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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240306T140000
DTSTAMP:20231103T162116Z
CREATED:20231103T154754Z
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UID:19972-1709730000-1709733600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Graphic Grammar: Design Advice from a Guy Who Can't Draw
DESCRIPTION:Join Recreation and Conservation Program Specialist Josh VanBrakle with DCNR for a virtual reprise of his popular land conservation conference session. Visual communication is critical to conservation work. As we share ever more content through videos\, social media\, and interactive websites\, we increasingly depend on images to tell our stories. As students we spent years learning grammar for our writing. But few of us were taught graphic grammar—the language\, structure\, and syntax of visual communication. Just like writing grammar helps us get our point across\, so too does graphic grammar. In this session\, you’ll learn basic graphic grammar rules like color\, contrast\, and focal points and how to apply them to your designs. Not an artist? Not a problem. Neither am I. These design basics are something everyone can use. Whether you make social media posts\, design interpretive signs\, or just want to improve your next PowerPoint\, come and learn practical techniques to level up your communications. \n$25.00 (free for WeConservePA members) \n		Register\n \nReach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you need your member code. \nPresenter:\nJosh VanBrakle | Conservation Program Specialist\, DCNR\, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation\nJosh VanBrakle was told by every art teacher he ever had that “he can’t draw.” But in his job as a recreation and conservation advisor at DCNR\, he has become a graphic designer who routinely creates fact sheets\, infographics\, videos\, interactive websites\, and more.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/graphic-grammar-design-advice-from-a-guy-who-cant-draw/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T140000
DTSTAMP:20231204T154944Z
CREATED:20231130T163957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231204T154944Z
UID:20017-1709643600-1709647200@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:TerraFirma: Helping PA Land Trusts Uphold the Promise of Lasting Conservation
DESCRIPTION:Terrafirma Risk Retention Group LLC is a unique charitable risk pool for conservation organizations that helps its members uphold the promise of lasting conservation. This presentation will provide a high-level overview of Terrafirma’s history\, structure\, benefits\, costs and coverage\, as well as data and analysis from a decade of covered claims and selected case studies relevant to Pennsylvania land trusts. Participants will take away information that they can use to help reduce disputes\, know common issues affecting conserved properties\, and understand how Terrafirma can benefit their land trust’s risk management strategy. \n$25.00 (free for WeConservePA members) \n		Register\n \nReach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you need your member code. \nPresenters:\nJeff Swinehart | President and CEO\, Lancaster Farmland Trust \nJeff Swinehart began his tenure as President and CEO of Lancaster Farmland Trust in 2022. Prior to this role\, he served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer for 3 years and Deputy Director for 13 years. With 24 years of land trust experience\, Jeff is responsible for carrying out the strategic plans and policies of the Board of Trustees. He provides direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s vision\, mission\, and values as established by the Board of Trustees. Jeff and his team have built Lancaster Farmland Trust’s easement portfolio to more than 500 easements and 30\,000 acres – the largest easement portfolio in Pennsylvania.  \nJeff is a member of the WeConservePA Board and Policy Committee\, serves as Chairman of the Manheim Township Planning Commission\, and is Chair of the Lancaster Clean Water Partners. In 2022\, Jeff began serving his second three-year term as the Mid-Atlantic representative for Terrafirma RRG\, LLC.  \nJeff graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from the Pennsylvania State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography\, plus minors in Geology and Regional Planning from Mansfield University. \nTom Kester | Operations Manager and Secretary\, Alliance Risk Management Services\, LLC \nTom Kester is the Operations Manager and Secretary for Alliance Risk Management Services LLC (Terrafirma’s corporate manager) and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Terrafirma. Tom’s background is insurance and regulatory law. He previously worked as assistant general counsel for an affiliate of a large U.S. health care insurer\, staff attorney for the State of Vermont’s Medicaid and Affordable Care Act programs\, and as an associate in a private practice firm where he focused on real property matters and general civil litigation. He earned his J.D. from Vermont Law School and his B.A. in Government from Franklin & Marshall College. He is an actively licensed Vermont attorney\, and lives with his wife in central Vermont.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/terrafirma/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T101500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T111500
DTSTAMP:20240124T154854Z
CREATED:20231212T210607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240124T154854Z
UID:20072-1707387300-1707390900@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corp: Workforce Development for the Benefit of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
DESCRIPTION:WeConservePA Winter Lecture\nThis event begins promptly at 10:15 am and is preceded by WeConservePA’s annual meeting of members. You can attend one without the other. In any case\, the same registration is used for both the annual meeting and winter lecture. \nThe goal of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corp is to protect and restore the commonwealth’s lands and waters while providing young people with valuable paid work experience\, skills training\, and professional development\, along with the knowledge and expertise to be good stewards of our natural resources. Managed in partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Student Conservation Association\, the program connects youth and young adults with job opportunities in state parks and forestland\, as well as in local parks and public lands throughout the state. \nMunicipalities and non-profits can host PAOC crews on a cost-share basis to complete work on public lands. Typical projects include tree planting\, riparian corridor improvement\, mechanical invasive species removal\, hiking trail improvements\, light construction\, community shade tree inventories\, and young tree maintenance. Join us as we welcome DCNR staff for a brief overview of the program and how land managers can connect with the program for projects on their properties. \n		Register
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/winter-lecture/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Meeting,Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T101500
DTSTAMP:20231220T225337Z
CREATED:20221122T160028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231220T225337Z
UID:18689-1707386400-1707387300@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:WeConservePA Member Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Member organizations are requested to attend WeConservePA’s annual meeting of members. Two items for member action are on the agenda: an update of the bylaws and the election of board members. You may review proposed revisions to the bylaws (including commentary) online in advance. \nThis event will be immediately followed by the WeConservePA Winter Lecture\, The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corp: Workforce Development for the Benefit of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation\, from 10:15 to 11:15 am. You can attend one without the other. In any case\, the same registration is used for both the annual meeting and winter lecture. \n		Register
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/weconservepa-member-meeting/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Meeting,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T110000
DTSTAMP:20231103T154848Z
CREATED:20230714T182745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231103T154848Z
