Holiday Season Begins at the Capitol. Pennsylvania ranks first in the nation in the number of Christmas tree farms and ranks fourth in the nation in the number of Christmas trees cut each year and the acres of production. Pennsylvania has 2,164 farms covering 44,905 acres that produce 1.7 million cut trees each year. These farms have more than $13.9 million in sales annually. The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers’ Association donated the 21-foot tall Douglas Fir. The tree will be decorated with 7,000 white mini lights and includes nearly 500 ornaments supplied by 64 senior centers across Pennsylvania.

Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair) talks about the REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop he organized for farmers, agri-business owners, accountants and organizations providing financing to farming operations. For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop organized by Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair). For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff talks about the REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop organized by Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair). For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Karl Brown, State Conservation Commission, talks about the REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop organized by Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair). For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Cathy Curran Myers, DEP, talks about REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop organized by Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair). For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Joe Diamond, PA Farm Bureau, talks about REAP farm conservation tax credit program at a workshop organized by Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair). For more information on REAP, visit-- State Conservation Commission Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpage

Mark Gutshall, LandStudies, Inc., talks about the water quality problems related to legacy sediments and the multiple benefits of floodplain restoration-- sediment and nutrient reduction, reducing flood and stormwater damage, wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge and carbon sequestration. For more information, pick up a copy of LandStudies' Floodplain Restoration Booklet. And follow these other links-- Documenting Stream Channel Erosion, A Bigger Problems Than Originally Thought Reducing Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Through Floodplain Restoration Critical Aquifer Recharge Benefits of Floodplain Restoration Floodplain Restoration Improves Water Quality

Kathy Greely, Commonwealth Community Energy Program, talks about the importance of home energy conservation at the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance press conference. CCEP is a project of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other presenters included: Liz Robinson, Energy Coordinating Agency, on KEEA proposals Rep. Chris Ross on his energy conservation legislation

Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) on proposed energy conservation legislation at the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance press conference. Other presenters included: Liz Robinson, Energy Coordinating Agency, on KEEA proposals Kathy Greely, Commonwealth Community Energy Program, PEC

Liz Robinson Outlines Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance proposals to promote energy conservation. Robinson represents the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia. Other presenters included: Rep. Chris Ross on his energy conservation legislation Kathy Greely, Commonwealth Community Energy Program, PEC

Spring Creek Restoration. Bob Pennell, Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited describes the restoration projects the Chapter sponsored in the Spring Creek Watershed, Dauphin County. Over the last four years a watershed assessment and three projects later have begun the restoration effort in a one mile section of the creek.

Gov. Ed Rendell, former Gov. Mark Schweiker, Joseph Sbaffoni, DEP Director of Deep Mine Safety and Rep. Bob Bastian, sponsor of the legislation, at the bill signing ceremony for the Mine Families First Act prompted by the July 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue in Somerset County.

Julie McMonagle, PEC, on COALS Program. Julie McMonagle, Director of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Northeast Office talks about the COALS (Clean Up Our American Lands) anti-dumping program. She and Steve Bartos, Manager of the COALS Program for the Department of Environmental Protection, made a presentation on the program to the Joint Legislative Air & Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

Little Conestoga Riparian Buffer Project. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Exelon, the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance, Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster Conservancy, Lancaster Country Day School, Millersville University and local volunteers plant a riparian buffer that will yield nutrient credits and sequester carbon to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases. Featured in this Video Blog piece are Brian Hill, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Helen Howes, Vice President for Environment, Health and Safety at Exelon, Todd Trout, a teacher from Lancaster Country Day School and a board member of the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance, Danielle Lukens, a High School Senior at Lancaster Country Day School, Senator Mike Brubaker, who represents Lancaster and Chester counties, and Dr. Julie Ambler, from Millersville University and a member of the board of the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance.

