PA Environment Digest Blog

Monday, June 1, 2020

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Moving Mountains Newsletter For The Birds Now Available

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s latest Moving Mountains newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

-- A Network Of Songbird Surveys: David Barber looks back on Hawk Mountain’s data from last year’s breeding bird count field research to summarize our observations of changes in songbird populations. Long-term, collaborative population monitoring is a key component of conservation.

-- Becoming A Raptor Up Close Volunteer: Volunteer Kelsey Schwenk reminisces about her journey to becoming a Raptors Up Close volunteer under the mentorship of long-time volunteer Cheryl Faust.

-- Help The Climate And The Mountain: Anyone can help the climate and the Mountain by purchasing Hawk Mountain carbon credits through our collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Bluesource, and Cool Effects.

-- A Hero Of Hawk Mountain - Fred Wetzel: The return of our Heroes of Hawk Mountain blog series features none other than Fred Wetzel, a long-time friend of the Sanctuary with a multitude of talents in ornithology and artistry.

-- Looking Back At Hawk Mountain 2020 Winter Bird Surveys: Winter bird surveys occur during the months of January and February every year, giving us a glimpse into regional forest and bird population health.

-- Support Hawk Mountain During The 2020 Virtual Benefit for The Birds: Hawk Mountain, located in Berks County, is changing up its usual annual Benefit for the Birds fundraiser, by hosting it entirely online! The usual in-person gala has been transformed into a month-long, online-only silent auction through June along with a live-streamed event on Friday, June 26, featuring brief presentations from Sanctuary staff.

Click Here to read the entire Moving Mountains.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr and visit their YouTube Channel. Click Here to support Hawk Mountain.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Offers New Virtual Education Programs, Prior Programs Available On Demand

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Holds Virtual Benefit For The Birds Gala In June

[Posted: June 1, 2020] PA Environment Digest

PA Envirothon Week: More Than 300 High School Students Take The Natural Challenge

On June 1, Pennsylvania Envirothon announced the 2020 Pennsylvania Envirothon Week winners who took the Take The Natural Challenge after the regular Envirothon events for high school students were canceled.

Not deterred from testing their Envirothon skill, the contest took place virtually and not outdoors, but the natural drive in these students was evident.

Prizes for the top scores were awarded for each day. The top 10 scorers each received a $20 gift card. If there were more than 10 top scorers for any given day, winners were randomly selected from the pool of top scorers.

From the week’s 179 participants who completed all five challenges, three overall winners took away Pennsylvania Envirothon apparel.

The overall winners’ scores out of a possible total of 500 points were:

-- First Place – Maddie Tiemann, Neshaminy High School, Bucks County, score of 480;

-- Second Place – Nicholas DeFigio, Brownsville Area High School, Fayette County, score of 475:

-- Third Place – Ethan Olesko, Brownsville Area High School, Fayette County, score of 470.

More than 300 Envirothon participants representing 110 schools in 47 counties competed in Pennsylvania’s first-ever, weeklong, online Envirothon Challenge.

During each day of the Challenge, individuals completed a 20-question quiz that focused on one of the five-station topics – Soils and Land Use, Current Issues, Wildlife, Aquatic Ecology, and Forestry.

“The virtual Envirothon was a nice tool to add to our new distant teaching, learning, and practice. We got many of the students excited as they waited for that exact time to go to their email and start the Challenge, but I was not expecting the level of involvement for the Challenge. I was happy to hear of their feedback after completing their Challenge,” expressed Tom Hojnowski, Envirothon coach at Canton High School, Bradford County.

The partners who made this event possible were Pennsylvania’s Departments of Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Education; U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service; Fish & Boat Commission; and Game Commission.

Event sponsors included: PA Association of Conservation Districts, State Conservation Commission, Shell, PSECU, EQT Foundation, UGI Utilities, Weis, Chief Oil & Gas, PPL, and PA Trappers Association.

“On behalf of the Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors, I would like to thank all the students who took the Pennsylvania Envirothon Online Challenge and their coaches who supported them,” said Bill Kahler, Chair. “It was very gratifying for us to see the great number of students participating in this very "unusual" 2020 Envirothon competition. For the seniors, we hope the Pennsylvania Envirothon will have a lasting impact on your future goals. For the returning students we hope you stay excited and involved, and we hope to see you in 2021. Congratulations to all who participated.”

