PA Environment Digest Video Blog

DCNR: How Well Do You Know Your Trees?

2012-02-02T19:50:00.001-05:00

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources asks, "How well do you know your trees?" In the winter, it is especially challenging to identify tree species when they are stripped of their leaves. To help you ID trees around where you live, watch this video or visit DCNR’s Tree ID display at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show February 4-12 In Harrisburg, and start impressing your family and friends with your sylvan savviness.

Wildlife Leadership Academy Accepting Applications

2012-01-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

The Wildlife Leadership Academy gives Pennsylvania youth the tools to become conservation leaders in their home community. 2012 field school applications are available for Pennsylvania youth ages 14-17 interested in conservation, leadership and the outdoors. For more information Click Here.

2011-12-07T14:56:00.001-05:00

Senate Committee Moves Marcellus Shale Bill. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out the House Marcellus bill- House Bill 1950- after amending the bill to gut the existing language and insert the provisions of Senate-passed Senate Bill 1100.
Senators said they took the action to move the process along. They also said there is no agreement yet on provisions of a Marcellus bill between the Senate, House and Governor's Office.
Sen. Scarnati said the Senate would not be adding any session days in December unless there was an agreement. The Senate is set to adjourn next Wednesday for the year.

2011-12-06T10:54:00.005-05:00

Briefing: DEP To Release Draft Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Dec. 15: Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Chair of the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission, hosted a briefing Tuesday for House and Senate members on the status of Pennsylvania's efforts to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed cleanup mandate.

At the briefing, John Hines, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs for the Department of Environmental Protection, announced DEP will be taking the next step in the cleanup process by releasing a draft Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan for public comment on December 15.

Video of the briefing is available online featuring these speakers:

-- Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, provided introductory and closing remarks.

-- Jeff Corbin, Special Advisor to the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provided an overview of the Chesapeake Bay mandate.

-- John Hines, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, DEP, provided an outline of Pennsylvania's efforts to comply with the mandate.

-- Andy Zemba, Director of DEP's Interstate Waters Office, provided details on Pennsylvania's response.

-- Matthew Ehrhart, Director, Pennsylvania Office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, commented on both state and federal efforts to cleanup the Bay.

2011-11-15T12:54:00.001-05:00

American Recycles Day-A Bag's Life. Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley joined Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, partnering organizations and students from The Nativity School of Harrisburg to launch the "A Bag's Life" on America Recycles Day, November 15. Speaking at the event (in order) were: Shannon Reiter, Keep PA Beautiful; Lt. Gov. Cawley, David McCorkle, PA Food Merchants Assn.; Robert Bylone, PA Recycling Markets Center. Click Here for more information.

2011-11-10T12:49:00.000-05:00

PEC, CBF Urge Changes, Action On Marcellus Shale Bills. The PA Environmental Council and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation held a press conference today urging the General Assembly to enact tougher environmental protections and a reasonable drilling impact fee in proposed legislation aimed at regulating development of the state’s Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves. Click Here for more details.

2011-09-09T20:18:00.002-05:00

Video of Flooding In And Around Harrisburg:

City of Harrisburg - taken before noon on Friday

Hummelstown Area - taken Thursday.

2011-08-02T19:51:00.001-05:00

What's A Vernal Pool? The PA Natural Heritage Program staff at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy explain the significant of their work while conducting a species sammpling in a vernal pool.

2011-06-27T11:56:00.001-05:00

Chester County Recycling Video Contest Winner. The Chester County Board of Commissioners this week announced the video submitted by West Chester East High School students Christina Betz and Jeff Cindric who won the County High School Recycling Video Contest was posted online. Click Here for more information.

2011-06-03T19:59:00.000-05:00

See The Light Energy Savings With the Coolidge Family. iConservePA.org's new episode in the Coolidge Family low carbon lifestyle series features Sam Coolidges doing what he does best, being passionate about saving energy, planting smartly and living locally.
Are you a Super Sleuth?
Like rain barrels, composters, native plants, new garden tools? These and other great green prizes are up for grabs in the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes!
Fifteen secret codes are hidden throughout the iConservePA website as part of the Science at Home and Meet the Coolidges Educational Series and four codes are available by attending special programs at Pennsylvania State Parks or visiting the iConservePA GreenHouse.
Enter the codes here by November 30 for up to 19 chances to win BIG!

2011-05-13T16:13:00.003-05:00

Meet the Coolidges, A Low-Carbon Family. iConservePA this week started a new online educational series offering suggestions on how to live a low-carbon lifestyle by saving energy, planting smartly and living locally.
Over the next few months, Sam, Pam and Becca Coolidge will highlight ways they and you can focus on low-carbon living.
The first video features Becca heading to her market to buy locally produced products.
Are you a Super Sleuth?
Like rain barrels, composters, native plants, new garden tools? These and other great green prizes are up for grabs in the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes!
Fifteen secret codes are hidden throughout the iConservePA website as part of the Science at Home and Meet the Coolidges Educational Series and four codes are available by attending special programs at Pennsylvania State Parks or visiting the iConservePA GreenHouse.
Enter the codes here by November 30 for up to 19 chances to win BIG!

2011-05-13T15:54:00.003-05:00

iConservePA Science At Home And Afield. Be a citizen science investigator with CSI:Pennsylvania and get to know the natural phenomena happening at home or afar. Science at Home features eight easy to understand programs sure to pique the interest of citizen scientists of every age.
Watch Citizens Count, the first of five videos in our Science Afield series, and learn how everyone’s power of observation can help science. With host Jessica Sprajcar, travel across Pennsylvania to discover the people and places on the front lines of scientific inquiry.
Are you a Super Sleuth?
Like rain barrels, composters, native plants, new garden tools? These and other great green prizes are up for grabs in the CSI Super Sleuth Sweepstakes!
Fifteen secret codes are hidden throughout the iConservePA website as part of the Science at Home and Meet the Coolidges Educational Series and four codes are available by attending special programs at Pennsylvania State Parks or visiting the iConservePA GreenHouse.
Enter the codes here by November 30 for up to 19 chances to win BIG!

