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 .

DCNR Connects People to Natural Resources. Cindy Dunn, Director of DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, talks about the importance of connecting people to natural resources, particularly water resources, and how the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with partners to do just that. Dunn, the keynote speaker at the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress, highlighted DCNR’s Pennsylvania Rivers and Greenways and Trails initiatives. Contact Dunn at 717-772-9101 or send email to: cidunn@state.pa.us March 3, 2007

West Chester Wildlife Association Enhances Wildlife Resources. John Johnson, 81, immediate past president and chair of the West Chester Fish, Game & Wildlife Association, talks about the group’s mission to not only raise thousands of trout to stock local streams, but also educate the public about protecting vital wildlife and watershed resources at the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress. Contact John Johnson at 610-873-9062. March 3, 2007

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited Protects Watersheds. Pete Goodman, President of the Valley Forge Chapter Trout Unlimited, highlights some recent projects by the Chapter in watershed assessment and restoration in Crabby Creek with LandStudies, Inc., working with the Turnpike Commission and private developers to better treat and manage stormwater. Goodman was attending the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress in Pottstown. Contact Goodman by ending email to: PeteG@bee.net. March 3, 2007

REAP Promotes Clean Drinking Water. Matt Royer, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection Act tax credit program to promote the installation of best management practices on farms to control nutrient runoff and for stormwater management at the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress. Royer said best management practices are particularly important to the Schuylkill River because it provides drinking water for millions of people, including the City of Philadelphia. For more information, visit the CBF REAP webpage. March 3, 2007

Montgomery County Community College Hosts Schuylkill Watershed Congress. Dr. R. Dean Foster, Vice President & West Campus Administrative Officer for the Montgomery County Community College, welcomes the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress to the Pottstown Campus. MCCC Pottstown has been actively engaged with the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and is developing a new environmental education center and hosting the annual Schuylkill RiverFest, this year on October 13 (contact Dr. Foster if your group is interesting in participating as a sponsor or participant). Contact Dr. Foster at 610-718-1846 or send email to: dfoster@mc3.edu. March 3, 2007

PA Rural Water Association helps local Water/Wastewater systems. Matt Genchur, Source Water Protection Specialist, PA Rural Water Association outlines how the Association helps rural drinking water and wastewater plant operators improve their operating skills by providing education and technical assistance programs. Genchur, who attended the 2007 Schuylkill Watershed Congress, also talks about the importance of source water protection in keeping water supplies clean to lower treatment costs. Contact Genchur at 814-353-9302 or send email to: mgenchur@prwa.com . March 3, 2007