EAC Fall Gathering Agenda

Saturday, November 15 | 9AM-4PM*
Penn State Great Valley (Malvern, PA)

*registration opens 8:30AM

Agenda Details

Registration | 8:30AM–9:00AM

Check in, grab coffee, and network!

Opening Session | 9AM–10:30AM

Operational Effectiveness for EACs Workshop
Facilitator: Ann Colby-Cummings (Colby-Cummings Consulting)
Panelists:
Zoe Warner (Malvern Borough Council / Malvern Borough EAC)
Sharon Yates (Valley Twp. Board of Supervisors / Valley Twp. EAC)
Joy Bergey (Springfield Twp. EAC)
Joy Baxter & William Hitchcock (Haverford Twp. EAC)

As EACs, there is abundant opportunity to help the municipality and its residents move toward sustainability. What is less abundant is human and financial resources! Learning how to operate efficiently and effectively helps your team get things done, thus building credibility with elected officials and staff and attracting and retaining volunteers. This workshop session will include handouts and guided exercises to support your EAC’s procedures and maximize impact.

Breakout 1 | 10:45AM–11:45 AM
Recruiting, Engaging & Retaining Volunteers

Facilitator: Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Coordinator (Chester and Delaware Counties)
Panelists:
Cindy Mahallow (Newtown Twp. EAC)
Kevin Warren (Elk Creeks Watershed Assn.)
David Director (Borough of Media EAC)

A key challenge for EACs is to attract and retain volunteers. This session will feature the Master Watershed Steward program as an all-volunteer program that makes a “big ask” with strong rates of attracting and retaining participants.

Don’t Leave It to The Lorax: Protecting Your Trees
Rob Daniels (Assistant Director of Community Services—Brandywine Conservancy)
Olivia Falcone (Associate Planner, Municipal Assistance Program—Brandywine Conservancy)

Trees are integral parts of municipal natural infrastructure. How can EACs support planning and protection measures to increase tree cover and ecosystem health? This session will consider tools available to municipalities—including tree ordinances, tree inventories, and woodland characterization mapping.

LUNCH | 11:45AM–12:45PM

Catered buffet lunch for registered attendees, presenters & sponsors.

Lightning Round: "Easy Wins" | 12:45PM–1:15PM

Get inspired to try something new! This half-hour session will feature short presentations on programs or events that are (relatively) easy to pull off and can provide EACs with “easy wins” that promote sustainability and build credibility.

Breakouts 2 | 1:30PM–2:30PM

Beyond Curbside Enthusiasm: Staying Positive, Waste Reduction Opportunities & Advocacy
Veronica Harris (Montgomery County Recycling Manager)
Patti Lynn (Chester County Recycling Resources Manager)

Like a properly-used recycling bin, this session will be FULL TO THE BRIM with tips and tools to strengthen waste-diversion efforts:
  • How to fight public negativity and educate residents to decrease contamination and improve outcomes.
  • Overview of “beyond the curb” recycling (bicycles, textiles, backyard composting, batteries, TREX, etc) and innovative programs (Library of Things, Repair Cafes).
  • Using DEP grants to improve local recycling programs.
  • Update on any relevant bills pending in PA Legislature and advocacy suggestions.

Legalizing Naturalized Landscapes:
Using a New Model Ordinance to Support Plants & Pollinators…Without The Pitfalls

Justin Hollinger, Esq. (Legal Director, WeConservePA)

Conventional lawn and weed ordinances create tension when it comes to a range of ecologically beneficial landscape practices, such as wildflower meadows, unconventional native plantings, and turf lawn replacement. WeConservePA’s newly released Model Naturalized Landscape Ordinance is a tool to help municipalities provide flexibility while retaining the power to prevent neglect. This session will frame the issue, introduce attendees to the model, review legal matters affecting adoption and interpretation, and consider practical issues affecting implementation and enforcement.


Ready for 100 (v. 2.0): How Local Governments Are Taking Climate Action
Jim Wylie & Bill Sabey (Sierra Club—Southeastern Pennsylvania Group)

The Ready For 100% Clean Energy campaign that inspired local governments and communities to take local action on climate starting in 2017 has regrouped in 2025 to reaffirm the goals and plans we made a few years ago and encourage additional communities to step up now. Local governments have several tools at their disposal and an assortment of resources to support their efforts. This session will address tools and resources that can support local governments in achieving renewable energy and community engagement goals.

Breakouts 3 | 2:45PM–4:00PM
Buy the Best, Zone the Rest: Conserving Land in Populated Boroughs & Denser Suburbs
Ann Hutchinson, FAICP (Senior Advisor, Planning—Natural Lands)
Kyle Rose (Director, Land Protection—Natural Lands)

Natural Lands is “refreshing” its Growing Greener standards to enhance stewardship and create zoning standards for more developed communities. This interactive session will present draft concepts to inspire creative municipal land planning & gather feedback from participants that will help inform new resources.

 

Making It Less Murky: Green Stormwater & MS4 for EACs
Beth Uhler (Center for Watershed Protection);
Jamie Anderson (Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative)
Kate Hutelmyer (Christina Watershed Municipal Partnership)

EACs can be a part of the stormwater conversation but individual members and volunteers may not feel equipped if they lack technical expertise. This session will remove perceived barriers by explaining municipal stormwater requirements (without the technical jargon) and empowering EACs to comment on plans and inform priorities. Two regional watershed partnerships will provide insight on success and strategies for implementation of projects to help municipalities meet stormwater goals.

Register

WeConservePA EAC Network Fall Gathering 2022 Haverford Township

Registration table, EAC Network Fall Gathering, Haverford Township. Photo by: Carol Grayshaw