UID:19521-1706781600-1706785200@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:What is a Title Commitment and How to Read It
DESCRIPTION:In this presentation\, originally presented at the 2023 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference\, each section of a title binder will be reviewed with an explanation of what each one is and what they mean to insuring a title.  Also covered will be how things that turn up on the title search need to be handled and how they can affect the property’s title.  There will be breaks between sections for questions\, and plenty of time at the end for further Q&A and discussion. \n$25 (free for WeConservePA Members) \n		Register\n\nReach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you need your member discount code. \nPresenter:\nTina Miller | Settlement Officer\, Sentry Abstract Company \nTina is a settlement officer with 33 years of experience in the title insurance industry\, 28 of those years have been spent at Sentry Abstract Company. Tina started as a processor and worked her way up to settlement officer. She is detail oriented which is so important when it comes to completing a real estate transaction correctly. Tina prides herself on treating each of her clients as if they are her only priority and repays their loyalty with the best customer service they have come love. Tina works on her own files from start to finish so by the time they get to settlement all title issues\, document problems\, and everyday challenges have been handled. \n 
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/what-is-a-title-commitment-and-how-to-read-it/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240130T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240130T110000
DTSTAMP:20240129T152215Z
CREATED:20230714T180934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T152215Z
UID:19520-1706608800-1706612400@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Building Reliable Support for Land Preservation
DESCRIPTION:Learn how a small land trust’s ideas came to fruition after years of hard work\, resulting in a county wide tax increase for land conservation. Teamwork\, marketing\, grants\, polling\, luck\, humor\, sacrifice\, and more all contributed to a successful campaign despite limited resources.  Join Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County’s Executive Director Sean Kenny as he reviews the triumphs and challenges of the process from concept to success in a county that once lagged behind its peers in preserving land. \n$25 (free for WeConservePA members)\n		Register\n\nReach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you need your member discount code. \nPresenter:\nSean Kenny | Executive Director\, Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County \nSean P. Kenny is Executive Director of Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County\, a small land trust preserving land primarily through conservation easements.  FNLT has over 14\,000 acres in their preservation family on over 160 properties – growing that number annually by 1\,000 acres with a small staff and volunteers.  Sean lives on a FNLT preserved farm with his spouse and two children.  Sean volunteers in various leadership positions with York County Planning Commission\, York County Rail Trail Authority and York Central Market – to name a few.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/building-reliable-support-for-land-preservation/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240123T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240123T110000
DTSTAMP:20231103T160918Z
CREATED:20231103T160635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231103T160918Z
UID:19974-1706004000-1706007600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Supporting Conservation Workflows with ArcGIS
DESCRIPTION:The work of land conservation often takes place outdoors and away from the office\, including monitoring land holdings and easements\, collecting data to improve land management\, and reporting on conditions and assets. This work can be made more efficient with the use of location data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). With simple configurable applications\, users of all skill levels can digitally transform their field operations by modernizing paper workflows and ensuring the use of authoritative data in the field. In this presentation\, staff from The Nature Conservancy will describe how Esri’s ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Online tools support their preserve monitoring and reporting workflows\, in both the field and the office. \nPresented by Jake Leizear and Charlie Ritter with The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and Delaware \n$25.00 (free for WeConservePA members) \n		Register\n \nReach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you need your member code. \nPresenters:\nAs the Legal Compliance Specialist for the Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC)\, Charlie Ritter manages the annual legal monitoring program of TNC-held lands and provides direct technical GIS support to our Stewardship Team. He also serves as the liaison among a multitude of stakeholders to ensure TNC lands are in legal compliance. With professional experience spanning from the Adirondack Mountains to the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains\, Charlie has employed a variety of tools to monitor and manage diverse ecosystems. \nJake Leizear is the Conservation GIS Specialist for TNC in PA and DE and provides mapping and analytics support to our land\, freshwater\, coastal\, and urban conservation teams. With a background in ecology and large landscape conservation\, he focuses on data management\, GIS analyses\, and cartographic product creation. He has worked throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in his career\, identifying conservation opportunities with a variety of overlapping benefits to people\, wildlife\, and ecosystems.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/supporting-conservation-workflows-with-arcgis/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240122T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240122T201500
DTSTAMP:20231214T140638Z
CREATED:20231214T140638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T140638Z
UID:20077-1705950000-1705954500@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Why Municipalities Should Consider a Utility-Scale Solar Ordinance
DESCRIPTION:A webinar specifically developed for leaders of Environmental Advisory Councils\, Pennsylvania Bird Towns\, and Pennsylvania Audubon Chapters\, the program will feature a short PowerPoint and links to resources assembled by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council’s Renewable Energy Committee.  Participants will be empowered to use the PowerPoint and linked resources in subsequent presentations to officials at the municipal government level in the communities they serve. \n		Register\n \nPresenters:\nCarolyn Grayshaw\, Director of Education for WeConservePA; Heidi Shiver\, President of Bird Town Pennsylvania; and Leigh Altadonna\, President of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council will explain the objectives of the webinar and introduce the panel of presenters. Tom Kuehl\, Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society and Judy Stepenaskie\, Wyncote Audubon Society\, will preview the PowerPoint and provide an overview of resources featured in this webinar. Laura Jackson\, Juniata Valley Audubon Society\, and Sue Murawski\, Presque Isle Audubon Society will provide a brief walkthrough of the Commonwealth Court decision concerning the Brookview Solar Project in Adams County. This decision was strongly based on upholding the local ordinance. Steve Nelson\, Director of Planning and Government Relations\, will provide a brief “Civics 101” lesson on the limits of authority of state government and the importance of the authority vested at the municipal level.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/solar-ordinance/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231025T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231025T140000
DTSTAMP:20230714T193341Z
CREATED:20230616T193836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230714T193341Z
UID:19438-1698238800-1698242400@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Pennsylvania’s Solar Future