2011-05-05T15:42:00.001-05:00

Voices Of The Schuylkill Watershed is a video project filmed, written and illustrated by 3rd and 4th graders at the Miquon School in Conchohocken. It recently won an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Schuylkill Action Network. Other award-winning videos from the same school include: Anya's Watershed Video and This Is Our Watershed. Click Here for the awards announcement.

2011-05-04T10:53:00.001-05:00

Allegheny Valley Land Trust Converts Rail Line, Mines Lands To Trail. The Allegheny Valley Land Trust recently completed a project to convert over 90 miles of rail line into a recreation trail, including the purchase of 269 acres of abandoned mine lands which contains 48 miles of rail-trail.

The abandoned mine land property also contains historically significant treasures, among the relics are a tunnel built in 1915, a rail car turn table, rail line bridges, and coke ovens used in the 1800’s.

Environmentally unsound, unregulated coal mining practices of the past have Western Pennsylvania with a legacy of polluted waters, scarred landscapes, and health and safety hazards. The decrease in productive, valuable land has, in turn, impacted the regional economy.

However, the region's inherent, wild beauty offers many recreational opportunities. Rail-Trail organizations have indentified this potential and have been remarkably successful in converting abandoned mine lands, including rail lines into recreational havens.

(Reprinted from Abandoned Mine Posts, Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation)

2011-05-03T23:27:00.002-05:00

DEP Secretary Outlines Priorities Before House Committee. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer has a chance to correct the record on issues facing the agency and presents his priorities before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. Click Here for written opening statement. Click Here for summary of comments presented.

2011-04-28T10:16:00.001-05:00

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announces Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal in a conference call with reporters.

2011-04-21T17:00:00.001-05:00

Energy Star Video Challenge Contest Features Erie Carbon Cop School Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week launched a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take part in the “Be an Energy Star” video challenge by picking up their home video cameras and documenting the energy-efficient actions they are taking in their home, school, workplace and community.
The video introduction to the contest features Rachel Gollhardt and the "Carbon Cop" program which teaches second graders at Davis Primary School in Erie how to reduce energy use and their carbon footprint.
The videos will be featured on the Energy Star website and social networking websites where the public will view and vote for their favorite videos in the fall. The winning entries will be showcased on the Energy Star website during Energy Awareness month in October.
For more information, visit the EPA Change The World and learn how to “Be an Energy Star.” Post your story through the Share Your Story function on the EnergyStar.gov website.

2011-04-18T08:54:00.002-05:00

Reclaiming Devil's Pool. The Friends of the Wissahickon have released a short documentary “Reclaiming Devil’s Pool,” produced by FOW member Jason Fifield of Slife Productions, documents FOW’s work at Devil’s Pool, part of the Sustainable Trails Initiative, a multi-stage commitment by FOW to help make the 50 miles of natural surface in the Wissahickon Valley Park an environmentally and socially sustainable system that works for all park users.
The film does an excellent job of explaining the work of STI with an emphasis on the Devil’s Pool Reclamation project completed in 2010 and the collaborative nature of this and all STI projects. In addition, the film highlights the role of volunteers, in particular FOW’s Trail Ambassadors. Says Mark Focht, Executive Director of Fairmount Park, “It’s not just about trail usage. It’s about the environmental sustainability of the Wissahickon Watershed, which is a unique watershed in Philadelphia and the whole region.”

2011-04-04T14:24:00.003-05:00

CBF Asks For Federal Study Of Marcellus Shale Drilling Impacts. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and its partners took actions today to call on the federal government to conduct a comprehensive scientific analysis of the cumulative impacts of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation in the six Bay states, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Virginia. In a conference call with reporters, Matt Ehrhart, PA Office Director CBF, outlines the request for the study. Click Here for more background.
Other statements from the CBF press conference call--
Amy McDonnell, CBF attorney
John Dawes, Foundation for PA Watersheds
Cinda Waldbuesser, National Parks Conservation Association

2011-03-30T15:03:00.003-05:00

Bipartisan Marcellus Shale Severance Tax Introduced. Sen. John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne) announced today he has introduced Senate Bill 905 that would implement a severance tax on the extraction of natural gas in Pennsylvania providing funding for the H20 Water Infrastructure Program, local governments impacted by drilling and the Growing Greener environmental restoration program. The Senator provides an overview of the proposal in this video.
Other videos from this announcement include:
Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware)
Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna)
Larry Williamson, Renew Growing Greener Coalition

2011-03-14T10:30:00.002-05:00

Water Saving Tips From PA American Water. To draw attention to the more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes due to leaks, Pennsylvania American Water today announced its support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Fix a Leak Week,” by launching a short video to advise homeowners on ways to save water and money by finding and repairing leaks. Fix a Leak Week runs March 14-20.

Pennsylvania American Water produced the three-minute video showing how to check for leaks throughout a household and how to make easy, inexpensive repairs, which can save thousands of gallons of water over the course of a year. Homeowners can view the video via the company’s YouTube channel or its Facebook page.

2011-01-26T17:46:00.001-05:00

Ellen Ferretti, VP Pennsylvania Environmental Council, testifies before the Senate Majority Policy Committee on the local impacts of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. Click Here to read a copy of her testimony.

2011-01-25T19:01:00.002-05:00

Wingfield Pines AML Treatment Site. After years of planning and many months of construction, the Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment System at ALT's Wingfield Pines Conservation Area was officially dedicated on June 3, 2010.
The AMD Treatment System filters 43 tons of iron oxide annually from one billion gallons of mine discharge. Some early sampling indicates that iron oxide is reduced from 13.9 mg/L in Pond #1 to 0.1 mg/L at the discharge site into Chartiers Creek.
Watch this video put together by the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation for an overview of the project.

2011-01-24T20:38:00.002-05:00

Renew Growing Greener Coalition holds Lobby Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg. Andrew Heath, Executive Director of the Coalition, provides an overview of the day's event and the urgency in renewing the Growing Greener Program. Click here for more information.

