Over the last two weeks over 450 people attended the Coldwater Conference and the Schuylkill Watershed Congress (story in this Digest) to talk about how they can do more to restore and protect their watersheds.

The Eastern and Western Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation are in the process of planning watershed get-togethers in the fall that will no doubt attract hundreds more.

Just last week more than 200 watershed and other environmental groups renewed their fight to get Congress to reauthorize funding for the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.

Over 11,000 volunteers actively involved in water quality monitoring throughout Pennsylvania, including PA Senior Environment Corps chapters covering 51 counties, are getting ready for Watershed Snapshot 2006 (story in this Digest).

Just a few months ago a record 800 people took part in the annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration and the internationally televised 2005 Bassmasters Tournament highlighted dramatic changes in water quality in and around Pittsburgh.

Initiatives like the West Branch Task Force of the Susquehanna River, the Heartland Coalition, the Exelon, Schuylkill River Heritage Watershed Grant Program and the No-Till Farming Alliance are new and growing efforts to restore and protect watersheds.

The positive efforts of watershed and environmental groups involved in restoration and education projects from all over the state are being featured in the new “Water – An Endangered Resource” documentary now playing on public TV stations around Pennsylvania (story in this Digest).

Dozens of watershed groups, private partners, municipalities and individuals all over the state have been recognized for their efforts over the past year to protect and restore their watersheds. Just go to our www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com website and click on Find Articles by Subject (Awards & Recognition).

Thousands of people take advantage of the sojourns held each summer on a dozen Pennsylvania rivers and streams (many of them over subscribed) to learn more about watersheds in their communities (story in this Digest).

All this activity is just the latest evidence that confirms what a study for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania found last month— people involved in watershed groups see themselves as active environmentalists, not environmental activists.

The study concluded that watershed groups: empower local residents, develop local leaders, provide examples of successful community organizations, compliment other state and local environmental programs, get results, play an essential role in promoting the environment, and act as environmental advocates.

Just looking at this short list of recent activities, you can almost feel the power the over 450 watershed groups have to make a positive difference in the environment in their communities.

Keep up the great work!

Session Schedule

The Senate and House are in session the week of March 13.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving/Introduced

· February Synopsis Features Summary of Oil and Gas Recommendations

Other News

· Nearly 200 Attend Schuylkill Watershed Congress, Focus on Habitat Restoration

· Applications Due May 1 for Fishing and Aquatic Education Programs

· Applications Due for Game, Fish & Boat Commissions Landowner Habitat Projects

· 2006 Watershed Snapshot to be Held April 21-30

· SRBC Hosts Panel Discussion on West Branch Susquehanna River Issues

· Expedition Susquehanna to Take Unique Journey in June, Your Help Invited

· Schedule Your 2006 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Now

· CBF and Partners Hosting Stormwater Workshops In Cumberland County

· 2006 Ohio River Basin River Sweep Set for June 17, Volunteers Wanted

· Water: An Endangered Resource Documentary to Air on Pittsburgh’s WQED

· Pennsylvania Helps Lead Nation With 73 Energy Star Buildings

· Bucks County Brownfield Site of Gamesa Wind Energy Manufacturing Facilities

· One of DEP’s Best Kept Secrets - Air Program’s Operational Flexibility Provisions

· DEP Revises Priorities, Deadline for Solid Waste-Resource Recovery Grants

· PA Center for Environmental Education March Newsletter

· 2006 Preservation Pennsylvania Partnerships Conference May 18-19

· Reminders – 2006 Clean Energy Expo, Getting Beyond 10 Percent Renewable Energy

· Hawk Watch Set for April 15 at Erie Bluffs State Park

· Help Wanted – Venture Outdoors Looking for Executive Director

See & Hear

· Backyard Wetland Conservation Webcasts in March, April by Izaak Walton League

Features

· Mine Water Could Help Provide Make Up Water in Susquehanna Basin Drought

· Annual Migration of Snow Geese, Tundra Swans Delights Visitors at Middle Creek

· Chase Away Those Bluebird Blues, By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Game Commission

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

3/10/2006