The ten finalists for the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion, were announced this week. The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 7 in Pittsburgh.

The awards recognize and honor outstanding accomplishments in various environmental initiatives throughout western Pennsylvania. The awards include cash prizes of $5,000 to be donated to local nonprofit environmental organizations designated by each winner.

Finalists were selected from the following categories: Community, High Education, Primary & Secondary Education, and Business--

Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation: Thanks to the efforts of the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation one of the worst brownfield spots in Erie County has been given new life. Through brownfield redevelopment the former Cohen/A-1 Auto property site, located in the City of Erie’s east side, is now a growing industrial park.

It is estimated that approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of industrial real estate will be constructed when fully built out, yielding 240 new and/or retained jobs and an annual tax benefit of over $450,000 to local taxing bodies. In addition to tax revenue, the project has resulted in a renewed sense of pride in the neighborhood as well as economic opportunity.

Secretary Michael DiBerardinis, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Secretary DiBerardinis is working to bring about a new Pennsylvania by making teammates of former enemies: A Pennsylvania where the environment spurs the economy, and the economy restores the environment; a Pennsylvania where our natural resources combine with our human ingenuity to create a thriving region; a state where we want to see our children grow up. He is leading DCNR beyond its historic role as a steward of lands, into a new powerful partner for economic development in rural Pennsylvania.

Shoup’s Run Watershed Association: The Shoup’s Run Watershed has provided the economically deprived areas of Shoup’s Run with a $2 million environmental investment. This investment has helped to start small-scale community revitalization, and increased community pride. Projects have ranged from abandoned mine drainage mitigation to flood plain property buy-outs to illegal dump clean-ups to stream bank stabilization projects. The SRWA is a great example of how a small group of dedicated volunteers can make a significant impact in their community.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Task Force: The Southwest Pennsylvania HHW Task Force was formed in 2002 to give homeowners a safe, economical and environmentally responsible way to dispose of potentially dangerous products. Since its first collection in 2003, the Task Force has collected and disposed of over 1,004,000 pounds of household hazardous wastes from over 11,000 southwestern PA households.

Dr. Joseph Mark Shostell, Assistant Professor of Biology, Penn State-Fayette: Dr. Shostell has a passion for environmental science research, mentoring, teaching and community action and he shares his passion with the students he teaches and the community. Through hands-on environmental research projects such as assessing the health of stream ecosystems in abandoned mine areas, and evaluating auto salvage yards as sources of toxicants, Dr. Shostell has improved community awareness of watershed issues and encouraged a sense of self responsibility within his students.

Audubon Society of Western PA: School Ground Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program: Utilizing a holistic approach ASWP focuses on methods that schools can use to mitigate habitat loss and degradation while also building environmental literacy. Since 1998, over 7,500 students and teachers representing 15 schools have participated in a schoolground habitat enhancement and restoration project. Working together, teachers, students and community members restore school grounds to more natural areas rich in species diversity.

Laura L. Jackson, Bedford High School: Laura Jackson has been a science educator for over 32 years and currently teaches environmental science and advanced biology at Bedford High School in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Laura’s goal for her ninth grade environmental science students is to help them understand the importance of a healthy watershed. To do this Laura’s students toured local farms and observed first-hand how land use impacts stream health. In addition, students participated in hands-on field work ranging from stream monitoring and building mussel buckets, to planting trees in riparian buffer areas.

Verna A. McGinley: Creative Environmental Education: Verna McGinley affectionately referred to as “Mother Nature” or the “Nature Lady” has spent the last thirty years helping children learn about the environment and teaching them about the interrelatedness of all living things. Verna’s Creative Environmental Education programs help to integrate an appreciation of nature with self-esteem issues.

PPG Industries Performance Glazings: For more than a century, PPG has been a leading manufacturer of residential glass products. PPG’s Performance Glazings business recently introduced a new product, Solarban 70XL Solar Control Low-E Glass. This product represents a major industry innovation, as it transmits 63 percent of the sun’s natural light while blocking 73 percent of its solar energy. Solarban 70XL glass can reduce significantly the amount of energy it takes to cool large commercial buildings, thereby allowing architects and building owners to drastically reduce the cooling capacity and equipment requirements for their buildings.

United States Steel Corporation: In 2006 United States Steel Corporation voluntarily transformed a 1.89 linear brownfield into a ready-made trail corridor that will help complete the Great Allegheny Passage, part of a premier trail system that will connect Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.

Funding for the awards comes from the Dominion Foundation, which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by Dominion companies.

For tickets and other information about the awards dinner, contact the Pennsylvania Environmental Council at 412-481-9400 or view the online invitation.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to voting session May 21.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

View Falcons Online

· Pittsburgh, Harrisburg Falcon Nests Alive With Activity, Watch May 24 Banding

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/ Bills Introduced

· Energy Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles on House Committee Agenda

Other News

· Coldwater Heritage Partnership Announces 2007 Grant Awards

· 2007 Lehigh River of the Year Poster Now Available

· USDA Accepting Bids for Stream Restoration Work in Northeast

· New Month by Month Landowner Guide to Buffer Success Now Available

· Feature: Farmer's Conservation Efforts Pay Dividends: Healthier Soil and Cleaner Streams, By Kelly Donaldson, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

· Good Maintenance, Monitoring Key to Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Systems

· DEP Issues Final TMDL for Bernhart Creek, Berks County

· Walnut Creek Watershed Study Available For Public Review May 23

· Free Stormwater Management Workshops Set in Lackawanna County

· Dr. Edward Chun Named to Senior Environment Corps, Wins Recognition

· Fish for Free Days Set for May 26, June 3 By Fish and Boat Commission

· Audubon PA Urges Landowners to Use DMAP Program to Balance Deer/Habitat

· Game Commission Advises Motorists to Watch for Deer

· Parks and Recreation Foundation Award Winners Honored

· Wildlife for Everyone Foundation Saves Critical Waterfowl Habitat at Pymatuning

· Game Commission Provides Wildlife Workshops for Teachers in June

· Reminder: Students Invited to Apply for Wildlife Leadership Adventure Programs

· Wildlands Conservancy Holds Workshop on Tax Incentives for Preserving Land

· Take a Hike! June 2 at Hickory Run State Park

· DCNR Celebrates Opening of Rock Run ATV, Snowmobile Site on Former Mine

· Westmoreland’s GreenForge Building to Become Even Greener

· Sustainable Energy Fund Helps Borough Save Energy with LED Traffic Signals

· Reminder: Energy Efficiency Workshop for Local Officials Set for May 24

· Dr. Song Named Director of Penn State's Energy Institute

· EPA Awards Brownfields Grants, Including 6 in Pennsylvania

· DEP’s Updated Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Comment

· EPA Sponsors Waste-Free Lunch at Mechanicsburg Middle School

· DEP Seeks Members for Environmental Justice Advisory Board in Northeast

· Help Wanted -- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Spotlight

· Electric Transmission Line Siting Highlighted at Land Conservation Conference

Feature

· The Spotted Sandpiper, By Patrick McShea, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

5/18/2007