DESCRIPTION:Where Will Pennsylvania’s Solar Future Be Located and How Will It Get There? An examination of Pennsylvania’s current legal/regulatory landscape for utility scale solar project siting and the legal and regulatory schemes enacted by legislatures in other jurisdictions that may provide models for Pennsylvania to enact legislation that truly complements the public and private investment that has been made in farmland preservation. Any pending bills in the Pennsylvania legislature regarding issues of importance to solar development generally in Pennsylvania will also be reviewed. \nPA CLE Credits available for $15.00\, please reach out to cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org if you would like to purchase credits. \n		Register\n \nPresenter\nBrook Duer | Staff Attorney\, Penn State Law\, Center for Agricultural and Shale Law \nBrook Duer joined Penn State Law’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law as a staff attorney in 2019. Prior to that\, he was an attorney with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for 12 years\, serving 8 of those years as Chief Counsel to the agency and supervising the agency’s legal office. Prior to that\, Brook practiced law in Lancaster County for 18 years. Brook received a B.S. in Communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/pennsylvanias-solar-future/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231010T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231010T140000
DTSTAMP:20230803T202949Z
CREATED:20230803T202421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T202949Z
UID:19641-1696942800-1696946400@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Living with Logistics: PennFuture’s Model Zoning Ordinance for Logistics Facilities
DESCRIPTION:As online shopping has become a major source of retail goods in the 21st century\, logistics industry practices have changed\, and so has the industry’s demand for land.  Although often referred to as “warehouses\,” today’s logistics facilities are not the long-term-storage-based warehouses of the past — they are huge distribution and fulfillment centers with the potential to generate far-reaching traffic\, noise\, aesthetic\, and environmental impacts unanticipated by zoning ordinances drafted long before this development pattern was even a remote possibility. Communities across the Commonwealth are now faced with the influx of these massive logistics facilities\, and municipalities are struggling to figure out how to respond before it’s too late. Zoning is perhaps the most powerful tool municipalities have to do this. \nIn order to help Pennsylvania’s municipalities proactively prepare for this incoming land use\, PennFuture has created a model zoning ordinance and guidebook.  The Model Logistics Use Zoning Ordinance is based on the information and experience that PennFuture’s staff has gained through our engagement with community members and municipalities in the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania\, the logistics hub of the East Coast. We will share what we have learned in this process: how the logistics industry has changed in recent decades; how existing zoning ordinances are often inadequate to effectively address modern logistics uses; pitfalls we have noticed in the way zoning ordinances that do address these uses are doing so; and suggestions for how to draft an effective zoning regulation. \nJoin this conversation with the author of this model ordinance to learn more about the model ordinance and what you can do to advocate for it in your municipality. \n		Register\n \nBrigitte Meyer | Staff Attorney\, PennFuture \nBrigitte is a Staff Attorney in PennFuture’s Pocono Office where her work focuses on water quality and watershed protection\, special protection waters\, and stormwater management. Prior to joining PennFuture\, Brigitte was an Associate Attorney at Siana Law in Chester Springs\, Pennsylvania\, where her work focused on municipal and land use law. \nBrigitte received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Northeastern University Law School (NUSL). While completing her law degree\, Brigitte served as a judicial intern at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and participated in the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Clinic. Her article\, “Lawyering in the Age of Lynching” is published in the Northeastern University Law Review. Prior to attending law school\, Brigitte worked full-time as the director of food service at camps in Virginia\, Texas and New York. \nAbby Jones | VP Legal and Policy\, PennFuture \nAbby is Vice President of Legal and Policy at PennFuture. As Vice President\, Abby is responsible for integrating PennFuture’s legal\, regulatory\, and policy activities in furtherance of the organization’s mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s air\, water and land\, and empowering citizens to build sustainable communities for future generations. In her role as an attorney based out of PennFuture’s Poconos office\, her work focuses on water quality and watershed protection\, special protection waters\, and stormwater management. Abby also works on the issues related to the petrochemical and fracking industries that are threatening the health of Pennsylvania’s people and environment. \nPrior to joining PennFuture\, Abby was a Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper\, where her work focused on civil litigation and administrative enforcement actions targeted at safeguarding the water quality and ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries. Before that\, Abby worked as an environmental attorney in New York City and Cheyenne\, Wyoming. She has written about and presented on a variety of environmental issues including the regulation and legal challenges of Marcellus Shale development in New York\, energy leases for private property owners in Western States\, and the Superfund cleanup of the Hudson River.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/living-with-logistics-pennfutures-model-zoning-ordinance-for-logistics-facilities/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231005T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231005T200000
DTSTAMP:20230623T193634Z
CREATED:20230616T200152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230623T193634Z
UID:19439-1696532400-1696536000@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:From EAC Recommendation to Ordinance Adoption: Productively Attaining Official Action by Local Government
DESCRIPTION:Being a volunteer member of an EAC or other advisory body in local government allows you to make recommendations on a wide variety of topics – stormwater management\, pollinator gardens\, recycling\, and more. Ever wonder how those recommendations get turned into a municipal ordinance? Learn about the process and how your work on a volunteer board can be more effective and productive in turning recommendations into official action. \n		Register\n \nSteve Nelson | Director of Planning and Government Relations for Eastwick Solutions  \nSteve is a certified city planner and an instructor for the Pennsylvania Municipalities Education Institute (PMPEI)\, teaching courses on planning\, land development and local government in Pennsylvania. He has worked with local and county governments throughout his 30-year career\, providing planning expertise to local and county planning commissions and elected officials. Steve helped Montgomery County create its $100 million Open Space & Greenways program\, oversaw the County’s first climate change plan\, and led trail planning efforts that resulted in the construction of several multi-use trails. Steve has also served on a local planning commission as a member and as Chair and is currently on a local Environmental Advisory Council. Steve’s current work focuses on nature-based economic development and community revitalization. Steve lives in Doylestown Borough.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/from-eac-recommendation-to-ordinance-adoption-productively-attaining-official-action-by-local-government/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230926T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230926T140000
DTSTAMP:20230803T202734Z
CREATED:20230803T201403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T202734Z
UID:19640-1695733200-1695736800@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Dream Big: Strategic Planning for Success
