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Quote from Carol Grayshaw on July 24, 2023, 9:36 amPost your EAC's educational opportunities and events. Please be sure to include information on who to contact with questions, and registration if applicable.
Post your EAC's educational opportunities and events. Please be sure to include information on who to contact with questions, and registration if applicable.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on May 31, 2024, 10:04 amPennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network Launches Regional Educator Hubs for STEELS Preparation
Shared by Stroud Water Research Center, May 30
Environmental educators have a new way to access professional development and resources to prepare them for the new Science, Technology and Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. The Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy (PA ELIT) Network has launched six regional hubs, marking a significant milestone as Pennsylvania public schools prepare to transition to the new standards by the 2025–2026 school year.
The PA ELIT Network consists of representatives from government agencies, nonprofits like Stroud Water Research Center, and schools working together to increase environmental literacy, a key component of the new standards.
As the saying goes, it takes a village. By bringing together partners from various areas of environmental education, we were able to build these regional hubs that will be a vital resource for educators. READ MORE.
Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network Launches Regional Educator Hubs for STEELS Preparation
Shared by Stroud Water Research Center, May 30
Environmental educators have a new way to access professional development and resources to prepare them for the new Science, Technology and Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. The Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy (PA ELIT) Network has launched six regional hubs, marking a significant milestone as Pennsylvania public schools prepare to transition to the new standards by the 2025–2026 school year.
The PA ELIT Network consists of representatives from government agencies, nonprofits like Stroud Water Research Center, and schools working together to increase environmental literacy, a key component of the new standards.
As the saying goes, it takes a village. By bringing together partners from various areas of environmental education, we were able to build these regional hubs that will be a vital resource for educators. READ MORE.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on July 2, 2024, 1:07 pmPenn State Extension: Local Community Implementation of Active Transportation Plans
Wednesday, November 20, Noon | Virtual | $15 | REGISTER
PA Walk Works, an initiative between the PA Department of Health and the PA Downtown Center, has been providing funding to support the development and adoption of active transportation plans or related policies in local communities. This webinar will share the experiences of three communities that have completed and implemented Active Transportation Plans.
During the research and community involvement phases of creating Huntingdon County's Active Transportation Plan, several key needs were identified for bicycle, pedestrian, wheelchair, and paddle sports transportation. One eye-opening statistic revealed that 25% of Huntingdon County residents buy groceries at highway-oriented dollar stores or convenience stores in or near their neighborhoods. This, combined with the high number of households with access to one or fewer motor vehicles, led to the planning concept of fostering "Lifeways." This webinar will focus on defining Lifeways, how planners can identify needs for Lifeway corridors in their communities and implement land-use strategies to bring them to fruition.
Quarryville Borough sought to expand their planning capabilities, initially achieving this by adopting an “Official Map” in February 2021 with assistance from the Lancaster County Planning Department (LCPD). Subsequently, in September 2022, the Borough adopted the South Region (Lancaster County) Comprehensive Plan. Once again partnering with the LCPD, Quarryville Borough explored grant funding from the PA Downtown Center for an Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
The Quarryville Borough ATP plan was developed with the assistance of stakeholders who collaborated to create a plan adopted in September 2022. The Borough is nearing final design completion of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail, which will connect the downtown area, with the trail expected to be finished by 2024. Currently, the trail is elevated at road crossings, not at street level. Additional projects will be discussed during the webinar.
The Verona Borough Active Transportation Plan, "Verona on the Move," focuses on enhancing the community for pedestrians and cyclists. The plan identifies priority connections and strategies to encourage more residents to walk and bike. Adopted by Verona Borough in September 2022, the plan aims to create a more walkable and bike-friendly environment.
Speakers
Trish Hredzak Showalter, Representative, Verona Borough Council
Laurie Nearhood, Executive Director, Huntingdon County Planning & Development
Scott Peiffer, Borough Manager, Quarryville Borough
Matt Price, Executive Director, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau
Penn State Extension: Local Community Implementation of Active Transportation Plans
Wednesday, November 20, Noon | Virtual | $15 | REGISTER
PA Walk Works, an initiative between the PA Department of Health and the PA Downtown Center, has been providing funding to support the development and adoption of active transportation plans or related policies in local communities. This webinar will share the experiences of three communities that have completed and implemented Active Transportation Plans.
