While we can't get together to celebrate the earth on this Earth Day, there are still many ways in which we can celebrate and take action for the planet. That's why for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we've compiled a list of 50 activities, actions, challenges, and tips that will help you to celebrate and take care of the earth today and every day. Go zero waste! Cut read more
22
April
16
December
NFWF Announces Nearly $1 Million in Stewardship Grants in Pennsylvania
On December 10, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced more than $1.5 million in Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program grants to restore forest and freshwater habitat in central Appalachia, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The grants will generate more than $1.8 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more read more
13
November
Natural Lands Partners with Tyler Arboretum to Save Ecosystem
On a sunny autumn afternoon in late October, more than a dozen volunteers from non-profits Natural Lands and Tyler Arboretum joined forces to collect native plant seeds at Willisbrook Preserve, owned and managed by Natural Lands. The seeds will be propagated at Tyler Arboretum, and then planted at both Tyler’s Pink Hill and Natural Lands’ Willisbrook Preserve as part of a joint read more
10
June
Chester County Return on Environment Report Released
Protected open spaces provide substantial economic, environmental, and health benefits to surrounding communities, but these benefits are often overlooked or undervalued in policy debates and investment decisions. A better understanding of these benefits can demonstrate how protected open space contributes to economic development and fiscal stability and can reverse the common read more
13
May
New Laurel Highlands Study Documents $3.7 Billion in Annual Ecosystem Service Benefits
The steering committee of the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape will host public meetings on May 14, 15, and 16 to present the results of the Value of Clean Water study examining the costs and benefits of land use choices in the Laurel Highlands Region. The study estimates the value of ecosystem services in the region, including nutrient and water regulation, water read more
6
March
New South Mountain Research Corps to Connect Students and Landowners
The South Mountain Partnership, the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are launching new South Mountain Research Corps initiative that supports student research on land management projects within the South Mountain Landscape in portions of Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, and York read more
19
February
2nd Edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship Published
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has finalized the 2nd edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship and posted it at ConservationTools.org. The first edition was developed to help organizations secure long-term access to land for remediating the effects of abandoned mine drainage. For the second edition, the model’s provisions have been modified to read more
16
October
Brandywine Conservancy and Stroud Water Research Center Plant 1,000 Trees
The Brandywine Conservancy and Stroud Water Research Center joined forces for a joint tree planting on October 13, 2017, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of both organizations. Together, staff and dozens of volunteers planted 1,000 trees on farmland in Coatesville along Buck Run, a tributary of Brandywine Creek. Known locally as Buck and Doe Run Valley Farms, Inc., the read more
28
June
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Unveils Pittsburgh Garden
Daylilies, purple coneflower, sea green juniper, and Eastern redbud trees now provide greenery, beauty, and bursts of natural color along Ohio River Boulevard (Route 65) in Pittsburgh, thanks to the generous support from private donors, the Garden Club of Allegheny County (GCAC), and Rivers Casino. On June 27, community residents Nelson and Carol Craige, GCAC Grants read more
6
June
Hollow Oak Land Trust Plants 150 Trees at Montour Woods
With support from a Five Star Urban Waters grant from FedEx and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this spring Hollow Oak Land Trust teamed up with Tree Pittsburgh to plant 150 trees near the Nike missile site at Montour Woods Conservation Area. Hollow Oak members and corporate volunteers from FedEx Ground and Crown Castle cut back invasive species, such as bittersweet read more
2
November
Nature Abounds Acquires Natural Biodiversity Program
Nature Abounds, a national environmental nonprofit, recently acquired Natural Biodiversity, a regional program focused on habitats and landscaping in the Kiski-Conemaugh watershed. The program was previously managed by the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy. Natural Biodiversity is the newest program under the Nature Abounds umbrella, which also includes signature programs like read more
11
August
Newly-Released Environmental Education and Community Stewardship Report
A 2016 report created by Environment Leadership Strategies offers a synthesis of the foremost thinking on how environmental education can lead to conservation objectives through community stewardship. The report was designed to advise the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on their conservation education grant making, but is written as a comprehensive piece to be studied by read more
21
July
Pennsylvania Ranch Named Regional Environmental Stewardship Winner
Huntingdon Farm, located in Alexandria, PA, has been honored with one of six regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The six regional winners were announced during the Cattle Industry Summer Business meeting on July 14, 2016, and they will compete for the national award at the Annual Cattle Industry Convention in February 2017. ESAP is sponsored by read more
19
July
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Releases New Video Featuring Actor/Activist Mark Ruffalo
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is pleased to announce the launch of a new video, “Clean Water Starts With You.” Actor, activist, and founder of Water Defense Mark Ruffalo is featured in the video. As a local resident of the Upper Delaware River region and passionate activist for clean water, Mark is an ambassador for the “Clear Choices Clean Water: My Delaware read more
8
July
Lacawac Sanctuary & Field Station Requests Assistance with Baseline Data Collection
Lacawac Sanctuary and Field Station is undertaking a project to compile baseline data for Pennsylvania's freshwater lakes, rivers and streams into a central database. This project is designed to aid in climate change research, as well as future projects and efforts focused on the health of Pennsylvanian freshwater. Organizations who may be able to assist are asked to read read more
