talk to students  from kindergarten to twelfth grade. We should talk to people with gardens…” He wants to make sure the public at large is aware all are welcome at the Natural Resources Learning Center.

Full development of the ambitious program will take about a year and require support from many donors, from organizations to businesses to individuals. The fundraising goal is $146,000. Some donations are already in hand, some were presented at the event, and more will be needed as the learning center is developed.

Parking areas will be provided on either side of Route 46. Near one, there will be an outdoor classroom, with an associated pavilion. Between the highway and Potato Creek there will be a larger parking area, and a pavilion. Restrooms will be constructed.

The Learning Center land includes 35 acres of northern hardwoods forest and five acres of open fields. Even the development of hiking and learning trails will be educational, as trees are marked and removed in preparation, and base materials and geotextiles are chosen for the trails.

Trails will include some that are handicapped-accessible, even to the extent of one path to Potato Creek being gradual enough for those with limited mobility. Other trails will be more challenging, particularly in the steep, hillside area of the forest.

A feature of interpretive walking trails will be signage, including some interactive ones. There will also be two geocaches.

There will be a water trail landing, for use by canoe and kayak enthusiasts.

The forest includes a stand of sugar maples, which planners hope to utilize as a lab for sugar bush management.

The professional and occupational development aspects of the learning center will include courses in sustainable forestry practices.

Comes is looking forward to seeing vegetable and flower gardening practiced and learned, at the Natural Resources Learning Center. Some such projects have been carried out under his tutelage, with 4-H youth involved. Fruit tree cultivation, including pruning and grafting, will be demonstrated.

Comes has donated his extensive nature and horticulture library, collected over the years, from his days at Cornell University and since, to Extension in McKean County, for free use by the public.

Although organized programs utilizing the new facility are expected to benefit nearby communities especially, Comes and other sponsors emphasized that the public at large will be welcome. Tourists and visitors to the area will find the Learning Center an interesting spot, planners believe.

Don Tanner, McKean County Extension Director, was master of ceremonies. Tim Pierson, Extension educator and forester, presented an overview of the learning center project.

County Commissioner Cliff Lane presented the annual Conservation Partner Award to dairy farmers Jim and Judy Larson.