90 percent of voters want MORE funding for critical environmental and conservation programs.

On February 4, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $37.8 billion General Fund budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-22.

On February 3, Gov. Tom Wolf’s FY 2021-22 budget includes one new environmental and energy proposal to create an Energy Communities Trust Fund to provide direct support to dislocated workers and communities experiencing impacts from the closure of existing power plants.

On February 4, the Associated Press reported the money the Senate and House spend to operate their own offices grew by more than $30 million in 2019-20 and they added $28 million to their own operating surplus, which is now over $200 million.

There are 20 stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of legislators, land trusts, forestry groups, river groups, farmers, anglers, an oil and gas well company, a newspaper, DCNR rangers, a museum, wildlife agencies, solar energy pioneers, environmental policy groups and the head of a state energy agency honoring Black History Month.

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

The Hollow Oak Land Trust began its mission in 1991 to protect greenspace in the Pittsburgh Airport corridor long before one current board member was even born!

By Carol Hillestad, Brodhead Watershed Association

On February 1, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR) announced the Shenango River in Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties has been voted the state’s 2021 River of the Year.

A diverse set of agriculture and conservation partners has launched a project in the Chiques, Conoy and Conewago watersheds in Lancaster, Dauphin and Lebanon counties to provide sampling and data collection, outreach, technical assistance, and funding assistance to interested farmers.

On February 4, the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited announced it will begin an extensive two-year study of wild trout in Linn Run near Rector, Westmoreland County. 

On February 3, the departments of Environmental Protection, Agriculture, and Conservation and Natural Resources announced state and local partners made record progress in 2020 on the Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

On February 3, the York Daily Record and USA Today published a Special Report - Pennsylvania’s Polluted Susquehanna River Is Poisoning The Chesapeake Bay - What Can Be Done.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 6 PA Bulletin it has received a proposal under the Environmental Good Samaritan Act to plug and abandon oil and gas well in Stevens Township, Bradford County from SWN Production Company. (PA Bulletin page.720)

On a muggy late August day in 2016, the temperature was climbing as a group of several hundred awaited the chance to applaud the guest of honor. It was the official opening of the Patrick J. Solano Environmental Education Center at Frances Slocum State Park, and probably each attendee had a different reason for being there.

Almost since the outset of the pandemic in late March, DCNR’s headquarters-- the Rachel Carson State Office Building-- has been largely unoccupied. That changed in the wake of the January 6 protesters’ attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

On February 2, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh released the results of its study of thousands of peer-reviewed studies showing how using digitized museum specimen data and scientific information gathered by citizen scientists together empowers research into the Earth’s biodiversity in ways not otherwise possible.

On February 1, Mia Majetschak, an Advanced Master Naturalist in Florida, reported to PA Environment Digest one of the endangered Piping Plovers from Presque Isle State Park in Erie is healthy and well at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, along the Gulf Coast in Florida near Tampa.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host the first Lodestar Awards ceremony at a virtual event on February 11 to recognize businesses, organizations, and municipalities in Central Pennsylvania with the foresight and vision to successfully go solar, as well as those who support or work in the solar industry.

The PA Environment Council is again calling on state government to take action to reduce carbon pollution through an updated Climate and Energy Policy Recommendations report for the 2021-22 legislative session..

On February 4, Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille today paid special tribute to the strength and impact of the Black Family, which is the national theme for this year’s recognition of Black History Month:

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Western PA Conservancy have issued a call for presentations and registrations and are accepting nominations for the Watershed Forestry Leadership Award as part of the 2021 virtual Riparian Forest Buffer Summit to be held March 10-11.

From March 16 to February 2, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On February 4, after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, the Department of Environmental Protection returned to normal status the final counties on drought watch: Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton. Hydrologic conditions are now normal statewide.

On February 3, the PA Environmental Council released an updated report on trail use across the state and how it was affected by the pandemic and found a 17 percent increase in use during 2020 with individual trails recording over 150 percent increases.

On February 3, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship released a new online and print PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas of travel inspiration and useful details for navigating to some of the region’s most popular destinations as well as other points of interest.

Vote today for five Pennsylvania trails included in the USA Today 10Best Competition for recreation, riverwalk and urban kayaking trails.  Voting ends February 15.

On February 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced DCNR had received two favorable independent audit reports on four State Forest Districts deeming them soundly managed as sustainable woodlands.

By Emily Hendrickson, DCNR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] A $912 million relief package for business, individuals and school districts, fueled by federal funding, cleared the General Assembly in a bipartisan flurry and was signed into law immediately Friday by Gov. Wolf.

