May 18, 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The ERA states in part that “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

All year long, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is celebrating this momentous occasion and highlighting the people who helped make the ERA dream a reality.

One such person was Ralph Abele, who always had a passion for the outdoors, but did not truly make his mark until 1969, when he left his steady job as a food broker in Pittsburgh to become executive secretary of Pennsylvania’s Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

During his tenure there, he helped write many important environmental laws including the 1970 Clean Water Amendments, the Clean Air Act, the Sewage Facilities Act, and the ERA.

He took that motto to the Fish and Boat Commission, where in 1972, he was appointed executive director of the agency.

In that role, he and his staff took on polluters, restored shad to the Susquehanna River, and taught younger generations why the environment is important and how they can play a role in its conservation.

Ralph was also an avid writer for the "Straight Talk" columns in Pennsylvania Angler and won many awards over the years, including the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation’s “Conservationist of the Year” award and Trout Unlimited’s Professional Conservationist of the Year.

“Ralph Abele’s motto of ‘Do your duty and fear no one!’ has inspired countless conservationists across Pennsylvania,” said Marci Mowery, President of PPFF. “Whether battling polluters, educating children about the environment, or serving on numerous nonprofit boards in his retirement days, Ralph serves as a model of what a dedicated individual can do for conservation if they are willing to try.”

Intrigued by this man of strong words and actions? There is much more to Ralph’s story! You can learn more about Ralph’s life online, including watching a WITF documentary on his life, then go to the Foundation website to learn how you can celebrate his legacy and the ERA anniversary.

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s conservation heroes by visiting the PA Conservation Heritage website.

For more information on programs, initiatives, special events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,  Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter or tune in to their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.

The Foundation and their 46 chapters mobilize 65,000 volunteers annually to steward YOUR state parks and forests.

Related Articles:

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[Posted: August 11, 2021]

8/16/2021