Berks Nature: PA Land Conference 2023 Co-Hosts Offer Remarkable Facilities for Reception and More

Recent Hollow Oak Land Trust Trail Accomplishments

Hollow Oak Land Trust worked with both the Forest Grove Sportsmen  and the Montour Trail Council to negotiate trail easements to accompany the planned bridge construction over Montour Run.

From Conservancy Intern to Full-Time Planner

Sarah Sharp joined the Brandywine Conservancy’s staff as a new assistant planner in its Municipal Assistance Program.

Heritage Conservancy’s Watershed Connections Program Educates Students on Stream Health and Watershed Ecology

The Watershed Connections Program, a Heritage Conservancy educational initiative run in cooperation with the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, helps teach environmental science and watershed empathy to students in grades 3-5.

DCNR Announces New Round of Recruitment for NextGen Advisory Council

DCNR To Celebrate “Connecting More In 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands

Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference: Mobile Seminars Highlight Reading and Berks County’s Conservation Successes

Pollinator Pitstop Program Starts a Community-Wide Movement Thanks to West Vincent EAC

The West Vincent Pollinator Pitstop Program was designed by the West Vincent Environmental Advisory Council to blanket our township in native flowers.  The goal is to provide residents with free and low-cost native plants that benefit our pollinators and birds and beautify our world.  Along the way, we hope to learn together about biodiversity, how to have less lawn to mow, how to fix wet areas, ways to keep our leaves and stormwater on our properties, organic lawns and gardens, and, especially, the physical and mental health benefits of being in and connecting with nature and our neighbors. 

What we didn’t expect was how it would capture the imagination and hearts of so many people, that it would be the springboard for so many additional projects to benefit the environment. 

Next Chapter

Intro to Nature Journaling

One way to maintain (and even grow) your connection to nature is to keep a nature journal.

Gov. Wolf Announces Winners of Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

DEP evaluated projects for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership efforts, economic impact, consideration of climate change, and sustainability and results achieved.

New South Mountain Research Corps to Connect Students and Landowners

The South Mountain Partnership, the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are launching new South Mountain Research Corps initiative.

Natural Lands, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, and Conservation Fund Preserve Former Scout Camp

Land Trusts and Others Receive Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Foundation for Sustainable Forests Protects 17 Acres

Greenways and Trails Summit to Showcase Natural Gems in Reading

Conversations of Heart, Conservation of Land: Women and Their Woods A Land Trust Takes the Lead

Inaugural Western PA Trails Summit Hits Clarion County

The purpose of this event was to convene stakeholders who develop, maintain, or promote greenways and trails, and to discuss creative solutions to shared challenges. It comes at an exciting moment in which support for the outdoors is widely recognized.

Forest Fridays: Who Manages our Natural Resources in Pennsylvania?

The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How About Going Native in the Backyard

Lancaster Conservancy Celebrates Successful Water Week

The eighth annual Lancaster Water Week was an exciting celebration of our streams and rivers and the steps we can take to foster healthy waterways.

North East High School in Erie County Wins 2024 Envirothon Competition

Congratulations to North East High School in Erie County, the winner of the 2024 Pennsylvania Envirothon. For more than 20 years, Pennsylvania high schools have recognized the value of the Envirothon experience.

WeConservePA Announces EAC Technical Assistance Program for Spatial Analysis

Through this technical assistance program, WeConservePA GIS Analyst, Irina Beal, will work with EACs to set project parameters and list desired deliverables; determine feasibility based on current available data; identify appropriate tools; and provide guidance and documentation throughout the process.

2024 EAC Network Virtual Conference Smashes Attendance Records

Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Places 64-Acre Knob Mountain Property Under Easement Due to Generous Sportsman’s Donation

A true sportsman understands and champions conservation. In fact, hunters have been some of the conservation movement’s biggest advocates since the beginning. After all, it was President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter himself, who went on to create the United States Forest Service and conserved approximately 230 million acres of public land. Roosevelt recognized that in utilizing the country’s natural resources, we also had a responsibility to ensure that those same resources were sustainable for generations to come. He wrote, “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.”

This past year, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) had the opportunity to work with a like-minded sportsman committed to doing his part through the conservation of his 64-acre property in Columbia County.

Lancaster Farmland Trust Announces Preservation of Three Family Farms Totaling Over 180 Acres

Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT) recently announced the agricultural preservation of three separate family farmsteads in Lancaster County: the Miller, Houser, and Esh farms.

Brandywine Conservancy and Partners Announce Launch of Flood Study

Supported by the Chester County Water Resources Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, the flood study will identify opportunities for future flood mitigation measures to better protect residents living along the Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

In response to more frequent and extreme flooding events impacting communities along the Brandywine Creek in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Brandywine Conservancy is excited to announce the launch of the Brandywine Flood Study—nearly two years after Hurricane Ida produced historic flooding that devastated the region. Conducted in partnership with the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center (UDWRC), the flood study is a coordinated effort to better understand where and why flooding occurs and identify the best approaches to protect our communities from future severe flooding events.

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Total of $150,000 Awarded in PECO Green Region Open Space Program Grants

Celebrating the 2023 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference

Thanks to all the hosts, organizers, committee members, sponsors, staff, organizations, presenters, exhibitors, and attendees of last week’s 2023 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference. A week later, we are still sifting through statistics, putting away t-shirts and supplies, organizing photos, and reflecting on all the learning and connections made over the course of a wonderful three days in Reading.

Some follow-up statistics:

Total Attendance: 357

Training:

• 3 days of material presented
• 60+ hours of training delivered
• 36 classroom sessions
• 4 mobile seminars

Evaluation Average Score: 4.6 out of a maximum 5.0

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s “Preserving Us: From Jenks to Jesse,” a Look Into Philadelphia Black History

Where Is the Love (for Environmental Ed)?

