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Creating Healthy and Sustainable Communities
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on February 14, 2024, 10:41 amGrowing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania: Conclusions Report
Governor Shapiro’s Office of Outdoor Recreation launch in 2023 had huge impacts on the push for better parks and recreation centers in PA. The Growing Outdoor Recreation Report features 32 pages of feedback from stakeholders and outdoor recreationalists, not to mention over 50 plans of action for further PA park support. Get all the facts in this report!
Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania: Conclusions Report
Governor Shapiro’s Office of Outdoor Recreation launch in 2023 had huge impacts on the push for better parks and recreation centers in PA. The Growing Outdoor Recreation Report features 32 pages of feedback from stakeholders and outdoor recreationalists, not to mention over 50 plans of action for further PA park support. Get all the facts in this report!
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on February 29, 2024, 9:39 amEncourage Local Leaders to Join Active People, Healthy Nation
The national Active People, Healthy Nation campaign seeks to get 27 million more people to engage in recommended levels of physical activity by 2027. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has signed on, but there are also opportunities for communities of all sizes to formally engage. We invite you to reach out to your local elected officials and ask them to be Active People Healthy Nation Community Champions.
Encourage Local Leaders to Join Active People, Healthy Nation
The national Active People, Healthy Nation campaign seeks to get 27 million more people to engage in recommended levels of physical activity by 2027. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has signed on, but there are also opportunities for communities of all sizes to formally engage. We invite you to reach out to your local elected officials and ask them to be Active People Healthy Nation Community Champions.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on March 4, 2024, 9:26 amClimate Friendly Practices and HOA's
Article taken from Talking Climate Newsletter, Katharine Hayhoe (sign up here)
We often focus on how important it is to talk about climate change where we work or study. But many of us are part of other organizations that are key to climate action, too -- such as local community, neighborhood, or homeowner’s associations.
As this Cool Down article explains, “Angela Rosencrans was told she had to rip out her lawn. Laurie McGuire tried to install solar panels and was denied — despite state laws in her favor. An estimated 74 million people in the U.S. live in areas governed by a homeowners association — and many of them are frustrated about HOA restrictions that prevent them from saving money and helping the planet.”
It’s not just about enabling residents to make climate-friendly decisions; these organizations can also be key to catalyzing larger change. Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, in Austin, has their very own Climate Crisis Committee, created at the urging of local resident Martin Luecke. Martin says he approached the neighborhood association with a plan: create a climate resolution designed to give his local, state, and federal representatives a list of demands to take action. In May of 2019, the resolution passed by unanimous vote, the first climate resolution in the history of neighborhood associations.
Within a year, two other local neighborhood associations followed suit, creating their own committees. Martin’s goal is for all 80 neighborhood associations in Austin to create their own climate resolutions. “Imagine the collective impact of 80 climate resolutions on the Mayor’s desk, representing the vast majority of the population,” he says.
Looking for more ways to connect with climate action that might already be happening in your area? The Climate Herald has a new resource that makes it easy to get involved. Just click the above link, enter your location (any country around the world), and find a local organization to join!
Climate Friendly Practices and HOA's
Article taken from Talking Climate Newsletter, Katharine Hayhoe (sign up here)
We often focus on how important it is to talk about climate change where we work or study. But many of us are part of other organizations that are key to climate action, too -- such as local community, neighborhood, or homeowner’s associations.
As this Cool Down article explains, “Angela Rosencrans was told she had to rip out her lawn. Laurie McGuire tried to install solar panels and was denied — despite state laws in her favor. An estimated 74 million people in the U.S. live in areas governed by a homeowners association — and many of them are frustrated about HOA restrictions that prevent them from saving money and helping the planet.”
It’s not just about enabling residents to make climate-friendly decisions; these organizations can also be key to catalyzing larger change. Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, in Austin, has their very own Climate Crisis Committee, created at the urging of local resident Martin Luecke. Martin says he approached the neighborhood association with a plan: create a climate resolution designed to give his local, state, and federal representatives a list of demands to take action. In May of 2019, the resolution passed by unanimous vote, the first climate resolution in the history of neighborhood associations.