Visit the Pennsylvania Envirothon website to learn more about the international Envirothon competition which was started right here in Pennsylvania by county conservation districts.

PA Envirothon Creates Daily Online ‘Taking A Natural Challenge’ For Envirothon Students May 18-22

[Posted: June 1, 2020] PA Environment Digest

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Launches New Protect Our Parks And Forests Website

The Parks and Forests Foundation recently unveiled a new website: Protect Our Parks and Forests.

In 2017, with the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, PPFF undertook a comprehensive study of the maintenance needs in our state parks and forests.

The resulting report, The Legacy of Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests: The Future Is In Our Hands, is an in-depth look at these ongoing and urgent needs.

The new website is the next step in educating enthusiasts and decision makers of the importance of our parks and forests and the need to address the over $1 billion in maintenance, safety, and infrastructure needs in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.

Visitors to the website will learn about the challenges facing state parks and forests, why investing in our parks and forests make sense for our economy and human health, and resources to take action.

State parks and forests attract millions of visitors each year and are part of the $29 billion outdoor recreation industry in the state.

Years of underfunding has led to bridges, dams, sewage treatment, recreational facilities and natural environments in poor shape. Deferring maintenance costs taxpayers more money in the long run.

And now, more than ever, the public is turning to the outdoors for physical, mental and emotional health.

Having a specific online presence to inform and advocate for natural spaces will bridge the gap between idea and action, making it easier than ever for Pennsylvanians to advocate for the places they hold dear.

“Pennsylvania’s parks and forests are protected under our Environmental Rights Amendment to our state constitution,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “They are essential to the nature of who we are, our cultural identity, and to protecting human and environmental health. They also provide a myriad of services that, if we had to replicate today, would cost millions of dollars. Investing in our parks and forests makes sense.”

For more information, visit the Protect Our Parks and Forests website.

For more information on programs, initiatives, special events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter or tune in to their YouTube Channel. Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.

-- 5 Month FY 2020-21 Budget Bills Now Law, Hard Decisions Deferred Until After Nov. 3 Election

-- House Republicans Pass Bill To Freeze Funding For County Conservation Districts, Local Parks, Farm Conservation, Watershed Restoration Projects; Will Hurt Local Economies

-- House Republicans Report Out Bill To Reallocate Keystone Fund That Threatens Vitality Of PA’s Outdoor Economy At A Critical Time For Small Businesses

-- Analysis: Where Did The $2.93 Billion In Environmental Funding The General Assembly Diverted Or Cut Go?

-- Analysis: 2020 Is A Make Or Break Year For Environmental Funding

-- PA Supreme Court Grants PA Environmental Defense Foundation Request For Oral Argument In Challenge To State Forest Drilling Revenue Transfers

-- Op-Ed: State Government Is Ignoring Pennsylvania’s Constitutional Right To A Clean Environment For Generations Yet To Come - Ron Evans, PA Environmental Defense Foundation

-- New PEC Podcast: Fmr Gov. Tom Ridge On Conservatives Being Out Of Touch On The Environment

-- Op-Ed: My Fellow Conservatives Are Out Of Touch On The Environment - Fmr. Gov. Tom Ridge

[Posted: June 1, 2020] PA Environment Digest

Dept. Of Health Reports 12 Additional Deaths From COVID-19 In PA; Live Briefing 3:30

On June 1, the Department of Health reported 12 more people have died in Pennsylvania from COVID-19 for a total of 5,567 confirmed deaths.

As of 12:00 a.m. June 1, there were 356 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 72,282 in all 67 counties.

County-specific information and a statewide map are available.

There are 389,431 patients who have tested negative to date. Approximately 5,463 of Pennsylvania’s total positive cases are in health care workers.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

-- Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4;

-- Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12;

-- Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18;

-- 6 percent percent are aged 19-24;

-- Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49;

-- 25 percent are aged 50-64; and

-- 28 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 15,545 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,663 cases among employees, for a total of 18,208 at 608 distinct facilities in 44 counties. Out of our total deaths, 3,557 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. Click Here for a county breakdown.

Live Briefing

Monday Live Briefing: Secretary of Health, Secretary of Aging provide COVID-19 Update at 3:30 p.m. Watch Live: https://www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or facebook.com/governorwolf/ or pacast.com/live/doh

For the latest information on the coronavirus and precautions to take in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, Follow them on Twitter, or Like them on Facebook.

