Conference Resources

Recordings:

Saturday Morning (There is a break in the program from 1:20:20 – 1:24:18, please fast forward through that section)
Saturday Afternoon (Unfortunately, the 2nd half of the program, including the session on EAC Communications BP’s failed to record)
Sunday Afternoon (There is a break in the program from 1:36:20 – 1:44:15, please fast forward through that section)

Presentations:

Saturday Morning (including EAC Funding Panel and EAC Best Practices Panel presentations)
Saturday Afternoon (including Climate Action Planning and EAC Communications Best Practices presentations)
Sunday Afternoon (including Sustainable PA, Planning & Smart Growth and Stormwater Management presentations)

Handouts:

The EAC Network Conference is the training and networking event for those already engaged in or interested in establishing an Environmental Advisory Council in their municipality, as well as municipal officials and staff. This year’s conference was held online May 2-3.

What is an EAC?

An Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is a group of 3-7 people, appointed by a municipality’s elected officials, that advises the elected officials, as well as the planning commission and park and recreation board, on the protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of natural resources within the municipality. Pennsylvania’s EAC Network is administered by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. Visit EACnetwork.org for more information.

AGENDA:

Saturday Morning:

8:00 – 8:45 | Networking Breakout Rooms
8:45 – 9:30 | EAC Introductions & Sharing Exercise
9:30 – 10:15 | DCNR/DEP Regional Staff Q&A
10:30 – Noon | EAC Best Practices Panel

Jess Cadorette, Conservation Voters of PA
Peter Puglionesi, Haverford EAC
Lynn Rothman, Bethlehem City EAC
Wendy Ankrom, Cheltenham EAC

Saturday Afternoon:

12:30 – 1:45 | Climate Change/Action Planning

As the need for climate action increasingly becomes more apparent, more communities are looking to climate action planning to reduce their footprint and improve their sustainability. Climate action planning can be daunting, however, as many are unsure how to approach the process. Through the Climate Action Planning Roundtable we will discuss the steps of climate action planning, what is included, and how EACs can play a role in their own community’s climate action. We will also hear about Pennsylvania’s current Climate Action Plan and their municipal outreach program to further assist communities. Session led by Heidi Kunka, Energy Program Specialist with Pennsylvania DEP and Brian Hillard, Co-Chair, Sierra Club Lehigh Valley.

2:00 – 3:00 | Building and Strengthening EACs: Communications

Jess Cadorette, a communications professional and field director for Conservation Voters of PA, and Lynn Rothman, Chair of the Bethlehem EAC, will lead a discussion on best communications practices for existing or new EACs. We’ll talk about public-facing communications strategies to get people involved and educated, as well as internal communication strategies, to help your EAC run effectively and efficiently. Join our breakout session to share your communications strategies and learn about tactics that may work well for your EAC in order to draft a communications plan!

Sunday Afternoon:

12:30 – 1:00 | Sustainable PA Program

Jim Price, Sustainable Pittsburgh

1:00 – 2:15 | Planning & Smart Growth

Join Ann Hutchinson, Senior Director of Municipal Planning with Natural Lands to discuss EAC opportunities for conservation in local plans and codes. How can EAC members: 1) influence local Comprehensive and open space plans, 2) ensure that zoning codes include conservation standards, 3) assist with reviews of development applications. Discussion will focus on both the municipal process and opportunities for EAC members to contribute their expertise.

2:30 – 3:30 | Stormwater Management

Intro to Stormwater Management: This session will cover the basics of stormwater management, including a history on stormwater management requirements and how it’s evolved in recent decades. The session will cover the use of BMPs for mitigation of post-development changes in rate control, volume management and water quality aspects of new stormwater runoff conditions created by land use changes. Eric Konzelmann, Assistant Manager for the Montgomery County Conservation District is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ). Eric has over 20 years of stormwater experience in engineering plan review/design and BMP installation/inspection.

QUESTIONS?

Please reach out to Carol Grayshaw, Education Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association at cgrayshaw@conserveland.org if you have any questions regarding the conference or registration.

Thanks to the 2020 EAC Conference Planning Committee!

Brian Hillard, Co-Chair, Sierra Club Lehigh Valley
Susan Myerov, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Jeanne Ortiz, Audubon Pennsylvania
Jim Price, Sustainable Pittsburgh
Brittany Grala, Upper Merion Township EAC
Jess Cadorette, Conservation Voters of PA
Mitchell Burack, Burack Environmental Law
Drew Shaw, Montgomery County Planning Commission