Videos From Montgomery, Cumberland, Dauphin Counties Voted Favorites In Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest

The videos getting the most votes in the Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest as tabulated on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Facebook page were--

-- 1st Place: Montgomery County: Make Norristown Beautiful;

-- 2nd Place: Cumberland County: Build A Better New Cumberland; and

-- 3rd Place: Dauphin County: Lancaster Mennonite School, Hershey.

The videos with the most “Likes” won cash prizes-- $200 for first place and $100 each for two runners up.  Cash prizes are sponsored by the PA Waste Industries Association.

“We hope our video contest generates excitement around local community improvement efforts. Through this video contest, it is our goal to share grassroots stories of partnerships, innovation and pride. We are anxious to see who is chosen as this year’s winner and thank everyone for sharing our vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania!” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

The other entries are very much worth a watch too.  They include--

-- Allegheny County: Rachel Carson Trail

-- Cumberland County: Mount Holly Springs Council

-- Dauphin County: Lancaster Mennonite School, Hershey

-- Erie County: Falls Road Cleanup

-- Montgomery County: Upper Perkiomen Middle School

-- Montgomery County: Upper Merion Twp. Park & Stream Cleanup

-- Northampton County: Bangor Middle School

Click Here to view all the videos.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

Join Western PA Audubon's Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Your backyard is your sanctuary and the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania can help you to make it a beneficial location for birds, insects, butterflies, and animals.

The Backyard Habitat Certification Program will connect you with the resources that you need to make real change in your backyard, front yard, or even on your patio.

ASWP will visit your yard twice during the process, create a custom plan for your property, and provide you with a variety of resources to help you along the way.

For all the details, visit the ASWP’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program webpage or call 412-963-6100 for more information or to enroll in the program.

The program fee is $35 for ASWP members and $50 for non-members.  The non-member fee comes with a 1 year complimentary household membership.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania website.
Visit PA Audubon’s Audubon At Home webpage for more information on what you can do to improve bird habitat around your community.

Feature: PA Natural Heritage Program: Restoring Habitat For The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Earlier this year, during the coldest months of this long winter, a small crew of Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program zoologists spent time improving habitat for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus).

This small, non-aggressive rattlesnake is smaller and much more confined in its habitat needs than the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). It is rare for someone to see one of these snakes.

While this endangered species is hibernating deep underground in crayfish and mammal burrows that provide access to groundwater, our crew was busy removing trees and brush that overgrew the snake’s preferred old-field habitats.  

One of the primary reasons that massasauga populations are declining nationwide is vegetative succession that casts shade over the once sunny fields and grassy areas that the snakes use for basking and foraging.

Without these exposed, warm areas the cold-blooded snakes cannot carry out important functions like digestion and reproduction.

Over the past 10 years PNHP staff have been working within massasauga sites on state and private land to help remove the brush and young trees that create shade and discourage the snakes from using the habitat.  

We do a lot of the work by hand using chainsaws and brush clearing saws to minimize ground disturbance in sensitive wetland areas where the snakes are likely to be hibernating.

During the winter or in less sensitive areas, we also have used contractors with rubber tracked skid-steers with a brush cutter mounted on the front.

These machines are very effective at removing large areas of brush in limited time and if done when the ground is frozen solid, there is no soil or wetland disturbance and more importantly no chance of disturbing or hitting a snake.

This work also benefits species that prefer early successional habitat, like woodcock and grouse, which have also seen declines in their populations.   

The opportunities to conduct this important work have come from partnerships with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and from generous private donors.

Private landowners have also been great partners in massasauga conservation, opening their lands for restoration work and taking a great interest in the animals and their future protection.

In December, one landowner granted the acquisition of 2.5 acres of massasauga habitat after learning about the snakes and their plight. Together with other landowners, we have restored or expanded over 100 acres of habitat on public and private land.

This winter our work focused on a Western Pennsylvania Conservancy property and was made possible through a partnership with the Game Commission’s Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).

This spring we hope to see snakes using the habitat that we restored as we continue to look for opportunities to improve and maintain habitat for the eastern massasauga in Pennsylvania.

For more information about the eastern massasauga and our work, please visit the WPC  eastern massasauga rattlesnake webpage.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy works under contract with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to provide Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program services, including the management of the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory database and collection of information on Pennsylvania’s natural communities and rare, threatened, and endangered species.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, add them to your Circle on Google+, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

(Photo: Top- Before habitat work, Bottom- After, Right- eastern massasauga rattlesnake.)

(Written by the Western PA Conservancy.)

DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Day In All 5 Air Quality Partnership Areas For Saturday, June 30

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone in all 5 Air Quality Partnership areas for Saturday, June 30.  Those areas include--

-- Liberty-Clairton: Liberty, Clairton, Port Vue, Lincoln, Glassport, Allegheny County;

-- Southwest PA: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland counties;

-- Southcentral PA:  Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties;

-- Lehigh Valley: Berks, Lehigh Northampton counties; and

-- Southeast PA: Bucks Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Lots of sunshine, light southwesterly winds, and temperatures soaring to the middle 90s will cause ozone to rise to code ORANGE levels. Fine particulate will also break into the moderate zone as mixing will be limited.

Sunday's forecast: Rather hot on Sunday with sunshine for the most part and temperatures reaching the middle and upper 90s.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:

-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk;

-- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature;

-- Carpooling or using public transportation; and

-- Combining errands to reduce trips.

These forecasts are provided in conjunction with DEP’s regional air quality partnerships.

Check the PA Environment Digest Blog for updates through the weekend.

Visit DEP’s Air Quality Partnerships webpage for more information on air quality across Pennsylvania.

PennVEST, DEP Invite Comments On Proposed Clean Water, Drinking Water Intended Use Plans, Project Lists, July 12 Meeting

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection are inviting public comments on the Federal Fiscal Year FY 2018 Intended Use Plans for the Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. (formal notice)

These IUPs include a list of drinking water, wastewater treatment, nonpoint source and pollution abatement projects to be considered for a design and engineering or construction loan or grant from federal funds the Commonwealth expects to receive.

The Drinking Water Revolving Fund will be capitalized with an approximated maximum of $34 million of Federal funds and $6.8 million of State funds.

Approximately $9.6 million of these funds will be set aside for technical assistance to small systems, operator training and certification, and source water assessment and protection as authorized under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The IUP also includes a narrative work plan that describes how these set-aside funds will be used.

PennVEST is also allocating an additional $1.4 million for administrative purposes.  An additional $6.8 million must be set-aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities.

The FY 2018 Drinking Water Fund grant does not have a requirement to set-aside funding for green infrastructure projects. However, the Commonwealth will continue to promote them. These projects can fall into one of four categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; and (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.

The Clean Water Revolving Fund will be capitalized with an approximated maximum of $64.2 million of Federal funds and approximately $12.8 million of State funds.

$1 million dollars will be set aside for program administration costs. An approximated maximum of $19 million may be set-aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities and approximately $6.3 million must be set-aside for green infrastructure projects that fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; and (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.
The Intended Use Plans and proposed projects lists are subject to public review every year.

Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held on July 12 in the 2nd Floor Auditorium of the Rachel Carson Building, 400 Market Street in Harrisburg starting at 2:00 p.m. to receive comments from the public on the IUPs.

Comments can also be submitted through DEP’s eComment webpage until July 30.  Copies of the IUPs will be posted on the eComment page and DEP’s State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan webpage.

Read the formal notice in the June 30 PA Bulletin for all the details.

DEP: West Nile Virus Found In 11 More Counties This Week Bringing Total To 23

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday reported on its West Nile Virus website mosquitoes testing positive for the virus have been found in 11 more counties this week-- Bedford, Columbia, Cumberland, Delaware, Fayette, Lackawanna, Lancaster,  Lawrence, Luzerne, Northumberland and Union.

This brings to 23 the number of counties with positive surveillance results, including the previously reported counties of-- Adams, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Montour and York.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

-- Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold water;

-- Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed;

-- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers;

-- Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains;

-- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use;

-- Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths;

-- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish; and

-- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.

If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy Bti products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people who are most at risk:

-- Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

-- Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.

-- When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.

-- Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picardin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

For more information on spraying operation and surveillance results, visit the West Nile Virus website.

West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition Meets July 10 In Centre County

The West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition will hold its quarterly meeting and picnic on July 10 at Bald Eagle State Park, Pavilion #5 in Centre County starting at 5:30.

Prior to the meeting, which starts at 6:30, there will be a picnic dinner. Trout Unlimited will be providing the meat, potato salad, and beverages. The event organizers ask that everyone bring a dish to share.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Carol Parenzan. She will share with us some of the work she has been doing throughout the watershed along with upcoming events surrounding the celebration of the Loyalsock as 2018 River of the Year!

Please RSVP to rachel.kester@tu.org by July 6, so they can have an accurate count for food. Carpooling will be available from Clearfield, also by contacting Rachel.

Click Here for more on the meeting.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition website.

Stroud Water Research Center UpStream News Now Available

The Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center UpStream News is now available featuring articles on--

-- Life In 3 Dimensions: Students, Stroud, Retired Teacher Collaborate On 3D Printing

-- Research  Reveals Caddisflies Are Ecosystem Engineers

-- Get Your Freshwater Science Taxonomic Certification (photo)

-- Denis Newbold Named Society For Freshwater Science Fellow

-- Meet Our 2018 Summer Interns!

-- Milton Hershey School Students Get Their Boots Wet

-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream.  Click Here to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter.  Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research,  Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, include them in your Circle on Google+ and visit their YouTube Channel.