BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//WeConservePA - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://weconservepa.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for WeConservePA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20210314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20211107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE 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 END:VEVENT 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 END:VEVENT 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 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR