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It’s a fact, connecting youth to the environment through environmental education programs makes them not only good stewards of the environment, but better citizens.

That’s the theme of several articles in this week’s Digest.

An article last October from the Chesapeake Bay Journal (Out of Sight, Out of Mind) noted that biking riding dropped 19 percent and fishing by more than 10 percent for elementary-aged children and more than 26 percent for teens.

In his annual report to the House Game and Fisheries Committee this week, Dr. Douglas Austen noted the fact that fishing by children aged 6 to 15 dropped from 41 percent in 1995 to 35 percent in 2000.

The competition for time for parents and children has gotten worse, but the result has been to disconnect today’s youth from the environment.

Dr. Austen is calling for an expansion of youth fishing education programs through some very innovative efforts, including a new Junior Fishing License that would help fund these activities.

In addition to more details on Dr. Austen’s presentation, this week’s Digest features several opportunities for teachers and students to be involved in environmental education activities like internships, awards programs, workshops and conferences.

As the saying goes, “Education is Expensive, But Try Ignorance.”

In environment education, ignorance can also be at the expense of promoting good environmental stewardship.

Have other solutions? Send them to: DHess@crisciassociates.com .

Links: Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth

Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education

Session Schedule

The House and Senate return to session February 6 and will be in for the next two weeks, then take a break for budget hearings throughout February and the beginning of March.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving

· Senate Hears From Mine Workers, Industry, DEP on Deep Mine Safety

· House Committee Reports Alternative Fuels Tax Credit, State Energy Office Bills

· Fish & Boat Commission Presents Annual Report to House Game & Fisheries

· Bills Introduced

Other News

· Applications Invited for New Round of Funding for Conservation Projects

· Applications Due for Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences Grants

· CBF Offers Free Native Trees to Watershed Groups

· Reminder – 2006 Coldwater Conference February 24-25

· Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Announces Environmental Award Winners

· Westmoreland Conservation District Wins National Award

· York Watershed Alliance Hosting “Next Steps to a Sustainable York” Workshop

· McKean County Workshop Set on Wetlands, Stream Impact Issues

· Webcasts Offer Free Energy Saving Advice to Manufacturers

· Fundamentals of Geology Seminars for Professional Geologists Set

· Federal Agencies Adopt High Performance, Sustainable Building Principles

· Nominations Invited for PA CleanWays Litter Hawk Youth Award Program

· Student Interns Wanted - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

· Environmental Education Workshops for Teachers Set for March, May

· Bucks County Group Looking for Environmental Education Partners

· Pittsburgh Voyager Announces Contest to Name New Green Vessel

· Students Invited to Enter Junior Duck Stamp Wildlife Art Contest

· Reminder 2006 Environmental Educators Conference March 24-26

Feature

· Teaming Up for the Environment – Part I - Townships Collaborate with Conservation Districts, By Jennifer L. Hawbaker, PA Township News

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

2/3/2006