Margaret Dunn, from the non-profit Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnership and watershed volunteers during the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Margaret is also one of the organizers of the event. Watch these other posts from the Celebration-- Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the water quality in the three rivers of Pittsburgh and their surrounding watersheds and how it has improved dramatically in the last 35 years thanks to the dedicated efforts of local and state governments, watershed groups and their many private sector partners during the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Watch these other posts from the Celebration-- Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Thurman Korns, of the Wells Creek Watershed Association, gives us the latest news from this Somerset County watershed group and talks about the importance of building local partnerships during the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Watch these other posts from the Celebration-- Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers. Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Joel Anne Swelthelm, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve operated by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, talks about educational programs at the Reserve and the activities they sponsored at dock-side in the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Watch these other posts from the Celebration-- Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Karl Thomas, of RiverQuest (formerly Pittsburgh Voyager), talks about their on-the-river approach to environmental education that includes three different kinds of boats that soon will include the world’s first green-designed passenger vessel The Explorer during the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in mine drainage treatment and is making it his life’s work during the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Ohio River Watershed Celebration sights and sounds montage.

Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Sights and sounds montage of the 2007 Ohio River Watershed Celebration, September 20, 2007. Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., talks about the importance of partnerships and watershed volunteers Dennis Tubbs, Fish & Boat Commission, talks about the dramatic improvement in water quality in the Pittsburgh Region. Thurman Korns, Wells Creek Watershed Association, provides an update on their activities in the display area. Joel Anne Swelthelm, Audubon's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, talks about dock-side environmental education programs. Karl Thomas, RiverQuest (formally Pittsburgh Voyager), provides an overview of their unique on-the-river environmental education programs. Tim Danehy, Biomost, Inc., talks about how he got interested in working on cleaning up abandoned mine drainage.

Jeannie Tardiff, Wildlife Biologist for the Game Commission, talks about how the Commission manages the deer herd in Pennsylvania at one of 7 open houses on the topic, this one at the Capitol in Harrisburg. For more information visit-- Game Commission Holds 7 Open Houses on Deer Management Game Commission Deer Management webpage Too Many Deer Damaging State Forests, Agriculture DNCR Study of Forest Vegetation Shows Deer Exacting Heavy Toll Deer Population Growth, Development Caused Dramatic Increase in Lyme Disease

DEP Secretary McGinty Thanks Anti-Litter Volunteers. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty spoke to the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Litter Summit, thanking volunteers for making the 2007 Great PA Cleanup a success. She also spoke about the upcoming challenges of enacting Gov. Rendell's Energy Independence Initiative and finding a funding source for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program.

DCNR Draft Carbon Management Plan. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announced his agency would be releasing a draft Carbon Management Plan designed to identify opportunities within DCNR to combat global climate change. At the same time, Secretary DiBerardinis said a more comprehensive climate change strategy would probably be forthcoming from the Rendell Administration within the next six months. These and other presentations were part of a special climate change program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other speakers included: Brian Hill, PEC President & CEO, talks about the Climate Roadmap for PA Dr. Lew Ziska, U.S.D.A., presentation on climate change impacts to PA agriculture Robert McKinstry, Ballard Spahr, on a court decision that resulted in the regulation of greenhouse gas emssions Tom Peterson, Center for Climate Strategies, on how states drive national climate change policy

Brian Hill Talks About Climate Roadmap for PA. PEC President and CEO Brian Hill provided an introduction and an overview of the stakeholder-drive Climate Roadmap for Pennsylvania the Council released in June making 38 recommendations on how to reduce climate-changing emissions in the state. These and other presentations were part of a special climate change program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other speakers included: DCNR Secretary DiBerardinis on draft Carbon Management Plan Dr. Lew Ziska, U.S.D.A., presentation on climate change impacts to PA agriculture Robert McKinstry, Ballard Spahr, on a court decision that resulted in the regulation of greenhouse gas emssions Tom Peterson, Center for Climate Strategies, on how states drive national climate change policy

Climate Change Impacts on PA Agriculture. Dr. Lew Ziska, a Plant Physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spoke about the potential impact of climate change on Pennsylvania agriculture, including the types of crops grown, the potential changes in yields for the dairy industry and the not insignificant increase in weeds that will challenge farmers. These and other presentations were made at a special climate change program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other speakers included: DCNR Secretary DiBerardinis on draft Carbon Management Plan Brian Hill, PEC President & CEO, talks about the Climate Roadmap for PA Robert McKinstry, Ballard Spahr, on a court decision that resulted in the regulation of greenhouse gas emssions Tom Peterson, Center for Climate Strategies, on how states drive national climate change policy

