The Senate this week unanimously passed Senate Resolution 324, sponsored by Sen. Earll (R-Erie), Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) and others, encouraging the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to create a special Conservation Heritage Initiative to recognize the citizens, events and historically significant places in Pennsylvania that have contributed to the environmental heritage of the Commonwealth and the United States.

The resolution was an initiative of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals which approached Sen. Earll with the proposal. Sen. Earll represents the Senate on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Board.

The full text of the resolution follows:

A Resolution

Encouraging the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to create a Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Initiative.

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has been home to people with a deep and abiding respect for the natural bounty and resources of this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, William Penn, proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania, wrote our first conservation law; and

WHEREAS, Gifford Pinchot, Rachel Carson, Jerome Rodale, Mira Lloyd Dock, Otto Emery Jennings, Rosalie Barrow Edge, Dr. Maurice Goddard, Joseph Rothrock, Gertrude Fox, Hilda Fox, Ned Smith, John Bartram, J. Horace McFarland, Ralph Abele and many others contributed through science, academia, government and private organizations to the protection and enhancement of our natural and wild resources; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians have been pioneers in developing innovative policies and programs to protect our natural resources, having developed the first botanical gardens, the first scientific study of agriculture, the first water filtration plant, the first trained foresters, the first sanctuary for birds of prey, the first Envirothon environmental education program and the first trail in the National Trail System; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has won more national and international awards for environmental protection and natural resources programs than any other state in the United States for redeveloping brownfields, reducing pollution, mandating compliance reporting, protecting watersheds, instituting environmental education programs, encouraging senior citizens in the protection of the environment and promoting public involvement in environmental initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is home to historic places relating to conservation history, including: Mill Grove, which inspired John J. Audubon; Donora, site of one of our nation's worst air pollution disasters; Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, home to Gifford Pinchot; the Rachel Carson Homestead; the Hawk Mountain Preserve; Drake Oil Well; Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant; Bartram Gardens; Mont Alto School of Forestry; the Lumber Museum of Pennsylvania; the Knox Mine near Wilkes-Barre; and the Johnstown Flood Museum; and

WHEREAS, The people, places and programs in this Commonwealth which have contributed to our conservation history inspire greater natural resources stewardship; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has already taken significant steps in recognizing the people and places involved in our conservation history; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to create a Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Initiative which further educates the public about the contributions Pennsylvanians have made to conservation history; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to build on its existing efforts and conduct research to identify the people, places and organizations which have made a significant contribution to Pennsylvania's conservation heritage and make that information available through educational displays, curriculum materials, online resources and workshops; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to review its existing museums and historic sites to identify and create conservation education elements at those facilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to work with other public and private organizations to help promote local and regional elements of the conservation heritage of this Commonwealth.

NewsClips: PHMC Sponsors Farmland Preservation Poster Signing

11/21/2004