2011-01-21T13:29:00.002-05:00

Learn how forested buffers can improve water quality from the Stroud Water Research Center. Click Here for more background from the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center.

2010-12-28T07:54:00.003-05:00

New Report Announced On Chesapeake Bay Health. There is good news and bad, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Bay is showing encouraging signs of rebounding, but is still in critical condition as a result of pollution according to a new report issued today. View these comments on the report by CBF President Will Baker.
Later this week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release its review of state plans to reduce nutrients and sediments going into the Bay and its own plan for Bay cleanup.

2010-12-07T18:52:00.003-05:00

Educational Video On Mine Drainage Posted By EPCAMR, WPCAMR. The Eastern and Western Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation have just published a new video entitled, "Abandoned Mine Drainage: An Epic Tale," to teach people of all ages about abandoned mine drainage and reclamation
If you are sitting there thinking, “Oh no, not some boring educational video about the chemistry of AMD,” don’t worry! They guarantee this will be the most entertaining fifteen minutes of AMD education you have ever received. And you may recognize some of the stars of the show.
It is the first in a series of three short films related to AMD to be published by WPCAMR and EPCAMR over the next couple of years.

2010-11-24T16:41:00.001-05:00

Your Vote Needed In Plant A Tree Contest. Through the Odwalla fruit juice Plant a Tree campaign, Pennsylvania has earned nearly $27,000 this year to pay for planting 28,372 trees State Parks. But that’s not the end of the story.
There are $16,000 still up for grabs for certain states, and Pennsylvania is one of them. Visit the Odwalla website and enter PA7000 for the Pennsylvania code. If you have already voted, you can vote for up to 5 more trees.
The number of votes a state receives will equal the number of dollars it earns to plant trees within its parks.

2010-11-10T19:48:00.001-05:00

Holiday Gifts - Clean Creek Pottery. Looking for a holiday gift that will please the most discriminating taste and help the environment? Consider pottery products from Clean Creek.
Clean Creek Products, a division of Stream Restoration Inc. (nonprofit), was formed to market the metals recovered in treating abandoned mine drainage. One of the uses for these metals is in ceramic pottery glazing.
Every product you purchase from Clean Creek will not only support the artists that create them, but also helps support watershed groups doing local projects to help restore Pennsylvania's 19,000 miles of polluted waterways.

2010-11-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

What Do Poultry, Paper Abandoned Mine Lands Have In Common? Aside from the fact that each produces pollution and waste, combined they may be able to solve one another's problems while providing energy. How is this possible?
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council has organized some unique partnerships do deal with the waste from poultry farms in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. When combined with excess paper mill sludge, barren Abandoned Mine Lands could produce biomass in the form of warm seasonal grasses to support the increase of energy consumption.
The Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation recently joined several other interested groups for a tour of PEC's pilot project in Clearfield County to see how this is possible.

(Story By Anne Daymut, Watershed Coordinator, Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, published in Abandoned Mine Posts)

2010-11-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

Schuylkill Action Network Launches Student Video, Education Contests. The Schuylkill Action Network has launched two contests for students of all ages, and the theme of both is the Schuylkill River.
For the first time, students can enter the Schuylkill Stories Contest by submitting videos up to three minutes long by March 1. The theme of the inaugural competition is “This is My Watershed.”
The Schuylkill Action Network is seeking videos from students explaining how and why they enjoy the Schuylkill River, as well as the many waterways flowing into it.
Click here to watch a video on the Contest.
For the fifth year, students can also vie for a Drinking Water Scholastic Award with nominations due on March 1.
These are given to select classes and youth groups who carry out educational programs or restoration projects that help to keep the Schuylkill River clean.
Previous winners have planted trees along streams, created a campus rain garden, given presentations in their community and more.

2010-09-23T15:50:00.002-05:00

100 Volunteers Help Clinton County Cleanup. The Susquehanna River Cleanup and Great Island Adventure on September 11 attracted over 100 volunteers. Over 9 tons of tires and another half ton of trash was collected in 3 hours. The event was organized by Elisabeth Lynch-McCoy and Clinton County Cleanscapes along with a number of other groups. Rich Best, owner of Sunken Treasure Scuba Center, a long-time partner in the cleanup put together this collection of photos from the event.

2010-09-18T06:25:00.006-05:00

Maurice K. Goddard Historical Marker. A historical mark commemorating the life and achievements of Dr. Maurice K. Goddard was unveiled September 17 in front of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg. Marci Mowery, PA Parks & Forest Foundation, opens the ceremony and guides the unveiling. Bill Forrey, former Director Bureau of State Parks, and R. Timothy Weston, former Deputy Secretary Department of Environmental Resources unveil the marker. Click here for more on the event.
Watch other videos from the event--
Dr. James Grace, Goddard Chair, Penn State School of Forestry
Cindy Dunn, Deputy Secretary, DCNR
John Hines, Deputy Secretary, DEP
Dr. Michele Sellitto, Commissioner, PA Historical & Museum Commission
Ken Wolensky, PA Historical & Museum Commission

2010-09-15T11:43:00.002-05:00

Spotlight On PA Clean Heat Plan. At a press conference this week, Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), heating oil distributors and environmental groups talked about the need to pass the PA Clean Heat Plan to require ultra low sulfur heating oil with a biofuels content.
Watch these other videos from the event--
Doug Woosnam, PA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Assn.
Kevin Stewart, American Lung Association
Christine Knapp, PennFuture
Ben Wootton, Keystone Biofuels
Jim Black, Clean Air Council

2010-08-27T17:12:00.001-05:00

Ohio River Watershed Celebration 2010. Touch the water and be touched by the overwhelming success of decades of hard work to clean up the Ohio River Watershed by joining in the 9th Annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration. Click here to register online.