During the research and community involvement phases of creating Huntingdon County's Active Transportation Plan, several key needs were identified for bicycle, pedestrian, wheelchair, and paddle sports transportation. One eye-opening statistic revealed that 25% of Huntingdon County residents buy groceries at highway-oriented dollar stores or convenience stores in or near their neighborhoods. This, combined with the high number of households with access to one or fewer motor vehicles, led to the planning concept of fostering "Lifeways." This webinar will focus on defining Lifeways, how planners can identify needs for Lifeway corridors in their communities and implement land-use strategies to bring them to fruition.
Quarryville Borough sought to expand their planning capabilities, initially achieving this by adopting an “Official Map” in February 2021 with assistance from the Lancaster County Planning Department (LCPD). Subsequently, in September 2022, the Borough adopted the South Region (Lancaster County) Comprehensive Plan. Once again partnering with the LCPD, Quarryville Borough explored grant funding from the PA Downtown Center for an Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
The Quarryville Borough ATP plan was developed with the assistance of stakeholders who collaborated to create a plan adopted in September 2022. The Borough is nearing final design completion of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail, which will connect the downtown area, with the trail expected to be finished by 2024. Currently, the trail is elevated at road crossings, not at street level. Additional projects will be discussed during the webinar.
The Verona Borough Active Transportation Plan, "Verona on the Move," focuses on enhancing the community for pedestrians and cyclists. The plan identifies priority connections and strategies to encourage more residents to walk and bike. Adopted by Verona Borough in September 2022, the plan aims to create a more walkable and bike-friendly environment.
Speakers
Trish Hredzak Showalter, Representative, Verona Borough Council
Laurie Nearhood, Executive Director, Huntingdon County Planning & Development
Scott Peiffer, Borough Manager, Quarryville Borough
Matt Price, Executive Director, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on August 13, 2024, 1:26 pmPenn State Extension: Backyard Stream Repair Series
On-Demand Webinar | $30 per person | REGISTER
Is your stream getting deeper or wider? Are you losing some of your land every time it rains? Have you wondered why your streambanks are changing so rapidly and what you can do about that? Join Penn State Extension for the Backyard Stream Repair Series focused on repairing your backyard stream. Each session will present a step-by-step DIY process for homeowners and landowners. The techniques are meant to be simple and affordable, and the benefits are wide-ranging.
Webinars:
- Evaluating Your Stream
- Determining Your Options
- Choosing Plants for Your Stream
- Live Staking and Grading
- Maintaining Your Project and Next Steps
Participants in this workshop will receive a complimentary copy of our full-color manual, Simple Solutions for Your Eroding Backyard Stream (United States addresses only). Participants will also secure an invitation to future hands-on field workshops, open only to webinar registrants, which will be offered across Pennsylvania (as in-person events are possible and sites permit).
Penn State Extension: Backyard Stream Repair Series
On-Demand Webinar | $30 per person | REGISTER
Is your stream getting deeper or wider? Are you losing some of your land every time it rains? Have you wondered why your streambanks are changing so rapidly and what you can do about that? Join Penn State Extension for the Backyard Stream Repair Series focused on repairing your backyard stream. Each session will present a step-by-step DIY process for homeowners and landowners. The techniques are meant to be simple and affordable, and the benefits are wide-ranging.
Webinars:
- Evaluating Your Stream
- Determining Your Options
- Choosing Plants for Your Stream
- Live Staking and Grading
- Maintaining Your Project and Next Steps
Participants in this workshop will receive a complimentary copy of our full-color manual, Simple Solutions for Your Eroding Backyard Stream (United States addresses only). Participants will also secure an invitation to future hands-on field workshops, open only to webinar registrants, which will be offered across Pennsylvania (as in-person events are possible and sites permit).
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on September 12, 2024, 4:12 pmPA WalkWorks: Open Space Plan as Active Transportation Plan (recording now available!)
