WeConservePA is hosting an October 5 webinar on how to establish a Local Environmental Advisory Council to make recommendations on a wide variety of topics – stormwater management, pollinator gardens, recycling, and many other environmental issues from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Any municipality in Pennsylvania may establish an environmental advisory council to tap the skills and volunteer energy of its citizens.

Consisting of three to seven members appointed by the local government, an EAC can undertake a variety of conservation projects. It can also research issues and advise local government officials to help inform decision-making regarding the environment.

EACs “shall have the power to:

-- Identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within its territorial limits.

-- Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of the municipal corporations within its territorial limits.

-- Promote a community environmental program.

-- Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of those areas.

-- Advise the appropriate local government agencies, including the planning commission and recreation and park board or, if none, the elected governing body or bodies within its territorial limits, in the acquisition of both real and personal property [by a variety of means for environmental purposes].”

Learn about the process and how your work on a volunteer board can be more effective and productive in turning recommendations into official action.

The featured speaker will be Steve Nelson, a certified city planner and an instructor for the Pennsylvania Municipalities Education Institute, teaching courses on planning, land development and local government in Pennsylvania.

He has worked with local and county governments throughout his 30-year career, providing planning expertise to local and county planning commissions and elected officials.

Click Here to register and for more information.

To learn more about Advisory Councils, a Council handbook and other resources, visit the Environmental Advisory Council Network website. 

There will be an EAC Network Fall Gathering on October 21 at West Chester University.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the WeConservePA website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from WeConservePA, Like them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter.  Click Here to support their work.

The 2024 PA Land Conservation Conference will be held April 3-5 in Bethlehem.

More than 107,000 Pennsylvanians contribute to local land trusts.

(Reprinted from the WeConservePA website.)

[Posted: July 5, 2023]

7/10/2023