Sierra Club PA Hosts Oct. 30 Webinar - It’s Scary Out Here! How Oil & Gas Waste Haunts Pennsylvania

The Sierra Club Pennsylvania is hosting an October 30 webinar - It’s Scary Out Here! How Oil and Gas Waste Haunts Pennsylvania-- from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The webinar will discuss the contents and impacts of oil and gas waste, including discussion about how the industry disposes of its waste, misinformation promoted by the industry, and what can be done to secure better outcomes. 

Speakers include Kelsey Krepps, Senior Organizer, and Tom Schuster, Chapter Director. 

Click Here to register and for more information.

The webinar is part of the Chapter’s Clean Energy for All series.

Visit the Sierra Club Pennsylvania website for more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events.

[Posted: October 21, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Cameron County Chamber Announces Results Of Sinnemahone Trail Run, Final Triple Crown Event Of This Season

The Cameron County Chamber of Commerce announced the results of the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run held in perfect conditions for runners this year on October 19.  This is the third event in the annual Sinnemahone Triple Crown.

Taking home top honors in the 50k was 20 year old Benjamin Kauffman from Lykens in a time of 5:33:12.  

Cleo Bradybaugh from Kane was the first woman to cross the finish line at 5:47:20.

The top finisher in the 25k race was 23 year old Raymond Esh from Lykens with a time of 2:41:30.  

The first woman to finish was 43 year old Jessica Goss from Milroy in a time of 3:20:49.  

The mother son team of Nancy and Eric Vierhaus from California returned to compete in the 25k.  The Emporium natives have competed yearly.

Top finisher in the 12k was 50 year old Chris Lyon from Cory in a time of 1:09:45.  

The top female competitor was 51 year old Valerie Van Breugel finishing in 1:10:25.  

The 12k saw a mother daughter duo including the youngest competitor 10 year old Isabel Les from Austin.  A husband wife team from Texas also competed in the event.

The event this year included a new section through the Elk State Forest eliminating a conflict with the CCOYA youth mentored hunt event.  

More than 50 competitors took to the trail Saturday.  

This is the 12th year for the race which is used to promote local businesses who provide the awards and swag for the events.  

Click Here for complete results.

Visit the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce’s Sinnemahone Triple Crown website for more information on all the events.

(Photo: Valerie Van Breugel, top female competitor in 12K)

[Posted: October 21, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District - Agricultural Engineer, Administrative Assistant

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill two positions--

-- Agricultural Engineer/Technician: provides technical assistance to Berks County’s Agricultural Community, specifically best management practice design and implementation. The position will work closely with other Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.  Click Here for job description.

-- Urban Team Administrative Assistant: The individual holding this position fulfills the main secretarial/clerical duties for the Berks County Conservation District Urban Team. Working knowledge of Word, Excel and Access is required; knowledge of PracticeKeeper is a plus. The position is under the direct supervision of the Office Manager.  Click Here for job description.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to the Berks County Conservation District. The deadline to apply is December 2.

Please apply by email with the subject heading “Agricultural Conservation Technician” to: tammy.bartsch@berkscd.com. 

Visit the Berks County Conservation District website for more information on programs and services.

Visit the PA Association for Conservation Districts Job Opportunities webpage to learn about employment opportunities in other conservation districts.

[Posted: October 21, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Keep PA Beautiful Hosts Community Stewardship Summit In Scranton: Bridging Action, Infrastructure, Policy, Innovation

 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in coordination with the departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Community and Economic Development hosted affiliates, volunteers and community partners for a Summit for Community Stewardship.

The two-day event began with a walking tour of Scranton.

Stations included stops at one of the city’s 130 sidewalk planters to discuss year-round greening, the county’s Gateway Building to discuss recruiting for long-term projects, Courthouse Square to observe two effective urban pollinator gardens, Christopher A. Doherty Park, a brownfield turned community asset and the Bee Mural by Matthew Wiley, to discuss the importance of art in urban areas. 

The tour was followed by an evening reception where Scranton Tomorrow, an affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and America250PA partner, hosted Mayor Paige Cognetti for a declaration signing supporting the Greatest American Cleanup, a national three-year campaign to motivate, educate and celebrate communities to clean up and green up ahead of the Country’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. 

Keynote Speaker, Kristine Zeiglar, CEO and Co-founder of Planet Women, examined the current leadership model in the U.S. and urged attendees to redefine leadership and tell newer, truer stories that are an antidote to inequality, despair, and environmental destruction. 

Zeigler was joined by three Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Young Ambassador alumni who shared their views on environmental leadership within their communities. 

Other special guests included Dave Forsell from Keep America Beautiful, who spoke to the power of beauty as a means to addressing environmental quality, public safety, and job creation. 

Additionally, Bob Anderson from Closed Loop Partners provided insights on the evolution of community recycling infrastructure.  

The Summit also featured breakout sessions on litter in waterways and marine debris infrastructure, an audit of volunteer litter control programs, education and economic levers to improve communities.  

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to state agencies, community leaders, affiliate partners, and stakeholders from across the state for participating in this year’s Summit for Community Stewardship. Celebrating our collective successes serves as a powerful reminder that each of us plays a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of our communities. Through collaboration and the sharing of ideas, we can achieve so much more. It was truly inspiring to learn about the diverse perspectives, initiatives, and approaches aimed at enhancing our communities,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “I hope it inspired everyone to continue the fight against litter.”

