Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Manada Conservancy Hosts April 13 Workshop On Converting Traditional Landscapes Into A Pollinator Paradise In Dauphin County

The
Manada Conservancy hosts an April 13 in-person workshop on Converting Traditional Landscapes Into A Pollinator Paradise at the Grace UM Church in Hummelstown, Dauphin County at 7:00 p.m.

Do you want to convert your landscape into a sustainable pollinator haven that is suitable for birds, wildlife and pollinators, and safe for your family? 

Join local pollinator gardener Heather Andrews as she walks us through how she did just that, converting a traditional landscape into an award-winning pollinator paradise using native alternatives.

Heather Andrews is a published author, photographer, and speaker who works with homeowners and businesses to create sustainable native pollinator habitats. She produces videoblogs on YouTube at Garden Thoughtfully.

She has received numerous awards for her garden designs and work.

You can often find her in her monarch waystation, Cat-a-pillar Haven.

To register for this free educational program, email office@manada.org or call 717-566-4122.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Manada Conservancy website.  Follow them on Facebook and TwitterClick Here to support their work.

[Posted: March 29, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Penn State Hosts May 22-23 Climate Solutions Symposium


Penn State will host the Climate Solutions Symposium on May 22 and 23 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. 

The two-day event will feature plenaries, panel discussions, breakout sessions, an arts and communication session and a poster session, all focused on developing and elevating solutions to climate change.

The event is open to the public, and attendance is available in-person or virtually. The cost to attend is $80 for all attendees except students, who can attend at no cost. 

Registration is now open

The Climate Solutions Symposium, organized by the Institutes of Energy and the Environment, will provide a unique view into Penn State’s strength in climate science and solutions, highlighting the University’s vast collection of expertise in a wide range of climate-relevant disciplines. 

It is also a deliberate effort to promote networking and discussion to facilitate the development of new partnerships and projects aimed at solving the climate challenge. 

“There are countless opportunities to hear about individual solutions to pieces of the climate challenge, and plenty of places to hear about the problems, but very few opportunities to discuss solutions,” said Erica Smithwick, associate director of the Institutes of Energy and the Environment and one of the organizers of the symposium. “The Climate Solutions Symposium will provide opportunities to talk with collaborators and future partners who might be in other departments, colleges, or sectors about how, by coming together, we can identify tractable and durable solutions, or at least create a sense of shared commitment and pathways for future engagement.” 

The symposium themes and breakout sessions will be centered on these topics: arts and communication; built environment; carbon emissions reduction; change and risk; climate security; energy; finance and business; health; justice and ethics; nature-based strategies; policy; and sustainable aviation and responsible travel. 

Keynote

The keynote speaker will be Mustafa Santiago Ali, executive vice president of conservation and justice for the National Wildlife Federation, former interim chief of programs at the Union of Concerned Scientists, instructor at American University and the founder and CEO of Revitalization Strategies. 

His talk is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Monday, May 22. 

“Starting the symposium with Dr. Ali as the keynote speaker, I believe, will set the tone of the event and inspire attendees,” said Kaitlyn Spangler, a postdoc in the Department of Geography and an organizer of the symposium. “His tireless work and advocacy toward climate justice is both inspiring and contagious and is an invitation for us all to work toward a just and thriving planet." 

Poster Session

Additionally, the Climate Solutions Symposium will feature a poster session on research that addresses climate change. It is open to all attendees, and students are highly encouraged to share their research at the symposium. All posters are welcome, including those used at past events. 

“We have over 300 scientists and countless students actively working on climate solutions across Penn State’s network of colleges and campuses,” Smithwick said. “I am looking forward to many conversations, professional relationships and projects that develop at the symposium. The climate crisis is here, and we must move ahead as a united front, researchers, funders and implementers, to meet this challenge.” 

Visit the Climate Solutions Symposium webpage for more information.


(Reprinted from Penn State News.)

[Posted: March 29, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Newsletter Highlights Beavers At Jennings Environmental Center, Aultmans Watershed Trash Cleanup April 29

The
March Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights beavers at Jennings Environmental Center and the April 29 trash cleanup organized by the Aultmans Watershed Association in Indiana County.