NewsClips/Announcements:

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Helpful Links:

Responding To COVID-19 In Pennsylvania - General Resource Page All Topics

State Agency Coronavirus Guidance

Attorney General - Coronavirus Price Gouging Updates

Workers Can Report Businesses Not Following Protective Guidance Here

[Posted: June 1, 2020]

May PA Tax Revenue $439.7 Million Below Estimates; $2.9 Billion Below For Fiscal Year

On June 1, the Department of Revenue reported state revenue in May was $439.7 million, or 17.3 percent, less than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $29.6 billion, which is $2.6 billion, or 8.2 percent, below estimate.

The department estimates that approximately $199.8 million of the $439.7 million shortfall in May can be attributed to moving due dates for various taxes.

The remaining $239.9 million of the May shortfall is due to reduced economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although we are certainly seeing the effects of the pandemic reflected in the commonwealth’s revenue collections, it’s also important to recognize that a significant portion of the shortfall in May can be attributed to moving several tax deadlines to provide relief to Pennsylvania taxpayers during the pandemic,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “We expect to receive much of this revenue in the next fiscal year, which means we’ll have a clearer picture of the pandemic’s effect later in the year.”

The Independent Fiscal Office released a similar report showing May revenue was below their estimates by $502.6 million of which $430 million was the result of lost economic activity, $70 million loss due to the extended tax due dates. Read more here.

Dept. Of Revenue

Here is a full overview of May revenues by tax type:

Sales tax receipts totaled $699.1 million for May, $282.9 million below estimate. Year-to-date sales tax collections total $9.8 billion, which is $576.1 million, or 5.5 percent, less than anticipated.

Personal income tax (PIT) revenue in May was $947.2 million, $44.8 million above estimate. This brings year-to-date PIT collections to $11.8 billion, which is $1.5 billion, or 11.2 percent, below estimate.

May corporation tax revenue of $145.6 million was $164.7 million below estimate. Year-to-date corporation tax collections total $4.4 billion, which is $560.9 million, or 11.2 percent, below estimate.

Inheritance tax revenue for the month was $69.1 million, $26 million below estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $1 billion, which is $3.7 million, or 0.4 percent, above estimate.

Realty transfer tax revenue was $33 million for May, $18.1 million below estimate, bringing the fiscal-year total to $464.7 million, which is $31.5 million, or 6.4 percent, less than anticipated.

Other General Fund tax revenue, including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor and gaming taxes, totaled $159.6 million for the month, $20.1 million below estimate and bringing the year-to-date total to $1.4 billion, which is $55.3 million, or 3.8 percent, below estimate.

Non-tax revenue totaled $51.9 million for the month, $27.2 million above estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $629.5 million, which is $69.8 million, or 12.5 percent, above estimate.

In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $220.9 million for the month, $59.4 million below estimate. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund — which include the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues — total $2.4 billion, which is $180.3 million, or 6.9 percent, below estimate.

[Posted: June 1, 2020] PA Environment Digest

Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips 6.1.20

Senate returns to voting session June 8, 9, 10 [Call Of President Pro Tempore]

CHANGE: House cancels sessions days: June 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30; Will Only Be In Voting Session June 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24 [Call Of House Speaker]

June 4 Webinar On PA State Budget: Legislators Haven't Stopped The ir Attack On The Environment [PaEN]
Susan Phillips: Lawmakers Block Plastic Bag Bans Like Philly’s Called Huge Abuse Of Power
Rachel McDevitt: Wolf Administration Advances Proposed Emission Limits On Most Oil & Gas Sites

Here’s How To Build A New Spotted Lanternfly Trap

Penn State Extension: How To Build A New Style Spotted Lanternfly Circle Trap

Tornado Outbreak Killed 64 People In Pennsylvania 35 Years Ago

An ‘Avalanche Of Death,’ The Flood Of 1889 In Johnstown, Harrisburg

Editorial: Michigan Dam Failures Dire Warning

Bike, Pedestrian Path Envisioned In Williamsport, But Not A Priority

The Guardian: Being Black While In Nature: ‘You’re An Endangered Species’

Crews Recover Body Of Man, 23, At Nay Aug Gorge In Lackawanna County

John Hayes: As Part Of Self-Funding Deal, Fish & Boat Commission Reducing Financial Reserves

Marcus Schneck: Season Of The Fawn, What Lies Ahead For All Those Little Deer?
Meteorological Summer, The Atlantic Hurricane Season Start Today

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips