Clearwater update - State of the Water

Submitted by ClearwaterConservacy on November 16, 2008 - 7:14pm

2007 State of the Water Resources in the Spring Creek Watershed

The 2007 State of the Water Resources in the Spring Creek Watershed Report is complete. This year’s theme focused on the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and the Spring Creek Watershed’s contribution to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary on the east coast and is also the most polluted. The Water Resources Monitoring Project of the Spring Creek Watershed Community continues to provide vital data to help better manage our watershed, which will also ultimately help restore the Chesapeake Bay. Please visit http://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/CWC%20files/2007_WRMP_Annual_Report_10082008.pdf to view the report online or call Nicole at the ClearWater office at 237-0400 to reserve a printed copy to pick up.

ClearWater Conservancy Annual Meeting

Tickets are $25 each. Please RSVP by Friday, November 7 to Sarah at sarah@clearwaterconservancy.org or 237-0400. That’s a week from today!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

6 - 9 pm
State College Elks Country Club

Cocktail Buffet at 6 pm including:

Program starts at 7 pm including:

Election of Board of Directors

Special Recognitions:

Silent Auction to benefit natural resource conservation

<<postcard 2007.pdf>>

Candidates’ Forum for Regional Environmental Issues – CNET broadcast schedule

C-NET schedule for the Candidates’ Forum for Regional Environmental Issues for Candidates for the 76th, 77th & 171st State House Districts (original meeting on October 23, 2008)

Sunday, November 2 - 12:00 p.m.

The Environmental Forum for State House Candidates is now also streaming on the http://www.centreconnect.org website. Visitors to the website may watch the forum on-demand at their convenience.

Adventures in Conservation: Come for the Blue, Stay for the Green! (Indiana Weekend)

Erbtown and Erb Gap Hike

November 16, 2008 (Sunday)

1 - 3 pm
Erb Gap

This walk will take us to Erb Gap, the gap in Tussey Mountain just west of Pine Grove Mills. Historian Bob Hazelton will lead us on a walk back in time to a place history almost forgot. Erbtown is now reduced to one standing building, but traces remain of a once thriving village. The hiking is not strenuous, but it is definitely not flat land either.

Limit of 25 participants. Reserve a space on this unique tour by calling Sarah at 237-0400.

Note change to parking location: Everyone is being asked to meet at the Ferguson Township Elementary School at 12:45 to carpool to the site.

Co-sponsored by the Centre County Historical Society.

Adventures in Conservation: Come for the Blue, Stay for the Green! (Michigan State Weekend)

Make Your Own Rain Barrel

November 23, 2008 (Sunday)

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL

1 - 3 pm
Alpha Fire Station behind the ClearWater office

Let us educate you about water conservation and lead you through the construction of a rain barrel for your garden. Participants will take home a rain barrel, so bring a vehicle suitable for hauling. Registration is $15 to cover materials. The workshop is limited to 20 people.

Please call Sarah at 237-0400 to register.

Co-sponsored by the MS4 Partners (State College Borough, College Township, Harris Township, Ferguson Township, Patton Township, Penn State University, and the State College Borough Water Authority), the Penn State Master Gardeners of Centre County, and the Centre County Conservation District.

Alternative Christmas Fair

It’s hard to believe, but thoughts of Christmas and the holiday season are already upon us and this year University Baptist and Brethren Church is celebrating 25 years of hosting the Alternative Christmas Fair. ClearWater Conservancy will again be participating in the Fair which will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the basement of the church located at 411 S. Burrowes St., State College, PA. The Alternative Christmas Fair provides holiday shoppers with an alternate means of giving by supporting any of 20 local, national or international charities in honor of family and friends. Donations are made to charities of choice in the form of a gift to friends or family members and attractive gift cards are provided. It’s a convenient way to give a thoughtful gift to those hard-to-shop-for people on your holiday list or simply a way to make holiday giving more meaningful. A homemade soup/BBQ luncheon is available during the Fair and baked goods may be purchased as well. There is a Children's Festival and Alternative Store that will run from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. Please come and support us and these other worthy organizations!

ClearWater Conservancy Red Cross Disaster Relief

Raffle for a Jennifer Kane original oil painting!