If you weren't able to catch the WalkWorks Webinar that ran at the end of August, the recording and slides are now available. Check out how Upper Dublin Township worked with their municipal engineer to develop an Open Space Plan that just happened to also be an exemplary Active Transportation Plan.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and WalkWorks programs by visiting their websites!
PA WalkWorks: Open Space Plan as Active Transportation Plan (recording now available!)
If you weren't able to catch the WalkWorks Webinar that ran at the end of August, the recording and slides are now available. Check out how Upper Dublin Township worked with their municipal engineer to develop an Open Space Plan that just happened to also be an exemplary Active Transportation Plan.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and WalkWorks programs by visiting their websites!
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on September 18, 2024, 1:40 pmPenn State Extension: Frontiers in Forest Health, Post-Ash Silviculture
November 4, Noon | Virtual | FREE, but registration is required (credits available for a fee)
Explore strategies for restoring forests devastated by the emerald ash borer in this insightful webinar. Dr. Dustin Bronson will share expert guidance on post-ash silviculture, focusing on how to support lowland, riparian forests and what to plant for recovery. Attendees of this 75-minute webinar will learn about strategies for restoring forests impacted by the emerald ash borer. REGISTER.
Penn State Extension: Frontiers in Forest Health, Post-Ash Silviculture
November 4, Noon | Virtual | FREE, but registration is required (credits available for a fee)
Explore strategies for restoring forests devastated by the emerald ash borer in this insightful webinar. Dr. Dustin Bronson will share expert guidance on post-ash silviculture, focusing on how to support lowland, riparian forests and what to plant for recovery. Attendees of this 75-minute webinar will learn about strategies for restoring forests impacted by the emerald ash borer. REGISTER.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on September 25, 2024, 2:29 pmPenn State Extension: Woods in Your Backyard Series
Virtual Live Webinar | $50 per person | REGISTER
Wednesdays, January 15 - March 12, 7PM (nine sessions)
The vast majority of landowners have small woodlots less than 10 acres in size. Woods in Your Backyard Series is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for smaller landscapes. Join us to learn how landowners can create and enhance natural areas around their homes while positively influencing the environment by implementing simple stewardship practices.
What will you learn?
- Why Manage Forests
- Forest Ecology
- Creating and Managing Wildlife Habitat
- Identifying and Controlling Invasive Plants
- Forest Health Issues and Management
- Forests and Water
- Selecting Native Trees for Various Sites
- Establishing Meadows and Forests
- Creating Plans for Your Property
How to Get Your Manual
Upon completing your registration, a confirmation email will be sent to you. This email will contain a unique "code" for registrants only with instructions on how to obtain your free copy of The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home ($29 value). Follow the instructions in the email to order your manual for free, including complimentary shipping. If you need assistance, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-877-345-0691.
*Books can be shipped to all U.S. states and territories, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Participants from other foreign locations are still welcome to register and join webinars; but unfortunately, books are not included in their registration for this workshop.
Penn State Extension: Woods in Your Backyard Series
Virtual Live Webinar | $50 per person | REGISTER
Wednesdays, January 15 - March 12, 7PM (nine sessions)
The vast majority of landowners have small woodlots less than 10 acres in size. Woods in Your Backyard Series is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for smaller landscapes. Join us to learn how landowners can create and enhance natural areas around their homes while positively influencing the environment by implementing simple stewardship practices.
What will you learn?
- Why Manage Forests
- Forest Ecology
- Creating and Managing Wildlife Habitat
- Identifying and Controlling Invasive Plants
- Forest Health Issues and Management
- Forests and Water
- Selecting Native Trees for Various Sites
- Establishing Meadows and Forests
- Creating Plans for Your Property
How to Get Your Manual
Upon completing your registration, a confirmation email will be sent to you. This email will contain a unique "code" for registrants only with instructions on how to obtain your free copy of The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home ($29 value). Follow the instructions in the email to order your manual for free, including complimentary shipping. If you need assistance, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-877-345-0691.
