Foundation For Sustainable Forests: Loving the Land Through Working Forests Conference Sept. 20, Crawford County; Annual Dinner Sept. 19

The Foundation for Sustainable Forest will host the 2025 Loving The Land Through Working Forests Conference September 20 at McLaughlin Run Forest in Centerville, Crawford County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m..

This field conference is all about forests – threats, management practices, and ways that we can enhance their resilience and overall health. 

The day will be full of field-based presentations and walks on critical and emerging topics related to forest stewardship and conservation.

Conference presenters include--

-- Ethan Tapper, Author and Forester: He is the author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the worlds of forestry, conservation, and ecosystem stewardship, winning multiple regional and national awards for his work. His message of relationship, responsibility and hope reaches millions of people each year.

Tapper will also be the featured speaker at the September 19 Foundation for Sustainable Forests Annual Dinner.

-- Dr. Susan Stout, retired USDA Forest Researcher: From 1981 through early 2018, Dr. Susan L. Stout was a research forester with the United States Forest Service Research Project located in Irvine, PA.  In 1991, she was named Project Leader there and for researchers in OH, VT, NH and on two experimental forests. From 2018 through 2024, she served as a Research Forester Emerita. 

Since 2014, she has served on the Council of the Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State. She is passionate about finding ways to transfer research results to potential users so that both research and practice are improved and including natural resource practitioners and landowners throughout the research process. 

-- Thomas C. Hoffman, II, Attorney at Knox Law: He is a shareholder attorney at Knox Law in Erie, PA. He concentrates his practice on closely held business planning, business succession planning, implementation of sophisticated estate and trust planning, administration of complex estates and trusts, and the tax consequences of these matters. Tom enjoys the outdoors, and is a board member of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests.

-- Lance Irving, Vice President, Sand County Foundation: Lance Irving took the helm of Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award Program in 2016 after more than 15 years of experience in the outdoor sporting goods industry, and prior to that as a professional wilderness hunting and fishing guide. As chief sales and marketing officer at two outdoor manufacturing companies, Irving became a recognized leader in the outdoor industry.

-- Troy Firth, FSF Founder and President: Troy Firth is the Founder and President of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, with over 45 years of experience practicing sustainable forestry and production of maple syrup. 

Troy is the recipient of the Sand County Foundation’s 2024 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award, 2019 WeConservePA (formerly Pennsylvania Land Trust Association) Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award.

-- Staff of the Watershed Conservation Research Center: Located on the campus of Allegheny College, the Watershed Conservation Research Center engages in strategic conservation activities and trains future watershed stewards to protect, restore, and enhance our land and water resources for future generations in the upper Allegheny River basin, focusing on the French Creek Watershed.

To register and for more information, visit the Loving The Land Through Working Forests Conference webpage.

Upcoming Event

-- September 19: Foundation for Sustainable Forests Annual Dinner. Titusville Mill, Titusville, Crawford County. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Visit the Foundation Events webpage for many more programs and activities.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Foundation For Sustainable Forests website. Click Here to sign up for updates (top of page).  Click Here to support their work.

[Posted: July 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Three Rivers Waterkeeper Releases 2024 State Of Our Three Rivers Water Quality Report

On July 31, the  Three Rivers Waterkeeper released a report containing a year's worth of water quality testing and monitoring of the three rivers and their tributaries during 2024 in Western Pennsylvania. 

The Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers make up the headwaters of the Ohio River Basin and provide drinking water to over 5 million people and support a variety of plant and animal life. 

These rivers suffer from a combination of legacy and novel pollution sources, the most common of which are acid mine drainage, combined sewage overflows, increased flooding and stormwater events, and industrial pollution. 

Nearly a third of our region’s rivers and streams are considered impaired by the Department of Environmental Protection.

The report outlines general water quality, PFAS contamination, compliance to the Clean Water Act and more. 

Three Rivers Waterkeeper sampled for PFAS at 60 locations across Southwestern PA – only 4 sites had 0 ppt (no PFAS detected). 

The highest level of PFAS contamination detected in 2024 was Montour Run (Ohio River Watershed) with 134.9 parts per trillion. 

Significant Noncompliance

During 2024, Three Rivers Waterkeeper also documented that of 69 facilities within our region, 55 had at least one quarter of noncompliance over a 12 quarter period, and 21 facilities were in extreme noncompliance with the federal Clean Water Act (in non-compliance at least 50% of the time). 

“Our report emphasizes the ongoing presence of pollution in our waterways - both legacy and emerging – with a lack of accountability and oversight. Nevertheless, our waterways are worth protecting from pollution, and our river systems offer a vast array of resources - from drinking water to recreation and critical habitat to plants and animals,” said Heather Hulton VanTassel, PhD, Executive Director, Three Rivers Waterkeeper.

