In a special issue of the Resource online newsletter, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis listed DCNR’s accomplishments for 2007 saying the year was “strangely productive.”

“Even with some challenges like my confirmation process, closing all state parks as a result of the budget impasse, and the potential diversion of Keystone funds, DCNR employees managed to stay focused on advancing our stewardship mission,” said Secretary DiBerardinis. “I appreciate the deep connection the organization has to its historical mission and its current practice.”

Here are some significant accomplishments highlighted by the Secretary:

· DCNR held two successful conferences: One about advancing the Pennsylvania Wilds and the other about connecting Pennsylvanians to the outdoors in more meaningful ways;

· We continued to protect land at a higher rate than anytime in decades;

· Programs and strategic investments were aligned within the Conservation Landscape Initiatives with our public, private and non-profit partners and have created measurable conservation results in moving the Commonwealth in the direction of sustainable communities;

· We have completed recreation plans for parks and forests in the Poconos, Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Laurel Highlands and have invested in developing model recreational opportunities to respond to these plans;

· The www.iConservePA.org website was successfully launched, and we developed materials and a new training program to help us connect more meaningfully with our visitors.

· There are scores of new outdoor recreation and interpretive programs to serve as pathways to the practice of conservation;

· Our state forests again were certified as sustainably managed (one of just a handful in the United States);

· Working together, the bureaus of Forestry and Topographic and Geologic Survey and the Office of Conservation Science have moved DCNR into national leadership around policy and programs to reduce carbon and combat climate change; and

· We opened Rock Run ATV Park in Cambria County on reclaimed strip mine land.

Other highlights by DCNR’s conservation goals include:

· Improve Stewardship and Management of State Parks and Forests;

· Promote Statewide Land Conservation;

· Build and Maintain Attractive and Sustainable Communities;

· Create Outdoor Connections for Citizens and Visitors; and

· Building Capacity.

For more information, visit the DCNR website.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of January 14, then off a week for Martin Luther King’s birthday, and then back on January 28.

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

On the Hill

· Session Schedule

· On the Senate/House Agenda

Other News

· Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant Applications Due February 29

· Register Now for February 22-23 Keystone Coldwater Conference

· Keystone Farm Show Features Workshop on Farm Productivity, REAP Tax Credits

· Meetings on REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program During Farm Show

· PA Farm Show Offers Learning Stations, Biofuels Exhibit January 5-12

· New DEP Farm Show Exhibit Teaches Individuals How to Reduce Carbon Footprint

· PA Supreme Court Decision Upholds Land Preservation Rights

· Fisher Farm Permanently Protected in Centre County

· Professional Seminars, Water Symposium Announced By Professional Geologists

· EPA Launches New Water Protection Indicators Webpages

· January is Radon Action Month, Pennsylvanians Urged to Test Homes for Radon

· Rendell Announces Pennsylvania Joins Suit Against EPA Greenhouse Gas Ruling

· Springside School Receives Coca Cola, RecycleBank Grants

· Chester County Food Waste Composting Workshop Set for February 28

· Applications Due for Community Action for Renewed Environment Grants

· Environmentalist to Discuss Building the Green Economy February 21

· Citizens Bank Offer New Energy Efficiency Loans To Help Homeowners

· DEP, EPA Offers Training on Hospital Energy Management January 30

· EPA Outlines Sustainable Skylines Clean Program Project in Philadelphia

· Game Commission Drafting Rules To Control Wild Boars Destroying Habitat

· Help Wanted -- Delaware River Basin Commission

Spotlight

· Cleaning Up Chesapeake Bay Will Improve Pennsylvania Waterways First, By Matthew Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Opinion

· 2008---A Time to Look at the Future of Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure, By Arthur Holst, Ph.D., Philadelphia Water Department

Grants & Awards

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

1/4/2008