December 11, 2008

Organic Green Revolution. Kutztown-based Rodale Institute this week released a research paper reviewing replicated research that shows the latest scientific approaches in organic agriculture offer affordable, immediately usable and universally accessible ways to improve yields and access to nutritional food in developing countries. "The Organic Green Revolution" paper is available online.

December 9, 2008

Nature’s Keepers, an inspirational documentary film about Pike County’s 150-year history of land stewardship and those who are continuing that legacy today, will air on public television station WVIA-TV in Scranton January 5 at 7:00 p.m.

“Pike County has a proud history of conservation,” says Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), who makes a cameo appearance in the film. “It started with the pioneering efforts of Gifford Pinchot, and continues today through others willing to take an active role in protecting our natural resources.  Nature’s Keepers salutes Governor Pinchot’s legacy and the continuing legacy of those following in his footsteps.”

 “We have a unique conservation history in Pike County and Nature’s Keepers shares the stories of some of the people who are continuing that legacy. We are delighted that WVIA will present the first public television broadcast of the film,” says Nature’s Keepers’ Executive Producer Sean Strub.   Visit the Nature's Keepers website. 

December 2, 2008

Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Drilling. Get an inside look at a drilling operation looking for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation on the Downey Farm and other properties in Susquehanna County, courtesy of this video from the Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre. Watch the Video (Mircrosoft Explorer best)
Visit the special Marcellus Shale webpage at the Times Leader newspaper for more information.

Meadville Market House supports local farmers by providing a customer-friendly market for local agricultural produce. The market is administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council which recently received a $41,200 First Industries Agricultural Planning Grant to further promote the market. Visit the Meadville Market House website for more.

November 17, 2008

Green Building Strategies. Integrated design strategies where used to construct the DEP Southeast Regional Office in Norristown, PA as a high-performance building within a typical government budget. The site includes a Historic Landmark former train station building, which was reused and incorporated into the new building. Video produced by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
For more information, check out DEP's Green Building webpage,

Karen N. Boyle , Environmental Educator at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, leads a Winter Walk at Kettle Creek on January 23, 2008. The participants discovered that there is still plenty of life and sights in the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, even in the dead of winter.

November 13, 2008

Deer Management Vidoes. Continuing its ongoing outreach and educational efforts to heighten the understanding of deer management and whitetails, the Game Commission expanded its deer management webpage and produced a three-part video on deer management in Pennsylvania.
Here's part one.
Part 2 - Deer Management
Part 3 - Deer Management

November 6, 2008

WPSU Common Ground Lobby Talk TV Program Tackles Cleaning Up Chesapeake Bay. Host Patty Satalia and guest experts discussed the science behind the decline in water quality and the loss habitats vital to wildlife in the region. The conversation also addressed concerns within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and possible solutions.
Panelists included Kristen Saacke-Blunk, director of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center; Denice Heller Wardrop, assistant director of the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center; Matt Ehrhart, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania; and Rich Batiuk, associate director of science at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program Office.
Watch an online video of the program.

October 31, 2008

PA Assn. of Environmental Educators. Ruth Ruperti, President of PAEE, provides an overview of the Association, it's objectives and benefits. The video also provides highlights of the PAEE 2008 Environmental Education Conference. For more information, visit the PAEE website.

October 7, 2008

How The Miller Farm Protects Its Watershed. Learn how the Miller Farm in Adams County protects its watershed and the Chesapeake Bay by installing best management practices to prevent nutrients and sediments running off the land in this production by the GreenTreks Network, Inc.
For more information, visit the StormwaterPA website and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation/PA webpage and browse these resources for farm and landowner conservation.

www.iConservePA.org Election Candidate Montrell talks about water resource protection, water quality indicators, water conservation and his involvement in activities involving his school's wetland.
Vote for watershed protection, vote for Montrell in the "Elect To Conserve" initiative by going to this webpage.

October 1, 2008

Special iConservePA.org Election Coverage. Put off by that divisive and nasty national election? Watch this special CNN* news coverage by Cooper Anderson 180 to learn how you can be part of a creative "special election" on the iConservePA.org website by voting for your favorite environmental candidates in the "Elect to Conserve" campaign.
Voters will be eligible to win a home composter or a rain barrel. The winning Pennsylvania environmental program will receive a $5,000 grant. (When did voting in a real election get you anything like that!)
To vote, visit the 2008 Elect To Conserve webpage.
Click here to watch more election coverage by CNN's Cooper Anderson.
This message "approved" by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
*Conservation News Network, of course.