The 2024 Litter Summit was funded in part by Department of Environmental Protection and sponsored by Marathon, Sheetz, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Pennsylvania American Water, Republic Services, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, Penn Turf, Inc., EarthPlanter, Scranton Area Community Foundation and SSI Schafer.  

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

The 2024 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative continues through November 30!  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

(Photo: Speakers, guests, organizers:  Left to right: Natasha Fackler, Department of Transportation; Joy Beckish, Young Ambassador 2025; Grace Beckish, Young Ambassador 2023; Shannon Reiter, President, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Kristine Zeigler, CEO and Co-founder of Planet Women and keynote speaker; Kylie McCutcheon, Young Ambassador Program Coordinator, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Hannah Harvey, Young Ambassador 2025; Elijah Majocha, Young Ambassador 2023; Kalub Schreiber, Young Ambassador 2024 and Phoebe Coles-Wetzel, Board Chair, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.)

Related Article:

-- One Beautiful Planet Seeks Volunteers For Nov. 16 Levittown Lake Cleanup In Bucks County. 8:30 a.m.

[Posted: October 21, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Penn State Extension Hosts 9-Part Woods In Your Backyard Webinar Series Starting Jan. 15

The Penn State Extension is hosting a 9-part webinar series on the Woods In Your Backyard starting January 15 and ending on March 12.

This webinar series is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for smaller landscapes. 

Join us to learn how landowners can create and enhance natural areas around their homes while positively influencing the environment by implementing simple stewardship practices.

The series will cover topics such as forest ecology and soils, tree planting and native landscaping, tree identification, enhancing wildlife habitat, water in the woods, invasive species management, and woodlot management techniques. 

Who is this for?

-- Landowners

-- Land Managers

-- Conservation Organizations

-- Watershed Volunteers

What will you learn?

-- Why Manage Forests

-- Forest Ecology 

-- Creating and Managing Wildlife Habitat 

-- Identifying and Controlling Invasive Plants 

-- Forest Health Issues and Management 

-- Forests and Water 

-- Selecting Native Trees for Various Sites

-- Establishing Meadows and Forests

-- Creating Plans for Your Property

Workshop series participants will receive a copy of The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home, is a 108-page self-directed book ($29 value) guiding participants through the process of developing and implementing projects to enhance their land's natural resources.

The sessions are scheduled for Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on

-- January 15: The Woods In Your Backyard: Why Are They Important

-- January 22: The Importance Of Woods To Healthy Watersheds

-- January 29: Trees and Shrubs For Different Sites And Objectives

-- February 5: Forest Ecology and Woodlot Management Techniques

-- February 12: Providing and Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

-- February 19: Identifying and Controlling Invasive Plants In Small Woodlots

-- February 26: Healthy Woods - Common Insects and Diseases

-- March 5: Converting Lawns to Natural Areas (Meadows and Woods)

-- March 12: Putting Your Knowledge To Work - What’s Your Plan?  Map it Out

Partnering organizations for this webinar series include Forests for the Bay; Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay; DCNR Bureau of Forestry; Game Commission; James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State; and University of Maryland Extension

Click Here to register and for all the details.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

Upcoming Extension Workshops - Forests & Agriculture:

-- Upcoming Training And Events For Ag Conservationists

-- Underway Now: Woodland Stewardship: Guided Engagement With Your Land - 8 Parts

-- Underway Now. Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series

-- October 28-30: Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training ‘Ag Conservation Keystone Training’ in-person workshop. Penn State Beaver

-- October 29:  Penn State Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Conservation Cornerstone Webinar Series For Ag Professionals - Working With Plain Sect Farmers.   8:30 a.m.

-- October 29: Penn State Extension Maintenance of On-Lot Septic Systems Webinar. Noon to 1:00 p.m. 

-- November 7: Penn State Extension Dive Even Deeper Educator Workshop - Stream Health & Watersheds - Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience.  Penn State Extension Office, Carlisle, Cumberland County.  9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

-- November 7: Penn State Extension Dive Even Deeper Educator Workshop - Acid Mine Drainage In Indiana County.  Penn State Extension Office, Indiana, PA. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

-- November 10: Penn State Master Watershed Stewards - Walk With Watershed Stewards In The Paxtang Parkway, Dauphin County - Learn About the Watershed Landscape You Live In!  1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

-- November 12: Penn State Extension (3 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Update on Carbon Credit Programs for PA.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- November 26: Penn State Extension Conservation Cornerstone Webinar- Ag Best Management Practices Value.  8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

-- November 27: Penn State Extension Webinar On Environmental Sensitive Areas On The Farm - Ponds and Lakes.  Noon to 1:00 p.m.

-- December 10:  Penn State Extension (4 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series -Invasive Toolkit for Landowners.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- December 12: Penn State Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Webinar on Project Management for Agricultural Conservation.  9:00 a.m. to Noon.

-- January 14: Penn State Extension (5 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Our Unique Native Populations of Brook Trout.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- February 11: Penn State Extension (6 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Tree Communication.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- March 11:  Penn State Extension (7 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Hazard Tree Analysis.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- April 8: Penn State Extension (8 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Forest Resilience Scorecard for PA.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- May 13: Penn State Extension (9 of 10) Pennsylvania Forests Webinar Seminar Series - Tree Nuts in Pennsylvania.  Noon and 7:00 p.m.

[Posted: October 21, 2024]  PA Environment Digest