Jennifer Kane has generously offered to paint a scene from the Fisher Farm for ClearWater Conservancy to raffle in support of upcoming Land Conservation Program projects. Jennifer began this original oil painting (the second in a series on ClearWater’s conserved lands) at the Fisher Farm conservation easement celebration on July 27, like she did last year with her Musser Gap painting, to infuse her work with the energy of those gathered in support of its protection.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $10 each. Please call Sarah at 237-0400 or email her at sarah@clearwaterconservancy.org to order tickets. The winner will be drawn at ClearWater’s For the Love of Art & Chocolate event on January 23, 2009.

Limited edition prints of last year's painting of Musser Gap are also now available for purchase from Jennifer Kane. Please contact her directly at (814) 466-6334 or jen@jenniferkaneart.com.

10^th Annual For the Love of Art & Chocolate

Mark your calendars now for ClearWater’s classic benefit to support natural resource conservation. The flavor-filled event includes a vast array of chocolates and desserts as well as a silent auction of nature-inspired artwork. Guests can taste all of the chocolate they please while they enjoy and bid on the talented artists’ work.

For the Love of Art & Chocolate will be held at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on Friday, January 23, 2009. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased at 237-0400 or sarah@clearwaterconservancy.org. Raffle tickets may also be purchased for $10 each for a 10’ x 5’ Persian Rug donated by Desert Rug Company or a commissioned oil painting of the Fisher Farm donated by artist Jennifer Kane. The drawing for both of these special items will take place at the event on January 23.

Everyone in the community is welcome to attend, enjoy, and support ClearWater Conservancy! Corporate sponsorships are also now available. If interested in this promotion opportunity for your business, contact Jennifer at 237-0400 or jennifer@clearwaterconservancy.org.

News from other community partners…

From the Bald Eagle Watershed Association...

The Bald Eagle Watershed Association presents

The Wallace Run Assessment

Wednesday, November 12 at 7 p.m.

Milesburg Community Center

Come to hear about the assessment and recommendations for protection of this valuable

stream. Learn about past, current, and proposed restoration efforts. The assessment was

conducted by Ed Perry with support from the Centre County Conservation District.

Funding was provided by the ColdWater Heritage Partnership.

For more information call 355-6817.

From Millbrook Marsh Nature Center...

Scout Skill Workshops

at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Available for November 2008

Schedule Now!

For the month of November, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center has a qualified facilitator to offer these Skill Workshops for Scout Troops. Schedule for an evening to replace your weekly troop meeting or plan for a weekend. Two workshops can be scheduled together on a weekend, if desired. All sessions are offered outside at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, please dress for the weather! Workshops are $5 per participant, with no charge for chaperoning adults.

Workshops are designed based on Boy Scout requirements but may be suitable also for Girl Scouts. The facilitator for these programs is Brad Parola, a local Assistant Scoutmaster, Eagle Scout, and Wood Badge Course graduate. Brad has been involved in Scouts since childhood and has a B.S. degree in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management from PSU.

To schedule a Skill Workshop, please contact Molly Hetrick at Centre Region Parks & Recreation at 231-3071 or mhetrick@crcog.net

WORKSHOPS:

Light-Weight Backpacking (1.5 hours)

Trekking though the wilderness with everything on your back can be an amazing experience. Learn how to get the most in and out of your backpack so you can make the most of those experiences. We will be exploring equipment options, clothing to pack, trip planning, and more.

Leave No Trace (1.5 hours)

Learn how to become a steward of our environment with the seven principles of the Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. We will primarily cover hiking and camping, but the program can be adapted to nearly every other activity in the outdoors.

Navigation Skills - Map & Compass (1.5 hours)

Orienteering is a valuable and necessary skill for any scout or outdoorsman. We will cover orienting maps, following a compass bearing, pacing, planning and traveling routes, and different techniques used in the field.

From PA Department of Environmental Protection...

Clean Water Referendum: Creating Jobs. Improving Infrastructure.

On Election Day, your ballot will have a complex question that’s really quite simple: will you support a $400 million investment to clean up Pennsylvania’s waterways and provide safer, more dependable drinking water and sewer services?

The systems that deliver these services are aging and need repairs. With $400 million, we can invest in our economy by supporting 12,000 Pennsylvania jobs that will help rebuild our infrastructure.

Your family and community would benefit from the Clean Water Referendum.