Climate Change Impacts in PA. John Walliser, PA Environmental Council, talks about a new Union of Concerned Scientists report on potential global warming impacts on Pennsylvania and PEC's Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania at a press conference in Harrisburg.
Watch these other presentations from the press conference:
Lance Pierce, Union of Concerned Scientists Climate Program Director
Ray Najjar, Penn State Associate Professor of Meterorology and Geosciences
Shelby Fleischer, Penn State University Professor of Entomology
Donna Cooper, Secretary of Policy and Planning

September 28, 2008

Eire Times French Creek Watershed Profile. A four-part series of articles and related videos profile the environmental, historial and cultural significance of the French Creek Watershed in Erie and Crawford counties. Highlighted are efforts by the PA Environmental Council and other groups to protect and restore the watershed. Follow these links for each part:
Part I - French Creek Overview
Part II - Creek Once Carried Young Washington
Part III - French Creek Goes With The Flow
Part IV - French Creek Copes With City Life
For more information, visit the French Creek Project webpage.

Hear From Ohio River Watershed Celebration Participants. Wil Taylor, Jennings Environmental Education Center, provides an overview of the "Imagination Cruise" portion of the Celebration where 300 students benefit from educational activities put on by 18 participating environmental organizations during the 2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration.
Watch these over stories from the Celebration:
Welcome to the Celebration!
Environmental Award Winners
Alex Petridis, The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife
Gary Stokum, Washington County Watershed Alliance
Luke Elser, Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team
Kathleen Porter, Water Resources Education Network
Dres Banas & Susan Huba, Loyalhanna Watershed Association
Diane Salvaggio, Turtle Creek Watershed Association
Andy McAllister, Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

September 26, 2008

Welcome to the 2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration! Margaret Hall, DEP, and Margaret Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., and Jane Nugent, Jane Nugent's Garden Talk, welcome all to the 2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration!
Watch these other stories from the Celebration:
Environmental Award Winners
Wil Taylor, Jennings Environmental Education Center
Alex Petridis, The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife
Gary Stokum, Washington County Watershed Alliance
Luke Elzer, Appalachian Coal County Watershed Team
Kathleen Porter, Water Resources Education Network
Drew Banas & Susan Huba, Loyalhanna Watershed Association
Diane Salvaggio, Turtle Creek Watershed Association
Andy McAllister, Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Environmental Awards from the 2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Margaret Hall presents the 2008 Environmental Awards to: Joseph Catanese, Allegheny County Council- Government Award; Artemis Environmental Building Materials, Janice Donatelli- Business/Industry Award; Greg Phillips, Westmoreland County Conservation District- Individual Award; Marty McKinney, Cranberry Township- Energy Conservation Award.
Watch these over stories from the Celebration:
Welcome to the Celebration!
Wil Taylor, Jennings Environmental Education Center
Alex Petridis, The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife
Gary Stokum, Washington County Watershed Alliance
Luke Elzer, Appalachian Coal County Watershed Team
Kathleen Porter, Water Resources Education Network
Drew Banas & Susan Huba, Loyalhanna Watershed Association
Diane Salvaggio, Turtle Creek Watershed Association
Andy McAllister, Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

September 23, 2008

John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Assn., Urges Support for Nov. 4 Clean Water Referendum. He made the comments as part of an PA Infrastructure Group press conference to support the $400 million bond issue referendum and funding for transportation, telecommunications and electric infrastructure improvements.
The Group is sponsoring a Vote Yes For Clean Water initiative to let citizens express their support for the initiative.
The bond issue referendum is part of the water funding proposal supported by 45+ groups in the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Coalition.
Also presenting at the event were--
Kelly Lewis, Founder of the PA Infrastructure Group
Rep. Joseph Preston, Majority Chair, House Consumer Affairs Committee
J.Terrance Fitzpatrick, General Counsel, PA Energy Generation Assn.
Michael Love, President, PA Energy Association

U.S.G.S./DEP On Emerging Water Pollutants. Dr. J. Kent Crawford, Water Quality Specialist for the PA Science Center for the U.S. Geological Survey, and Arianna Proctor, Department of Environmental Protection, give a presentation on emerging water pollutants, like pharmaceuticals, at the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee Environmental Issues Forum.
Links to Presentations:
Dr. J. Kent Crawford Part 2, Part 3
Link to Arianna Proctor Presentation - Part 1.
The presentation is an update of a 2006 presentation by Dr. Crawford.
Note: These presentations are in several parts because YouTube limits videos to 10 minutes.

