Monday, May 31, 2021

Juniata Conservation District, Juniata Watershed Alliance Seek Volunteer Riparian Rangers, Training June 7; Riparian Rangers Needed In PA

The
Juniata County Conservation District, Juniata Watershed Alliance and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay are seeking volunteers to become Riparian Rangers to help monitor and maintain riparian stream buffers in the county.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is recruiting volunteers for the Riparian Rangers throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania. Read more here.

Volunteers must be 18 or older, able to provide their own transportation to travel to monitor and maintain buffer sites from March through October.

Volunteers are asked to do things like straighten tree tubes, stake and plant trees, do weeding, use hand tools and provide reports on the stream buffers.

June 7 Training

A training session for volunteers will be held June 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zook's Dam Project, Licking Creek Road in Mifflintown.

To register for the training or if you need more information, send an email to Mindy-Musser@juniataccd.org  or call 717-436-8953, ext. 5 by June 3.

To learn volunteer to be a Riparian Ranger in other parts of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania, visit the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Riparian Ranger webpage.

NewsClip:

Lewistown Sentinel: Juniata Conservation District/Juniata Watershed Alliance Recruiting Volunteer Riparian Rangers To Monitor Stream Buffer Sites

Related Article:

-- Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay Spotlights Work Of Volunteer Riparian Rangers In PA

[Posted: May 31, 2021]  PA Environment Digest

Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Update On Wild Waterways Conservancy, Environmental Education

The May newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition includes an update on Wild Waterways Conservancy activities and a recent environmental education visit to seventh graders.

Wild Waterways Conservancy

Over the years, the Wild Waterways Conservancy (WWC) has been working to preserve unique ecological features in the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creek Watersheds. 

This all-volunteer, charitable land conservancy is devoted to working cooperatively with both private and public partners to conserve these resources and provide recreational opportunities.

Recently, the group has announced the acquisition of an additional parcel of land along the Connoquenessing Creek just upstream from Ellwood City off Country Club Drive. 

This 1.2 acre area was acquired through the generosity of the Connoquenessing Country Club. The property will be open to the public for fishing and other stream activity.

Future plans include a canoe and kayak launch. The organization also acquired and opened an out and back walking trail from Park Gate to the Koppel Bridge, along the former Pittsburgh and Lake Erie rail grade, a distance of about 2 ½ miles round trip. 

This trail is maintained by local Ellwood City residents and provides walk-in access to the south side of the WWC Rock Point property. 

This corridor property adds about ten acres to WWC’s other holdings around Rock Point, making a total area of approximately 135 acres open to the public. 

Although no other formal trails are maintained, the area below the old rail grade is a rich and biologically diverse creek bottom, well worth a visit for the spring wildflowers. 

On the Lawrence County side of Rock Point, the public is invited to explore the old amusement park site, now a mature hardwood forest, and enjoy warm season vehicular access to the mouth of Connoquenessing Creek. 

Please note that the Rock Point Boat Club launch is available to the general public for canoes and kayaks, but other use of the launch is limited to Boat Club members.

Deer hunting is permitted with permission on all WWC properties except Glacier Wetlands off Swope Road near Slippery Rock. No motorized vehicles are permitted on WWC trails. All users are requested to carry out their own trash and are asked to assist in keeping the properties clean.

Currently, WWC owns just over 500 acres in the watersheds, and, together with Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, provides numerous creek access points beginning north of the City of Butler to the mouth of the Creek at Rock Point. 

Connoquenessing Creek Natural Area, just north of Zelienople, also contains a network of hiking trails. 

More information is available on the Wild Waterways Conservancy website.

7th Graders

On April 13th, biologist Shaun Busler visited the 7th grade students at St. Luke Lutheran School to discuss abandoned mine drainage and the work of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

Shaun, of the nonprofit Stream Restoration Incorporated, explained the history of AMD in Pennsylvania, the extent of the problems, and about active and passive treatment systems.

The students were interested to learn about the colors of mine drainage. Some of them had seen an orange stream in the past but many had not, which is a testament for all the hard work that has been done over the last 25 years to clean up the problems. 

Shaun’s presentation showed students photos of AMD-impacted water all over the world, then focused on the Slippery Rock Creek Watershed. 

He reviewed the basic design of a passive treatment system including a schematic of a Vertical Flow Pond, and showed how such systems successfully treat billions of gallons of water in the watershed each year. 