Every day more than 10 million Pennsylvanians depend upon a supply of clean and safe drinking water from public systems, but many of our drinking water and wastewater plants and miles of water and sewer pipes are nearing the end of their useful lives. The Clean Water Referendum asks voters to approve borrowing $400 million for repairs and upgrades to our water infrastructure. This money will be available to municipal water systems statewide, large or small, urban and rural.

The need is clear.

The state’s water systems are also facing new federal mandates and declining subsidies, leaking and deteriorated collection systems, deferred rehabilitation and replacement work and a shortage of treatment capacity. This combination of factors have set the stage for a ‘perfect storm’ of costly repairs and system failures that will jeopardize public health and safety and limit economic development in the commonwealth. The longer we wait to begin these critical repairs, the higher the costs will go.

Pennsylvania's future depends on a safe and reliable supply of water. If the state's water infrastructure is allowed to deteriorate, so too will Pennsylvania’s business climate and property values. And most importantly, the health and safety of Pennsylvania's families could be threatened by inadequately treated drinking and wastewater if a substantial investment in these systems is not made soon.

A down payment on PA’s future

Although the $400 million available through Clean Water Referendum is an important investment in our economic future, it represents a down payment to fix Pennsylvania’s aging infrastructure. The staggering price tag for these unmet needs has been estimated at $36.5 billion. This total does not take into account the additional millions of dollars that are needed in ongoing operation and maintenance costs.

Governor Rendell and the General Assembly have laid the groundwork for an historic effort to rebuild this vital infrastructure by targeting new resources to repair and upgrade the state's drinking water and wastewater systems, flood control projects and high-hazard dams.

In addition, the Governor convened a 30-member Pennsylvania Sustainable Infrastructure Task Force, which conducted a series of meetings around the state this spring to gather recommendations from the public about ways to promote the long-term sustainability of the state's water infrastructure. This group of business leaders, legislators, government officials and industry experts found that every county in the commonwealth is facing significant water infrastructure needs.

An opportunity for cleaner water, new jobs, stronger economy

On November 4, you will have the chance to vote for cleaner and safer drinking water. Making these investments today is critical if Pennsylvania is going to continue growing its economy, creating jobs, and providing for the safety, health and welfare of its citizens.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.

From the League of Women Voters of Centre County...

The League of Women Voters of Centre County will be hosting a program,

“History of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, Lessons and Legislation”

Speakers: Kerry Moyer, Pennsylvania Economy League

Tim Potts, Democracy Rising

Date: November 13, 2008

Time: 7:00 P.M.

Location: State College Borough Council Chambers, 243 S. Allen St.

Due to interest by some citizen groups and legislators calling for reform utilizing a

Constitutional Convention, the public is invited to attend this program.

An overview of the issue, information to help understand the process and legislation that has been introduced will be discussed by the speakers. A question and answer opportunity will follow the presentation.

For more information contact: Dannaker13@aol.com

From the Arboretum at Penn State...

Please join us to discuss ideas for involving volunteers in the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens!

In 2009, Phase I of arboretum development will be completed on Park Avenue along the

northern edge of the University Park campus. (Read about Phase I and see a Webcam view of the

garden construction site at www.arboretum.psu.edu.)

• Included in Phase I will be a rose and fragrance garden, an oasis garden (with

lotus pool in its center), a terrace garden with a tropical theme, an overlook

pavilion, an event lawn, a water feature, initial plantings in the demonstration

gardens, and thematic tree collections.

• By April 2009, the Arboretum will be hiring a horticulturist who will manage the

gardens and coordinate volunteer activities.

A meeting to begin gathering suggestions for the Arboretum’s garden volunteer program is being

held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Place: 107 Forest Resources Building*

University Park Campus

If you can join us, please notify Kate Reeder at kkr1@psu.edu/865-9118 by Wednesday,

November 5, 2008. We hope to see you on November eleventh!

Sincerely,

Kim C. Steiner, Director

The Arboretum at Penn State and

Professor of Forest Biology

*Parking is available next to the Forest Resources Building in the East Parking Deck. You will

need to take a ticket upon entering the parking deck. The parking fee is $1.00/hour. You can

view a campus map at http://www.campusmaps.psu.edu/print/pdf/extended_color.jpg.