2010-08-05T08:08:00.003-05:00

The Philadelphia Water Department's 20 year stormwater management plan has gained national attention for its focus on above the ground green infrastructure techniques, as opposed to massive investments in hidden tunnels and pipes.
Over time, the plan will transform the city into an oasis of rain gardens, green roofs, tree lined streets, and porous surfaces that not only manage runoff, but add greatly to resident's quality of life.
In a series of seven videos, GreenTreks Network provides an overview of the initiative covering solving runoff block by block, harvesting rainwater, protecting the Schuylkill river at East Falls, street greening and keeping water on site. Click here to watch other videos. And visit the StormwaterPA website for more information on stormwater management and case studies..

2010-07-29T13:03:00.001-05:00

Letting The Delaware River Run, Balancing Competing Needs Of People, Wildlife. This new video by The Nature Conservancy in PA discusses the importance of migratory fish, active floodplains and sufficient flow levels in the Delaware River and how biologists are working to determine how best to balance the river's needs with those of the people who live along its banks.

2010-07-29T10:02:00.002-05:00

York Students Featured In Chesapeake Bay Local Action Video Showcase. York students were one of 15 groups featured in the first-ever Local Action Video Showcase in the Chesapekae Bay Program.
York High students worked with Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna and York Audubon volunteers to improve the Willis Run Living Classroom in downtown York, PA.
This stretch of stream just above the Kiwanis Lake Important Bird Area provides additional habitat and feeding opportunities for the Night Herons and Great Egrets, while creating an educational area for students and the citizens of York.
The groups’ projects were showcased at the Chesapeake Executive Council meeting on June 3 in Baltimore.

2010-07-13T10:40:00.004-05:00

PEC Releases Marcellus Shale Recommendations. Don Welsh, President of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council today released a report calling for swift action on new regulations and greater oversight of drilling and extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation, a major gas field that lies deep beneath much of Pennsylvania.
Called “Developing the Marcellus Shale,” the report challenges state government and the natural gas industry to adopt more stringent standards for drilling and extraction to prevent the kind of environmental impacts that have occurred throughout Pennsylvania’s industrial past.
Related Video
John Walliser, PEC Vice President, reviews report recommendations.

2010-07-08T14:20:00.002-05:00

Mine Drainage Generates Electric. The Loyalhanna Watershed Association in Westmoreland County recently hosted a “Turning on of Lights Ceremony”. Besides the unique name of the event, what makes this really special is that the electricity used to power the lights was generated from Abandoned Mine Drainage.
Since 2005, Loyalhanna Watershed Association has been working on the Saxman Run Mine Drainage Treatment and Hydroelectric Project. They faced all of the trials and tribulations persistent with any other AMD project but faced the additional hurtle of being a pioneer in this type of electricity generation.
Recently, they were finally able to host a dedication for this one-of-a-kind project. The celebration culminated with the turning on a string of lights using electricity generated by the flow of the AMD.
This video was published on the Abandoned Mine Posts webpage by the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation and was written by Anne Daymut, Watershed Coordinator.

2010-06-15T20:25:00.002-05:00

Rep. David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) joins other legislators and environmental groups at a press conference today to talk about the need to adopt a natural gas production severance tax to fund environmental programs, urge passage of a moratorium on further leasing of State Forest land for drilling and to express their support for updated drilling regulations to protect water quality.
Here are videos of three of the speakers--
Jan Jarrett, President & CEO of PennFuture
Don Welsh, President & CEO of PA Environmental Council
NewsClips
House Yanks Vote On Marcellus Shale Tax
Disagreements Delay Proposed Marcellus Shale Gas Tax
Sen. Ferlo Wants Moratorium On Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling

2010-05-11T16:43:00.001-05:00

Penn's Woods, Stream Buffers, Nature's Water Purifier. Next time you walk through a forest, imagine that the trees are affixed to the end of your kitchen faucet like a large green purifier, cleaning the water before it splashes, crystal-clear and cool, into your drinking glass. Watch this video and see from The Nature Conservancy-Pennsylvania.

2010-05-11T11:59:00.003-05:00

A sampler of Pennsylvania birdwatching is presented in this unique video by Pennsylvania Audubon. Learn more about John James Audubon's home at Mill Grove, Pa, the Audubon at Home program, Important Bird Areas of PA and more.

2010-05-06T08:10:00.002-05:00

Penn State: Biofilters Could Clean Dirty Water. Biofilters, using plants to clean dirty water from washing machines and other sources, can make that water fit for growing vegetables and flushing toilets, according to Penn State horticulturists.
"Our global fresh water supplies are fast depleting," said Robert D. Cameron, doctoral student in horticulture. "So it is critical that we begin to look at alternatives on how we can take wastewater and turn it into a resource."
"We have shown that with this system we can take wastewater from a washing machine and remove more than 90 percent of the pollutants within three days," said Cameron. "The treated water had very low levels of suspended solids and no detectable levels of e.coli." Click here for more information.

2010-05-03T11:58:00.002-05:00

Concerns expressed on Marcellus Shale natural gas development by Olivia Thorne, President PA League of Women Voters. The League just completed a year-long study of the benefits and costs of extraction and looks at the cumulative, long-term consequences. The study is available online.

2010-04-30T10:11:00.003-05:00

Local Action Video Showcase Sponsored By Alliance For Chesapeake Bay. Are you doing your part to help your local river, stream, or the Chesapeake Bay in your community? Is your local watershed group, school group, community or municipality restoring a shoreline, replacing a parking lot with porous pavement, planting rain gardens, holding cleanups or doing other restoration work to protect your local waterways?
Grab your camera and send us a short video that shows what you’re doing in your community to help your local waterway or the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll use all the video submissions to create a collective video that highlights all the local work being done throughout the Bay watershed – from New York to Virginia, West Virginia to Delaware – to restore and protect the Bay and its many streams, creeks and rivers.
Entries are due May 14. Click here for submission rules.

2010-04-13T11:39:00.003-05:00

Green City, Clean Waters Philadelphia has chosen to implement an innovative "urban greening" and a "green before gray" as a fundamental strategy for meeting the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act to manage its stormwater and improve water quality. From GreenTreks Network on Vimeo.