DESCRIPTION:The goal of a strategic plan is to help nonprofit organizations achieve success by clarifying and prioritizing their mission and goals. How to communicate where the organization is headed\, including a method to evaluate its progress\, strengths and needs strengthens an organization’s ability to make decisions. \nJoin seasoned professional\, Kim Murphy\, President of Berks Nature as she shares her perspective\, process\, and tips for strategic planning for non-profits. Kim has 38 years of fundraising and leadership experience working in charitable organizations with over 20 years as President of land trust and environmental education organization\, Berks Nature in Berks County PA. \nThe value of a workshop among colleagues and volunteers is learning from and sharing with all participants. This workshop will outline a process and helpful hints for strategic planning for large or small organizations\, with or without professional staff. We will discuss what is the role for board members\, and who should lead the process. Whether you’re new to your role as leadership staff or board member\, transitioning from a working board to a more hands-off board or just interested in how board members can work effectively together\, there should be something for everyone in this session. \n		Register\n \nKim Murphy | President\, Berks Nature \nKim has extensive experience in fundraising\, community relations\, watershed wide regional partnerships\, education and in particular nature based educational programs. Kim joined Berks Nature (then Berks County Conservancy) in January 2004.  As president\, she works with a dedicated staff to improve and protect our land and water resources\, to educate the community about land use and its implications\, and to connect people to nature thus\, conserving Berks County’s unique cultural and environmental resources for the benefit of future generations. \nTo fulfill that mission\, and to better address the changing needs of their constituency\, Kim led the organization through a name change in 2015 changing from The Berks County Conservancy to Berks Nature. Berks Nature recently completed a nearly $5 million capital campaign to raise money for a new nature center\, “The Nature Place” which opened in September 2017 and has achieved LEED GOLD certification. In 2018 they opened a Nature Preschool. In 2021 the organization received a $28.5 million operating endowment gift and embarked on a $4.5 million expansion of The Nature Place. The Berks Nature team has focused on preserving agricultural land\, forests and open space; protecting the quality of our streams and ground water; preserving historic landmarks and scenic landscapes; environmental education and by promoting those values that contribute to a sustainable future for our community.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/dream-big-strategic-planning-for-success/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230816T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230816T134500
DTSTAMP:20230714T195224Z
CREATED:20230714T165348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230714T195224Z
UID:19517-1692190800-1692193500@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Agency Update: DCNR\, Bureau of State Parks Land Management Program
DESCRIPTION:Join guest speaker Mike Redding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)\, Bureau of State Parks for an overview of the Bureau’s land management program and opportunities for land trusts and other conservation organizations to engage.  The presentation will cover state park land over-arching land protections\, federal and state compliance of certain state park land\, land exchanges\, land acquisitions\, limitations and challenges\, and future goals within the program. 30-minute presentation with 15 minutes of questions/discussion to follow. \n		Register\n \nFREE\, but registration is required \nPresenter:\nMike Redding | RMPD Planning Section\, DCNR Bureau of State Parks (resource management & planning division) \nMike started working for the Commonwealth in 2004. He joined state parks in 2006 and has previously worked in the reservation and revenue section\, park operations section\, program services section\, and currently in the planning section. His work has encompassed guiding policy and procedures\, visitor services in park operations\, managing legal contracts\, overseeing aspects of law enforcement\, managing park management plans\, and managing the land program. After moving on as an industrial electrician\, Mike obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biology & Biology education (with minors in chemistry\, earth science\, and physics) from York College of Pennsylvania in 2002 and his master’s degree in biology from Shippensburg University in 2010. Mike currently lives in York with his wife and daughter where they enjoy walking\, bicycling\, fishing\, kayaking\, and relaxing in the outdoors.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/agency-update-dcnr-bureau-of-state-parks-land-management-program/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230801T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230801T134500
DTSTAMP:20230720T130027Z
CREATED:20230608T163212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230720T130027Z
UID:19416-1690894800-1690897500@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:RESCHEDULED: The Healthy Forest Initiative\, Opportunities for Strategic Forest Conservation
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will showcase Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s Healthy Forest Initiative and open to discussion opportunities for strategic partnerships with land trusts. \nLand trusts play a vital role in conservation in the Mid-Atlantic landscape and must be included in landscape-level management conversations. Many small to medium-sized land trusts may encounter challenges managing their land beyond preservation to additional goals (like wildlife habitat management). Audubon Mid-Atlantic would like to partner with these key land trusts and offer technical support and assistance where needed to create and/or maintain high-quality forest-bird habitat. \nA strategic plan has been formulated and Audubon Mid-Atlantic plans to either help land trust acquire funds for management or Audubon Mid-Atlantic will provide the funds outright through a small-grant program. Available funding for projects\, educational opportunities\, and technical assistance are on the table for discussion. \n		Register\n \nSpeaker\nJoshua Rittenhouse | Audubon Mid-Atlantic \nJoshua’s work in the forest program focuses on private-lands outreach and education. He is largely concentrated on a landscape-level approach to habitat assessment and management in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Recent projects focus on encouraging land trusts in Pennsylvania to utilize bird-friendly forest management. Prior to Audubon\, Joshua worked for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute managing forestry projects designed to increase avian habitat. Joshua earned his master’s degree at The Pennsylvania State University studying juvenile-tree populations in the understory of mixed-oak forests.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/the-healthy-forest-initiative-opportunities-for-strategic-forest-conservation/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230601T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230601T140000
DTSTAMP:20230310T204759Z
CREATED:20230310T204759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230310T204759Z
UID:19087-1685624400-1685628000@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Components of a Well-Rounded Development Program
DESCRIPTION:Please join fundraiser and community development professional Noah J. Roufos-Abbey for a one-hour interactive workshop and informational session. Noah welcomes the opportunity to share best practices and industry insights that can help build strategies and structures that advance conservation work and resource procurement. \nSpecific topical areas to be addressed will include: \n\nOverview of the components of a well-rounded program\nOnline fundraising\nMajor gifts (what are they to you and to your org?)\nPlanned gifts (starting with bequests\, QCDs and charitable gift annuities)\n\n  \n		Register\n \n  \nNoah J. Roufos-Abbey | Director of Development and Alumni Relations\, Penn State Harrisburg \nAs a member of the executive leadership team at the University’s largest and most comprehensive Commonwealth Campus\, Noah Roufos-Abbey works with individuals\, corporations\, and foundations to build strategic partnerships as donors\, volunteers\, academic partners and well-informed community ambassadors. \nIn 2022\, Roufos-Abbey led the development and alumni relations office to the successful conclusion of the A Greater Penn State campaign\, surpassing its $44 million campaign goal. He has held advancing leadership positions within Penn State collectively\, for over 11 years. Roufos-Abbey’s career also includes work in community affairs with Gaudenzia\, Inc.\, as well as service as the vice president of Harrisburg Area Community College\, where he oversaw all administrative aspects of the flagship campus of ~6\,500 credit-seeking students in Harrisburg\, Pennsylvania. \nIn his spare time\, Noah enjoys all types of athletics and outdoor recreation\, music\, cooking\, and spending time with his wife and three children. His father Kevin Abbey is an inspiration to him\, and recently retired from Clearwater Conservancy in Noah’s hometown of State College\, PA.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/components-of-a-well-rounded-development-program/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230523T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230523T140000