September 18, 2008

John Hanger on Climate Change. Acting DEP Secretary John Hanger spoke about taking action on climate change at the annual members meeting of the PA Environmental Council - Part 1. View Part 2 and Part 3.
Note: YouTube limits videos to 10 minutes and his address is in 3 parts.

Opening Statements Senate Nutrient Credit Trading Hearing. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees held a joint hearing on the Nutrient Credit Trading Program. These are the opening statements from Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) and Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster).
The hearing featured comments by four members of the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Coalition.
View the entire hearing online: Part 1 and Part 2.
Copies of the testimony are available from the Senate Environmental Committee webpage.

September 16, 2008

Schuylkill River Watershed Profile. The Reading Eagle this week published a three-part series on the Schuylkill River Watershed, including a State of the Watershed, Protecting the River and the Schuylkill's Future segments. It also included an online video and multi-media presentation.
For more information, visit the
Schuylkill River Watershed Profile and Schuylkill Action Network webpages.

September 13, 2008

Susquehanna University Green Science Center. On August 26 Susquehanna University broke ground for a state-of-the-art green science building that will transform teaching and learning in ways that will have critical impact on academic quality. Watch the Video.
The 75,000-square-foot, LEED-certified science building will be prominently situated on the site of the North Hall parking lot across University Avenue from Seibert Hall. It will be the largest academic building on campus after its planned completion in August 2010. Susquehanna University received a $4 million state grant earlier in August to help finance the construction.

September 9, 2008

Lehigh Valley Green Buildings. WLVT television magazine program Tempo recently profiled green building projects in the Lehigh Valley, including those by PNC bank and PPL’s headquarters building in Allentown. The program reviews provides examples of green building features and techniques.

September 4, 2008

Tom Richard, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, talks about the status of biofuels technology at the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit.
Watch these other participants in the Summit--
James Hubbard, MD House of Delegates
Ann Pesiri Swanson, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Commission
John Hanger, Acting DEP Secretary
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit website for more information.

John Hanger, Acting DEP Secretary, talks about the opportunities presented by biofuels at the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit.
Watch these other participants in the Summit--
James Hubbard, MD House of Delegates
Ann Pesiri Swanson, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Commission
Tom Richard, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit website for more information.

Ann Pesiri Swanson, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Commission, talks about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed being a leader in the production of biofuels at the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit.
Watch these other participants in the Summit--
James Hubbard, MD House of Delegates
John Hanger, Acting DEP Secretary
Tom Richard, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit website for more information.

James Hubbard, MD House of Delegates, talks about the assignment given to the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit.
Watch these other participants in the Summit--
Ann Pesiri Swanson, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Commission
John Hanger, Acting DEP Secretary
Tom Richard, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit website for more information.

August 30, 2008


Eco Express EE Website. Educators can use the real world video stories of the Eco Express website, produced by the GreenTreks Network, Inc., to help engage students on a variety of environmental topics in an inspiring way.
Each video story is accompanied by a learning pod which includes everything from curriculum alignment, inquiry-based problem solving activities, service learning projects, resources materials, community connections and more.
You can help shape this beta version of the website by offering your comments and making suggestions for material to add.
For more, See the PA Environment Digest article.