2010-04-02T17:51:00.002-05:00

2010 River Sojourns Set. Eleven river sojourns are planned around the state from May through August 2010. These multi-day educational paddling trips offer an unparalleled experience on Pennsylvania’s premier waterways. This video from the 2009 Delaware Sojourn offers a glimpse of one of these voyages. Sign-up now through the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers Sojourn webpage.

2010-03-10T20:43:00.002-05:00

House Members, Groups Opposed To Natural Gas Leasing In State Forests. Members of the House, environmental and sportsmen's groups this week urged Gov. Rendell to drop his plan to lease more State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling to help balance the budget. Instead, the groups urged adoption of a natural gas production severance tax.
This video features Rep. David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) Majority Chair of the House Finance Committee.
Legislators present included Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia), Paul Drucker (D-Chester), Bob Freeman (D-Northampton) Majority Chair of the House Local Government Committee, Mike Hanna (D-Centre) Majority Chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), Tom Houghton (D-Chester), David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) Majority Chair of the House Finance Committee, Tony Payton (D-Philadelphia), Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks), Tim Seip (D-Schuylkill), John Siptroth (D-Monroe), and Greg Vitali (D-Delaware).
Groups included: David Maser, PennEnvironment, Jan Jarrett, PennFuture, Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, PA Land Trust Association, Jeff Souders, PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Curt Ashenfelter, Keystone Trails Association
Watch other videos from the press conference--
Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery)
Jan Jarrett, PennFuture
Jeff Schmidt, Sierra Club
Curt Ashenfelter, Keystone Trails Association
Jeff Souders, PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

2010-03-08T20:01:00.002-05:00

CREP Program Promotes Forested Buffers. David Wise, PA Watershed Restoration Manager with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, talks about the value of forested stream buffers and how the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program can pay for 100 percent of the cost of installing buffers and pay an annual rental payment. Farmers and any landowner can participate in the CREP Program and install a buffer.

2010-03-04T21:11:00.006-05:00

2010 Deer Management Open Houses. For the fourth consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is hitting the road to bring deer management open houses to communities throughout the Commonwealth ending on April 10. This video is Part 1 of a 2 part video presentation describing the open houses.
The schedule for the open houses is as follows: March 13- Northwest-Pittsfield; March 20- Southwest-Johnstown; March 27- Southcentral-Shippensburg; (rescheduled to) March 28- Northeast - PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center, Hawley and April 10- Southeast-Frackville. (see announcement for locations and directions)
Watch Part 2 of this video presentation.

2010-03-02T09:57:00.003-05:00

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes in PA. Follow Ryan Miller, Assistant Zoologist for the Western PA Conservancy, as he takes you into the field to talk about the endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake in Pennsylvania. Watch more videos from WPC by subscribing to their YouTube Channel.

2010-02-22T18:16:00.002-05:00

Value Of Streamside Forests. Studies by internationally acclaimed Stroud Water Research Center have shown that healthy forests bordering streams not only prevent numerous pollutants from reaching the water, but also multiply the stream’s natural ability to cleanse itself of pollutants that do make their way into the water.
On a small farm that is typical of many in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, scientists have demonstrated that a treatment train approach that applies a series of best management practices in with a forested buffer is very effective in protecting the water quality in a small stream.
Watch this StormwaterPA video to understand the lessons learned that have broad implications for the future of the Chesapeake Bay.

2010-02-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

DCNR Green Camping Tips. Escape the winter blahs by planning that next camping trip, but with a low-impact twist. In this video, DCNR program coordinator Rob Neitz is your host for an overview of a model green campsite featured at this year’s Farm Show. Click here for green camping tips at PA State Parks. Visit iConservePa.org for more ideas on how you can protect the environment.

2010-02-02T19:42:00.001-05:00

Bear Run Nature Reserve, is located in Fayette County in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania. Over 5,000 acres are being managed to protect, conserve and restore land and water for the diversity of the region’s native plants, animals, and their ecosystems.
Learn about this unique corner of Pennsylvania by watching this Green Life PA video. Visit the Bear Run Nature Reserve webpage.

2010-02-02T19:36:00.003-05:00

Think Spring! Think Natives! Native plants are much different than any other plants. Not only do native plants provide benefits to the environment as a whole, they also provide value to you and your backyard.
Because Pennsylvania’s native plants are meant to grow here, they thrive with less maintenance, thereby reducing the need to water and fertilize them. They also serve as pollinators, attract wildlife, and reduce other unwanted species.
Watch this Green Life PA video for an introduction to native plants for your next landscaping project. Click here to learn more about native plants on iConservePa.org.
Click here to watch a second video on native plants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

2010-01-27T19:57:00.005-05:00

Trout in the Classroom. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program in which students learn about coldwater conservation while raising brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom aquarium.
During the year each teacher tailors the program to fit his or her curricular needs. Therefore, each program is unique. TIC has interdisciplinary applications in science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and physical education.
Most programs end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved waterway.
In Pennsylvania, this program is run by the PA Council of Trout Unlimited, the Fish and Boat Commission and the Department of Education with project grants given to local Trout Unlimited Chapters. Applications for the 2010-11 TIC Program are due from local chapters by February 26.
Watch this GreenLifePA Video presentation.

2010-01-27T19:50:00.006-05:00

RiverQuest Provides On-Water Environmental Education Experiences. RiverQuest is a non-profit educational organization that operates a river learning center for students, teachers and the community of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
RiverQuest programs engage students of all ages in hands-on learning while exploring Pittsburgh's Three Rivers. The rivers themselves are at the center of RiverQuest's education program.
A newly constructed state-of-the art green educational vessel, Explorer, arrived in Pittsburgh in late 2008 and began full service in 2009.
RiverQuest's educational philosophy is familiar and time-tested: Tell me, I'll forget; Show me, I might remember; Involve me, I'll understand.
Watch this GreenLifePA video presentation.