Within a year, two other local neighborhood associations followed suit, creating their own committees. Martin’s goal is for all 80 neighborhood associations in Austin to create their own climate resolutions. “Imagine the collective impact of 80 climate resolutions on the Mayor’s desk, representing the vast majority of the population,” he says.
Looking for more ways to connect with climate action that might already be happening in your area? The Climate Herald has a new resource that makes it easy to get involved. Just click the above link, enter your location (any country around the world), and find a local organization to join!
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on March 18, 2024, 9:39 amEPW Committee Advances Legislation to Bolster Wildlife Conservation
Environment and Public Works, US Senate, March 12
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act by voice vote. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, would reauthorize important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country.
“Conserving America’s wildlife is crucial in our fight to protect our one and only planet, and the ACE Act reinforces our nation’s bipartisan commitment to do just that,” said Chairman Carper. “In addition to reauthorizing programs to preserve ecosystems, restore habitat and conserve wildlife, the ACE Act builds on previous efforts to combat evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases. And, this bill once again recognizes the importance of collaboration between federal agencies, state partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals. I thank Ranking Member Capito and our colleagues for their partnership and look forward to our work ahead in getting this bill across the finish line.”
“Passing the ACE Act through the EPW Committee today is good news for conservation and habitat restoration efforts, especially in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Ranking Member Capito. “I appreciate Chairman Carper for partnering with me to introduce and advance this bipartisan legislation, which will help boost our state’s outdoor recreation industry.”
EPW Committee Advances Legislation to Bolster Wildlife Conservation
Environment and Public Works, US Senate, March 12
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act by voice vote. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, would reauthorize important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country.
“Conserving America’s wildlife is crucial in our fight to protect our one and only planet, and the ACE Act reinforces our nation’s bipartisan commitment to do just that,” said Chairman Carper. “In addition to reauthorizing programs to preserve ecosystems, restore habitat and conserve wildlife, the ACE Act builds on previous efforts to combat evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases. And, this bill once again recognizes the importance of collaboration between federal agencies, state partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals. I thank Ranking Member Capito and our colleagues for their partnership and look forward to our work ahead in getting this bill across the finish line.”
“Passing the ACE Act through the EPW Committee today is good news for conservation and habitat restoration efforts, especially in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Ranking Member Capito. “I appreciate Chairman Carper for partnering with me to introduce and advance this bipartisan legislation, which will help boost our state’s outdoor recreation industry.”
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on April 2, 2024, 3:48 pmPennsylvania Bird Town Continues to Grow
Interest by municipalities in the Bird Town program continues to grow. At the end of December Media Borough, in Delaware County, and Horsham Township, in Montgomery County brought the number of active Bird Towns to fifty. Since January, applications received from Springfield Township and Bethel Townships in Delaware County and West Norriton in Montgomery County have been reviewed and approved. Representatives of the Bird Town Pennsylvania Board look forward to presenting their respective governing boards with the signs and certificates to officially welcome them to the Bird Town Pennsylvania Program. Full list of PA Bird Towns.
Pennsylvania Bird Town Continues to Grow
Interest by municipalities in the Bird Town program continues to grow. At the end of December Media Borough, in Delaware County, and Horsham Township, in Montgomery County brought the number of active Bird Towns to fifty. Since January, applications received from Springfield Township and Bethel Townships in Delaware County and West Norriton in Montgomery County have been reviewed and approved. Representatives of the Bird Town Pennsylvania Board look forward to presenting their respective governing boards with the signs and certificates to officially welcome them to the Bird Town Pennsylvania Program. Full list of PA Bird Towns.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on May 2, 2024, 3:21 pmRestoring Our Watersheds: A Podcast Conversation
Stroud Water Research Center Joined the Kindred Podcast to talk about watersheds, their importance to humans and wildlife, and how people have the potential to both harm and restore them. Listen Now.
Restoring Our Watersheds: A Podcast Conversation
Stroud Water Research Center Joined the Kindred Podcast to talk about watersheds, their importance to humans and wildlife, and how people have the potential to both harm and restore them. Listen Now.