Nine stories in the PA Environment Digest-- all new just this week-- profile the leadership demonstrated by former Governors, researchers, writers, citizen activists and a college over the last 130 years in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s Gifford Pinchot started his career in forestry after graduating from Yale University in 1889, became the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service in 1905 and had a close working relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt, who shared Pinchot’s views on the importance of conservation of natural resources.

From the Explore PA History website on Mira Lloyd Dock, the Mother Of Forestry in Pennsylvania--

From the Fish and Boat Commission profile of Ralph W. Abele, former Executive Director--

From the Explore PA History website on Rachel Carson who gave birth to the modern environmental movement--

Dick Thornburgh, who served as Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1987, passed away on December 31.  Thornburgh signed the first multi-state Chesapeake Bay Agreement with the federal government in 1983.

Robert P. Casey served as Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995 during a time when Pennsylvania’s economy was in transition from heavy industry to service and technology.

Tom Ridge served as Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001 and said during his first campaign he was the “congressman no one's ever heard of from a place no one's ever been to.”

By Sakura Ung, Joint Conservation Committee Project Manager

By Mary Jo Crowley, Fair Districts PA, PA League Of Women Voters

On December 30, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $34 million in Growing Greener Grants to help fund 149 local water quality improvement projects across Pennsylvania.

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

From March 16 to December 29, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On December 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the acquisition of the 18.45-acre BAC Inc. property in Millcreek Township, Erie County.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now accepting nominations through January 12 for their 2021 Annual Awards to recognize outstanding service, programs, and people to remind everyone of the exemplary work happening in our state parks and forests.

The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is hosting a series of Zoom webinars designed to answer all your questions about the American chestnut during the virtual PA Farm Show January 9 to 16. 

Disrupted last year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings from the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery will return in 2021 stronger than ever.

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] The new year has the potential to see a fundamental reshaping of state government by those who now run the General Assembly.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced-- 

On December 28, the Better Path Coalition delivered a letter signed by 42 organizations calling on House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) to replace Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

 By Joseph Otis Minott, Clean Air Council

By Michael Kovach, PA Farmers Union

By Richard Whiteford, Independent Journalist & Climate Change Educator

On December 28, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed announced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program received $10 million in funding as part of the fiscal year 2021 Interior Appropriations recently approved, a modest increase from $9.7 million last year.

By Lisa Caruso, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

On January 1, the Pike County Conservation District announced the availability of the 2020 Pike County Streams Environmental Quality Report.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 2 PA Bulletin of a February 3 public hearing on the Soberdash Mining Reclamation Project in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County starting at 10:00 a.m.. (PA Bulletin, page 79).

By Sabrina Haydt, DEP Water Program Specialist

Join regional and national experts, professionals and community practitioners at the January 13 Three Rivers Urban Soils Symposium for an exploration of urban soils and their relation to urban agriculture, stormwater management, and community health.

The Northeast Cover Crops Council is now accepting registrations for its 2021 Northeast Cover Crops Virtual Conference on March 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The PA Horticultural Society will host online Tree Tenders Training for January 20 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and January 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

By Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program

Wildlife For Everyone is accepting applications for Wildlife Scholarships to support students with a career interest in a natural-resource related field such as wildlife resources, conservation, forest ecosystem management, environmental science, fisheries and wildlife biology until January 15.

The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting entries in its annual Photo Contest which aims to develop an appreciation of fishing, boating and aquatic resources in Pennsylvania.  The deadline for entries is August 31.

The Winter issue of the PLAY-- PA League Of Angling Youth-- Newsletter from the Fish and Boat Commission helps students learn about vernal pools.

The Western PA Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates for these summer internship opportunities--

On December 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a virtual hearing January 13 on the Chapter 102 and 105 Erosion and Sedimentation and Waterways Management permit applications for Phase I of the PennEast Pipeline Project from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.. (PA Bulletin, page 7107)

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 2 PA Bulletin the following electric distribution utilities have submitted Phase IV Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program Plans--

The Western PA Conservancy's Fallingwater and the Miami University of Ohio are hosting a free Global Mini-Symposium on New Conceptions - Sustainable Organic Architecture on January 16 starting at 1:00 p.m.

On December 28, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has approved Tri-County Landfill Inc.’s application to reissue a permit to operate a municipal waste landfill in Liberty and Pine townships, Mercer County.

The January 1 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring--

The PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society has issued a call for its virtual February 11-12 Spring Technical Meeting.  Proposals are now due January 8.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 83 page PA Environment Digest.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com. 

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