DTSTAMP:20230310T195535Z
CREATED:20230310T195535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230310T195535Z
UID:19086-1684846800-1684850400@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:The Mechanics of Land and Easement Acquisitions
DESCRIPTION:Land trusts each have their own processes for managing land and easement transactions\, however in any acquisition project there are certain things that must happen\, and a likely order of operations. If your organization has not developed a formal process\, you can gain efficiency by adopting a standard. Join Todd Sampsell\, Vice President of Conservation with Natural Lands as he provides an overview of the mechanics of land and easement acquisitions using Natural Lands’ process. This session will provide a robust introduction for new conservation staff\, as well as a refresher for veteran staff and volunteers. Of course\, we know that no project is ever really ‘standard’\, so some time will be given to discussion of where things can go wonky. \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nTodd Sampsell | Vice President of Conservation\, Natural Lands \nTodd joined Natural Lands in 2021 to oversee the conservation department\, which handles all of the organization’s land protection\, conservation easement\, planning and municipal services work. \nTodd’s 20-year conservation career spans the country. His former employers include Western Pennsylvania Conservancy\, The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania\, The Nature Conservancy Missouri\, Missouri’s Departments of Natural Resources and Conservation\, and Friends of Virgin Islands National Park in St. John. \n“I’m very excited to return home to Pennsylvania to continue a focus on conservation with Natural Lands and our partners\,” said Todd. “Natural Lands’ focus on both protecting Pennsylvania’s lands and waters while strengthening people’s connection to nature is so important. We have tremendous challenges ahead with climate change\, loss of biodiversity and insufficient funding to meet the region’s needs. We will need everyone on board to ensure equitable access to and protection of our resources for today and future generations.” \nTodd earned his BS in biology from Bloomsburg University\, and his MS in biology from California University of Pennsylvania.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/the-mechanics-of-land-and-easement-acquisitions/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230413T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230413T140000
DTSTAMP:20230110T153426Z
CREATED:20230106T195840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230110T153426Z
UID:18853-1681390800-1681394400@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Indigenous Peoples in Pennsylvania History – An Intro to the Penn State University Research Guide
DESCRIPTION:WeConservePA and the Pennsylvania DEIJ Community of Land Trust Professionals will host an information and learning session on the Penn State University Library’s Indigenous Peoples in Pennsylvania History research guide.  Guest speakers Jane Ingold\, Heidi Abbey Moyer\, and Eric Novotny (members of the Penn State Libraries’ Native American Learning Group) will give a short overview of the project followed by a demonstration of its use.  When registering for this event\, participants will be asked to submit questions and research needs to guide the exploration. \nWho is this for?\nLand trust staff and board and others interested in how indigenous history interacts with current land conservation efforts. \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nSpeakers:\nEric Novotny is the subject specialist in the Penn State University Libraries for History\, History of science\, and Middle East studies.  He co-heads the Microforms and Government Information Unit and serves on the Libraries’ Native American Learning Group.  When not spoiling his dog\, Crim\, he spends his time thinking about how to improve access to historical information. \nJane Ingold is Librarian and Archivist at Penn State Erie\, the Behrend College.  Her responsibilities include providing reference and course-related instruction and she has taught for-credit courses. She has taken sole responsibility for the Behrend Archives since 2005\, taking it from a storage room full of boxes and memorabilia to a well-used collection. Before coming to Penn State in 1999\, she was a development researcher at her alma mater\, Gannon University\, also in Erie. Prior to that\, she was technical librarian at RMI Titanium Company and head of reference at Ashtabula County District Library in Ashtabula\, OH. She is secretary of the Harborcreek Historical Society.  Education: Masters\, Library and Information Science\, University of Texas at Austin; English degree\, Gannon University; certified archivist. \nHeidi Abbey Moyer has been an academic librarian for over twenty-five years. Since 2006\, Ms. Moyer has served as the Archivist\, Humanities Reference Librarian\, Faculty Liaison to the School of Humanities\, and Coordinator of Archives and Special Collections in the Madlyn L. Hanes Library at Penn State Harrisburg\, Middletown\, PA. In 2013\, she earned tenure and was promoted to Associate Librarian. Her research agenda is extremely interdisciplinary and has recently centered around social justice topics—such as DEIBA (Diversity\, Equity\, Inclusion\, Belonging\, and Accessibility)—including promotion and tenure for academic archivists\, archival advocacy and outreach\, Motherhood studies\, oral history\, wedding history\, and woman suffrage in America. Education: B.A.\, Biology\, Art History\, Juniata College; M.A.\, Art History\, University of Maryland\, College Park; M.L.S.\, specializing in Archives and Records Management\, SUNY-Albany. \n 
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/indigenous-peoples-in-pennsylvania-history-an-intro-to-the-penn-state-university-research-guide/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230411T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230411T134500
DTSTAMP:20230217T203007Z
CREATED:20230217T202900Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230217T203007Z
UID:19012-1681218000-1681220700@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Pennsylvania Game Commission Program Update
DESCRIPTION:Join WeConservePA in welcoming Bryan Burhans from the Pennsylvania Game Commission for a brief activity update and opportunity for conversation.  Bryan will give participants an overview of the various program areas of the Game Commission\, the commission’s work in preserving state game lands\, and opportunities for land trusts to engage and partner. A presentation of roughly 30 minutes will be followed by discussion. \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nBryan Burhans | Executive Director\, Pennsylvania Game Commission \nBryan received an Associate of Science degree in Wildlife Technology and a B.S. degree in Wildlife Science from The Pennsylvania State University. Bryan received his M.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Frostburg State University. He worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries for 2 years and\, after receiving his M.S. degree\, he served as Wildlife Biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for two years. Then\, in 1997\, he went to work for the National Wild Turkey Federation in Edgefield\, SC\, as the Director of Land Management Programs. Bryan then joined The American Chestnut Foundation as President and CEO in 2009. In 2014\, Bryan came back to Pennsylvania to serve as the Deputy Director of the Game Commission\, and in 2017 became Executive Director.  
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/pennsylvania-game-commission-program-update/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T140000
DTSTAMP:20230110T152510Z
CREATED:20230105T190439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230110T152510Z
UID:18837-1680008400-1680012000@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Responding to Emerging Threats to Water Quality in the Poconos
DESCRIPTION:The Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania is at an urgent crossroads. During the last few years\, the headwaters located in this region of the Delaware River Basin have seen a surge in industrial and commercial development – including warehouses and distribution centers – that threaten the ecological infrastructure underpinning the region’s water quality\, recreational economy\, and natural beauty. \nBusiness interests insist that local communities must choose between economic growth and strong clean streams protections\, and local municipalities either support this development or feel that they have no authority to deny it. In response\, PennFuture has developed a multifaceted strategy that includes legal\, outreach\, and communications tools to combat this false narrative\, effectively educate community leaders\, elected officials\, educate and mobilize community members\, and\, when necessary\, engage in regulatory and legal actions to protect our communities and environment. \nWe know that the Poconos is not alone in experiencing these types of threats. Join this conversation to learn more about the threats to some of the cleanest waters in Pennsylvania and how we can work together to protect them. \n  \n		Register\n \n  \n \n\nPresenters:\n  \nDonna Kohut | Campaign Manager\, PennFuture \nAs the Campaign Manager for the Delaware River Basin at PennFuture\, Donna oversees the work and coordination of PennFuture’s campaigns to advocate for clean water protections within the region. This work includes developing\, managing\, and leading campaigns that support special protection waters and Pennsylvania’s stream redesignation process. Donna also represents PennFuture as the State Lead for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed in Pennsylvania by convening partners to work on watershed issues. Before joining PennFuture’s team\, Donna spent fifteen years in the outdoor recreation and environmental education industries\, immersed in the waters she now protects. \n  \nAbby Jones | VP Legal and Policy\, PennFuture \nAbby is Vice President of Legal and Policy at PennFuture. As Vice President\, Abby is responsible for integrating PennFuture’s legal\, regulatory\, and policy activities in furtherance of the organization’s mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s air\, water and land\, and empowering citizens to build sustainable communities for future generations. In her role as an attorney based out of PennFuture’s Poconos office\, her work focuses on water quality and watershed protection\, special protection waters\, and stormwater management. Abby also works on the issues related to the petrochemical and fracking industries that are threatening the health of Pennsylvania’s people and environment. \nPrior to joining PennFuture\, Abby was a Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper\, where her work focused on civil litigation and administrative enforcement actions targeted at safeguarding the water quality and ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries. Before that\, Abby worked as an environmental attorney in New York City and Cheyenne\, Wyoming. She has written about and presented on a variety of environmental issues including the regulation and legal challenges of Marcellus Shale development in New York\, energy leases for private property owners in Western States\, and the Superfund cleanup of the Hudson River.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/responding-to-emerging-threats-to-water-quality-in-the-poconos/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230307T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230307T141500
DTSTAMP:20230105T212309Z
CREATED:20221216T210959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230105T212309Z
UID:18778-1678194000-1678198500@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:How Protected Are Municipal Parks and Open Space and How Do You Ensure Permanence? (PA CLE)
DESCRIPTION:People rely on their parks and other public open spaces as secure\, unfailing places for rest\, renewal\, and relief from everyday stresses. But just how permanent are they?\nAnd what are permissible and impermissible uses of the land? Join this session to learn about the different protections afforded to local parks and open spaces under Pennsylvania law and steps your community can take to strengthen these protections. We will discuss the various factors that come into play: state statutes\, the PA Constitution\, state deed restrictions\, etc. We will also review tools\, including declarations of public trust\, for ensuring the permanence of these lands. [Eligible for 1 substantive CLE credit] \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nPresenters:\n  \nAndy Loza | Executive Director\, WeConservePA \nLoza has served since 2000 as executive director of WeConservePA where he leads public policy initiatives\, writes and edits technical guidance\, and implements various assistance\, training\, and education programs to advance conservation. Previously he served as a land trust executive director; led conservation\, planning\, trail\, and development initiatives for county government; and consulted on environmental policy. He holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Lehigh University. \n  \nH. Fintan McHugh\, Esq. | Petrikin\, Wellman\, Damico\, Brown\, & Petrosa \nFintan McHugh joined Petrikin\, Wellman\, Damico\, Brown\, & Petrosa in 2000 after working in the litigation section of a larger Philadelphia firm. He has tried cases throughout Pennsylvania and has successfully handled many appeals in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court\, Superior Court and Supreme Court. He focuses his practice on the areas of civil litigation\, real estate law and zoning/land development. He has handled hundreds of leasing and litigation matters for some of the region’s largest commercial landlords and has represented a broad spectrum of developers and landowners in zoning and land development applications. Mr. McHugh is admitted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Boston University School of Law.
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/how-protected-are-municipal-parks-and-open-space-and-how-do-you-ensure-permanence/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230202T101500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230202T111500
DTSTAMP:20221122T190957Z
CREATED:20221122T155554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221122T190957Z
UID:18688-1675332900-1675336500@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Keeping Pennsylvania’s Privately-Owned Forests Intact and Working: Opportunities for Land Conservation
DESCRIPTION:WeConservePA Winter Lecture\nThis event begins promptly at 10:15 am and is preceded by WeConservePA’s annual meeting of members. You can attend one without the other. In any case\, the same registration is used for both the annual meeting and winter lecture. \n  \nSince its inception in 2011\, the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State has conducted applied research and education programs to understand privately-owned forests and engage with forest landowners of the state. With the most recent forest landowner survey\, we have new insights into landowner values\, attitudes\, and behaviors\, as well as understanding of their plans for the future of their land. This presentation will cover some highlights of the survey along with research on goals for the future and opportunities for the land conservation community to support shared values of protecting forestland for future generations. \n  \nAllyson B. Muth | Director\, James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State.\nAllyson Brownlee Muth began at Penn State in 2004 working with the Pennsylvania Forest Stewards Volunteer Program and conducting outreach to forest landowners across the state (and beyond). She is now an assistant research professor and the director of the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State. Allyson has degrees in forestry and an Ed.D. with an emphasis in Collaborative Learning. She has worked in the forest industry and for private consulting firms and has a strong interest in peer learning and in creating dialogue to advance understanding of forest stewardship issues and opportunities. \n  \n		Register
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/keeping-pennsylvanias-privately-owned-forests-intact-and-working-opportunities-for-land-conservation/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T140000
DTSTAMP:20230111T140452Z
CREATED:20230110T210059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230111T140452Z
UID:18859-1675170000-1675173600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:The 2023 Farm Bill: How Land Trust Leaders Can Best Advocate
DESCRIPTION:The federal Farm Bill\, which funds farmland preservation and conservation practices on farms\, is up for renewal in 2023. You have the opportunity to advocate for funding and technical programs that better meet the needs of both your organization and others nationwide. \nIs your land trust planning for the 2023 Farm Bill? Do you have questions about how your land trust can best advocate for policies that support your work and goals? Join We Conserve PA for a presentation and Q&A session with Land Trust Alliance Government Relations experts who will share information and resources to keep land trust community priorities top of mind as lawmakers build the next Farm Bill. \nWhat you’ll gain: \n\nThe latest intel on Congressional progress on preparations for the next Farm Bill;\nAn overview of current Alliance Farm Bill recommendations;\nInformation on how to join the Alliance Farm Bill Working Group; and\,\nInformation on the Alliance Farm Bill resources.\n\n  \n		Register\n \n\nSpeakers:\nLori Faeth\, Senior Government Relations Director\, Land Trust Alliance. \nLori Faeth joined the Land Trust Alliance in 2017 and serves as the Senior Government Relations Director. In her role\, Lori oversees the Government Relations team in advancing strategies and securing public funding to support land conservation. She also works to build and maintain relationships with elected officials\, federal agencies\, and other key partners\, while leading efforts across Alliance departments. She is a veteran of both federal and state government as well as nonprofit organizations. Lori joined the Alliance after serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior where she was responsible for advancing the Department’s cross-cutting and multi-stakeholder domestic and international policy issues. In this role she oversaw five offices and served in leadership roles on inter-agency bodies including Co-Chair of the National Ocean Council Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. \nNikki Nesbary\, Manager of NRCS Programs\, Land Trust Alliance. \nNikki Nesbary is committed to fostering connections\, building power\, and cultivating equitable spaces where people\, communities\, and organizations grow and thrive. She joined the Land Trust Alliance in 2018 and currently serves as Manager for NRCS Programs. In this role\, she serves as a liaison to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and resource to land trusts who utilize Farm Bill programs. Her work includes managing in-person and virtual convenings\, summits\, and working groups to advance policies that help the land trust community effectively conserve lands and support the communities they serve. Nikki brings expertise in program administration\, policy\, governance\, and facilitation. She is also a singer/songwriter and long-time leader in SongRise\, a women’s social justice a cappella group\, and is a member of the DC Labor Chorus. Nikki is a graduate of Oakland University and American University. \n 
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/land-trust-alliance-perspectives-on-the-2023-farm-bill/
LOCATION:Crow’s Nest Preserve\, 201 Piersol Road\, Elverson\, PA\, 19520\, United States
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230124T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230124T143000
DTSTAMP:20221122T163236Z
CREATED:20221122T163236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221122T163236Z
UID:18690-1674565200-1674570600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Getting the Most Value from Fundraising Events
DESCRIPTION:Most organizations use events as part of their fundraising program. For some\, a signature event is their fundraising program. The upside is that events can help us raise a lot of money in a concentrated period. Plus\, the transactional nature of event-based fundraising feels good. It takes us off the hook for “asking.” The downside is the opportunity cost\, which is very difficult to measure. Events can also be difficult to scale. How are we to think about the role events should play? Is this the best way to raise money? \n  \nThere are three different kinds of fundraising events: \n\nDirect fundraising like dinners\, auctions\, etc.;\nRecognition events\, like award ceremonies; and\,\nInformational events\, like project tours\, to cultivate individual donor interest and support.\n\n  \nMany organizations concentrate on only one. In this session\, we’ll take a close look at all three. We’ll talk about planning\, collecting sponsors\, measuring their relative success\, and tweaking them to keep them fresh. The base presentation will feature David Allen\, Development for Conservation\, but we’ll leave plenty of time to learn from each other as well. \n  \nSpeaker: \nDavid Allen | Development for Conservation \nDevelopment for Conservation assists conservation organizations raising money from individual donors by improving renewal\, cultivation\, and major gift systems. David Allen brings more than 30 years experience to the practice\, including thirteen with The Nature Conservancy. He has devoted his professional career to helping conservation organizations and land trusts pursue excellence in all aspects of their conservation endeavors. David is a skilled seminar presenter\, particularly in major gift fundraising. Specialties include development audits\, board training\, and campaigns. \n  \n		Register
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/getting-the-most-value-from-fundraising-events/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221011T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221011T110000
DTSTAMP:20221005T172323Z
CREATED:20220728T132415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221005T172323Z
UID:17979-1665482400-1665486000@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Securing Grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP)
DESCRIPTION:Cynthia Carrow\, Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will share the Conservancy’s experience in meeting the requirements and securing grants through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Funding from RACP is provided for the acquisition and construction of regional economic\, cultural\, civic\, recreational\, and historical improvement projects that generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment\, tax revenues\, or other measures of economic activity. RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy secured three RACP grants for Fallingwater: structural improvement of the house\, various preservation improvements\, and expansion of visitor parking lots. \nAn approximately 30-minute presentation will be followed by discussion and Q&A. \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nThis event is made possible with support from 
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/securing-grants-from-the-redevelopment-assistance-capital-program-racp/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221006T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221006T143000
DTSTAMP:20220720T184710Z
CREATED:20220719T144720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220720T184710Z
UID:17936-1665061200-1665066600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Part 2: Lawn Conversion and Green Infrastructure–Why and How?
DESCRIPTION:Join WeConservePA and guest speakers from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)\, Bureau of Forestry\, Rural and Community Forestry section for a two-part presentation on the whys and how-to’s of lawn conversion and green infrastructure. \nStaff from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council will review how meadows can be integrated into the built environments of our cities and towns. The presentation will include tips and strategies on (1) how to communicate benefits with neighbors and stakeholders\, and (2) how to overcome barriers like weed ordinances\, aesthetics concerns\, and common misconceptions about lawn conversion. \nThis presentation follows-up on Part 1\, which addressed lawn conversion funding and technical assistance\, along with the basics of designing and implementing projects. \n		Register\n \nSpeakers\nSusan Myerov | Susan Myerov\, AICP joined PEC in 2013 as Watersheds Program Director\, where she leads PEC’s watershed program strategy and stormwater management education programs. Myerov has over 25 years of experience in public\, private\, and non-profit organizations\, concentrating on watershed\, land use\, and open space planning projects. \nPaul Racette | Paul Racette has worked as the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s (PEC) Watershed Programs Manager for the Southeast office since 2006. Racette has over 30 years of environmental science experience with federal agencies\, private consulting groups\, and educational/nonprofit organizations. \nDiana Maher | Diana joined the PEC team in February 2022 to support the clean water programs\, focusing on stormwater management and restoration. Before joining PEC\, Diana worked as the Education Coordinator for Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area\, where she developed and organized environmental education programming for different audiences in the heritage area. \nThis event is made possible with support from:
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/part-2-lawn-conversion-and-green-infrastructure-why-and-how/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://weconservepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/lawn.png
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220921T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220921T143000
DTSTAMP:20220720T184735Z
CREATED:20220719T144154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220720T184735Z
UID:17934-1663765200-1663770600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Part 1: Lawn Conversion and Green Infrastructure–Why and How?