The report highlights river deltas, often called sand bars-- areas of land along waterways that form from sediment deposition.

In Western Pennsylvania, they form from smaller tributaries flowing into our mainstem rivers and depositing sediment at the convergence, ultimately recreating natural floodplains. 

These floodplains were once naturally occurring, but have disappeared due to our lock and dam system. 

Nevertheless, nature is resilient, and these river deltas are the re-emergence of critical floodplains in our region. 

River deltas are incredibly important riparian areas that have many unique and early-establishing species.

“As your waterkeeper, it’s important for us to highlight the truth of what is polluting our waterways while emphasizing why it’s worth protecting. This report represents all of our waterways - from pollution to our natural treasures,” said Heather Hulton VanTassel, PhD, Executive Director, Three Rivers Waterkeeper.

Click Here for a copy of the Report.

Three Rivers Waterkeeper was founded in 2009 and works to improve and protect the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers and their watersheds. These waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of our region and communities. 

Three Rivers Waterkeeper is both a scientific and legal advocate for the community, working to ensure our three rivers are protected and safe to drink, fish, swim and enjoy. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- PEMA Highlights Upgraded Weather Monitoring And Flood Warning System At Greencastle-Antrim School, Franklin County  [PaEN] 

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners: Record-Breaking Rainfall In Lancaster County Put Stormwater, Watershed Restoration Projects To The Test  [PaEN] 

-- Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Hosts 2 AmeriCorps Interns Funded By Federal Office Of Surface Mining  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Aug. 25 Webinar On PFAS And 6PPD-q Chemicals In The Delaware River Basin  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Sept. 9 Webinar On Proper Native Tree Planting For Long-Term Success; Master Watershed Steward Native Tree & Shrub Sale In August  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive: PA’s New Monitoring Stations Will Better Alert Residents To Floods, Other Weather Events

-- The Center Square: State Upgrades Flood Warning System

-- Post-Gazette: Emergency Alerts Sounded During Deadline West Virginia Flooding; Here’s How They Work And When They’re Used

-- LancasterOnline: Mountville Boro Wraps Up Stream Restoration Project At Spring  Hill Park

-- CBF: Bipartisanship Allows EPA, Interior Chesapeake Bay Restoration Work To Escape Federal Budget Cuts In US House, Senate Committee Bills 

-- PennLive: Rain Runoff Impacts Water Quality In State Park Lake Swimming Areas 

-- TribLive: Avonmore Officials Assess Damage After Night Of Flash Floods In Westmoreland County

-- WTAE: Flash Flooding Causes Damage In South Franklin Twp., Washington County

-- Observer-Reporter: Southern Washington County Communities Hit Hard By Flooding

-- WTAE: GoFundMe Created After Washington County Teen Loses Barn In Extreme Floods 

-- PennLive: Will A Catastrophic Flood Hit Central PA?  It’s Only A Matter Of Time, Experts Say 

-- Williamsport Sun: Reflections In Nature: Waterway Names Come From A Variety Of Sources

-- WPost: Maryland Town, 2 Counties Denied Federal Flood Relief; They Feel Like President Turned His Back On Them

-- The Economist: America Is Remaking Its Disaster-Relief System; President Hopes To Undo Perverse Incentives  [PDF of Article] 

[Posted: July 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Multi-Municipal Shade Tree Commission Member Donna McCrea Recognized With Keep PA Beautiful Community Pride Award In Allegheny County

State Rep. John Inglis III (D-Allegheny) has honored Donna McCrea with the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to environmental stewardship and community enhancement through her work with the Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Multi-Municipal Shade Tree Commission.

Donna McCrea is a longtime and deeply committed member of the Shade Tree Commission, where she has been instrumental in advancing numerous environmental initiatives throughout the Tri-Borough area. 

She champions annual tree planting, pruning, and care events, and is widely regarded as a go-to resource for tree-related grant writing and project planning.

Her contributions extend well beyond tree care. 

McCrea actively participates in the Annual Whitehall Borough Earth Day Cleanup and stream cleanups in partnership with the Watershed of South Pittsburgh. 

She is also a key member of the Whitehall Committee for Environmental Action and plays a vital role in the region’s Environmental Summits, which bring together environmentally focused groups to collaborate on shared goals.

Currently, McCrea is mentoring a local Boy Scout on his Eagle Scout project to install a Pollinator Garden at Brennan Plaza, generously offering her expertise and support.

 She is also assisting the Borough with plans for a potential Pollinator Garden on the Echo Glen Traffic Island. 

“I am so grateful for the work of great people like Donna," said Rep Inglis. "Her contributions to clean up her community are only matched by her dedication to mentoring the next generation. She truly embodies what it means to keep Pennsylvania beautiful. There is no one more deserving of the Community Pride Award." 