Court Decision Results in Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Attorney Robert McKinstry, of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, outlines the results of litigation he was involved in against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that resulted in a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that carbon dioxide could be regulated under the federal Clean Air Act. These and other presentations were part of a special climate change program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other speakers included: DCNR Secretary DiBerardinis on draft Carbon Management Plan Brian Hill, PEC President & CEO, talks about the Climate Roadmap for PA Dr. Lew Ziska, U.S.D.A., presentation on climate change impacts to PA agriculture Tom Peterson, Center for Climate Strategies, on how states drive national climate change policy

States Drive National Climate Change Policy. Tom Peterson, Executive Director of the Center for Climate Strategies, talks about the important role states, including Pennsylvania, are playing in driving national policy on climate change. These and other presentations were part of a special climate change program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Other speakers included: DCNR Secretary DiBerardinis on draft Carbon Management Plan Brian Hill, PEC President & CEO, talks about the Climate Roadmap for PA Dr. Lew Ziska, U.S.D.A., presentation on climate change impacts to PA agriculture Robert McKinstry, Ballard Spahr, on a court decision that resulted in the regulation of greenhouse gas emssions

REAP & Federal Farm Bill. Matt Ehrhart, PA Office Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the new farm conservation tax credit program, REAP, and efforts to obtain more conservation funding from the federal Farm Bill, at Ag Progress Days in State College. For more information, visit CBF's REAP webpage or the CBF Farm Bill webpage.

Cattle Feeding Reduces Nutrients. Kelly O'Neill, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Virginia Ishler, Penn State University, talk about a project to demonstrate how changing what we feed dairy cattle will reduce nutrients in manure. Kelly and Virginia were talking with farmers about the project at Ag Progress Days. For more information, visit CBF's Precision Feeding webpage.

REAP Passed! Lamonte Garber, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the new farm conservation tax credit program, REAP -- Resource Enhancement and Protection Program at Ag Progress Days in State College. For more information, visit the CBF's REAP webpage.

Gov. Mark Schweiker Talks About the Quecreek Mine Rescue at the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 at the mine rescue site in Somerset County, Pa. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services Overview of the anniversary celebration and the mine rescue site. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety, talks about the Quecreek Mine Rescue at the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 at the mine rescue site in Somerset County, Pa. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Gov. Mark Schweiker, who stayed during the entire rescue Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services Overview of the anniversary celebration and the mine rescue site. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, talks about the Quecreek Mine Rescue and introduces Gov. Schweiker at the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 at the mine rescue site in Somerset County, Pa. Bill and Lori Arnold and their family live on a working organic dairy farm where the rescue shaft was drilled to free the miners. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Gov. Mark Schweiker, who stayed during the entire rescue Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services Overview of the anniversary celebration and the mine rescue site. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mining Safety & Health Administration, talks about the Quecreek Mine Rescue at the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 at the mine rescue site in Somerset County, Pa. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Gov. Mark Schweiker, who stayed during the entire rescue Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services Overview of the anniversary celebration and the mine rescue site. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services, talks about the Quecreek Mine Rescue at the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 at the mine rescue site in Somerset County, Pa. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Gov. Mark Schweiker, who stayed during the entire rescue Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration Overview of the anniversary celebration and the mine rescue site. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Quecreek Mine Rescue Site. Overview of the mine rescue site during the 5th anniversary celebration on July 28, 2007 in Somerset County, Pa. For 77 hours, from July 24-28, 2002, the world’s attention and prayers were with the rescuers and nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine until their successful rescue. To watch other speakers at the event: Gov. Mark Schweiker, who stayed during the entire rescue Joe Sbaffoni, DEP’s Director of Deep Mine Safety Bill Arnold, President, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Kevin Stricklin, U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration Larry Neff, Pristine Resources-Beth Energy Drilling Services For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection Quecreek Mine Rescue webpage.

