The PA Farm Bureau announced Ben and Sharon Peckman of the Slate Ridge Dairy Farm in Franklin County are the 2020 recipients of the Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.

“The Earth is our Mother, and we all have a sacred obligation to learn to live in harmony with her and protect her for future generations.” — Chief Quiet Thunder (1934–2020)

Tina Englert is a member of the Friends of Nolde Forest and was honored as the DCNR 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

By Jenna Mitchell, Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay

By Teddi Stark, DCNR Watershed Forestry Program Manager

On November 23, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources highlighted the investment of $400,000 to provide a kayak launch and fishing platforms and help restore a portion of Codorus Creek in the City of York.

This past fall, DCNR hosted several webinars about DCNR’s recreation and conservation grants, and Pennsylvania’s new outdoor recreation plan -- Recreation for All.

On November 25, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) that would significantly reduce requirements for protecting the environment from conventional oil and gas drilling.

On November 24, the Independent Fiscal Office reported third quarter natural gas production increased by 2 percent over the third quarter of 2019, but the price of natural gas in Pennsylvania fell by 42.4 percent over the last 18 months.

From March 16 to November 24 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Last Monday, without any fanfare, Gov. Wolf Monday signed the finished FY 2020-21 state budget bills into law-- Senate Bill 1350 (Browne-R- Lehigh) - General Fund budget and House Bill 2536 (James-R-Venango) - Fiscal Code-- that fellow state Democrats are saying does not address a wide range of important issues, including using available federal funds to provide additional aid to workers and businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic.  Read more here.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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--

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On November 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $4,846,500 grant to the Department of Environmental Protection to improve water quality in rivers and streams throughout the commonwealth.

On December 5, Berks County-based Rodale Institute and partners Kiss The Ground will host an online panel discussion on Climate Change and the Soil Carbon Solution, a Conservation with Farmers, Scientists, Brands and Policymakers from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on World Soil Day.

The PA Park Maintenance Institute will host an online Benefits of Incorporating Green Infrastructure Into Parks And Recreation Facilities Shop Talk program on December 3 from 12: 30 to 1:30 p.m.

By Jennifer Orr-Greene, TU Eastern Policy Director

By Meagan Louise Hopkins-Doeer, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, Chester & Delaware Counties

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

The Cumberland County Penn State Extension is accepting applications for its second class of Cumberland County Master Watershed Stewards.  Applications are due January 31.

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

By Casey Clauser, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, Dauphin, Lebanon & Lancaster Counties

Giving Tuesday on December 1 is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition is partnering with the Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail Association to make repairs to bridges and trail segments in Butler County. 

Trout Unlimited will host online STREAM Girls Outdoor Ed For COVID Times Training on December 3 starting at 8:00 p.m. as part of its Girl Scout STREAM Girls Program.

The Center for the Environment at Westminster College in Lawrence County and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition will co-host a virtual Student Symposium On The Environment November 30 to December 2 to showcase research posters, oral presentations and artwork on the environment by high school through graduate school students.

The MWEE Partner of Excellence and the MWEE School of Excellence Award are two annual awards intended to celebrate outstanding support of and/or implementation of the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) in Pennsylvania.

The National Sea Grant College Program and the National Marine Fisheries Service are inviting applications to the PA Sea Grant Program to support a Ph.D. graduate fellowship in two specific areas-- population and ecosystem dynamics and marine resource economics.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event last weekend that collected 58,800 pounds of material.

The Carbon, Monroe, Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission; the Pike County Substance Abuse Task Force; Hope for Pike; and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office will hold a free NARCAN Drive-Through Event and Drug Take-Back Day on December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, behind the Pike County Administration Building, 506 Broad Street, in Milford, PA.

The PA Resources Council will offer online Backyard Composting and Recycling & Waste Reduction conservation workshops in December.

On November 25, the PA Resources Council board members announced they will match every donation dollar for dollar made to PRC on Giving Tuesday - December 1 up to $5,000.

This is just one of many examples of how the Penn State Technical Assistance Program has helped manufacturers and business cut environmental and energy costs--

On November 24, the Philadelphia Energy Authority, Enhanced Capital and EB Realty Management, owners of The Met, announced today the financial close of the first project in Pennsylvania to retroactively use Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Western PA Conservancy recently announced the purchase of an easement to permanently protect and limit development on a 173-acre forested property in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County.

The Western PA Conservancy recently announced the permanent protection of a 35-acre wetland and forested area within the French Creek watershed in Waterford Township, Erie County.

The November 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the Parks and Forests Foundation features these articles--

As you give thanks this November and wrap up your holiday shopping in December, consider supporting the South Mountain Partnership through a membership or donation to the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership serving Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties on Giving December 1.

On November 25, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County announced online contributions to the Sanctuary will be matched by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund up to $25,000 now through December 31.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

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 76 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.

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