Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission announced the Pennsylvania Heritage Society received a check for $5,000 from the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals for use in researching the life and work of the late environmentalist Karl Mason.

Wayne Kober, a member of PAEP’s Conservation Heritage Committee, made the presentation to Franco and Wayne S. Spilove, PHMC chairman. The Pennsylvania Heritage Society is a support group for PHMC that funds the preservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania’s history.

Karl Mason was regarded as the Commonwealth’s first environmental administrator, serving the Department of Health from 1952 until his death in 1966.

The funds will enable The State Museum of Pennsylvania to integrate information on the state’s conservation heritage into its science galleries.

Mason’s vision of environmental management embraced essential elements of the problems of air, water and land-related waste disposal and emphasized community environmental protection. He also promoted the prompt response of state government to issues related to energy, air pollution, heated wastes and hazardous wastes.

PHMC Commissioner Sen. Jane M. Earll (R-Erie), who is also a board member of the Pennsylvania Heritage Society, was a key figure in the adoption of Senate Resolution 334, which encourages PHMC to work with other public and private organizations to help promote local and regional elements of the conservation heritage of the commonwealth.

Each year PAEP presents the Karl Mason Award to a Pennsylvania person, organization or project that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of the state’s environment.

Over the next several years educational projects are planned to focus on the national contributions of Pennsylvania conservationists Rachel Carson and Gifford Pinchot, among others.

7/8/2005