From DCNR...

DCNR strategic plan focus of statewide public meetings
Nov. 5, 2008. A series of six regional meetings are being held to seek public input on how DCNR is carrying out the goals and actions contained in its strategic plan, Shaping a Sustainable Pennsylvania – DCNR’s Blueprint for Action, and what the agency’s priorities should be for the future. Five meetings have already been held; there is one remaining:

· Nov. 5, Bald Eagle State Park Environmental Education Center, Howard Borough, Centre County

From Centre Region Parks & Recreation...

Centre Region Parks & Recreation presents

The Historic Harvest Festival

November 2, 2008

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

614 Puddintown Road, College Township

Old Fashioned Displays & Demonstrations, Homemade Goods, Corn Husk Dolls, Nature Walks,

Live Music by The Tussey Mountain Moonshiners and Murphy’s Junction,

Kids Crafts and Games, Square Dancing, Food, and much more …

Free Admission

For more information contact

at 814-231-3071 or visit www.crpr.org

This event is being planned and implemented by Penn State Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management 356 students in collaboration with the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

The Historic Harvest Festival, held Sunday, Nov 2 from 2-5 pm, is in need of volunteers!

Volunteers will help with:

>Kids Games

>Kids crafts & activities

>Face Painting

>Monitoring the petting area

>Food prep & assistance

>Parking Area

>Set up & Tear Down

And more!

The Historic Harvest Festival, now in its fifth year, is a great community event with a historic fall theme! Event activities include historic displays and demonstrations, two bluegrass bands, square dancing, alpacas and giant rabbits for petting, kids crafts and games, food, nature walks, a scavenger hunt, and more!

If you are interested or available to help that day, please contact Molly Hetrick, MMNC Recreation Supervisor at mhetrick@crcog.net or 231-3071 or the event coordinator for volunteers – PSU RPTM student Julie Dolak jdolak2@gmail.com

Volunteers will be asked to arrive around 1 pm on Sunday, and if possible, to attend a quick “Orientation” session on Saturday Nov 1 at 10 am at the nature center.

THANK YOU!

Molly

From the Centre County Historical Society and the Centre County Genealogical Society...

Centre County and the Civilian Conservation Corps Camps

Please join the Centre County Historical Society and the Centre County Genealogical Society for a special presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps in Centre County by Beth A. Rider, Environmental Planner, Centre County Planning & Community Development Office.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had one of the largest roles in rebuilding and repairing the state’s forests during the depression. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the CCC in 1933, the intent was to employ strong young men to rebuild the nation’s forests, perform flood control, and work on beautification projects. However, the CCC far surpassed its defined mission, with teams of men establishing recreation areas, fire towers, tree plantations, roads, bridges, trails, dams, and flood control structures. From its inception in 1933 to its dissolution, the CCC’s contribution to forest conservation and history within the Lumber Heritage Region remains visible today.

From PA Native Plant Society...

PNPS Annual Meeting Saturday, November 1st at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

Beginning at 12:00: An extensive Book Sale from the collection of Bob Gruver. These are the books that he elected to keep the last time he had a sale, so you will find even more interesting books this time, some of which may be difficult to find or rare.

1:00 The meeting will open with a few announcements.

1:30 A talk by Botanist of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Steve Grund, entitled “To Boldly Botanize: Thomas Nuttall’s explorations in early nineteenth-century North America ”

Just a few years after he arrived in America from England, a young Thomas Nuttall was hired to go west on his own to supplement the botanical collections made during the recent Lewis and Clark Expedition. Come hear about the amazing exploits of arguably North America ’s greatest botanist. His journey begins by traveling across Pennsylvania , largely on foot, collecting and describing new species as he went. He spent a summer at Fort Mandan in North Dakota , near Lewis and Clark ’s over-wintering site, before returning east. His first book, Genera of North American Plants, was the most comprehensive flora of North America to date, and contained a great many previously undescribed species from this journey. Steve Grund studied botany at the University of Michigan and has been the Botanist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy since 1995 and the Chair of the Pennsylvania Rare Plant Forum since 1997 Prior to that he was a Research Associate at the Carnegie Museum , Section of Botany. Steve studies floristics and conservation of the plants of Pennsylvania

2:30 Ann Bodling will speak about:

