October 27, 2009

County Conservation District Watershed Specialists have been a vital force in Pennsylvania’s watershed movement for nearly 10 years, providing much needed environmental services in their counties and saving the state millions of dollars in project costs, in part by locating matching funding and in-kind contributions for environmental projects.
Whether it’s fighting Abandoned Mine Drainage, restoring streamside vegetation, or reducing water pollution caused by agricultural or urban runoff, our Watershed Specialists have been instrumental in many of Pennsylvania’s environmental successes.
As part of a campaign to increase awareness of our county Watershed Specialists, WPCAMR Video Diaries pays a visit to the Westmoreland Conservation District to talk to Watershed Specialist, Rob Cronauer about his work and the future of the Watershed Specialist positions.
The county watershed specialist program is funded by the Growing Greener Program that is due to end in 2010. Without a new source of funding, the good work done by these dedicated people could also end. Contact your House and Senate member to urge them to reauthorize the program.

October 15, 2009

Make A Splash In The Brandywine Watershed. Watch this promotional video highlighting all the events and activities promoted by the Brandywine Valley Association in Chester County, Pa.

October 7, 2009

Developing Environmentally Responsible Farming Practices. The Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center works to facilitate ecosystems based management across the state. Listen to Penn State researchers, Matt Ehrhart from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Susan Marquart, PA Association of Conservation Districts, Paul Swartz, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and many others discuss nutrient run-off and its effect on local watersheds, as well as the downstream waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Also learn about environmentally responsible farming practices. This video was produced by WPSU in State College.

Perkiomen Volunteers Clear Invasive Species. The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy recently organized volunteers to remove European Water Chestnut aquatic plants from Lake Delmont in Montgomery County.
Kelly Germann, Conservation Coordinator for the Conservancy, explains there was nothing exotic about removing the invasive specie. Volunteers simply cruised the lake with canoes and hand pulled the plants and then took them to a composting area for disposal.

October 2, 2009

HACC Wins Midstate Recycle Bowl. David Shelek, Harrisburg Coca-Cola Bottling Company based in Lemoyne, PA, announces Harrisburg Area Community College win a competition with Gettysburg College and Lebanon Valley College Recycle Bowl by recycling 13,650 plastic and aluminum containers in the one week competition during September. Gettysburg recycled 5,700 containers and Lebanon Valley recycled 5,500 containers for a total of 14,850.
The containers will be shipped to Coca-Cola's South Carolina recycling facility to be turned into new drink containers.
HACC students Jonathan Lebo and Nicole Huber represented the school at the awards program.