On April 3, Spotlight PA reported the Wolf Administration told nearly 9,000 employees-- more than 12 percent of the state’s workforce-- it will stop paying them on April 10 in order to reduce state spending in the face of the COVID-19 shutdown.

On March 31, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said it has placed over 700 of its 958 State Parks and Forests seasonal wage employees on leave without pay in response to Gov. Wolf’s call to reduce state government costs.

Pennsylvania could see a $4 billion+ budget deficit this year as a result of the coronavirus shutdown and rising expenses, according to Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Majority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the Allentown Morning Call.  (We told you as much last week.)

As of April 2, approximately 850 Pennsylvania National Guard members are involved in supporting the state’s  response to COVID-19. Some are actively conducting missions while others are preparing in anticipation of additional tasks with our interagency partners.

The PA Land Trust Association posted this important information on their News webpage for nonprofits and small businesses owners--

The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture will host an April 6 webinar from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on COVID-19 Financial Assistance Available for Farms and Small Business.

During this time of significant changes to our daily routines, it’s clear that our need for and appreciation of nature is greater than ever.

On April 1, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful joins with others in encouraging residents to walk outside and enjoy the beauty their communities have to offer.

In these times of mental, physical and economic distresses, our direct access to nature and its proven restorative properties is more important to us, and more worthy of safeguarding than ever.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  statistics show nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires occur in March, April, and May, before greening of state woodlands and brushy areas.

The Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the State Competition scheduled to be held May 19-20 due to concerns about COVID-19.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced all summer crew applicants for DCNR’s highly successful Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps program are being informed that the 2020 six-week summer youth crews program (for youth ages of 15-18) has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

On March 31, the Game Commission announced its Howard Nursery will not distribute seedlings as a result of mandatory closings and delays caused by COVID-19.

StateImpact’s Susan Phillips reported the Department of Environmental Protection is developing guidance to evaluate requests from companies to waive permit conditions or other requirements when it is necessary for a response to the COVID-19 outbreak during the current emergency.

On April 1, the Department of Environmental Protection reported it conducted 1,750 inspections and investigations from March 16 to 31 on critical infrastructure and in response to complaints from citizens during the COVID-19 shutdown.

On March 30, the Allegheny County Health Department announced its enforcement of the county’s air pollution control regulations will not be impacted by a temporary U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement discretion policy announced last week.

On April 3, Post-Gazette reporters Laura Legere and Anya Litvack wrote an in-depth article on how Pennsylvania faces a new wave of abandoned conventional oil and gas wells in the oil patch

On April 2, the Public Utility Commission urged homeowners and contractors to use extra caution for potential electrical hazards while at home or at work, while also avoiding the possibility of accidents, injuries and service disruptions.

The Nature Conservancy-PA is now hosting a new TNC Coffee Series on conservation topics live every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. online.

The National Association of Conservation Districts is holding a Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators Poster Contest for students grades k-12.

Kids and curious adults can tune in to the Jennings Environmental Ed Center Facebook page each week for posts to help explore the outside world around your home.

The latest newsletter from the Western PA Conservancy offers a variety of environmental education activities to connect kids with nature.  Try some of these--

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County is committed to bringing you information about our ongoing scientific research, education and stewardship, as well as educational content about a variety of topics.

The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association in Cumberland County has created a special online Conodoguinet Creek Explorer Guide to embark on a virtual journey through the watershed.

On April 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the more than 50 organizations of the Pittsburgh Earth Week Coalition will hold a virtual Teach-In live on YouTube to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Penn State Extension is now offering more than 50 of its online courses for FREE through the month of April.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

On April 6, the House State Government Committee is scheduled to meet on legislation giving regulated entities sweeping new power to control DEP permit and technical guidance with no opportunity for public involvement or higher review.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has postponed the April 8 and April 14 hearings scheduled to receive comments on the potential impacts of joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants due to concerns about COVID-19.

On April 1, the Independent Fiscal Office reported as much as $200 million in state revenue declines during March were the result of actions taken to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On April 3, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announced it is now accepting proposals for the Conservation Innovation Grants Program. Proposals are due by June 15.

On March 31, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA announced it is considering all options to oppose the final rule weakening vehicle greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards the Trump administration unveiled March 31.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service published notice in the Federal Register it is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the National Handbook Of Conservation Practices for the NRCS.  The comment period closes April 23, 2020.

On April 2, 76 leading farm, conservation and wildlife groups delivered a letter to Congress requesting full funding for federal conservation programs and technical assistance in fiscal year 2021 appropriations.

A new Return On Environment study reports natural systems-- farmland, open space, forested areas and stream buffers-- contribute over $925 million annually to Lebanon County’s economy by filtering water, cleaning the air, controlling flooding and sustaining wildlife.

CitiesAlive is now accepting proposals for presentations at its CitiesAlive Green Infrastructure and Water In A Changing Climate Conference in Philadelphia November 15-18.  Proposals are due April 19.

The Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline to apply for Farm Vitality Planning Grants to June 30. (formal notice)

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission recently released two online interviews highlighting the efforts in the watershed to restore aquatic life and treat drainage from abandoned mines.

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County will host a webinar on April 8 from Noon until 1:00 p.m. on the issue of salt runoff into our rivers and streams.

The Department of Environmental Protection has extended the deadline to apply for a Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant to June 26.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a virtual public hearing on April 17 at 10:00 a.m. [if needed] to accept comments on proposed revisions to the Air Quality Infrastructure State Implementation Plan.  (formal notice)

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon on the latest Act 54 Report on damage caused by underground coal mining.

On March 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has authorized an emergency contract to stabilize a hillside threatening a home in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County.

The organizers of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference have announced they are moving the Conference to October 28-19 due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus.

On March 30, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Clean Air Council and PennFuture released a report from Synapse Energy Economics, LLC saying between 1,913 and 3,061 new Shale gas wells would be needed to support the PennEast and Adelphia Gateway pipeline projects now pending before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

On March 30, the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee approved 51 disciplinary actions, including $12,750 in penalties, against 20 underground facility owners, excavators and project owners

On April 7, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Sustainability Institute at Penn State will host the online Pennsylvania session of "Solve Climate by 2030," a nationwide, university-hosted, virtual teach-in on climate solutions and justice.

The Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at Penn State will host an April 6 online 2020 EarthTalks Series presentation on Improving Science Of Climate Risk Management starting at 4:00 p.m.

April showers bring May flowers, and on May 2, Brodhead Watershed Association in Monroe County will host a webinar on how to keep your water clean and the garden growing all summer long as part of the new Greening Mountainhome series.

The latest edition of Perennial Pages - Gardens For Clean Water is now available for habitat owners and caretakers from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  It features articles on--

PA Land Trust Association member Manada Conservancy recently announced they successfully protected a property located in the Kittatinny Corridor in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. Here’s Manada Conservancy’s story as told by their stewardship director, Mark Vibbert--

The PA Land Trust Association is now offering fundraising and membership development assistance to Pennsylvania land trusts.

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is now accepting entries to the 2020 Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest.  Entries are due June 30.

The April 1 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The April 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On April 2, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and Delaware announced Lori Brennan has been named the new executive director.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - Support Local Journalism

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 82 page PA Environment Digest.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will now be held on October 28-29 in State College.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.