He shared information about the work of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition. The students enjoyed seeing samples of iron and manganese precipitates that were recovered from the passive treatment systems and learning about how they are used in glazes for pottery,

ornaments, and other ceramic collectibles. 

Thank you Shaun, for taking time to visit St. Luke’s and providing insight into real-life science work for the 7th graders!

Click Here to read the entire newsletterClick Here to sign up for your own copy.

For more information on programs, projects, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.  Follow them on FacebookClick Here to sign up to sign up for regular updates.

The Butler County-based Coalition was established in 1994 to restore land, water and wildlife resources in the Slippery Rock Watershed.

[Posted: May 31, 2021]  PA Environment Digest

Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips 5.31.21

Senate
returns to voting session June 7, 8, 9
House returns to voting session June 7, 8, 9

Click Here for LATEST Updated PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events


May 31 PA Environment Digest Now Available


Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Update On Wild Waterways Conservancy, Environmental Education [PaAEN]

Juniata Conservation District, Juniata Watershed Alliance Seek Volunteer Riparian Rangers, Training June 7; Riparian Rangers Needed In PA [PaEN]

Lewistown Sentinel: Juniata Conservation District/Juniata Watershed Alliance Recruiting Volunteer Riparian Rangers To Monitor Stream Buffer Sites

MCall: Balancing Taxpayer Money, Climate Change, Lehigh Valley Municipal, County Officials Plan For A Greener Future

Dr. Nikhill Trivedi From Easton Elected To National Academy Of Engineers

Ad Crable: Along Scenic Octoraro Creek In Lancaster County, A Pop-Up Nature Preserve Readies To Open 

PennLive: Hiker Missing On Central PA Section Of Appalachian Trail Found Safe

WHYY: Philly Park & Rec To Include ESports In Future Programming

ABC27: Wildlife Corridors Protect Endangered Species And Common Ones Too

Click Here For This Week’s PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Monday - PA Capitol & Coronavirus NewsClips 5.31.21-- Click Here

Gov. Wolf: Masking Order Lifts June 28 Or When 70% Fully Vaccinated, Whichever Comes First 

Biden Infrastructure Plan

AP: White House Gives Republicans 1 Week To Reach Deal On Infrastructure

The Guardian: Republican U.S. Senator - ‘Real Compromise’ On Infrastructure Bill Possible

National/International

The Guardian: California Faces Another Drought As Lake Beds Turn To Dust

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FairDistrictsPA: Fix Our Broken Redistricting Process 

[Posted: May 31, 2021]  PA Environment Digest

Sunday, May 30, 2021

May 31 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The May 31 PA Environment Digest is now available.

Click Here To View Or Print The Entire 94 Page PA Environment Digest


[ Leadership ]


17 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA


PA Envirothon Executive Director Lorelle Steach To Retire After 30 Years Of Service To Envirothon Student Competitions


The Conservation Fund Announces Addition Of 254 Acres To First State National Historic Park In Brandywine Watershed Delaware County


DEP Highlights Local Water Quality Improvement Projects Cleaning Up Chesapeake Bay Watershed; Updates On Other County, Partner Accomplishments


Lancaster County Clean Water Partners Highlight Local Work; Lancaster Water Week June 4-12


Susquehanna River Basin Commission Staff Teach Students About Aquatic Life In The Watershed


Keep PA Beautiful, The GIANT Company, Community Groups Complete Improvement Projects In Dauphin County & Philadelphia


Game Commission Wildlife Futures Program Recognized By Fish & Wildlife Agency Association


Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Celebrate #BlackBirdersWeek May 30 to June 5


[ Headlines ]


DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 928 More Permit Reviews, 1,724 More Inspections Since Last Week


Axios: Republican State Treasurer Garrity Threatens To Withdraw State Funds From Banks Not Lending To Coal & Natural Gas Companies


DCNR Announces State Parks, Forests Expect High Visitation For The Summer Season


DCNR Issues Overcrowding Alerts For 14 State Parks, 2 State Forest Areas; Recommends Alternatives


DCNR Preparing For Start Of Swimming Season On Memorial Day Weekend; Free Sunscreen Available At Many State Parks


Agriculture: Spraying Begins To Control Spotted Lanternfly Along Transportation Rights-Of-Way With Pesticide Known To Be Toxic To Fish, Pollinators


Bay Journal: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Mosquito Spray, PA DEP Orders Mosquito Programs To Stop Using Clarke’s Anvil 10+10 Pesticide


[ News From The Capitol ]


PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Biden Saves PA Republicans; Vague Emergency Resolution; June 28 Or 70% Whichever Comes First


Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week


Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced


House Republicans Pass Bill Legalizing Road Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Well Wastewater, Rolling Back Environmental Protection Standards


81 Groups, 3,342 Individuals Express Opposition To Bill Legalizing Road Dumping Of Conventional Drilling Wastewater


House Republicans Pass Bill Creating Office Of The Repealer Of Regulations


Senate Republicans Pass Bills To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing, Require Private Review Of Permits, Not Tell Public Why Regulations Changes Being Proposed


Senate Committee Approves Bill Promoted By Privately-Owned Water Companies To Set Up Publicly-Owned Water/Wastewater Systems For Takeovers


Senate Committees Hear New, Proposed Utility Scale Solar Electric Generation Capacity In PA Is Outpacing Natural Gas Generation By Nearly 3 to 1


Senate Democrats, AG Shapiro Announce Legislation To Address Issues Raised In Grand Jury Report On Natural Gas Fracking


Sen. Bartolotta Reintroduces Bill Narrowing Grounds For Citizen Appeals Of DEP Permit Decisions


[ The Feds ]


Biden's First Budget Makes Significant Investments In Abandoned Coal Mine Reclamation, Community Economic Development Efforts


U.S. House Committee OKs Bipartisan Bills To Prevent Expiration Of Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Expand Economic Development Opportunities


Proposed Biden Budget Makes Historic Investments In EPA Programs To Support States, Environmental Justice, Science, Reverses Years Of Declining Budgets


National Conservation Districts Applaud Proposed Conservation Funding Increases In Biden Budget Proposal


Chesapeake Bay Foundation Praises Biden Proposed Budget Giving Chesapeake Bay Program Full Funding


PA Receives $3.9 Million EPA Grant For Water Quality Improvement Projects In Chesapeake Bay Watershed


National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Accepting Applications For Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program Grants


EPA Kicks Off Series Of 10 Roundtable Discussions On Lead In Drinking Water June 3 In Pittsburgh


EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Recognizes Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia With First Asthma Community Champion Award


[ Water ]


DCNR Highlights Many Benefits Of Streamside Buffers In Visit To Geisinger Health System In Montour County


Lancaster County Clean Water Partners Hold June 1 Growing Greener, 319, Clean Water Fund Grant Applicant Workshop


Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program Offers 1-Day Stormwater BMP Training June 29 In Lancaster County; Scholarships Available


DEP Invites Comments On TMDL Water Quality Plan For Laurel Hill Creek Watershed, Somerset County


City Of Lancaster Residents Can Pick Up Bee Better Kit To Support Pollinators June 26


Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners Offering Pollinator Container Garden Kits To Go June 26


Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Agriculture Research Project Grant Applications On Spotted Lanternflies, Pollinators, Water Quality Improvement, Climate Resiliency, Other Topics


[ Recycling - Conservation Education ]


PA Resources Council To Host Household Chemical Collection Events In Fayette, Washington Counties In June


PA Resources Council To Host 5 Backyard Composting, Rain Barrel Online Conservation Workshops In June


[ Energy ]


Environmental Groups Appeal DEP Air Quality Permit For Proposed Natural Gas Power Plant In Clinton County


IFO: PA Quarterly Natural Gas Production Continues Steady Increase; PA Price Of Gas Increases 64.4%


PUC: Utilities Encouraged To Use Cybersecurity Best Practices Following Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Cyber Attack


PUC PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee Imposes $34,750 In Penalties For Violations


Pittsburgh 2030 District Partners Purchased Over 196,000 MWh Of Renewable Energy In 2020


Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance Hosts June 11 Women+ In Green Steadfast & Strong Breakfast


WeConservePA: Utility Scale Solar - Environmental & Siting Considerations Webinar Series In August


[ Recreation - Land Conservation - Forests ]


Brodhead Watershed Assn. Releases Schedule Of Summer Hikes, Volunteer & Education Events In Monroe County


Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Launches Drinks For The Delaware - Local Businesses Supporting Conservation


DCNR Blog: Restoring A Forest Devastated By Lymantria dispar (Gypsy Moth)


DCNR Proposes Land Exchange With Erdenheim Farm In Chester, Montgomery Counties


May 28 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation


Delaware RiverKeeper Network Hosting June 5-6 Women's Camping Adventure


Call For Proposals PA Recreation & Park Society 2022 Annual Conference & Expo March 29 - April 1


Audubon Mid-Atlantic Releases RFP For Consultant To Prepare Conservation Plan For Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape Region


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