August 22, 2008

Reps. Hanna, Hershey on Fair Share Funding. Majority Chair Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) and Minority Chair Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) give opening remarks to the House Agriculture Committee hearing on the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan during Ag Progress Days.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau, talks about the urgent need for farm conservation funding and the Fair Share Clean Water Plan at the House Agriculture Committee hearing during Ag Progress Days in State College.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

Brenda Shambaugh, PA Association of Conservation Districts, talks about farm conservation funding needs and the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan at a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee during Ag Progress Days.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, tells the House Agriculture Committee at Ag Progress Days how important farm conservation funding is to protecting the Bay and the need to adopt the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association, talks about the importance of farm conservation funding in meeting federal and state clean water mandates and the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan before the House Agriculture Committee during Ag Progress Days.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association, talks about the importance of nutrient credit trading and farm conservation funding to assuring economic growth in the future and the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan before the House Agriculture Committee during Ag Progress Days.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff talks about conservation funding at a hearing by the House Agriculture Committee during Ag Progress Days.
Watch these other videos from the hearing:
Reps. Hanna, Hershey Open Fair Share Hearing
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Matt Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Brenda Shambaugh, PA Assn. of Conservation Districts
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association
Grant Gulibon, PA Builders Association
For more information, visit PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan.

August 14, 2008



RiverQuest Adds Explorer To Fleet. RiverQuest, one of Pittsburgh's premier environmental education organizations, delivered a new eco-friendly Explorer boat to its water quality education programs.
To see video of the new boat, click on these links:
Explorer's Eco-Friendly Features
RiverQuest's Explorer Arrives in Pittsburgh
RiverQuest Delivers Explorer to Pittsburgh
Overview of RiverQuest From 2007 Ohio River Celebration

August 13, 2008

What Is RecycleBank? Philadelphia just completed its "All Together Now" pilot program using RecycleBank's single stream recycling program that increased the tonnage of recyclables collected by 30 percent. How? By paying folks for what they recycle. Watch this video and for more information visit the RecycleBank website.

August 12, 2008

Environmental Stewardship in the Lehigh Valley. Kids of all ages can participate in environmental education programs in the Lehigh Valley sponsored by the Wildlands Conservancy.
This story aired on the WLVT-TV Tempo Program and profiles the environmental education, preservation, restoration and conservation activities of the Conservancy.

August 8, 2008

Capt. John Smith For President. Learn how you can support clean water by supporting Capt. John Smith for President. Endorsed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. See more videos.

August 7, 2008

Fort Indiantown Gap Butterfly Tour. In July, the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Site held a public tour of regal fritillary butterfly habitats they are preserving on the post.
Go along with the tour in this video feature and learn about current efforts to restore native grassland habitat across Pennsylvania with the ultimate goal of returning the Regal Fritillary to landholdings having a historic occurrence. Find out more.

August 1, 2008

Deer Creek Watershed Stressed. A report by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission says the Deer Creek Watershed in York County will become progressively stressed over the next 17 years as growth spreads and populations rise. See interviews with residents who talk about some of the issues involved from a York Daily Record story.

July 31, 2008



Erie Invasive Species. More than 30 representatives of local, state and federal agencies and community groups boarded boats and headed for Erie's Presque Isle Bay this week to measure their response capabilities should an aquatic, non-native species invade the Great Lakes. See full Erie Times article.

July 27, 2008

Quecreek Mine Rescue Visitors Center Groundbreaking. Bill Arnold, President of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, talks about breaking ground for the new visitors center commemorating the July 2002 rescue of nine miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset, Pa. For more information visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website.

Rep. Bob Bastian (R-Somerset) on new mine safety laws adopted after the July 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue at the 6th anniversary celebration of the rescue. For more information, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation website.

July 23, 2008

Erie Drug Collection Event. This online video outlines how the The Keep Unwanted Medicine Out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection Day in Erie resulted in the collection of 600 pounds of medicine and personal care products in April during the Pennsylvania Sea Grant pharmaceutical collection event.

July 16, 2008

PA Natural Gas Rush. Learn how new drilling technology and rising fuel prices are driving the natural gas rush in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale—a 6,000 foot deep rock formation which has the potential to fuel the entire country for two full years.
This live, one-hour, call-in program aired originally on WPSU-TV from State College on May 22 and offered viewers objective and reliable advice about: natural gas exploration and drilling on leased land, Lease negotiations and addenda and financial, environmental, and infrastructure impacts.
For more information, visit the special WPSU PA Gas Rush webpage.

July 9, 2008

Upper Mount Bethel EAC Osprey Project. Working with Reliant Energy and local boy scouts, the Upper Mount Bethel Environmental Advisory Council in Northampton County, Pa sponsored the first successful osprey relocation effort in the state starting in 2001. To find out what other local Environmental Advisory Councils are doing, visit the PA Environmental Council EAC website.

