The Department of Environmental Protection’s 2020 Small Business Advantage Grant is now accepting applications. This grant provides Pennsylvania small businesses the opportunity to acquire energy efficient or pollution prevention technologies with a 50% reimbursement matching grant for equipment or materials. Pennsylvania businesses with fewer than 100 full-time equivalent read more
Items of Interest
27
July
27
July
Nominate a Great Public Place or Great Neighborhood in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA PA) will be recognizing “Great Public Spaces” and “Great Neighborhoods” in 2020. Overall, Great Places are unique, memorable places that display a wealth of best practices in community planning, serve as a community focal point, and strengthen the local economy. Everyone should be proud of the “great” planning read more
23
July
Congress Passes Historic Great American Outdoors Act
The United States House of Representatives made history today by passing the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Act passed with bipartisan support and will be sent to the President’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law. The following statement can be attributed to Tom Cors, director of read more
23
July
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Pennsylvania Release Draft Plan to Conserve Bats on State Lands
As bats in Pennsylvania continue to recover from the deadly disease white-nose syndrome and other threats, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) are working together to conserve federally protected Indiana and northern long-eared bats on nearly 4 million acres of read more
20
July
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Hosts Virtual Fundraising Auction July 30th through August 13th
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy announces a virtual fundraising auction to support land and water conservation in the Upper Delaware River region. The auction will be open for bidding for two weeks, from 12pm on Thursday, July 30th until 12pm on Thursday, August 13th, and is hosted at www.biddingowl.com/DHConservancy. The auction features two dozen items, from exciting read more
25
June
DCNR Bureau of Forestry Strategic Plan
The Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry is in the process of writing a new Strategic Plan that will set the Bureau’s mission and overarching goals. It guides how the Bureau provides leadership in forest management and conservation on both public and private lands in urban and rural areas. The survey is intended to obtain input pertaining to the new Bureau of Forestry read more
12
June
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program
The window to apply for Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants opens for a month on July 15. Projects must be consistent with a line item in the state capital budget. Grants are expected to be awarded prior to the election. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the read more
12
June
Hawk Mountain Welcomes Visitors as Trails Reopened on June 5
As Berks County moved into the yellow phase of the governor’s Pennsylvania Reopening Plan, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has reopened trails with new safety protocols in place. June 5 marked the official opening of all trails, while the Visitor Center remains closed. To ensure the health and well-being of visitors and employees, modified safety measures are currently in place. “The read more
12
June
PFBC Seeks Applicants for Education Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is excited to announce that applications are being accepted for a new educational grant program. Recipients of grants through this program would support the development and delivery of education programs that contribute to the PFBC’s efforts to increase the number of anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania. Recruiting new read more
9
June
Applications Open for Women and Their Woods Virtual Educational Retreat, Fall 2020
Forest landowners and aspiring landowners from across the mid-Atlantic region are invited to attend a virtual educational retreat to learn more about managing their forestland and connecting with other forest landowners. As guidance continues to unfold regarding the gathering of groups in the Fall of 2020, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and their partners are poised to read more
28
May
DCNR Accepting Final Comments on PA’s Outdoor Recreation Plan
DCNR has finalized Pennsylvania’s next outdoor recreation plan -- the blueprint for delivering outdoor recreation services for the next five years. Over the past year, public input has been collected and analyzed relating to the five priority themes for the plan: Health and wellness Recreation for all Sustainable systems Technology Funding and economic read more
27
May
Support Hawk Mountain during the 2020 Benefit for the Birds
Hawk Mountain's annual fundraiser, the Benefit for the Birds Gala has been transformed into a month-long, online-only silent auction with a live-streamed event. The annual gala, which had to be cancelled, is the Sanctuary's largest and only fundraiser, garnering critical general operating support for Hawk Mountain science, education, stewardship, and other conservation read more
21
May
Lancaster Conservancy Renewing their Land Trust Accreditation
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Lancaster Conservancy is currently in the process of renewing their accreditation, which includes a public comment period. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites our community to read more
20
May
DCNR Announces Plans to Reopen More State Park, Forest Facilities
On May 19, 2020, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of more state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s direction to ensure Pennsylvanians have opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation and help maintain positive physical and mental health. “With appropriate read more
15
May
Brandywine Conservancy to Present Town Hall Webinar to Discuss Progress and Solicit Feedback on Birmingham Hill Master Plan
The Brandywine Conservancy will host a virtual public Town Hall webinar to present work-in-progress on its Birmingham Hill Preserve Master Plan on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Birmingham Township and Brandywine Battlefield Park, the Conservancy will present an overview of the vision and preliminary ideas for the historic Birmingham Hill read more
