West Chester University, Sykes Student Union

The EAC Network Fall Gathering, and in-person networking and training event, will be held Saturday, October 21 at West Chester University. Join fellow Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) members, municipal staff, elected officials, and others interested in the work of EACs for a full day of training, networking, and fun!

Registration Closed.

Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

PDF Program Facility Map

Agenda At-A-Glance

9AM | Registration Open
Coffee, snacks, and conversation

9:30AM – 10:45AM | Welcome & Lightning Session
Welcome from Senator Carolyn T. Comitta, 19th District (Chester County)
EAC project sharing

11AM – Noon| Roundtables
Make and renew connections, get assistance on topics of interest.

Noon – 1PM | Lunch

1PM – 2PM | Breakouts 1
Option 1: Local Action to Improve Water Quality
Option 2: Energy Transition and Sustainability Planning: Why & How?

2PM – 2:30 PM | Snack/Networking Break

2:30PM – 3:30PM | Breakouts 2
Option 1: Towards Zero Waste Communities: Single Use Plastics Ordinances
Option 2: Energy Transition and Sustainability Planning: Tools for Municipalities and EAC

3:30PM – 4PM | Wrap-up

A Look Back at 2022

Program Details

9:30AM - 10:45AM | Welcome and Lightning Session

Welcome, Senator Carolyn T. Comitta
State Senator Carolyn T. Comitta is a leader in championing our communities, defending our environment, and working to ensure a safer, cleaner, and brighter future for the next generation of Pennsylvanians and beyond. From the classroom to the board room to the state legislature, Carolyn has consistently advocated for the issues that matter to all residents and their families – quality education, affordable healthcare, sustainable energy, safe schools and neighborhoods, clean air and water, a competitive economy, strong transportation infrastructure, and communities that welcome and respect the contributions and dignity of every person. As a result of her leadership, Carolyn was elected to serve as State Senator for Pennsylvania’s 19th District, representing the people of Chester County, in 2020.

Lightning sessions

Five-to-eight-minute presentations highlighting EAC initiatives, project success stories, or new and innovative ideas meant to inspire.

Lightning Topics Include:

  • New K-12 curriculum requirements for environmental education, and opportunities for EAC engagement.
  • Community Choice Aggregation
  • Stream crossing signage to improve watershed awareness.
  • Planting trees and native vegetation in our urban communities
  • PA Native Species Day
  • How Springfield Township has saved $200,000+ on energy bills.

11AM - Noon: Roundtable Topics

Is your EAC struggling with an issue you’d like an opportunity to discuss?  WeConservePA would like to facilitate helpful connections between EACs through a series of roundtable talks scheduled during the event. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in the roundtable discussion (or discussions) most pertinent to their EAC.

Available roundtables: 

  • Habitat and resource management issues
  • Waste reduction options (creating zero waste communities)
  • Community engagement strategies
  • HOA issues
  • EACs thinking outside of the box
  • Climate action planning

1PM - 2PM | Breakout 1

Option 1: Local Action to Improve Water Quality
Join John Jackson, Senior Research Scientist at Stroud Water Research, and Master Watershed Steward Carol Armstrong for an in-depth discussion on the science behind water quality issues facing municipalities (including the effects of salt, pesticides, and herbicides) and suggestions for EAC programs and initiatives to consider to both educate citizens and make improvements to water quality in their community. Speakers: John Jackson, Stroud Water Research; Carol Armstrong, Charlestown Township EAC (Master Watershed Steward)

Option 2: Energy Transition and Sustainability Planning: Why and How
What is the difference between an energy transition and sustainability plan, and how do you choose which is the most appropriate in your situation?  Attend this session for an overview of the ins-and-outs of energy transition and sustainability planning and the process of completing a plan for your municipality.  Speakers: Jon Lesher, Montgomery County Planning Commission; Dennis Ray, East Pikeland EAC; Paloma Vila, Lower Merion Township.

2:30PM - 3:30PM | Breakout 2

Option 1: Towards Zero Waste Communities: Single Use Plastics Ordinances
Faran Savatz, Zero Waste Advocate with PennEnvironment will share resources and support available to communities looking to pursue a single-use plastics ordinance in their community.  Additional speakers will share insight from the process of enacting an ordinance.  Speakers: Faran Savatz, PennEnvironment; Zach Davis; Upper Merion Township; and others

Option 2: Energy Transition and Sustainability Planning: Tools for Municipalities and EACs
A continuation of the first breakout session, this follow-up will provide more information, plus resources and tools available to municipalities to aid in the development of energy transition and sustainability plans. Speakers: Jon Lesher, Montgomery County Planning Commission; Brandi Robinson, Penn State University; and others.

Thank You to Our Host and Committee

Host

Chester County Planning Commission

Committee Members

Rachael Griffith, Chester County Planning Commission (Host)
Neal Dougherty, Bucks County Office of Sustainability
Jon Lesher, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Molly Wagle, East Vincent Township EAC
William Ross Snook, New Hannover Township EAC
Glenn Wenger, Northern Chester County EACs
Jim Wylie, West Chester Area Clean Energy Future
Becca Yurkovich, Delaware County Office of Sustainability

Event Summary Register