WeConservePA: Environmental Advisory Council Conference Smashes Attendance Records; Fall EAC Gathering Being Planned

The 2024 Environmental Advisory Council Virtual Conference was attended by a record 186 people who wanted to learn more about how people in other communities are tackling today's environmental issues.

The event kicked off with a short presentation on the EAC Network resources available through WeConservePA, followed by a lightning share session featuring brief presentations from nine EACs on projects and initiatives happening across the state. 

Topics included: battery recycling program (Charlestown Township), holiday string light recycling program (Whitpain Township), community-based clean-up program (City of Allentown), Floating Gardens (Doylestown Township), birdwatch area native plant restoration project (Whitehall Township), the pro’s and con’s of a regional EAC (David Ross), Getting Through the Noise (Town of McCandless), and methods to advise boards of supervisors on concerns (New Hanover Township). 

The morning plenary was followed by six additional sessions across three breakouts: Inching Our Way to Healthy Yards and Streams, Climate Action Planning: What Can Municipalities Do?, Oh Deer! Management Options for Municipalities, Greening Communities: Urban Agriculture and Urban Forestry, Putting the Dimmer on Light Pollution, and Advancing Sustainable Ways Communities are Managing Household Waste.

Thirty-nine environmental advisory councils were represented, with an additional five municipalities without EACs participating.

Click Here for the complete Conference review.

Fall EAC Gathering

WeConservePA is seeking proposals from an EAC to hold the EQC Fall Gathering in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Click Here for more information.

What Is An EAC?

Any municipality in Pennsylvania may establish an environmental advisory council to tap the skills and volunteer energy of its citizens. 

Consisting of three to seven members appointed by the local government, an EAC can undertake a variety of conservation projects. It can also research issues and advise local government officials to help inform decision-making regarding the environment.

Visit the WeConservePA Environmental Advisory Council webpage for more information.

(Reprinted from the WeConservePA website.)

[Posted: March 13, 2024]  PA Environment Digest