Altoona

Penn State, Shell collaboration funds environmental research project

Altoona professor investigates vegetation management on Falcon Pipeline in Pennsylvania

Carolyn Mahan, professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, and Mike Retterer of Pheasants Forever explain the research approach to understanding habitat management along the Falcon Pipeline Right-of-Way in southwestern Pennsylvania. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

ALTOONA, Pa. — A collaboration between Penn State and Shell USA Inc. is supporting efforts across the University’s mission of research, education and community impact. An initial commitment from Shell of more than $1 million is funding initiatives focused on energy transition, decarbonization, polymer recycling and biodiversity.

One of those funding initiatives supports an environmental research project, led by Carolyn Mahan, a professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, on Shell’s Falcon Pipeline. The 97-mile common carrier ethane pipeline, owned and operated by Shell Pipeline Company, runs across parts of southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia and eastern Ohio.

The pipeline began operations in 2020, and the study area for the Falcon Conservation Project contains six sites within a 30-acre section that runs parallel to the Montour trail in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Mahan and her team are studying the effects of pipeline right-of-way vegetation management on native plants and wildlife with a goal of maintaining habitats and biodiversity through strategic conservation practices. A right-of-way is a type of legal land easement that may be established to permit the construction of infrastructure such as pipelines, electric transmission lines or roads. This three-year research endeavor is part of Shell Pipeline’s Right-of-Way Conservation program.

In September, Shell held an event that brought together Mahan and her research team, various Penn State departments, local government officials and the public to tour the research site and to share information about the project.

Mahan, who has long conducted research on how best to maintain various types of rights-of way, including utility and roadsides, for both humans and wildlife, previously demonstrated that there are different ways to manage rights-of-way to promote native plants and wildlife, especially pollinators.

Although current standard management practice is to mow these areas to about four inches in height, according to Mahan, taller native vegetation provides more habitat for wildlife including nesting birds and pollinators. Vegetation may be managed to promote native plant species that will not grow too tall and obscure pipeline markings. In Pennsylvania, these plants include goldenrods, asters and coneflowers. These species are taller than four inches at blooming but still permit marker visibility.

Other management practices include high volume, non-selective application of herbicides, frequent mowing or mulching.

Mahan and her team began year one of research with preliminary sampling and surveying work over the summer. They discovered rare native plants, monarch butterflies and grassland birds utilizing the right-of-way habitat, which Mahan said she finds promising for the rest of the project.

This summer will include pollinator research, and she expects to find more native grassland birds, native bees and other flower-visiting insects using the right-of-way.

Shell and other energy companies manage about 30 million acres in rights-of-way.

“If we can get these companies to change their vegetation management approaches, we can create a lot of habitat for native wildlife,” Mahan said. “That means a robust ecosystem that can support pollinators, plants and native wildlife.”

Mahan said she hopes her research findings will be an example for other companies to follow pursuit of their own environmental, social and governance goals. It could also encourage more public participation and partnerships to promote managing rights-of-way for biodiversity.

A final report and presentation to research partners will take place in June 2027 with management recommendations and implications for future research discussed.

“We’re deep into the work, and our contacts at Shell are fully supportive,” Mahan said. “They work with us and provide what we need to conduct thorough and important work. They’re funding rigorous research and demonstrating leadership in discovering best practices for vegetation management on rights-of-way.”

Last Updated February 4, 2025

Contact