The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be holding a meeting today, Friday, September 25, at 8:30 AM. The Commission is requesting public comments. They will be live-streaming the event on YouTube. A recording of the meeting will be available if you miss it.

It should be a straightforward meeting. One of the agenda items did, however, catch my attention. It involves acquiring approximately 44 acres of land to help protect the breeding grounds of Virginia Rails.

The Northern Allegheny Conservation Association is offering this prime piece of wetlands to the Game Commission for permanent protection. Apparently the price exceeds the regulatory guidelines of what the Commission is allowed to spend per acre.

The Game Commission has arranged to use a special funding stream to allow the purchase to take place. Kudos to them for getting creative and ensuring the acquisition can proceed.

The 44-acre tract is within Akeley Swamp. The swamp is part of a Natural Heritage Area and an Important Bird Area. It is a breeding ground for migratory waterfowl (not unlike our own Bashakill here in Sullivan County).

So, why did this item catch my eye? It stood out because Virginia Rails are listed as a species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania. They have been losing their northern habitat and seem to be on a trajectory of possibly becoming extirpated from the state. It’s nice to see the Game Commission taking steps to protect them.

The good news, of course, is that Virginia Rails are listed as a Species of Least Concern nationally. Their populations are stable elsewhere, although habitat loss continues to occur.

Rails are actually considered a game bird, and both Virginia and Sora Rails can be hunted in states like Virginia, Missouri and Louisiana. So can gallinules, but that’s a story for another day.

Virginia Rails carry a NatureServe ranking of S3B in PA, which classifies them as Vulnerable. They require targeted monitoring under the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan due to loss and fragmentation of high-quality breeding habitat.

It’s nice to see the Pennsylvania Game Commission taking action. It’s nice to see them thinking outside of the box and using funding streams that allow them to exceed the $400 per acre regulatory cap in order to preserve this vital wetland area.

I encourage everyone that can to hop onto YouTube and view the meeting. I apologize for not getting the word out sooner, but the press release came out after my submission deadline for last week.

I’m always glad to see the efforts of the dedicated folks of the PA Game Commission and the NYS DEC in conserving and preserving our natural world.

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.