Beavers At Jennings

If you visit Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock this month, you just might be lucky enough to spot a beaver or two! The resident beavers have been very “busy” living up to their name descriptor, and it’s very easy to see fun beaver evidence even if you don’t see any of the beavers themselves.

Beavers moved into a small valley near a common hiking trail at Jennings around 15 years ago and created the upstream wetland area that has remained since then. This productive wetland habitat has been very beneficial to many other mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. 

Aultmans Watershed

AWARE is organizing a trash pickup at Reeds Run Restoration Area on Saturday, April 29th from 10 AM to 2 PM. All help will be greatly appreciated! 

The previous trash pickups held last year at Reeds Run were a great success, with close to half of the site’s trash removed and almost all of the tires picked up as well.  Trash has likely been accumulating at this old mine site for the last 40 years. 

Kids Catalyst

This month’s Kids Catalyst is a Busy Beaver Fun Facts Decoder.

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.

NewsClips:

-- UnionProgress.com: Litter League Games A Real Pick-Me-Up For Volunteers, Neighborhoods In Pittsburgh  

-- MyChesCo.com: Join 39th Darby Creek Watershed Cleanup April 15

-- Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Week April 15-23, Volunteers Needed!

Related Article:

-- Western PA Conservancy, Hedin Environmental Seeking Oxic Limestone Beds To Demonstrate Cleaning Methods  [PaEN]

[Posted: March 29, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Western PA Conservancy, Hedin Environmental Seeking Oxic Limestone Beds To Demonstrate Cleaning Methods

By Bob Hedin, Hedin Environmental

The Western PA Conservancy and Hedin Environmental are developing a Best Management Practice for cleaning oxic limestone beds that have become fouled with metal solids.  

The project is funded by DEPs Growing Greener Program and the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE).  

The project involves cleaning oxic limestone beds using different methods and documenting the costs and effects on treatment effectiveness and aggregate characteristics.  

Project partners are looking for candidate oxic limestone beds (not anoxic limestone drains) that would benefit from cleaning in 2023.  Project funds can cover the cleaning costs.   

Please contact Bob Hedin at bhedin@hedinenv.com if you are interested in participating. 


(Reprinted from latest Abandoned Mine Post from Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.  Send email to anne@wpcamr.org  to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Article:

-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Newsletter Highlights Beavers At Jennings Environmental Center, Aultmans Watershed Trash Cleanup April 29  [PaEN]

[Posted: March 29, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Wednesday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 3.29.23

Are You Telling Your Story?

House holds Regular Session April 24, 25, 26

-- Committee Schedule

-- Updated: House Budget Hearing Schedule - March 29, 30, April 11, 12, 13, 14

Senate holds Regular Session April 24, 25, 26

-- Committee Schedule

-- Updated Senate Budget Hearing Schedule - March 29, 30, April 11, 12, 13

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 


-- Trail Mix Blog: Rachel Carson, A Pennsylvanian Sparked An Awakening - By Kent Jackson  [PaEN] 


-- Inquirer: Philly Mayor: Water Safe To Drink After Bucks County Chemical Spill: ‘Threat Has Passed’


-- WHYY: Philadelphia Officials Take Heat For Communications Over Water Contamination


-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Philadelphia’s Water Contamination Was A Test Of City’s Response To A Crisis, It Failed


-- Courier Times: As Toxic Bucks County Spill Cleanup Continues, Tap Water Safe To Drink


-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: As Shell Shuts Down New Beaver County Petrochemical Plant For Repairs, And Burns Off Natural Gas In Flares, Company Says It Hasn’t Exceeded Air Emission Limits 


-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Wants Norfolks Southern To Reimburse Farmers Who Lost Meat Sales After Train Derailment 


-- Post-Gazette-Capitolwire.com - Robert Swift: PA Budget Hearing On Health Dept. Covers Train Derailment, Post-COVID Landscape


-- AP: Probe Of Reading Chocolate Factory Explosion Centers On Natural Gas Pipeline 


