An enormous boost in solar energy production is one of the actions needed to help stop the dramatic rise of carbon in the atmosphere and better ensure civilization's long-term prospects. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) recently created and published a new ConservationTools.org guide to explore issues that conservationists may want to consider in order to both read more
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December
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November
DCNR Invests $14.3 Million to Protect 10,000 Acres
On November 19, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced the investment of $14.3 million in 41 land acquisition projects that will protect 10,051 acres of open space and natural areas through the Community Conservation Partnership Grants Program. The investments were funded by a combination of state and federal sources, including the read more
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November
Emily Best Joins PALTA as Director of Advocacy
Emily Best joined PALTA in November 2019 as director of advocacy. In this role, she will help carry out PALTA’s public policy agenda, from researching issues to advocating for conservation in the halls of the Capitol. She will also play a key role supporting the Growing Green Coalition (of which PALTA is the managing partner). Prior to joining PALTA, Emily worked on the read more
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November
DCNR Announces Grant for New Park in Philadelphia
On November 19, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the Wolf Administration’s investment of $1 million toward the acquisition of about five acres in Philadelphia for a new public park. “This funding helps the department support the acquisition of land for expansion of community parks, critical wildlife habitat, and for read more
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November
Brandywine Conservancy Receives $80,000 Grant
The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art is thrilled to announce that it has received an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to conduct outreach and technical assistance within the Brandywine Creek Greenway; and coordinate and fund the 2020 Brandywine Creek Greenway (BCG) mini-grant program. As part of this grant, read more
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November
Gov. Wolf Signs Keystone Tree Fund Bill
On November 15, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 374, which creates the Pennsylvania Keystone Tree Fund and allows citizens to make a voluntary $3 contribution by checking a box on the PennDOT driver’s license application and renewal form. The contributions will be used to fund programs within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that use trees to read more
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November
ClearWater Conservancy Preserves Smith Trust Property
ClearWater Conservancy has finalized the sale of the 18.7 acre Smith Trust property in Halfmoon Township to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). The property near Marengo Road and along Halfmoon Creek was acquired by ClearWater in January 2017 from the Smith Trust with the intention that the property would become part of the Scotia Barrens (State Game Lands 176). This read more
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November
The Continuing Folly of the Pennsylvania State Budget
PALTA intern Rhiannon Loza created this cartoon about cuts made to the Environmental Stewardship Fund in June. read more
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November
PALTA Refreshes Guide and Updates Model
In October, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association refreshed one ConservationTools.org guide and its Model Release of Liability Form. Refreshed Guide: Release of Liability Form: A Tool to Reduce the Risk of Claims for Personal Injury or Property Loss Accidents happen and, when they do, claims for personal injury or property damage sometimes follow. Defending lawsuits is read more
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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
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November
WPC Acquires Easement on 309 Acres in Venango County
More forestland along the Allegheny River in President Township, Venango County is now permanently protected, thanks to a donation of a conservation easement on 309 acres to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The private property has fields and is mostly forested with a mix of white pine, black cherry, and red maple, and is bordered to the south by the Allegheny River—a read more
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November
Willistown Conservation Trust Protects Harris Property
The map of permanently conserved land in the Willistown area just got a little greener, thanks to Lawrie Harris. Harris donated a legacy conservation easement to the Willistown Conservation Trust on November 11, protecting her 12.7 acres on Twinbrook Road from development forever. Located on Twinbrook Road in Easttown Township, in what is known as the Leopard Tract, the gently read more
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November
Wildlands Conservancy Opens Newest Section of Jordan Creek Greenway
In November, together with partners, Wildlands Conservancy celebrated the official opening of the newest section of the Jordan Creek Greenway in South Whitehall Township. This section features two beautiful boardwalks, views of Jordan Creek, preserved open space, and the township’s historic covered bridge. The greenway has been underway since 2011. Once completed, it will read more
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November
WPC Protects 265 Acres; Transfers to State Forest
On November 6, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the protection of 265 acres of forests and steep mountain ridgeline in Haines Township, Centre County. The property was immediately transferred to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry to become an addition to the 193,000-acre Bald Eagle State Forest. Located read more
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November
WPC Adds 390 Acres to Conservation Area
On November 4 the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 390 acres in Erie County that have been added to the Conservancy’s West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, expanding the natural area to nearly 1,000 acres. These newly protected acres are located within the 1,250-square mile French Creek watershed on two properties in Venango read more