June 27, 2008

Stormwater Retrofit. Liz Feinberg, Watershed Programs Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, takes viewers onsite in Rutledge Borough, Delaware County to a stormwater retrofit project under construction.
One of the most difficult challenges to managing stormwater in an already built up area is to find locations for installing best management stormwater practices.
Feinberg shows how one community used their creatively to install a stormwater storage/infiltration facility under basketball court in Triangle Park in Rutledge.
.

June 20, 2008

Bare Facts About Bear Encounters. In this online video story, the Pocono Record's Mike Kuhns and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Park Ranger Chris Cross discuss what to do when you encounter a Pennsylvania Black Bear. How to avoid attracting bears.

June 10, 2008


DEP Intern Maps Erie Shoreline. The Department of Environmental Protection relies on global positioning satellites to map man-made structures on Lake Erie. Watch as DEP's intern Andy Faivre trains new intern Sarah Lawlor on how to map the structures using GPS systems, photographs, and measurements to compile a database which will be used to monitor beach erosion. Read Article. .

June 5, 2008

Reforestation. The Jennings Environmental Education Center in the Slippery Rock Creek Watershed near Butler, PA hosted a dedication and tree planting ceremony for an Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative demonstration site located on the grounds of their facility. Read the story.

Fish Art. Students in the East Stroudsburg University Student Art Association test out the proposed spot for a trout sculpture that will soon be joined by 14 other sculptures on display throughout Monroe County from June to September. Read the article.

May 30, 2008

Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Executive Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation, presents testimony on the PA Fair Share Clean Water Plan before the Governor's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force in Pittston, Pa.
Other presenters included:
Mike Kyle, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority
Lamonte Garber, Senior Agriculture Program Manager, CBF

Mike Kyle, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority, estimates $20 million cost of nutrient removal due to federal and state mandates, presents testimony on the PA Fair Share Clean Water Plan before the Governor's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force in Red Lion, Pa.
Other presenters included:
Matt Ehrhart, PA Executive Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Lamonte Garber, Senior Agriculture Program Manager, CBF

Lamonte Garber, Senior Agriculture Program Manager with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation presents testimony on the PA Fair Share Clean Water Plan before the Governor's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force in Red Lion, Pa.
Other presenters included:
Mike Kyle, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority
Matt Ehrhart, PA Executive Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation

May 29, 2008

Something Fishy in Cowanshannock Creek Watershed, Armstrong County, from the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation Video Diaries. Visit the WPCAMR Abandoned Mine Posts webpage for more information

Preview 2008 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. For more information visit the Conference webpage.

May 20, 2008


Sen. Pat Vance visits Audubon's Hawk Watch at Waggoner's Gap. Sen. Vance talks with David Grove, a volunteer at the Hawk Watch, and Kim VanFleet, an Important Bird Area Coordinator with Audubon PA, about raptor watching opportunities and the project to build the Cliff Jones Station at Audubon's Hawk Watch at Waggoner's Gap is on the border of Perry and Cumberland counties.

May 14, 2008

Sen. Brubaker on Fair Share Clean Water Plan. Sen. Brubaker talks about the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan at the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meeting considering infrastructure legislation.

May 10, 2008


Sarah Sargent, Important Bird Area Coordinator for Audubon Pennsylvania, leads a group of volunteers as they band birds at Presque Isle State Park on May 8. The songbird migration is in full swing now and Sargent's group sets nets in the brush to catch the birds. Sargent measures the birds and places a band on the bird's leg. Sargent is collecting data to track the birds migration patterns as well as their general health. Sargent is looking for volunteers to help with the program. For those interested contact her at ssargent@audubon.org.

May 3, 2008

Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the forest buffer project on the Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.
View other videos from this event:
Matt Royer, President, Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Hal Royer, Co-Founder Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Amanda Benner, Trees for the 21st Century
For more information visit:
Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan
Trees for the 21st Century
Matt Royer, President Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association talks about the forest buffer project on the Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.
View other videos from this event:
Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Hal Royer, Co-Founder Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Amanda Benner, Trees for the 21st Century
For more information visit:
Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan
Trees for the 21st Century

Hal Royer, co-founder Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association talks about the forest buffer project on the Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.
View other videos from this event:
Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Matt Royer, President, Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Amanda Benner, Trees for the 21st Century
For more information visit:
Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan
Trees for the 21st Century

Amanda Benner, Trees for the 21st Century, talks about the forest buffer project on the Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.
View other videos from this event:
Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Matt Royer, President, Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
Hal Royer, Co-Founder, Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.
For more information visit:
Chesapeake Bay Foundation- PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan
Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association
Trees for the 21st Century

April 25, 2008


Paul King Recognizes Brian Hill. Paul King, Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, recognizes the work of Brian Hill at the recent dinner honoring winners of the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards.

April 23, 2008


DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty talks about environmental leadership at the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards dinner hosted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

April 10, 2008

No Child Left Inside. Our nation’s future relies on a well-educated public to be wise stewards of the very environment that sustains us, our families and communities, and future generations.
It is environmental education which can best help us as individuals make the complex, conceptual connections between economic prosperity, benefits to society, environmental health, and our own well being.
Ultimately, the collective wisdom of our citizens, gained through education, will be the most compelling and most successful strategy for environmental management.
This video by the No Child Left Inside Coalition clearly demonstrates the value of hands-on environmental education, in particular, education about how we interact with the streams, watersheds and habitats around us.


Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan to meet Chesapeake Bay and statewide water cleanup mandates.
Other speakers at the announcement--
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Assn.
Robert Fisher, R.J. Fisher and Associates for the PA Builders Assn.
Susan Marquart, PA Conservation Districts
For more information visit www.cbf.org/pa.

John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Association, talks about the Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan to meet Chesapeake Bay and statewide water cleanup mandates.
Other speakers at the announcement-
Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
Robert Fisher, R.J. Fisher and Associates for the PA Builders Assn.
Susan Marquart, PA Conservation Districts
For more information visit www.cbf.org/pa.

Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau, talks about the Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan to meet Chesapeake Bay and statewide water cleanup mandates.
Other speakers at the announcement-
Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Assn.
Robert Fisher, R.J. Fisher and Associates for the PA Builders Assn.
Susan Marquart, PA Conservation Districts
For more information visit www.cbf.org/pa.

Robert Fisher, R.J. Fisher and Associates for the PA Builders Assn., talks about the Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan to meet Chesapeake Bay and statewide water cleanup mandates.
Other speakers at the announcement-
Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Assn.
Susan Marquart, PA Conservation Districts
For more information visit www.cbf.org/pa.

Susan Marquart, PA Conservation Districts, talks about the Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan to meet Chesapeake Bay and statewide water cleanup mandates.
Other speakers at the announcement-
Matthew Ehrhart, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Joel Rotz, PA Farm Bureau
John Brosious, PA Municipal Authorities Assn.
Robert Fisher, R.J. Fisher and Associates for the PA Builders Assn.
For more information visit www.cbf.org/pa.

April 3, 2008


Carl Shaffer on Biofuel Opportunities for Farmers. Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer said farmers support Gov. Rendell’s initiative to promote biofuels and separate legislation that would provide per gallon incentives to biodiesel makers to promote production and markets for soybeans and corn raised by Pennsylvania Farmers.
Remarks of other speakers at PA Farm Bureau event:
Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Biofuels
Rep. Kessler on Incentives for Biofuels
Ben Wootton Talks About PA’s Biofuels Industry
Keith Oellig Talks About Biofuels From Producer Viewpoint

Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Biofuels. Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Majority Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, joined the Farm Bureau in calling for action on biofuels legislation saying it presents a great opportunity for Pennsylvania farmers.
Remarks of other speakers at PA Farm Bureau event:
Carl Shaffer on Biofuel Opportunities for Farmers
Rep. Kessler on Incentives for Biofuels
Ben Wootton Talks About PA’s Biofuels Industry
Keith Oellig Talks About Biofuels From Producer Viewpoint

Rep. Kessler on Incentives for Biofuels. Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) provided an overview of Special Session House Bill 42 that provides for a $1 per gallon incentive to producers of biodiesel in order to promote the production of Pennsylvania-grown fuels.
Remarks of other speakers at PA Farm Bureau event:
Carl Shaffer on Biofuel Opportunities for Farmers
Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Biofuels
Ben Wootton Talks About PA’s Biofuels Industry
Keith Oellig Talks About Biofuels From Producer Viewpoint

