DCNR: How Well Do You Know Your Trees?

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources asks, "How well do you know your trees?" In the winter, it is especially challenging to identify tree species when they are stripped of their leaves. To help you ID trees around where you live, watch this video or visit DCNR’s Tree ID display at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show February 4-12 In Harrisburg, and start impressing your family and friends with your sylvan savviness.

Wildlife Leadership Academy Accepting Applications

The Wildlife Leadership Academy gives Pennsylvania youth the tools to become conservation leaders in their home community. 2012 field school applications are available for Pennsylvania youth ages 14-17 interested in conservation, leadership and the outdoors.  For more information Click Here.

Senate Committee Moves Marcellus Shale Bill. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out the House Marcellus bill- House Bill 1950- after amending the bill to gut the existing language and insert the provisions of Senate-passed Senate Bill 1100.
Senators said they took the action to move the process along. They also said there is no agreement yet on provisions of a Marcellus bill between the Senate, House and Governor's Office.
Sen. Scarnati said the Senate would not be adding any session days in December unless there was an agreement. The Senate is set to adjourn next Wednesday for the year.

Briefing: DEP To Release Draft Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Dec. 15: Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Chair of the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission, hosted a briefing Tuesday for House and Senate members on the status of Pennsylvania's efforts to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed cleanup mandate.

At the briefing, John Hines, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs for the Department of Environmental Protection, announced DEP will be taking the next step in the cleanup process by releasing a draft Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan for public comment on December 15.

Video of the briefing is available online featuring these speakers:

-- Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, provided introductory and closing remarks.

-- Jeff Corbin, Special Advisor to the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provided an overview of the Chesapeake Bay mandate.

-- John Hines, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, DEP, provided an outline of Pennsylvania's efforts to comply with the mandate.

-- Andy Zemba, Director of DEP's Interstate Waters Office, provided details on Pennsylvania's response.

-- Matthew Ehrhart, Director, Pennsylvania Office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, commented on both state and federal efforts to cleanup the Bay.

American Recycles Day-A Bag's Life. Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley joined Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, partnering organizations and students from The Nativity School of Harrisburg to launch the "A Bag's Life" on America Recycles Day, November 15. Speaking at the event (in order) were: Shannon Reiter, Keep PA Beautiful; Lt. Gov. Cawley, David McCorkle, PA Food Merchants Assn.; Robert Bylone, PA Recycling Markets Center. Click Here for more information.