2010-01-11T21:05:00.002-05:00

Create A Backyard Habitat. Audubon Pennsylvania is an organization that looks to conserve and restore natural ecosystems around the state of Pennsylvania. This organization, through different strategies, aims to preserve the wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
This Green Life PA video tells how Audubon reaches out to volunteers to help preserve the natural environment that we all share. They look to schools and other public places to help spread the growth and preservation of natural ecosystems. Audubon also educates “connecting people with nature” by developing a network of Audubon Centers and using proven and innovative education programs to promote a lifelong conservation ethic.
Audubon Pennsylvania’s mission of conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, wildlife, and their habitats helps to shapes the Commonwealth’s conservation agenda.
Learn more at Audubon Pennsylvania.

2010-01-11T20:16:00.007-05:00

Babb Creek And Pine Creek Watershed Restoration Success. Abandoned Mine Drainage caused high metal levels and low pH in Babb Creek, creating toxic conditions for trout and macroinvertebrates. The Department of Environmental Protection added three segments of Babb Creek to the state's Clean Water Act section 303(d) list in 1996 for impairments due to metals and in 2002 for impairments due to pH.
DEP also added one segment of Pine Creek to the impaired waters list in 1998. Stakeholders have worked to restore the creek for nearly two decades by installing active and passive AMD treatment systems.
Water quality has improved and now meets standards, so DEP plans to remove the three impaired segments of Babb Creek's mainstem from the state's 2010 CWA section 303(d) list for metals and pH. DEP removed the impaired Pine Creek segment from the 303(d) list in 2002.
Watch this Green Life PA video and see how it was done. Click here for EPA success story article.

2010-01-07T12:25:00.003-05:00

PPL Energy Efficiency Video Contest. PPL Electric Utilities is sponsoring a video contest on energy efficiency entitled, "Change A Little, Save A Lot." Entries are due January 15.
More than $15,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a $5,000 Sears gift card as first prize.
In addition, the first 50 customers who enter will receive an energy-efficient power strip that automatically powers down appliances under certain conditions to save energy and money.
Winners will be announced in late January, and the winning videos will be featured on the company's Video Center. The Video Center displays some of the company's favorite YouTube videos about energy efficiency.
Customers must be at least 18 years old to enter. Videos must be between 30 seconds and three minutes long. Click here for more information.

2009-12-18T21:00:00.002-05:00

Friends Of Delaware Start Major Stream Restoration Project: The first stage in a massive stream restoration project, a Friends of the Upper Delaware River funded study recently completed by LandStudies Inc. lays out plans for the total rehabilitation of Sands and Cadosia Creeks in the Town of Hancock. This project will benefit habitat for the fishery, mitigate flooding for inhabitants of the watershed, and serve as a pilot program for streams throughout the region.
Click Here to watch a video overview of the project.

2009-12-09T21:04:00.003-05:00

Tour Marcellus Shale Drilling Site. The December edition of Focus on Pennsylvania follows Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) as they tour Chief Oil & Gas Marcellus Shale natural gas operations in Lycoming County.
The program covers topics such as the economic benefits and job creation from Marcellus Shale development as well as the environmental precautions and safety measures taken by the industry. Click here to watch video.

2009-12-06T19:05:00.004-05:00

Carbon Benefits For PA Forest Land Owners. The Nature Conservancy-PA recently launched a model forest conservation program that aims to protect forests and fight climate change through an agreement with Blue Source to jointly develop market-based incentives that reward landowners who demonstrate exceptional forest management practices.
"Working Woodlands" is a new model of conservation that puts the growing market for carbon credits to work as a means to promote high quality forest conservation strategies on private lands," said Dylan Jenkins, the Pennsylvania director of forest conservation for The Nature Conservancy.
Building on the Conservancy and Blue Source's combined experience with land protection, forest certification and carbon finance, Working Woodlands uses an innovative combination of long-term working forest conservation agreements, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certification, and carbon market payments to make conservation a more attractive proposition for landowners. Click here for more information.

2009-12-03T10:31:00.001-05:00

Lancaster County Energy From Waste Facility Tour. Senators Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) recently took a tour of the energy from waste facility built by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority.
The facility, operated by Covanta Energy, processed 379,000 tons of waste in 2008 producing 219 million kilowatts of electricity.
Going into service in 1991, the facility was built because the county wanted to reduce its dependence on landfilling as its primary waste disposal method as part of an integrated waste management system for the county. The system emphasizes waste reduction, recycling and energy generation with the final option being landfilling. Click here to watch the tour.

2009-11-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

MCCC Sustainable Buildling Advisor Program. In keeping with the growing demand for green building technology and practices, Montgomery County Community College is offering a nine-month Sustainable Building Advisor Program starting January 2010.
The new program will provide the training and information for participants to become leaders in their careers, organizations and communities in the sustainable building field. The program is beneficial for a wide-range of building professionals and interested others.
The non-profit organization National Sustainable Building Advisor Program develops the comprehensive criteria for the program, which is offered at the College’s West Campus in Pottstown as part of its Continuing Education offerings.
Watch this video from NSBAP on the program and what a Sustainable Building Advisor does. Click here for complete announcement.

2009-11-11T18:35:00.002-05:00

Dimock, Pa Pays Price For Gas Drilling. In the Dimock area of Susquehanna County, the drinking water well of a 66-year-old retired nurse exploded earlier this year after methane seeped into her water supply and those of eight other homes.
Drillers in this area were fined $56,650 by the state in September after three spills of drilling chemicals into a stream caused a fish kill and damaged wetlands.
The drilling company "made us think we were all going to get rich," said the Dimock resident, Norma Fiorentino. "But they didn't say anything about our land being ruined or my water being ruined."
On November 4 DEP and Cabot reached agreement to prevent natural gas migration and restore water in over 9 square miles in the Dimock area. Click here for more on Marcellus Shale drilling from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

2009-11-10T20:15:00.002-05:00

Transferable Development Rights (TDR) allow for communities to both preserve open space and meet the need for additional development. In most cases, the use of TDR benefits both the developer and the conservationist. This video was produced by the Montgomery County Lands Trust in Pennsylvania to describes how TDRs work from a variety of perspectives.