Ben Wootton Talks About PA’s Biofuels Industry. Ben Wootton, President of Keystone BioFuels in Cumberland County, said he had to lay off 80 percent of his workforce due to his inability to distribute his 100 percent pure biodiesel to customers. Faced with competition from other states that provide per gallon subsidies, Wootton said he was supporting legislation to level the playing field between competitors.
Remarks of other speakers at PA Farm Bureau event:
Carl Shaffer on Biofuel Opportunities for Farmers
Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Biofuels
Rep. Kessler on Incentives for Biofuels
Keith Oellig Talks About Biofuels From Producer Viewpoint

Keith Oellig Talks About Biofuels From Producer Viewpoint. Keith Oellig, a Dauphin County soybean farmer, said the skyrocketing cost of diesel fuel and natural gas used to make fertilizer has increased his cost of production significantly. He said the production of biofuels will not solve the energy problems, but it will be an important step toward stabilizing farm production costs.
Remarks of other speakers at PA Farm Bureau event:
Carl Shaffer on Biofuel Opportunities for Farmers
Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Biofuels
Rep. Kessler on Incentives for Biofuels
Ben Wootton Talks About PA’s Biofuels Industry

Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Chris Kocher, President of the Wildlands Conservancy, talks about how essential the water resources of the region were and are to the history and future quality of life at the Lehigh Valley at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium. He noted that many of the rivers and streams in the Valley have emerged from their industrial past to support over 90 species of fish in the over 300 miles of waterways that make up the Lehigh Valley.
However, the work of restoring water quality is not done. Nonpoint pollution, abandoned mine drainage and urban sprawl continue to threaten water quality.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA
Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships
Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives
John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives
Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives

Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA. Doug Austen, Executive Director of the PA Fish & Boat Commission, was one of the keynote speakers at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium, and gave a presentation on the status of conservation efforts in Pennsylvania, including the restoration of aquatic habitat, the restoration of shad in many of the state’s river systems and how the restoration of watersheds provide multiple benefits to anglers and every Pennsylvania citizens at the Lehigh Valley.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships
Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives
John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives
Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives

Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships. Cindy Dunn, Deputy Secretary for Conservation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, talks about the opportunities and challenges captured in the conference agenda and how
DCNR works with lots of partners to develop and implement the Lehigh River Conservation Plan, trails projects and other initiatives at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium.
She also noted how strongly the region is identified with its rivers and how the commitment of Lehigh and Northampton counties to planning gives the area the hope of a strong future.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA
Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives
John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives
Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives

Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives. Don Cunningham, Lehigh County Executive, talks about important smart growth and environmental initiatives in the County and how critical water resources are to the region’s future at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA
Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships
John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives
Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives

John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives. John Stoffa, Northampton County Executive, noted that a conference like the at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium could not have been held 10 years ago because there was not the awareness of how important water resources are to the health and well-being of the Lehigh Valley.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA
Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships
Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives
Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives

Cong. Charles Dent on Recent Federal Initiatives. Congressman Charles Dent talks about recent federal water and energy initiatives affecting the Lehigh Valley and the importance of partnerships and federal, state and local cooperation on conservation projects at the Lehigh Valley Watershed & Shad Symposium.
Other speakers at the Symposium:
Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy, Opening Remarks
Doug Austen Update on Conservation in PA
Cindy Dunn, DCNR, On the Importance of Partnerships
Don Cunningham on Lehigh County Green Initiatives
John Stoffa on Northampton County Green Initiatives

March 18, 2008


Penn State Rainfall Demonstrator. Dr. Sjoerd Duiker,Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, talks about the rainfall Demonstrator and the benefits of no-till farming at a special Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences event in Harrisburg.
See these other speakers at the event--
Rep. Mike Hanna, Chair House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
Sen. Mike Brubaker, Chair Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff
Robert Steele, Dean Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
Dr. Sjoerd Duiker,Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Office Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Visit these other links--
See the Rainfall Demonstrator in action
Rodale Institute No-Till+ Webpage
PA No-Till Alliance

Dr. Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, talks about the benefits of no-till farming at a special Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences event in Harrisburg.
See these other speakers at the event--
Rep. Mike Hanna, Chair House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
Sen. Mike Brubaker, Chair Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff
Robert Steele, Dean Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Office Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Visit these other links--
See the Rainfall Demonstrator in action
Rodale Institute No-Till+ Webpage
PA No-Till Alliance