April 30, 2009

White-Nose Syndrome in Bats is explained by this video produced by the Game Commission. (click here to view video)
First documented in New York in the winter of 2006-07, White-Nose Syndrome is believed to have surfaced in Pennsylvania in 2008 and began killing cave bats in 2009. WNS refers to a white fungus on the muzzles and wing membranes of affected bats.
The fungus may be a symptom and not the cause of the mortality occurring in hibernating bat colonies throughout the states of Northeast. Bats affected with WNS do not always have the fungus, and do leave hibernacula in winter and usually die on the landscape. It is unclear at this point if or how WNS is transmitted.
Visit the Game Commission website for more information.

Tire Collection Events. The Independence Conservancy in Southwest PA sponsors a series of waste tire collection events each year that properly disposes of thousands of tires covering 25 communities in four counties. In this video, Vicky Michaels, Independence Conservancy, talks about an April 25 tire collection event in Findley Township, Washington County.
The Conservancy is looking to expand its tire collection events to other municipalities. If you would like to sponsor an event, visit the Independence Conservancy website.

April 26, 2009

Stream Buffer Project near Palmyra, Pa draws volunteers to help improve water quality on the Jim Hess Farm. Ron Laughlin, Tri-County Conewago Creek Association, talks about the project and other steps the Association is taking to reduce water pollution in the watershed. The project was put together with the help of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation using the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
Watch these other videos from the tree planting--
Ashley Spotz, Chesapeake Bay Foundation CREP Field Staff
Eugene Lee, KPMG Volunteers
Tracy Buchholz & Megan Charles, Volunteers
Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Grassroots Coordinator

Dave Miller, Advanced Solar Industries of Lancaster, Pa, talks about the solar and wind turbine installation his company recently made on the Jim Hess Farm near Palmyra, Pa.

April 24, 2009

Don Welsh, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, makes introductory remarks at the celebration for the 2009 winners of the Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence.
Also watch the video of DEP Secretary John Hanger's keynote address.

April 23, 2009

Larry Myers, PA Resources Council, talks about accomplishments and recommendations for PA's Recycling Program in testimony before the Joint House/Senate Conservation Committee.

April 20, 2009

Learn About Single Stream Recycling from RecycleBank. View the next videos in this series by going to TheCycle/EcoFootprint webpage.

April 15, 2009

Learn Outside With The Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For more than 30 years, CBF's environmental education programs have been a cornerstone of CBF's efforts to improve water quality and the Bay's health. CBF's teacher professional development initiatives, student leadership program, and classroom curricula are designed to support state standards and help students Learn Outside. The application deadline for this year's programs is May 1. (click here to see how teachers and students can be part of the program.)

Chesapeake Bay Given 28 Out Of 100 In Health Report. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation this week released its 10th annual State of the Bay report, scoring the Chesapeake again this year a 28 on a scale of 100. Because the report showed no significant progress, CBF is challenging the federal Environmental Protection Agency to use its regulatory authority immediately to take aggressive new action to reduce pollution. (click here for full announcement)

April 6, 2009

Gateway to PA Trash Sweep. On April 4 nearly 45 volunteers, along with local sponsors, PennDOT and even 5 inmates from the Beaver County jail, helped cleanup a section of Beaver Creek in and around Lock 57 Park in Ohioville. Here Vicky Michaels, Executive Director of Independence Conservancy, a sponsor of the event, talks about the event and its accomplishments.

April 2, 2009

StormwaterPA Provides Solutions. The StormwaterPA website this week unveiled a new blog designed to share information about innovative ways to help reduce and manage stormwater.
Partnering with the Brandywine Conservancy Environmental Management Center, GreenTreks, Inc. will add a weekly post on issues related to stormwater management inviting readers to offer comments and their own suggestions.
Also this week, a new video case study was added to the site detailing a pervious pavement project at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia.
This online video shows how a permeable surface course and a stone bed to help encourage the infiltration rather than runoff of stormwater. For more information, visit the StormwaterPA website.
EnergyStar@Home. Click here to watch a series of seven online videos from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar@Home Program offering energy saving tips for every room of the house.
The first video features Tom Kraeutler, host of the Money Pit Radio Show, talking about simple things you can do around the home to save energy. Following automatically are videos on Energy Star appliances, home heating, kitchen appliances and ways to save electricity.
So take a look and start learning how you can save money and the environment! Visit the PPL Electric Video Center to watch more online videos on how to save energy.

April 1, 2009

Briefing On Green Project Reserve Funding. Paul Marchetti, PennVEST, provides a briefing on the Green Project Reserve "Green Infrastructure" Program that's part of the federal stimulus funding Pennsylvania is receiving. This is Part 1 of the Briefing. Click here for Part 2.
There is a May 18 deadline for submitting projects. More information will be available on the PennVEST website.
Documents From the briefing:
Green Project Reserve Summary
Green Project Reserve PowerPoint
Green Project Reserve Questions/Answers
EPA Green Infrastructure Fact Sheet
Overview Article On New Green Infrastructure Funding