“Donna McCrea exemplifies the spirit of the Community Pride Award. Her dedication to environmental stewardship, community collaboration, and hands-on action reflects the very best of what it means to keep Pennsylvania beautiful. Local leaders like Donna inspire others to take pride in their communities and protect the natural spaces we all share,” said Shannon Reiter, Executive Director, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. 

How To Recognize Community Leaders

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship by an individual, school, community organization or civic group that makes an outstanding commitment to litter control, recycling, or general environmental stewardship. 

The Community Pride Award is available to elected officials to recognize those in the community working to change behaviors at the local level.  

Elected officials interested in nominating a constituent for a Community Pride Award should visit the KPB Community Pride Award webpage for more information. 

The award is open on a rolling basis.  

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.

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

(Photo: Rob Dubas, Keep PA Beautiful, Donna McCrea, Community Pride awardee; Rep.  John Inglis.)  

Related Articles:

-- Keep PA Beautiful Awards $500 To Westmoreland County Conservation District, Winner Of PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts’ Trash Cleanup Challenge  [PaEN]

-- Clean Philadelphia NOW Applauds New Philadelphia Law To Impound Vehicles Of Illegal Dumpers Caught On Camera  [PaEN] 

NewsClip:

-- York Dispatch: Dozens Of Volunteers Help Clear Codorus Creek Of Debris

[Posted: July 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

DCNR Highlights 10 Years Of Workforce Training Through The Expanded PA Outdoor Corps Program For Young People Ages 15-25

On July 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker visited the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps crew at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Cumberland County to mark the program’s 10th anniversary and highlight its growing impact on workforce development and environmental stewardship.

Click Here for video from the event.

Since its creation, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has offered hands-on conservation job training to more than 1,400 young people ages 15 to 25 — building skills, supporting career readiness, and improving public lands across the Commonwealth.

Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, DCNR has expanded conservation efforts in the Commonwealth by strengthening the Outdoor Corps workforce development initiative. 

The Governor’s 2024-25 bipartisan budget invests $5 million to enhance and grow the program, increasing job training and stewardship skills for more young people.

The investment supports hiring additional staff and restructuring the program into a regional model to improve efficiency, expand recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships.

Launched under Secretary Dunn’s tenure, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has provided paid conservation work experience, hands-on job training, and career readiness skills. 

The program is jointly run by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association (SCA), with critical support from L&I and private philanthropic partners.

“The young people we visited today and who participate in this program each year are our future leaders — in conservation and in public service,” said Secretary Dunn. “I am grateful that Governor Shapiro and our partner agency, the Department of Labor and Industry, are willing to invest in this important conservation workforce development program. I’m proud to see many Outdoor Corps alumni continuing their work with DCNR, the U.S. Forest Service, and other respected agencies.”

“Programs like the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps are exactly what workforce development should look like: hands-on, community-focused, and future-driven,” said Secretary Walker. “By connecting young Pennsylvanians with real-world conservation work, we’re helping them build job skills and empowering them to see themselves as leaders and changemakers. L&I is proud to support Secretary Dunn’s vision for an Outdoor Corps of young people who are getting real-life experience in how to protect our Commonwealth’s natural resources.”

Expanding Workforce Opportunities All Across the Commonwealth

Modeled after the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is open to individuals ages 15-25 and provides hands-on experience in trail restoration, habitat enhancement, and tree planting. 

The Outdoor Corps offers opportunities for young people statewide through two program formats:

• Six-week youth crews (ages 15-18): Held during the summer in locations across Pennsylvania, including Altoona, Chambersburg, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lockhaven, Meadville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Ridgway, Scranton, Wellsboro, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and York. An American Sign Language Crew is also available.

• Ten-month adult crews (ages 18-25): Based in Altoona, Dubois, Harrisburg, Laurel Highlands region, Meadville, Philadelphia region, Pittsburgh, Somerset, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport, along with a statewide Cultural Resources and Residential Trail crew.

The program seeks participants from underserved communities to increase awareness about conservation in them, and to diversify young people who have an interest in natural resource protection jobs.

As of the beginning of the 2025 season, crew members had accomplished the following:

-- 5,272 acres of land improved

-- 1,065 miles of trails managed

-- 50 miles of waterways improved

-- 7,633 improvements to structures

-- 18,970 native trees and shrubs planted

-- 30,959 datapoints collected

-- 1,105 certifications gained

Alumni of the program have gone on to work with leading conservation organizations, including DCNR, SCA, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service, benefitting from their hands-on experience and specialized training.

Learn more about how DCNR is advancing sustainability in Pennsylvania and how Governor Shapiro is Safeguarding Our Land, Water, & Air to protect the Commonwealth’s environment.

Visit DCNR’s website for more information on the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

Click Here for the DCNR announcement.  Click Here for video from the event.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

  For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website.

[Posted: July 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest