PA Environment Digest Blog

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

PA Environmental Council: In Case You Missed It In March

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In March is now available featuring stories on--

-- Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Winners Announced, Celebration April 16

-- Western Pennsylvania Award Winners Announced, Celebration May 22

-- 190 People Attend Statewide Watershed Connections Conference

-- Laurel Highlands Heritage & History

-- PEC Podcast: Pennsylvania’s Living Cities [Wildlife]

-- PEC Podcast: Navigating Troubled Waters [From Watershed Conference]

-- Brett Hollern New Trails & Recreation Program Manager

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

South Mountain Partnership To Hold Spring Meeting May 3 In Biglerville, Adams County

The public is invited to the spring meeting of the South Mountain Partnership on May 3 at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, Adams County from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Attendees will learn about the Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan efforts taking place in Adams, York and other counties in the region, find out how the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership helps improve local water quality, find out what the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wild East Initiative is all about, and have a chance to network with colleagues from across the South Mountain region.

“Anyone interested in making the South Mountain region a better place to live, work, and play is encouraged to attend the spring meeting,” said Katie Hess, Director of the South Mountain Partnership. “There will be plenty of time to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and learn something interesting in the process. It’s all about celebrating the South Mountain and what we, collectively, can do to help.”

The cost of the event is just $5, which includes a light breakfast (pastries and fruit) and beverages (tea, coffee and juice). An optional lunch can be added for $10 more. All attendees must register in advance at by April 22.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.

More information on conservation landscape initiatives in other parts of the state are available at DCNR’s Conservation Landscapes webpage.

PA Environmental Educators Announce Winners Of 2019 Awards

On April 1, the PA Association of Environmental Educators announced the winners of their 2019 awards. They include--

-- Kevin W. Kopp, Keystone Award Environmental Youth Education Services, Inc. Kevin has been a leader for environmental education in for over 35 years through his work as an educator and musician. He created a CD of 14 songs, "Water We Singing About." The album is now officially part of Project curriculum and reaches audiences and beyond. As an educator a K-8 certificate, Kevin presents the environmental based programs he has created, at elementary schools and public events.

-- Julie Travaglini, Outstanding Environmental Educator Award. Julie is the Education Program Director with the Allegheny Land Trust. Combining a passion for the environment with her interests in STEAM education, Julie directs in-school and out-of-school education and professional development programs. Outside of her work with ALT, she serves at the Vice President of Science Tots, a nonprofit which helps connect parents and educators with STEAM resources.

-- Seeds to Sprouts Organic Children's Garden, Outstanding EE Program Award. The Seeds to Sprouts Organic Children’s Garden is a program of the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department that gives children from all backgrounds the opportunity to watch a seed germinate, find a lacewing under a leaf, and get their hands a little dirty in a 30'x30' raised bed garden located at the Angora Fruit Farm in the middle of Antietam Lake Park's 600+ acres. Each program takes place in the garden, focusing on sustainability and environmental issues by connecting the students to the foods they eat in a direct manner.

-- Stephen Bucklin, Daisy S. Klinedinst Memorial Award. Stephen is a Naturalist Educator with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Since starting as a part time educator in 2014, Stephen has become a leader in three key areas: he coordinates the Ecosystem Investigators middle school program, trains and coaches Survival Camp summer counselors, and develops and leads public programs. In every area of his work, Stephen brings a true commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.

The Awards were presented at the PAEE Annual Conference which attracted over 175 participants.

For more information on programs, initiatives, resources and other upcoming events, visit the PA Association of Environmental Educators website. Click Here to sign up for the PAEE newsletter (bottom of page, left). Click Here to become a member. Click Here to support PAEE’s work.

(Photos: Kevin Kopp, Julie Travaglini, (bottom) Stephen Bucklin, Seeds To Sprouts.)

Appalachian Independent Power Producers Accepting Mine Reclamation Grant Applications

The Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers (ARIPPA) is now accepting applications for two $2,500 mine reclamation grants. Applications are due May 1.

ARIPPA is again partnering with the Eastern and Western PA Coalitions For Abandoned Mine Reclamation to award the grants.

One grant will be awarded in the Anthracite Region and the other in the Bituminous Region.

The amount granted is dependent upon demonstrated need. Applying organizations must support the mission of ARIPPA, including the removal and conversion of waste coal into alternative energy and the beneficial use of circulating fluidized bed ash for abandoned mine reclamation.

You can obtain the official Request for Proposals and supporting documents by sending an email request to: anne@wpcamr.org.

Thanks to the 14 ARIPPA member plants that currently make up Pennsylvania’s coal refuse to energy industry, more than 200 million tons of coal refuse have been removed and burned as fuel, 1,200 miles of streams have been improved or restored and 7,000 acres of abandoned mine lands have been reclaimed through the use of beneficial ash.

Visit the Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers website to learn more.

(Photos: ARIPPA plant, reclamation site.)

Alliance For Appalachia: A Toolkit For Cleanup & Community Development

The Alliance for Appalachia now has available a new Toolkit for Cleanup and Community Development to provide resources for communities vulnerable to the downturn of the extraction-based economy.

The goal of this Toolkit is to provide a guide that will assist community leaders through the lifecycle of an abandoned mine land reclamation project– from defining community needs to building partnerships for projects in their area.

This Toolkit builds on our learnings from an extensive and collaborative research project, which culminated in 2015 with the publication of the paper: Abandoned Mine Land Program: A Policy Analysis For Central Appalachian And The Nation.

Click Here to download the new Toolkit or for more information.

Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Ed Center Summer Camps Registration Now Open In Wayne County

The Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center in Wayne County is now accepting registrations for summer day and residential camps for the 2019 summer season.

Lacawac will offer 6 different educational camps this summer for several age groups--

-- Conservation Leadership Academy: Age 13 to 17, Residential Camp, June 23-28;

-- Creature Feature: Ages 5-6 Day Camp, June 24-28 or July 1-5;

-- Exploring Nature: Ages 7-8, Day Camp, July 8-12 or July 29 to Aug. 2;

-- Earth Expressions: Ages 9-12, Day Camp, July 15-19 or July 22-26;

-- Eco Investigators: Ages 9-10, Day Camp, Aug. 5-9; and

-- Wilderness Adventures: Ages 11-12, Day Camp, Aug. 12-16.

Click Here for a brochure.

Visit the Lacawac Summer Camps webpage to register or for more information. Also register by sending email to: info@lacawac.org or call 570-689-9494.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Lacawac Sanctuary website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates (right panel). Follow on Twitter. Like on Facebook. Click Here to support their work.

Registration Now Open For 2019 Schuylkill River Sojourn June 1-7

The Schuylkill River Sojourn is now accepting registration for the full June 1 to 7, 11-mile Sojourn. Registration for portions of the Sojourn opens April 8.

The Sojourn will begin May 31 with the check-in at Schuylkill Haven Island Park in Schuylkill Haven and end on June 7 in Philadelphia.

Registration includes three meals a day and water/Gatorade at water stops; Expert guides ~ Camping arrangements; Shuttle back to cars; Gear transported for multi-day participants; Educational programs and/or musical entertainment at all lunch and evening stops.

Click Here for all the details.

There are Sojourns happening all over Pennsylvania. Click Here for the 2019 Sojourn Schedule from the PA Organization For Watersheds And Rivers.

Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Office Assistant

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of Office Assistant at its office in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

The Office Assistant responsibilities are to manage the day-to-day administrative aspects of running the organization. The successful applicant will have a positive attitude, a desire to work as efficiently as possible, and excellent client-facing communication skills.