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.

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.

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.

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