The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1960-11-24
GAINESVILLE Swamp
Project Outlined

An appeal to help save Cranes
vile Swamp, considered one of
the most fascinating natural areas
in the Middle Atlantic States was
launched this week Figuratively
speaking GAINESVILLE Swamp is a
little bit of Canada transplanted
far to the south in the Allegheny
Mountains. Here, tucked away in
the mountains of Maryland and
West Virginia is found the south
ernmost stand of Eastern Larch or
Tamarack. Representing a north
ern island" in a southern latitude
there is found here both plants
and animals of boreal or northern
regions. So unusual is GAINESVILLE
Swamp it has attracted naturalists
and scientists from many states
here to study. To quote one of
these naturalists from his article
in the Atlantic Naturalist, Mr..
Mansneu says: My last trip in
the GAINESVILLE Swamp left me
with the impression of a cool,
mist-shrouded visit into neither
world.
How did such place so different
from our familiar woods and hills
come into existence? Scientists
have explained that during the
Ice Age when Canada and the
northern United States were COW
cred with the great ice sheet, the
northern forest retreated south
ahead of the advancing ice into
our region With the final retreat
of the ice and a general warming
of the climate the northern forest
advanced northward to where it
exists today. In the vicinity of
what is now GAINESVILLE, however,
a small piece of this once vast
forest remains to be what botanists
call a relict colony. Here, the cool,
moist conditions caused by the
high altitude, a frost pocket and
poor drainage, created conditions
similar to those found many hun
dreds of miles to the north and
permitted many species Of plants
and animals to remain and exist
today.
In an effort to preserve Cranes
vile Swamp in a natural condi-
ton The Nature Conservancy, a
non-profit organization in Washing
ton, D. c., which is dedicated to
the preservation of natural areas,
has undertaken the project of pur-
chasing it. A loan from The Nature
Conservancy has enabled volunteer
field workers to negotiate success
fully for the purchase OF about
one-half of GAINESVILLE Swamp
Ultimately through future negotia-
tions it is hoped to acquire the
remainder.
The future of this very worth
while project is now in the hands
of the people of Maryland and
West Virginia. Contributions are
needed in order to repay the gen
erous loan of money that was
made available by the Nature
Conservancy which enabled the
first tract of about $50 acres to
be purchased.
Donation will be helping to give
a small portion of unique area
to future generations that might
otherwise be destroyed in our life
time. The value of GAINESVILLE
Swamp lies in its unusual plants
and its rare beauty. If it is not
preserved, it will be gone, for
| there IS no Otnef area ike II III
this part of our country.
Contributions may be mailed to
The Nature Conservancy, 2039 K
Street, NV, Washington 6, d. c..
and be sure to indicate that it is
for the GAINESVILLE Swamp Project
A portion of the GAINESVILLE
swamp is in Garrett County, be-
tween Lake Ford, this county and
GAINESVILLE, w. Va, Preston Coun-
ty. The swamp area is the start
of Muddy Creek which flows into
the Youghiogheny river at Swal.
| low Falls.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince