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Conservation Groups, Local Officials Honor Rep. Bill Adolph
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Local conservation organizations and government officials gathered Thursday evening to honor Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware), Majority Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, for his long-standing support of open space, parks, and trails.

Rep. Adolph recognized for his leadership in restoring funds for the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund in the current state budget.

(Photo: Rep. Bill Adolph; Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust; Sherri Evans-Stanton, Chair of PA Land Trust Association; Rep. Kate Harper; Rep. Joe Hackett.)

Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust, a regional land conservancy, called Adolph “a passionate advocate for the natural resources that are essential to our health and prosperity.”

“Chairman Adolph,” she continued, “understands that investing in parks and natural areas is about more than just pretty places. Green spaces and trails are proven to improve property values and save on the costs of everything from providing clean drinking water to health care. We are fortunate to have a leader in Harrisburg who knows that investing in programs like the Keystone Fund provides tangible, lasting returns for all Pennsylvanians.”

The Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund is a state program created with bi-partisan public and legislative support in 1993. Over the past 19 years, the Fund has helped protect 120,000 acres of green space for parks, greenways, and wildlife habitat; complete over 2,600 community park improvement projects; and maintain state parks and forests that support recreation and tourism statewide.

The Keystone Fund had been targeted for elimination in early proposals for the 2013 state budget but was restored fully, thanks in large part to Chairman Adolph and others in the legislature.

Chairman Adolph said, "I sincerely appreciate this honor, and I am proud to have led the fight with my colleagues to fully restore funding to the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund - a fund which is an investment in our communities and guarantees an improvement to our economy, environment and quality of life. I believe the loss of Keystone would have been detrimental for local and state conservation efforts throughout Pennsylvania and am glad it was averted."

The reception, which took place at Natural Lands Trust’s 55-acre Hildacy Farm Preserve in Marple Township, Delaware County, drew officials from several area groups involved in open space preservation, watershed protection, and recreation.

Representatives of Townships within Chairman Adolph’s district also attended as did colleagues Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Joe Hackett (R-Delaware).

Springfield Township Commissioner Gina Sage expressed her community’s appreciation to Chairman Adolph: “Congratulations to Bill Adolph on this well deserved recognition. Bill, we applaud your support and advocacy of conservation funding and appreciate all that you do to protect and conserve our environment. Springfield Township has received grants used to support our dedication to conservation efforts.”

During the event, a newly-planted Blackgum tree was unveiled accompanied by a plaque acknowledging the Rep. Adolph for his work on behalf of conservation.  He was also presented with posters drawn by local children thanking him for helping to protect the things they care about – trees, butterflies, creeks, birds, and more.

For more information on the funding issue, visit the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund website.


8/27/2012

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