DESCRIPTION:Join WeConservePA and guest speakers from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)\, Bureau of Forestry\, Rural and Community Forestry section for a two-part presentation on the whys and how-to’s of lawn conversion and green infrastructure. \nDCNR launched its Lawn Conversion program in 2020. Born out of the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts\, this statewide program’s goal is to improve water quality through converting mowed grass lawn areas to either forest or meadow\, both of which help to improve infiltration and remove pollutants in stormwater runoff. In this session\, we will cover how the lawn conversion program was envisioned and how it is currently operating\, how DCNR is working to make lawn conversion funding and technical assistance available to partner organizations working with landowners in Pennsylvania\, the basics of designing and implementing lawn conversion projects\, and the challenges that come with converting lawn to meadow or forest. \n		Register\n \nSpeakers\nTeddi Stark | Teddi Stark is the Watershed Forestry Program Manager with DCNR Bureau of Forestry. Teddi helps to develop strategies for scaling-up riparian forest buffer and lawn conversion implementation work in PA. The purpose of the Watershed Forestry program is to improve water quality in PA while simultaneously realizing the many co-benefits of reforesting streamsides and converting mowed grass lawns to new forests or native meadows.  Teddi lives in Harrisburg with her husband and two dogs and enjoys hiking and traveling with them whenever she is not working. \nKelsey Mummert | Kelsey is the Lawn Conversion Program Coordinator with the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry. She blends her passions for natural areas and people to support Pennsylvanians in converting lawns to woods and meadows. \n  \nPart 2: Lawn Conversion and Green Infrastructure–Why and How? \n  \nThis event is made possible with support from:
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/part-1-lawn-conversion-and-green-infrastructure-why-and-how/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://weconservepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/lawn.png
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220908T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220908T140000
DTSTAMP:20220614T171410Z
CREATED:20220217T161505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220614T171410Z
UID:17240-1662642000-1662645600@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:Personal Injury Liability: RULWA Provides Protection
DESCRIPTION:The Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) offers protection from personal injury lawsuits to landowners who allow their land to be used without charge for recreational purposes. After recent amendments\, the courts have begun to construe the law more broadly to recognize immunities even when the land has some “development” on it\, such as playgrounds. Some recent cases have dealt with government owned land which has its own immunity statute which can be used in conjunction with the RULWA. WeConservePA has resources explaining the law\, but many people don’t know it exists. Explaining that the law exists is sometimes necessary for both landowners and their advisors\, like their attorneys or insurance agents\, to feel comfortable allowing their land to be used for trails or outdoor events. At the same time\, it’s unclear whether the law protects volunteers or park friends groups\, and amendments have been proposed to add them. Understanding the law and recent cases “explaining” it will help us use the law better and to be more effective in advocating for changes. (1 CLE hour) \n  \n		Register\n \n  \nKate Harper\, Timoney Knox LLP \nCatherine M. (Kate) Harper\, a partner at Timoney Knox since 1997\, was also a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the House of Representatives\, representing eastern Montgomery County for eighteen years. She chaired the House Local Government Committee. Ms. Harper has a general litigation practice\, but focuses on land use (particularly municipal\, conservation and zoning law) and real estate in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She handles commercial litigation\, contract disputes and employment law matters for entrepreneurs\, families and small businesses. \nShe has argued before the United States Supreme Court\, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals\, all of the Pennsylvania appellate courts and the county courts in southeastern Pennsylvania. \nKate represents local governments\, zoning boards and land development applicants. She also represents land trusts\, landowners and conservancies in preservation projects and drafting and enforcing of conservation easements. \n  \nThis event is made possible with support from:
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/personal-injury-liability-rulwa-provides-protection/
LOCATION:PA
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220803T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220803T201500
DTSTAMP:20220719T154848Z
CREATED:20220516T131221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220719T154848Z
UID:17648-1659553200-1659557700@weconservepa.org
SUMMARY:The Journey Back to the Stars: Limiting the Harmful Effects of Light Pollution
DESCRIPTION:The night sky is getting brighter each year\, obscuring the stars from our sight. Light pollution is the cause\, the excessive\, obtrusive\, artificial light at night that prevents us from living under a sky bright with stars. It adversely affects human health and the entire nighttime ecosystem\, and can produce unsafe glare and raises our carbon footprint by wasting energy. We can limit the disruption of wildlife across Pennsylvania and restore our environmental balance with a combination of education\, technology\, and ordinances. Join experts in the field to learn about the dark side of light and what steps can be taken to bring back the stars. \nLearn more about the Pennsylvania chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association: https://www.idapgh.org/ \n		Register\n \nSpeakers\nDiane Turnshek | Diane is a lecturer in the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. She runs the Astronomy Public Lecture Series at Allegheny Observatory. Her love of both astronomy and science fiction led her to crew the Mars Desert Research Station (featured in the documentary “Above and Below”)\, where she turned her attention to dark sky advocacy and earned an International Dark Sky Association’s Defender Award. She has given over one hundred light pollution talks including one for TEDxPittsburgh\, curated a series of space art galleries\, and founded the Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association. \nMichael Lincoln | Michael is an instructional technology specialist\, photographer\, videographer\, drone specialist\, and technology and media educator. He earned his BSBA at Robert Morris University (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration within the area of secondary education) and completed his master’s work at the University of Pittsburgh (Instructional Technologies and School Administration). He owns and operates TopShot Aerials Drone Services. Michael has consulted and collaborated with many organizations in both the education and commercial spaces to solve problems and enhance services with innovative technologies and processes. He is the Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association. \n  \nThis event is made possible with support from:
URL:https://weconservepa.org/event/the-journey-back-to-the-stars-limiting-the-harmful-effects-of-light-pollution/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://weconservepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Dark-Skies.png
ORGANIZER;CN="WeConservePA":MAILTO:info@weconservepa.org
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