Keystone Fund Transfer Robs Peter to Pay Paul. Brian Hill, President of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, speaks out against the proposed transfer of $40 million annually over the next two years from the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund to support the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund at a July 12, 2007 press conference.

Scott Van de Mark, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, talks about an innovative mine reclamation project which will use 1,600 tons of poultry manure on a 30 acre test plot on an abandoned mine to provide a field test for in-situ composting of manure. Switchgrass will then be planned on the site and later harvested as a renewable biomass fuel. Also view these comments from the same event: Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment USDA

Mark Rey, USDA, awards PA Environmental Council Conservation Innovation Grant for a project to use excess manure to reclaim abandoned mines. Rey also talks about the states of funding for the conservation provisions in the 2007 federal Farm Bill. View these comments from the same event: Scott Van de Mark, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Pennsylvania Environmental Council Unveils Climate Change Roadmap for PA Brian Hill, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, unveils the stakeholder-driven Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania at June 11 press conference. Here's what others have to say about the Roadmap recommendations: Dr. Paul Hepperly of The Rodale Institute talks about the opportunity for agriculture. Joyce Ferris, Managing Partner for Blue Hill Partners LLC, talks about the economic opportunities for the Commonwealth. Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) talks about the opportunities for Pennsylvania in the Climate Change Roadmap. Nathan Wilcox from PennEnvironment talks about what's needed to implement the Climate Change Roadmap. For more information, visit PEC's Climate Change Roadmap for PA webpage.

Coalition Members Urge Passage of REAP. Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, urges members of the General Assembly and Gov. Rendell to support REAP -- the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 690) -- and introduces legislators sponsoring and groups supporting REAP at a June 12 press conference at the Capitol.

Watch other comments presented at the Capitol press conference--
Rep. Jerry Stern Talks About Support for REAP
Rep. Peter Daley Urges Support for REAP
Sen. Michael O'Pake Says REAP Helps Farmers
Joel Rotz, Farm Bureau, Urges Support of REAP
Chad Forcey, PA Landscape & Nursery Assn. Supports REAP
Brian Hill, PA Environmental Council, Supports REAP, PMAA, Supports REAP
John Brosious, PMAA, Supports REAP
A Star is Born - Blessing the Cow
For more information on REAP, Visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website.

The X-Team of the PA Senior Environment Corps samples the Yellow Breeches Creek in Cumberland County. Volunteers Bill Apgar, Homer Foster, Jack McGinley, Leon Oberdick and Stacy Russell show how they do their twice a year macroinvertebret sampling. The X-Team is one of three teams of the Capital Area PaSEC members doing water sampling on the Yellow Breeches. This year the PA Senior Environment Corps is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. Over 2,900 seniors across the state are doing volunteer water sampling at 628 locations. For more information, visit the PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Homer Foster, 99, Volunteers With the PA Senior Environment Corps, Capital Area Chapter, and goes out every week to do water sampling on the Yellow Breeches in Cumberland County. He talks about why he got involved and encourages others to do the same. See Homer in action as part of the "X-Team" water sampling group in this related Video Blog. To see other Video Blog stories about members of the PA Senior Environment Corp, click here. Visit the PA Senior Environment Corps website for more information. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

LeDon Young, Progress Grange Master, Hosts REAP Town Meeting in Centre Hall, PA April 26 to talk about the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) proposal to give tax credits to farmers who install conservation practices. Comments from other speakers can be found at: Rep. Stern Describes Background, Need for REAP Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, Talks About PFB Support for REAP Matthew Ehrhart, CBF, Urges Citizens To Make Their Voice Heard For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. Visit the Progress Grange Fair website.

Rep. Stern Describes Background, Need for REAP, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act proposal to give tax credits to farmers who install conservation practices at an April 26 town meeting at the Progress Grange in Centre Hall, PA Comments from other speakers can be found at: LeDon Young, Progress Grange Master Hosts REAP Town Meeting Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, Talks About PFB Support for REAP Matthew Ehrhart, CBF, Urges Citizens To Make Their Voice Heard For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage.

Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, Talks About PFB Support for REAP, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act proposal to give tax credits to farmers who install conservation practices at an April 26 town meeting at the Progress Grange in Centre Hall, PA Comments from other speakers can be found at: LeDon Young, Progress Grange Master Hosts REAP Town Meeting Rep. Stern Describes Background, Need for REAP Matthew Ehrhart, CBF, Urges Citizens To Make Their Voice Heard For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage.

Matthew Ehrhart, CBF, Urges Citizen Action on REAP, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act proposal to give tax credits to farmers who install conservation practices at an April 26 town meeting at the Progress Grange in Centre Hall, PA Comments from other speakers can be found at: LeDon Young, Progress Grange Master Hosts REAP Town Meeting Rep. Stern Describes Background, Need for REAP Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, Talks About PFB Support for REAP For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage.

Tom Ridge Environmental Center Tour. Eric Obert, Associate Director of the PA Sea Grant Program, takes us on a tour of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center which sits at the entrance of Presque Isle State Park in Erie. The Center serves as the gateway to the park, environmental education center, park office and home several state agency offices, nonprofit environmental groups and the Regional Science Consortium which does active research on environmental issues in the region. It also houses a I-Max Theater. Visit this unique educational resource that connects Pennsylvanians to the Great Lakes and one of the richest natural treasures – Presque Isle Peninsula. For more information, visit: Tom Ridge Environmental Center website.

Roadside Recycling, PennDOT, Meadville. Since 2002, art students from Allegheny College and employees of the Department of Transportation in Meadville have creatively recycled discarded highway signs into large flowers and decorated fences surrounding the PennDOT maintenance office along Rt. 322 in Meadville. For more information, visit: Allegheny College website.

Jim Haney, PA Senior Environment Corps Volunteer helps celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps by presenting the history and present projects of the Capital Area Senior Environment Corps. For more information, visit: PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Counting Macroinvertebretes in the Yellow Breeches. Members of the Capital Area Senior Environment Corps Art Sconing, Velda Kauffman, Carl Crone and Harvey Baney explain how they count macroinvertebretes to help determine the stream's overall ability to support aquatic life. They take the counts in the Yellow Breeches at the New Cumberland Borough Park in Cumberland County. The same crew shows how they do water quality testing on a different stretch of the Yellow Breeches. For more information, visit: PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. View these other Video Blog stories on the Senior Environment Corps— Water Quality Sampling on the Yellow Breeches Lab Tour – Senior Environment Corps Senior Environment Corps Volunteers Share Their Experiences Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Water Quality Sampling on the Yellow Breeches. Members of the Capital Area Senior Environment Corps do water quality sampling on the Yellow Breeches in Cumberland County. Art Sconing, Velda Kauffman, Carl Crone and Harvey Baney explain how they do dissolved oxygen, phosphates, pH, temperature and other water quality testing at this location on the Yellow Breeches. At a separate location, the same team will show how they do macroinvertebrete counts to help determine the stream’s overall ability to support aquatic life. For more information, visit: PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. View these other Video Blog stories on the Senior Environment Corps— Counting Macroinvertebretes in the Yellow Breeches Lab Tour – Senior Environment Corps Senior Environment Corps Volunteers Share Their Experiences Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Too Many Deer Damaging Forest Ecosystems, Agriculture. Dr. Timothy Schaeffer, Executive Director of Audubon Pennsylvania, a state office of the National Audubon Society, offers comments before the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee at a "listening session" in Lebanon, PA. The over-browsing of Pennsylvania’s forests and agricultural areas by too many deer in too many places has eliminated thousands of acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife, and represents the largest single threat to bird habitat, after urban sprawl. A study released in March by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources showed fewer than 25 percent of the 41,650 forest plots they looked at across the state showed desirable forest regeneration and almost 45 percent lacked any new, woody growth. In the Lebanon area—the Conrad Weiser Forest District—the results are even worse. 59 percent of the 1,126 forest plots surveyed showed no forest regeneration and 28 percent showed regeneration with undesirable species. A copy of the comments and recommendations submitted by Dr. Schaeffer to the Committee is available online. For more information on the deer management issue, visit Audubon PA's website.