Susquehanna River North Branch Named 2023 Pennsylvania River Of The Year

Stop Calling Me Names

EAC Network Fall Gathering a Well-Attended Success

USDA Awards Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Up to $55 Million to Advance Climate-Smart Farming

Introduction to Heart of Uwchlan Project

The Heart of Uwchlan Project arose out of Toni Gorkin’s Pennsylvania Master Naturalist education; it was approved by the Uwchlan Township Environmental Advisory Council and has the support of the Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors. The Heart of Uwchlan team has been small, about six volunteers, due to COVID, but its members include two Master Watershed Stewards and now another PA Master Naturalist. Hours are logged to the PA Master Naturalist and Master Watershed databases. The sites of the gardens were chosen in consultation with the leadership of the Township’s parks and grounds maintenance and the Township Manager.

The goals of the Heart of Uwchlan Project are to:
• Introduce native plants and enhance the biodiversity of Baird Park
• Support SustainableUwchlan goals and EAC initiatives
• Provide education for the public of sustainable gardening practices through examples

Celebrating Community Conservation: The Protection and Debut of Healcrest Green

ClearWater Conservancy Purchases 8.78-Acre Rockenbeck Property

ClearWater Conservancy finalized the purchase of an 8.78-acre property located along Houserville Road in State College.

EAC Conference 2023: Call for Planning Committee Members

WeConservePA is seeking individuals interested in joining the planning committee for the 2023 EAC Network Conference.

North Branch Land Trust Receives Grant from PPL Foundation

North Branch Land Trust announced it has received a $1,500 grant from the PPL Foundation.

Lancaster Farmland Trust Receives a 2021 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT) has been recognized by Governor Tom Wolf and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

Bold New Vision and Future for Berks Nature and the Environment in Bucks County

Berks Nature held a small groundbreaking for a phase 2 addition of a rooftop deck and classroom to The Nature Place.

ClearWater Conservancy and the Bureau of Forestry Add Over 1,200 Acres to Rothrock State Forest

ClearWater Conservancy and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR), Bureau of Forestry have partnered to add 1,271 acres of land in Huntingdon and Centre Counties to Rothrock State Forest.

Berks Nature is Seeking Berks County Residents to Become Berks Nature Ambassadors

Berks Nature is recruiting a dedicated group of volunteers to be trained as “Berks Nature Ambassadors”.

Shenango River Named PA 2021 River Of The Year In Public Voting

Poll Shows Outdoors Important to Pennsylvanians During Pandemic

Four out of five Pennsylvanians who visited parks and trails believe that time spent outdoors is essential to their physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Bike Safety Decal Receives a New Look

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership announced the release of a new Bike Safety Decal to help promote bicycle safety in our Pennsylvania towns and communities.

Schuylkill River Greenways Expands Access to the River and Trail with New Partnership

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area announced a strategic partnership with Take It Outdoors Adventures, a regional recreation outfitter and service company.

PFBC Seeks Applicants for Education Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is excited to announce that applications are being accepted for a new educational grant program.

Applications Open for Women and Their Woods Virtual Educational Retreat, Fall 2020

Forest landowners and aspiring landowners from across the mid-Atlantic region are invited to attend a virtual educational retreat to learn more about managing their forestland and connecting with other forest landowners.

Delaware Highlands Conservancy Receives Major Gift to Establish Van Scott Nature Reserve, an Environmental Education Center and Conservancy Headquarters

Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced that the Van Scott family has donated a 140-acre property to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy to develop as an environmental learning center, Conservancy headquarters, and for use as a nature reserve.

PALTA has cancelled the 2020 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference.

PALTA staff have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation in order to make the best-informed judgments possible regarding PALTA activities and operations.

Brandywine Creek Greenway Expansion

The Brandywine Creek Greenway, a regional planning initiative of the Brandywine Conservancy, has expanded into Delaware.

Groups Partner to Conserve 22 Acres Near Hawk Mountain

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in partnership with The Conservation Fund and Berks Nature, has acquired 22 acres of land adjacent to its Acopian Center for Conservation Learning.

Foundation for Sustainable Forests Protects 55 Acres in Crawford County

Thompsons’ Wood, as it will now be called, is the combination of an adjacent forest already conserved and managed by FSF and this newly acquired parcel, totaling 179 acres together.

State Historical Marker Dedicated at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will dedicate an official Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) roadside marker.

Local Nature Writer, Family Donate Conservation Easement on 648 Acres to WPC

The land described by nature writer Marcia Bonta in her books is now permanently protected, thanks to the donation of a conservation easement to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

WPC Protects 62 Acres in Sullivan County

Sixty-two undeveloped forested acres along Loyalsock Creek in northcentral Pennsylvania are now permanently protected by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, thanks to the donation of two conservation easements on properties owned by the Yasui family.

WPC Adds 52 Acres to Toms Run Nature Reserve

NFWF Awards $13.1 Million in Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Grants

WPC Protects 377 Acres Along Bald Eagle Mountain

In Memoriam: Ilse Morning

Hawk Mountain Kestrel Cam Goes Live

DRWI Receives $40 Million in New Funding

Pocono Heritage Land Trust Names New Executive Director and Board Members

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Adds 18 Acres to Natural Area

Natural Lands Trust Names Ethan Kauffman Director of Stoneleigh Garden

Nature Abounds Acquires Natural Biodiversity Program

One Step Closer to the Preservation of Bryn Coed Farms

Winners Announced for Delaware Highlands Conservancy Scholarships

WPC Announces First Conservation Easement Donation in Potter County

Dow and Heritage Conservancy Collaborate to Preserve Croydon Woods in Bucks County