*Books can be shipped to all U.S. states and territories, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Participants from other foreign locations are still welcome to register and join webinars; but unfortunately, books are not included in their registration for this workshop.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on September 26, 2024, 1:17 pmPenn State Extension: Tree Tenders® Training
Wednesdays, January 8 - February 19, NOON | Virtual Live Webinar | $40 per person
Join thousands of citizens committed to making a difference in their communities by becoming a Tree Tender. Through the Tree Tenders® training program, developed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in partnership with Penn State Extension Urban Foresters, you'll gain the skills needed to restore and care for your community's tree canopy. This program empowers individuals to take meaningful action by learning how to plant, prune, and maintain trees, directly contributing to environmental health and sustainability. Become part of a growing movement dedicated to enhancing green spaces and increasing tree cover in neighborhoods across Pennsylvania. REGISTER.
Who is this for?
- Shade tree commissions
- Municipal officials and staff
- Community volunteers
- Arborists and landscape architects working with municipalities
What will you learn?
- How trees work
- The ecosystem benefits of trees
- Proper techniques for planting and caring for trees
- Tree identification methods
- Common tree stressors
- How to organize volunteer tree projects
Penn State Extension: Tree Tenders® Training
Wednesdays, January 8 - February 19, NOON | Virtual Live Webinar | $40 per person
Join thousands of citizens committed to making a difference in their communities by becoming a Tree Tender. Through the Tree Tenders® training program, developed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in partnership with Penn State Extension Urban Foresters, you'll gain the skills needed to restore and care for your community's tree canopy. This program empowers individuals to take meaningful action by learning how to plant, prune, and maintain trees, directly contributing to environmental health and sustainability. Become part of a growing movement dedicated to enhancing green spaces and increasing tree cover in neighborhoods across Pennsylvania. REGISTER.
Who is this for?
- Shade tree commissions
- Municipal officials and staff
- Community volunteers
- Arborists and landscape architects working with municipalities
What will you learn?
- How trees work
- The ecosystem benefits of trees
- Proper techniques for planting and caring for trees
- Tree identification methods
- Common tree stressors
- How to organize volunteer tree projects
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on September 27, 2024, 11:51 amOpen Space Institute Schedules Forest Carbon Science & Data Field Briefing
November 14, 2PM | Virtual
Join the Open Space Institute and the Forest Carbon Data Partnership on November 14 at 2:00 pm ET for the rollout of updated national forest carbon data and an introduction to new online tools that elevate land protection as a climate solution. The briefing will cover data and tools that can be used by conservation organizations and state and federal agencies to assess the carbon potential of conservation projects. REGISTER.
Open Space Institute Schedules Forest Carbon Science & Data Field Briefing
November 14, 2PM | Virtual
Join the Open Space Institute and the Forest Carbon Data Partnership on November 14 at 2:00 pm ET for the rollout of updated national forest carbon data and an introduction to new online tools that elevate land protection as a climate solution. The briefing will cover data and tools that can be used by conservation organizations and state and federal agencies to assess the carbon potential of conservation projects. REGISTER.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on October 18, 2024, 11:26 amPenn State Extension: Birds Grow on Trees
November 18, 9AM | Virtual | FREE, registration required ($10 for continuing education credit)
Participants of Birds Grow on Trees will learn how to promote healthy forest ecosystems that provide essential habitats for declining bird species. The information presented can be applied to both private and public lands, aligning with various forest landowner goals such as timber production, water quality improvement, recreation, and carbon sequestration. By implementing these strategies, landowners and conservationists can contribute to creating sustainable environments that benefit both wildlife and the broader ecosystem. REGISTER.
Penn State Extension: Birds Grow on Trees
November 18, 9AM | Virtual | FREE, registration required ($10 for continuing education credit)
Participants of Birds Grow on Trees will learn how to promote healthy forest ecosystems that provide essential habitats for declining bird species. The information presented can be applied to both private and public lands, aligning with various forest landowner goals such as timber production, water quality improvement, recreation, and carbon sequestration. By implementing these strategies, landowners and conservationists can contribute to creating sustainable environments that benefit both wildlife and the broader ecosystem. REGISTER.