Senior Environment Corps Volunteers Share Their Experiences. Volunteers for the Capital Area Senior Environment Corps in Cumberland County tell how they got involved in water sampling and the SEC and why they keep going out week after week! The volunteers include: Velda Kauffman, Carl Crone, Harvey Baney and Art Sconing. For more information, visit: PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. View these other Video Blog stories on the Senior Environment Corps— Water Quality Sampling on the Yellow Breeches Counting Macroinvertebrets in the Yellow Breeches Lab Tour – Senior Environment Corps Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Lab Tour - Senior Environment Corps. The Capital Area Senior Environment Corps volunteers maintain a water quality testing laboratory in the New Cumberland Borough Senior Center in Cumberland County. Volunteers Art Sconing, Harvey Baney, Carl Crone and Velda Kauffman take us on a tour of the lab and show how they test water samples, on this day, taken from the Yellow Breeches Creek. For more information, visit: PA Senior Environment Corps webpage. View these other Video Blog stories on the Senior Environment Corps— Water Quality Sampling on the Yellow Breeches Counting Macroinvertebretes in the Yellow Breeches Senior Environment Corps Volunteers Share Their Experiences Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA Senior Environment Corps

Sen. Waugh On Farm Conservation, REAP: Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) and co-sponsor of the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give tax credits to farmers to install best management practices speaks to a town meeting in Jacobus, York County, on March 28 designed to educate people on the proposal. He commented on the importance of helping farmers install conservation practices, but also about the difficulties of getting a proposal like this passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Rendell without broad support. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. To see more Video Blog comments from the York Town Meeting: Farmer Rob Wood Supports REAP Proposal Farm Bureau’s Gary Swan On Farm Stewardship, REAP Commissioner Doug Kilgore Encourages Support for REAP Rep. Miller On Farm Conservation Tools, REAP Also see Video Blog stories on the March 22 Lancaster Town Meeting.

Farmer Rob Wood Supports REAP Proposal: Rob Wood of Spoutwood Farm, Glen Rock, York County, lends his support to the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) proposal that would give farmers tax credits for installing best management practices. Mr. Wood was one of nearly 50 people to attend a March 28 town meeting in Jacobus, York County on REAP sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. To see more Video Blog comments from the York Town Meeting: Sen. Waugh On Farm Conservation, REAP Farm Bureau’s Gary Swan On Farm Stewardship, REAP Commissioner Doug Kilgore Encourages Support for REAP Rep. Miller On Farm Conservation Tools, REAP Also see Video Blog stories on the March 22 Lancaster Town Meeting.

Commissioner Doug Kilgore Encourages Support for REAP: Commissioner Doug Kilgore (D-York) relates a personal story of how his family invested in practices to make his own farm more environment-friendly and encourages those attending a town meeting in Jacobus to support the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give farmers tax credits for installing best management practices. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. To see more Video Blog comments from the York Town Meeting: Farmer Rob Wood Supports REAP Proposal Sen. Waugh On Farm Conservation, REAP Farm Bureau’s Gary Swan On Farm Stewardship, REAP Rep. Miller On Farm Conservation Tools, REAP Also see Video Blog stories on the March 22 Lancaster Town Meeting.

Farm Bureau’s Gary Swan On Farm Stewardship, REAP: Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, comments on the important role farmers can play in reducing nutrient and sediment runoff and the need to support the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) to provide farmers with tax credits to install farm conservation practices. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. To see more Video Blog comments from the York Town Meeting: Farmer Rob Wood Supports REAP Proposal Sen. Waugh On Farm Conservation, REAP Commissioner Doug Kilgore Encourages Support for REAP Rep. Miller On Farm Conservation Tools, REAP Also see Video Blog stories on the March 22 Lancaster Town Meeting.

Rep. Miller On Farm Conservation Tools, REAP: Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) spoke to participants at a town meeting in Jacobus sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give farmers tax credits for installing farm conservation practices. He noted the role farmers play as stewards of the land and how REAP could help them do more to reduce nutrient runoff and sedimentation. He encouraged those attending to support the legislation, noting it would be a difficult budget year to enact new initiatives. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. To see more Video Blog comments from the York Town Meeting: Farmer Rob Wood Supports REAP Proposal Sen. Waugh On Farm Conservation, REAP Farm Bureau’s Gary Swan On Farm Stewardship, REAP Commissioner Doug Kilgore Encourages Support for REAP Also see Video Blog stories on the March 22 Lancaster Town Meeting.

Student Brett Pifer Talks About Expedition Susquehanna. Brett Pifer, a Future Farmers of America member from Bradford County, talks about his experience on Expedition Susquehanna, and the role John Quimby, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 2006 Environmental Educator of the Year Award winner, played on the Expedition. Expedition Susquehanna included 11 high school students who made a 30 day trip down the Susquehanna River from the river’s origin at Cooperstown, NY to the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, Brett and the other students, stopped to learn more about how mine drainage and agricultural runoff affects the river, the lifecycle of the rare hellbender salamander and the flora and fauna in around the Susquehanna. Brett plans to attend Penn State University to study forestry. At the special awards ceremony on March 24, participants also got a preview of the upcoming WVIA – Wilkes-Barre documentary on the Expedition. To see more Video Blog stories from the event— John Quimby, Accepts His 2006 Environmental Educator of the Year Award from CBF Don Baugh, CBF Vice President of Environmental Education Talks About Why Quimby Received the Award

CBF Award Winner Issues Challenge. John Quimby, the leader of Expedition Susquehanna, receives the 2006 Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Environmental Educator of the Year Award during a special ceremony on March 24. Expedition Susquehanna included 11 high school students, all members of the Future Farmers of America, as they made a 30 day trip down the Susquehanna River from the river’s origin at Cooperstown, NY to the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, students stopped to learn about how mine drainage and agricultural runoff affects the river, the lifecycle of the rare hellbender salamander and the flora and fauna in around the Susquehanna. A retired entomologist, Quimby uses his knowledge of nature and the river to teach students about river and forest ecology. The ceremony also included a preview of the upcoming WVIA – Wilkes-Barre documentary on the Expedition. To see more Video Blog stories from the event— Don Baugh, CBF Vice President of Environmental Education Talks About Why Quimby Received the Award Brett Pifer, a Student on the Expedition from Bradford County, Talks About Quimby’s Role and What He Learned

CBF Names Environmental Educator of the Year. Don Baugh, Vice President of Environmental Education for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, introduces John Quimby, the 2006 winner of CBF’s Environmental Educator of the Year Award, and talks about his role in Expedition Susquehanna. Expedition Susquehanna included 11 high school students, all members of the Future Farmers of America, who made a 30 day trip down the Susquehanna River from the river’s origin at Cooperstown, NY to the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, students stopped to learn about how mine drainage and agricultural runoff affects the river, the lifecycle of the rare hellbender salamander and the flora and fauna in around the Susquehanna. A retired entomologist, Quimby uses his knowledge of nature and the river to teach students about river and forest ecology. At the special awards ceremony on March 24, participants also got a preview of the upcoming WVIA – Wilkes-Barre documentary on the Expedition. To see more Video Blog stories from the event— Brett Pifer, a Bradford County Student on the Expedition, Talks About Quimby’s Role and What He Learned John Quimby, Accepts His 2006 Environmental Educator of the Year Award from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Sen. Brubaker - REAP Proposal Builds Partnerships. Sen. Brubaker (R-Lancaster), REAP’s prime sponsor in the Senate, along with Sen. O’Pake (D-Berks) talks about how the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) is about building new partnerships between agricultural producers, environmental groups and private industry to accomplish conservation goals. “REAP is about bringing more seats to the table,” said Sen. Brubaker. “It’s not about spending money, it’s about making wise investments. I think people 100 years from now will think this is a wise investment.” Sen. Brubaker made his comments at a March 22 town meeting on REAP that attracted over 150 people and was sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. REAP, introduced as House Bill 100 by Rep. Stern (R-Blair) and Rep. Daley (D-Washington) and as Senate Bill 690 by Sen. Brubaker (R-Lancaster) and Sen. O’Pake (D-Berks) would give farmers tax credits of up to 75 percent of the cost of installing best management practices like forested stream buffer, stream fencing and other measures. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. View These Other Video Blog Stories From the Same Event: Gary Swan, PA Farm Bureau, Developing More Partners Matt Ehrhart, CBF, 150 Attend REAP Public Meeting