2009-11-04T09:58:00.005-05:00

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh. The Western PA Conservancy, DCNR and other partners are encouraging Western PA residents to plant trees through the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh Program
The goal of the program is to plant 20,000 trees throughout the Pittsburgh region by 2012. This effort is part of the statewide TreeVitalize Program.

2009-10-27T19:23:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-10-15T09:54:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-10-07T10:24:00.001-05:00

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.

2009-10-07T10:05:00.004-05:00

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.

2009-10-02T14:30:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-09-23T20:41:00.000-05:00

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. unveiled the largest green wall in North America as an innovative way to make its headquarters building more energy-efficient.
The 2,380 sq. ft., soil-based wall - similar in size to a doubles tennis court - features a variety of regional plants grown into living art on the south-facing wall of One PNC Plaza at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Wood Street in downtown Pittsburgh.
It is estimated that each of the 602 panels, with 24 plants in each 2x2 sq. ft. space, will offset the carbon footprint of one person. The vertical garden, similar to a green roof, will help to cool the 30-story building. Preliminary studies show the south-facing living wall will be 25 percent cooler behind the wall than ambient temperatures. Click here for full story.

2009-09-22T20:57:00.002-05:00

House Members, Groups Oppose Budget Deal. Members of the House and representatives of 30 environmental and sportsmens' groups held a press conference today opposing the budget deal agreed to by Senate and House leaders and Gov. Rendell which would lease up to 100,000 acres of State Forest land for natural gas drilling and significantly cut funding for environmental agencies.
"We cannot balance the budget on the back of the environment," Rep. Vitali said. "First, the current agreement would require that far too much state forest land be open for Marcellus Shale drilling."
Rep. Vitali said the group also opposed the elimination of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund into which revenues from all mineral leasing are deposited for land owned by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, supports the adoption of a severance tax on natural gas production and restoring $56 million in cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection. Click here to read article on event.
Other speakers at the event--
Jan Jarrett, President & CEO of PennFuture,
Rep. David Levdansky, Majority Chair of the House Finance Committee
Jeff Saunders, PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
Kathy Davis, Quality Deer Management
Judy Swank, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

2009-09-15T19:34:00.002-05:00

State Park, Forest Groups Express Concern Over Budget Cuts, Natural Gas Leasing. Groups supporting State Parks, State Forests and recreation facilities around the state this week highlighted the damage proposed budget cuts would do to recreation resources and expressed concern about the accelerated leasing of State Forest land for Marcellus Shale drilling.
Marci Mowery, PA Parks and Forests Foundation, said the groups game to the Capitol to both celebrate the legacy of the State Park and Forest system and protest its proposed demise.
She said the budget cuts being proposed are equal to returning the size of the State Park system to what it was in 1965, before Maurice Goddard began his initiative to put parks within 25 miles of all Pennsylvanians.
"While closures have not yet happened, we are seeing a loss of services," said Mowery. "Almost 200 wage staff in the Bureau of Forestry are on leave without pay-- rangers, maintenance staff and forest fire suppression staff.
"The same thing is occurring in State Parks-- over 100 wage positions were not filled, parks are carrying 42 salaried staff vacancies, 100 wage staff were cut early and an anticipated 100 will be cut in the Spring. We are seeing campgrounds closing early, portions of parks closing and programs being reduced."
She noted since 1955 revenue from oil and gas leasing on State Forest lands has been dedicated to the maintenance and operation of State Parks and Forests. However, she said, this legacy from Maurice Goddard now stands threatened by taking revenue from Marcellus Shale leases in State Forest and using the funding to balance the budget.
Other speakers at the event include:
Professor Andy Mowen, Penn State University
Patricia Tomes, Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
Curt Ashenfelter, Keystone Trails Association
Judith Schwank, 10,000 Friends of PA
Cynthia Carrow, Western PA Conservancy
Donna Morelli, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Robert Griffith, PA Recreation and Parks Society
Click here for more information.

2009-09-02T09:21:00.005-05:00

Tips For Elk View Season From Game Commission. With Commonwealth’s elk viewing season fast approaching, Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe is offering some guidance on where to go, as well as encouraging those planning to travel to “elk country” to be respectful of local residents.
An estimated 75,000 to 100,000 people visit the Elk viewing area on Winslow Hill in Benezette Township, Elk County during September and October.
The Game Commission is offering Top Ten Tips For Elk viewing to make your visit more enjoyable. You can also watch a video on Elk viewing from the Game Commission by clicking here.

2009-08-18T08:16:00.001-05:00

Giant Eagle Recognized With Recycling Award. Giant Eagle, Inc. in Pittsburgh was recently recognized with a Business Leadership Recycling Award from the American Forest and Paper Association.
The company was featured in a video and web case study reviewing how the company recycled over 42,555 tons of mixed paper and cardboard at its headquarters, supermarkets, fuel states and retail support centers. (click here to watch video)
In 1972 Giant Eagle recognized the need for a paper recycling program throughout its corporately owned facilities. That same year the corporately owned supermarkets began baling corrugated cardboard for recycling. After achieving marked success, the program expanded in 1986 to include computer paper at corporate headquarters.
Today Giant Eagle recovers mixed office paper and corrugated cardboard at all of its offices, retail support centers, corporately owned supermarkets, and select fuel stations.
To further its commitment to recycling, Giant Eagle established the Utility and Recycling Initiative in 2007 to educate their supermarket team members on how to increase recycling volumes and reduce energy usage. Efforts to increase recycling volumes included capital expenditure technology improvements and a training and education program.
The video and more background are available on the Giant Eagle Case Study webpage. For more information, contact Nancy Day, Giant Eagle, 412-963-5900 or send email to: Nancy.Day@gianteagle.com.