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

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--

The  Senate Appropriations Committee and House Appropriations Committee announced their schedule of hearings on Gov. Wolf’s FY 2021-22 budget request.  The hearing schedule is frequently changed, of course.

On February 3, the Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission recommending they disapprove of a proposed Environmental Quality Board regulation reducing Carbon Pollution from Power Plants.

By Rep. Greg Vitali, Democratic Chair, House Environmental Committee

On February 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority that will require them to adhere to a schedule of corrective actions to address stormwater inspection and enforcement violations.

The Appalachian Regional Commission will soon be accepting applications for grants under the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Program to help communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

On February 5, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminded farmers to apply by March 1 for $13 million in tax credits to help pay for conservation measures to improve soil and water quality through the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program.

The Southwestern PA Commission's Water Resource Center has scheduled two webinars in February and March on green infrastructure and floodplain & stormwater management from Noon to 1:00 p.m.--

The February newsletter from the Pike County Conservation District features articles on several important conservation issues in the County.

Lancaster Clean Water Partners are hosting a 5-part Lunch & Learn webinar series on MS4 Stormwater Management issues February 11 through April 8 starting at Noon on Thursdays.

On February 3, the Capital Resource Conservation and Development Council based in Carlisle, Cumberland County announced it is offering support for agricultural producers who want to use managed livestock grazing to provide benefits to livestock, soil health, water quality, the farmer and the farm’s bottom line.

Penn State Extension will host a Water Cooler Talk February 24 on the Unequal Distribution Of Nutrient, Sediment Loads In Chesapeake Bay Watershed from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The PA Lake Management Society is now accepting registrations for its virtual Annual Conference set for March 3-4.  Join PALMS to learn more about Managing for Emerging Threats.

On February 3, the Rodale Institute in Berks County announced a new educational display and interactive hub on regenerative organic agriculture at The Viaduct, a “secret garden” under Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct Rail Park.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 6 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Clinton County.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers cannot think of a more fitting way to mark 12 extraordinary months than with an event that celebrates resilience, community, and the capacity of nature to amaze, inspire, and heal-- The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, On Tour!

The Association of State Wetland Managers is now accepting presentation proposals for ASWM's virtual annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting on April 12-15.

On February 5, Pennsylvania American Water announced applications are now being accepted for its 2021 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry.

Berks County-based Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is now accepting registrations for its popular summer camp programs for students in grades 1 to 6 and for teen camp counselors.

The Game Commission’s round-the-clock online livestreams offer viewers a chance to connect with wildlife, all from the comfort of home.

Love birdwatching? Consider participating in the 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count organized by the Cornell Lab, Audubon and Birds Canada.

The Western PA Conservancy will host a webinar on February 19 on Finch Superflight - Tracking Winter Movements of Evening Grosbeaks from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On February 5, the National Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts announced the decision to transition the 2021 NCF-Envirothon annual competition to a completely virtual format due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.

Individuals living throughout Pennsylvania are invited to take part in the PA Resources Council  Recycling & Waste Reduction webinar on February 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. 

The latest Environmental Justice newsletter from the Department of Environmental Protection provides an update on a variety of important environmental justice issues, including--

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In January is now available featuring articles on--

On February 1, the Western PA Conservancy announced it recently protected 119 forested acres in Southampton Township, Bedford County that were transferred to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry to become a new addition to the now 71,802-acre Buchanan State Forest.

The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust in Chester County will hold both an in-person and virtual French Creek Iron Tour Cycling for Open Space and Trails event in June.

On February 5, the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce announced the Sinnemahone Canoe and Kayak Classic will be held on April 10.

WeConservePA is now accepting proposals for presentations at the 2021 Greenways and Trails Summit to be held September 19-21 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.  The deadline for proposals is March 15.

In October, the PA Forestry Association held its 134th Annual Symposium with the theme Exploring Change In Penn’s Woods.  The focus was on the impacts and opportunities presented by climate change for woodland owners.

The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation has posted the seven presentations they produced for Chestnut Week at the 2021 virtual PA Farm Show.

On February 1, the Winter View from Pulpit Rock newsletter of the PA Forestry Association shared a recent article published in YaleEnvironment 360 on How Non-Native Plants Are Contributing To A Global Insect Decline by Janet Marinelli.

Manada Conservancy's 21st annual Spring Native Plant Sale features over 100 varieties of perennials for sun and shade, hard-to-find specialty natives, grasses, shrubs and trees. Orders are being accepted now through April 30.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests will host the second part of its virtual Our Woods and Waters Film Series on February 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The February 5 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

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 84 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 proud to be a sponsor of the 2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit.  Registration now open!

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.