Farm Bureau Supports REAP. Gary Swan, Director of Governmental Affairs and Communications for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, talks about why his organization supports the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that gives tax credits to farmers to encourage the installation of best management practices that reduce nutrients and sediment. “Farmers want to be great stewards of the environment and they have a proud record, and we think REAP is a progressive way to advance to the next level of environmental protection in Pennsylvania,” said Swan. Swan made his comments at a March 22 town meeting in Lancaster that attracted over 150 people and was sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. REAP, introduced as House Bill 100 by Rep. Stern (R-Blair) and Rep. Daley (D-Washington) and as Senate Bill 690 by Sen. Brubaker (R-Lancaster) and Sen. O’Pake (D-Berks) would give farmers tax credits of up to 75 percent of the cost of installing best management practices like forested stream buffer, stream fencing and other measures. For more information, visit the REAP Information webpage. View These Other Video Blog Stories From the Same Event: Sen. Brubaker - REAP Brings New Partners to the Table Matt Ehrhart, CBF, 150 Attend REAP Meeting

Help Farmers Help the Environment. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Lamonte Garber, Senior Agricultural Consultant, encouraged the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to support the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) to provide tax credits to farmers who install conservation practices. Garber also outlined the Foundation’s support for changes in the federal Farm Bill that would provide additional federal funding for conservation practices on farms. The Committee is holding a series of statewide listening sessions designed to help identify key issues of concern to agricultural and rural communities. This session was in Ephrata, Lancaster County. The Committee is chaired by Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) and Sen. Mike O’Pake (D-Berks), who are both sponsors of the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act in the Senate. House sponsors include Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair) and Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington). For more information, visit CBF’s REAP webpage and read about CBF’s 2007 Farm Bill Strategy.

Middle Creek Home to Thousands of Migrating Birds. Each year the Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Lebanon-Lancaster county line near Kleinfeltersville, PA hosts hundreds of thousands of migrating geese, swans and ducks.
Drew Lambert, PA Game Commission, talks about Middle Creek and the record 2007 season and the year-round activities that make the Area an attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.
For updated information on current “visitors” to Middle Creek, go to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area webpage and checkout the webpage for its sister facility—the Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center in Crawford County on the Game Commission's Watchable Wildlife webpage.
Also watch this Video Blog story: The Golden Eagle at Middle Creek.

Go Wild! With Native Plants. The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Audubon Pennsylvania, GTS Technologies, and landscape designer Dorthea Montaine collaborated to build the exhibit Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Native Elegance for the 2007 Pennsylvania Garden Expo in Harrisburg. The 65’x70’ exhibit portrays Pennsylvania’s indigenous plants in a formal backyard setting and incorporated conservation concepts such as rain gardens, rain barrels, compost bins, and more to complete an earth-friendly landscape. Frank Felbaum, a DCNR Native Plant Consultant, describes the advantages of using native plants in your next landscaping project. For more information, visit the Garden Expo webpage.

Ned Smith Center Connecting Nature, Art and People. Jerry Regan, Executive Director of the Ned Smith Center in Millersburg, Dauphin County, provides an overview of the Center, its beautiful 500 acre setting and how it connects people of all ages to the arts and environment. Scott Weidensaul, volunteer curator and member of the Ned Smith Center Board, talks about the work of Ned Smith, his inspiration and methods through examples in the Center’s collection and those donated by other collectors. A special exhibit of artwork by John James Audubon will be featured at the Center beginning in April 2007. For more information visit: www.NedSmithCenter.org .