2009-07-16T20:09:00.001-05:00

Groups Oppose Cuts, Support Severance Tax on natural gas production. Environmental, sportsmen and conservation groups oppose drastic cuts in environmental funding and urge adoption of a severance tax on natural gas. Jan Jarrett, PennFuture, outlines the position of the groups. (click here for press release)
Watch other remarks from the press conference
Rep. Levdansky, Majority Chair House Finance Committee
Lamonte Garber, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Fred Bohls, Pa Trout Unlimited
Bob Griffiths, PA Recreation & Parks Society
Steve Schmidt, Game Commission
Cathy Davis, PA Quality Deer Management Assn.

2009-07-16T12:24:00.004-05:00

Lamonte Garber, Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Office, expressed great concern today over drastic cuts to environmental funding that have been proposed during the budget process. Some of the cuts will threaten key pollution-reduction programs that the Commonwealth committed to implementing over the next two years, and which are mandated by federal law. (click here for full announcement)

2009-06-11T09:18:00.002-05:00

Legislators, Groups Push Natural Gas Severance Tax. Jan Jarrett, PennFuture, leads a group of legislators, agencies, local government and environmental groups in supporting enactment of a natural gas severance tax that includes dedicated funding for environmental programs. Click here for more information. Also speaking at the event were:
Rep. Todd Eachus, House Majority Leader
Rep. Bud George, Majority Chair House Environmental Committee
Rep. David Levdansky, Majority Chair House Finance Committee
Rep. Greg Vitali
Sen. Andrew Dinniman
Doug Austen, Fish and Boat Commission
Ed Troxell, PA State Assn. of Boroughs

2009-06-11T08:44:00.001-05:00

Out Of The Ground Documentary. Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator with the Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, not only does a great job working with watershed groups in Western Pennsylvania, he has also developed a second skill-- film making.
His new film "Out of the Ground," documents how Pittsburgh and its neighboring regions in western Pennsylvania have been profoundly shaped by coal mining for over 100 years. For more information, visit the Out Of The Ground Facebook page.

2009-05-15T19:09:00.002-05:00

Sewickley Creek in Westmoreland County and Bob Hedin’s Iron Oxide Recovery, Inc. receive the 2008 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.
This installment of the Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation Video Diaries by Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator, presents the award ceremony honoring the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association for all their hard work and success.
The two organizations became partners in 1999 when company owner Robert Hedin approached the association about supporting iron oxide recovery experiments at the abandoned Marchand Mine site in Lowber, Westmoreland County. The mine has discharged thousands of gallons-per-minute of iron-polluted water to Sewickley Creek for decades.
The collaboration has resulted in the Lowber site becoming Pennsylvania's first and only commercially successful resource recovery project. So far, the project has resulted in:
-- The recovery and recycling of 4,000 tons of wet iron sludge that would have otherwise been landfilled, avoiding at least $150,000 in disposal costs;
-- Successful treatment of 1,400-2,200 gallons per minute of mine water containing 70-85 milligrams per liter of iron;
-- Retention of about 400 tons of iron solids that otherwise would have ended up in Sewickley Creek and the Youghiogheny River;
-- Compliance of Sewickley Creek in Lowber (downstream of the system) with the DEP's in-stream iron limit of 1.5 milligrams per liter for the first time in at least 60 years; and
-- Successful incorporation of a 1.6-acre wetland into the system and creation of 13 acres of open water and wetland habitat that has already been colonized by fish, amphibians and aquatic insects, and has become a refuge for water fowl.
This treatment system can be maintained through eight hours of labor per month. Iron Oxide Recovery has taken on that responsibility and has committed to maintaining the system in the future. The company will fund its long-term maintenance with revenue produced by sludge recovery.

2009-05-13T20:14:00.002-05:00

Green Building Benefits Report. A comprehensive plan to make our nation’s buildings more efficient could save enough energy by 2030 to power all of the nation’s cars, homes and businesses for a year and a half, while saving Americans more than $500 billion, according to a new report by PennEnvironment.
In this video David Masur, PennEnvironment, provides an overview of the new report.
Also watch Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) as he talks about the benefits of green building techniques.
Click here for the full announcement.

2009-05-10T18:19:00.003-05:00

When They Drill, Who Pays The Bill? Webinar May 11 & 13. On May 11 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and May 13 from noon to 1:00 p.m., the PA Land Trust Association is hosting an online webinar on the impacts of natural gas drilling and information on the proposed natural gas severance tax.
The proposed natural gas severance tax could provide millions of dollars to land, water and wildlife conservation and to local communities. Over the next two months the Governor and legislature will be considering enactment of this tax.
This webinar will provide participants with the information they need to work to boost conservation funding and reinvest in Pennsylvania’s natural resources.
If we fail to establish a severance tax to invest in our natural resources as PA’s gas boom progresses, we will have missed an historic opportunity to advance conservation. We will have missed the opportunity to ensure that our descendants will receive a natural wealth equal to our own.
To register and reserve your place, visit the May 11 webinar page or the May 13 webinar page.
For more background, visit the webinar webpage.

2009-05-02T10:24:00.002-05:00

State Police HQ Rain Garden. Andy Gavin, Chief of the Restoration Section at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, talks about the installation of a rain garden project at the State Police Headquarters Building in Harrisburg. The project is part of several in the Paxton Creek Watershed aimed at encouraging stormwater infiltration, reducing stormwater and nutrient runoff. Homeowners and farmers can use the same technique on water from downspouts around their buildings. Visit the Paxton Creek Stormwater Project webpage for more information.

2009-04-30T20:57:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-04-30T07:38:00.000-05:00

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.

2009-04-26T19:45:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-26T19:39:00.001-05:00

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.

2009-04-24T21:05:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-04-23T23:00:00.004-05:00

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

2009-04-20T18:55:00.004-05:00

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

2009-04-15T15:43:00.002-05:00

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.)

2009-04-15T15:37:00.001-05:00

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)

2009-04-06T14:43:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-04-02T19:05:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-04-02T19:01:00.001-05:00

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.

2009-04-01T13:17:00.003-05:00

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