Snakes and salamanders, wildlife and watersheds, and brownfields with a green future comprise the five area environmental programs that have been named as the winners of the 2009 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, announced this week by Dominion and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

 

These five programs address a wide range of local and regional environmental issues, including land and watershed conservation, wildlife protection and brownfield development and were chosen from entries submitted earlier this year.

 

They include a student-run conservation group working to raise awareness of the environmental threat to reptiles; community initiatives to preserve and protect two major watersheds in Cambria and Indiana counties; the redevelopment of downtown Ambridge, which had been in decay after the decline of the steel industry; and a remarkable program that teaches private landowners the importance of creating wildlife sanctuaries.

 

With these awards, each winner will designate a $5,000 cash prize to be used in support of a nonprofit environmental program of their choice.

 

Here's a summary of the five winning programs--

Bartramiam Audubon Society Sanctuaries Program (Slippery Rock): This chapter of the National Audubon Society has been working with private property owners to encourage them to adopt and embrace a conservation ethic regarding their land. They work to help them recognize the far-reaching responsibilities that come with land ownership through a Wildlife Sanctuary Program, which has already preserved over 4,000 acres in 45 privately-owned sanctuaries since 1995. Additionally, a Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary program has saved over 4400 acres from unsustainable development and provided a thriving habitat for numerous species.

Northern Ambridge Redevelopment Project (New Brighton): The Borough of Ambridge is a community still reeling from the economic devastation caused by the decline in the steel industry. After a quarter century of neglect, the town’s infrastructure had started to decay and crumble. The Northern Ambridge Redevelopment Project has been developing 60 acres of abandoned, decayed or condemned property in the center of town and converting it into bright, new and attractive space for residential, commercial and retail use. When completed, this project will have renovated or constructed dozens of new buildings and new infrastructure, breathing new life into this community and revitalizing economic and social prosperity.

Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project (Johnstown): The Stonycreek Conemaugh River has been plagued by the effects of acid mine drainage and industrial pollution for generations. This project identified more than 270 AMD discharges throughout the watershed and recruited a broad-based coalition of community stakeholders to design and implement an innovative abatement plan that has helped return this watershed to health. Along with it, native species of fish and wildlife have also returned after having long ago disappeared. Today, the Stonycreek Conemaugh River is a vibrant and attractive destination for fishing, whitewater paddling and other recreational activities.

The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife (Slippery Rock): TASOW was founded by a group of students at Slippery Rock University who have been working to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation, with particular emphasis on reptiles and amphibians. This unique group of students have developed conservation presentations and documentary films that have been seen by countless school and community groups and which blend a wondrous fascination with these animals with a stern scientific warning about environmental stewardship and protecting these precious “indicator species” for future generations. Video Blog: The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Watershed Conservation Program(Blairsville): The Little Mahoning Creek Watershed, which runs through northern Indiana County, is an ecologically rich system that has been at risk of falling into disrepair and is in need of conservation. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been working to save this watershed since 2006 and mitigate the impacts of industry that have threatened it for more than a century. The WPC has engineered a comprehensive approach to conservation involving numerous stakeholders that addressed several imminent environmental issues and helped build a long-term commitment to conservation and stewardship throughout watershed communities.