-- PUC Concludes 2022 Pottstown Explosion Investigation Finding No Evidence Natural Gas Service Contributed To Deadly Event


-- WHYY: PUC: PECO Natural Gas Pipelines Did Not Cause Pottstown Home Explosion, Cause Remains Unknown  


-- PUC Urges Consumers To Contact Utilities About Payment Of Past-Due Or High Bills As Winter Moratorium Ends March 31 


-- Group Against Smog & Pollution Hosts April 19 Workshop On Local Air Quality Issues  [PaEN] 


-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts April 5 Webinar On Justice40 - Bringing Energy Transition Benefits To Disadvantaged Communities  [PaEN] 


-- Marcellus Drilling News: Acting DEP Secretary Disappoints By Spouting Enviro Justice Nonsense


-- Utility Dive: PJM Plans Capacity Auction Delays As It Develops Market Reforms To Bolster Resource Adequacy


-- Marcellus Drilling News: DEP Acting Secretary Negrin’s Flawed View Of ‘Climate Change’


-- WHYY: New PA Program Will Send Millions To Philly Area For Home Repairs And Weatherization


-- DEP Took Action On 746 Permits, 96% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadline; Conducted 1,596 Inspections; Responded To 9 Environmental Emergencies Last Week 


-- Marcellus Drilling News: PennFuture VP Ezra Thrush Joining DEP As Head Of Policy


-- Ohio River Basin Alliance, ORSANCO Host Congressional Day On The Hill June 13 To Educate Members Of Congress On Needs Of Ohio River Basin   [PaEN]


-- Scranton Times: State Appeals Court Overturns Damages Won By Homeowners In Lawsuit Against City Over Stormwater Flooding


-- LebTown: Lebanon County Conservation District Seeks Volunteers To Help Plant 800+ Trees In Millcreek Twp. April 11-13


-- TribLive: Tree Planting Planned In Leetsdale, Allegheny County April 29, Volunteers Needed


-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Penn State Expanding Weather Network, Offering Data That Could Help Areas Prepare For Floods


-- MyChesCo.com: Join 39th Darby Creek Watershed Cleanup April 15


-- Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Lenape Challenge April 29, Premier Adventure Race Experience  [PaEN] 


-- PennLive: Time To Prepare For Spotted Lanternfly Season, What To Buy, How To Make Traps


-- Bay Journal - Ad Crable: $6 Million Game Commission/Ducks Unlimited Project Will Revive 1,600 Acres Of PA Wetlands 


-- Game Commission Delivers Annual Report To Legislature  


-- Fish & Boat Commission Presents Annual Report To Legislature 


-- Bradford Era:  Reminder: Fish & Boat Commission Accepting Applications For Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Restoration Thru April 28 


-- TribLive: 2nd Bald Eagle Egg Hatches In Pittsburgh Nest, Watch Online


-- Help Wanted: Berks Nature Land Stewardship Specialist; Watershed Education Fellowship  [PaEN] 


Ohio/PA Train Derailment


-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Wants Norfolks Southern To Reimburse Farmers Who Lost Meat Sales After Train Derailment 


-- Post-Gazette-Capitolwire.com - Robert Swift: PA Budget Hearing On Health Dept. Covers Train Derailment, Post-COVID Landscape


-- Courier Times: As Toxic Bucks County Spill Cleanup Continues, Tap Water Safe To Drink


-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: EPA Office Of Inspector General To Investigate Agency’s Response To Norfolk Southern Train Derailment 


PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- AP: Election Day Ballot Problems In Luzerne County Examined By Congressional Committee

-- SpotlightPA: Court Decision Does Little To Clear Up Confusion On Curing Mail-In Ballots

-- PennLive: Dept. Of Labor & Industry Expects To Clean Unemployment Backlog By End Of Summer

-- Post-Gazette-Capitolwire.com - Robert Swift: PA Budget Hearing On Health Dept. Covers Train Derailment, Post-COVID Landscape

-- The Center Square: Film/TV Production Credits More Often Sold Than Used In PA

-- Politics PA: National Speakers Highlight PA Conservative Leadership Conference

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[Posted: March 29, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

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