Four Environmental Advisory Council Achievement Awards were presented to townships in Southeastern Pennsylvania last weekend at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Tenth Annual Regional EAC Conference.

Doylestown, Schuylkill and Wallace townships, and Media Borough received awards. Projects ranged from solar panel installation to open space restoration to environmental education areas. All represent the communities’ value of environmental practices and exemplify the work that EAC’s are doing all over the Commonwealth.

Doylestown EAC was honored for creating a unique environmental learning environment, using a 23 acre parcel of donated land next to its popular Central Park. The land, featuring wetlands and wooded areas, provides habitat for birds, butterflies and bats, among other wildlife.

Residents learn about local plants and wildlife, invasive species and stormwater management from five information kiosks located throughout the park. Those who are a bit more adventurous experience the bat boxes, bird blinds and butterfly garden.

Kate McGovern of the Doylestown EAC described it as “designed to preserve open space and animal habitats and encourage the exploration of the natural environment while providing a recreation area for residents of all ages.”

Media, often referred to as “the solar capital of Pennsylvania,” installed 5kW photovoltaic systems on public buildings. The project demonstrates large scale solar production in an urban setting. The panels generate about six percent of the buildings’ energy, save about $10,688 per year, and are the environmental equivalent planting 100 mature trees annually.

Additional benefits include eliminating green house gases, improving the quality of air, creating jobs in a new technological field, and decreasing national dependence on imported oil.

EAC Chair Walt Cressler said “a strong statement has been made to the entire region, Commonwealth and country about the uses and benefits of solar energy, creating a sustainable environment for the present and further.”

Schuylkill EAC set out to revitalize Pickering Preserve, which had fallen into disarray in the years after the township preserved the land. With a minimal budget, the EAC relied on the volunteer efforts of local residents to make the project successful.

Revitalization efforts included planting native hardwood trees, installing nest boxes, coordinating an Adopt-A-Tree program, removing dead trees, and creating a walking trail through a meadow. Plans for 2007 include an improved parking area, native planting demonstrations and a community fishing spot.

Andrew Krieder of the EAC said “soon the Pickering Preserve will be the passive recreation park it was intended to be. By keeping the project a community-based effort, the EAC will help restore our residents’ connection to and respect for the natural beauty of Schuylkill Township.”

Wallace Township’s ordinance changes responded to the community’s value of trees and habitat, and increased development pressures. The ordinances, which are near completion, aim to protect up to 60 percent of the forest canopy, retain higher quality species, apply a tiered approach to tree replacement requirements, and create GIS maps to identify and classify the size and quality of woodland parcels within the township.

The EAC worked in collaboration with many partners including township landowners, the Parks Commission, Planning Commission, Board of supervisors and several scientists.

“The investment of considerable time and funds reflects recognition by everyone involved of the great value contained in properly managed woodlands. A value for which there is no substitute,” said EAC member Mark Eschbacher.

EAC Achievement Awards are presented by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to EACs whose programs best demonstrate originality, community involvement, effectiveness and response to an environmental concern.

The EAC Conference, which focused on climate change and sustainability issues, brought together more than 100 EAC members from Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, reflecting a growing number of EACs in the Commonwealth.

Nancy Cole, Deputy Director of the Global Environmental Program for the Union of Concerned Scientists, served as the keynote speaker. She presented the latest findings from UCS’s recent report on climate change in the northeast. While she reported that Pennsylvania’s climate could feel more like northern Georgia in 50 years, Cole was quick to assuage fears of cataclysmic disaster.

“When we talk about global warming, there is a step between denial and despair. That step is action,” Cole said.

Additionally, the EAC Conference featured speakers from the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, SmartPower, Onion Flats, Penn State and the Clean Water Fund. With support from PEC, the Commonwealth and other EACs, participants shared best practices and learned new ways to improve the environment where they live.

EACs are appointed volunteers at work protecting the environment. Established by ordinance, EACs advise elected and other municipal officials about environmental matters; help draft plans and ordinances; review site plans; help protect water and open space resources; remediate brownfields; and raise funds to support these and other environmental projects.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council established the EAC Network in 1990 to promote the establishment of EACs throughout PA, provide technical assistance and promote EACs as a mechanism for local government involvement in conservation.

For more information, visit the Environmental Advisory Council Network online.

3/16/2007