Landscaping with Pennsylvania’s Native Plants: Enhancing Biodiversity in Your Own Backyard
       What if I told you that you could have a home landscape that would be more beautiful that you can imagine, attract hummingbirds, butterflies and birds (whether you ever put up a bird feeder or not), provide an attractive and unique place for your children to play and learn, cut down on your mowing, fertilizing and watering chores, reduce the need for pesticides around your home, and provide a welcome sense of peace and restfulness. Would you be interested?
        Come and join us as we discuss the how to’s of landscaping with Pennsylvania ’s native plants. We will address how to begin thinking about or actually planting with natives, choosing the right plants for specific conditions, planting with wildlife in mind, sources for purchasing natives, and more. You will be immersed in color, native plantings and new ideas as you prepare for next year’s growing season. The program will also include helpful handouts and resources to assist you in beginning or continuing your journey into native plant gardening.
        Ann Bodling has been a gardener and naturalist for most of her adult life and is pleased to share her enthusiasm about gardening with native plants. She is the president of the Lancaster County Bird Club, has a small private gardening business, Annie’s Gardens and works at Doyle Farm Native Plant Nursery in York County .

3:30 to 4:00 The book sale and silent auction will wrap up and light refreshments will be available.

At 4:00 Fall foliage splendor

Join Eric Burkhart, program director with Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center , as he leads us in search of fall foliage splendor in Stone Valley . Whether new to tree identification, or an expert, there is sure to be something to learn or appreciate. Tree identification, fall coloration patterns, and edibility of nuts, berries and other tree fruit will all be discussed.

Maggie Harlan
166 Zachary Rd., Coburn, PA 16832
814-349-5029

From Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center...

Fall Foliage Walk
Saturday, November 1
4:00 p.m. to dusk
Meet outside the main building
Free and open to the public (donations appreciated)
Call 814-863-2000 to register.

Kids Corner
A facilitated activity for preschoolers/toddlers and their parent(s)
Free, courtesy of Growing Tree Toys in downtown State College
Wednesdays, November 5, 12, 19, 26 and December 3, 10, 2008
February 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4, 11, 2009
10:00 a.m.–noon in the Discovery Room
(Note: The self-guided Kids Corner is available all week.)

From Sierra Club Moshannon Group...

The Moshannon Group is bringing Walkin’ Jim to State College—please join us for an evening that celebrates wilderness on November 1, 2008. Details are below.

We are also sponsoring Jim for four appearances in the State College Elementary Schools October 27-30, and in the Friends School on November 3. Be sure to talk to your children and friends who have children in these schools about this!

This is part of the Moshannon Group effort to heighten awareness of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness proposal for wilderness protection of 12% of the Allegheny National Forest. Nationwide our National Forests have 18% protected as wilderness, in the Eastern US that drops to 15%. In Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, the Allegheny National Forest, only 2% is protected.

FOREVER WILD: A CELEBRATION OF WILDERNESS

One of America's most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin' Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his powerful multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 780 Waupelani Extension, State College, PA (across from the YMCA) on November 1, 2008. Doors open at 7PM and the show begins at 7:30PM.

The mix of stunning photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas.

Walkin' Jim gets his name from nearly 27,000 miles he has walked through the wild country of North America. Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, his lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well. Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, Stoltz’s Forever Wild show is much more than a concert. It combines live music and poetry with stunning, multi-image slides to create a stirring celebration of the natural world. Stoltz is veteran of more than 30 years of performing. In this year’s show he will be sharing images and songs from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, his Yellowstone to Yukon walk, the Utah canyon country, the Northern Rockies, and wild places all across America.

Walkin' Jim has toured extensively throughout the U.S. for the past 22 years. In 2006 he organized a 45 state outreach tour with other musicians and authors, and worked with hundreds of community organizations to gain support for clean water, roadless lands, and wildlife. Jim has been presented with the Environmental Protection Agency's, Outstanding Achievement Award for his sharing of nature and wilderness across America. Stoltz will have copies of his recent book “Walking With the Wild Wind” to sign at the event. His songs from 9 different cds get regular airplay on National Public Radio and will also be available. Visit his website at www.walkinjim.com

Tickets for the concert will be available at Appalachian Ski & Outdoors, downtown State College for $10 advance sale. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door the night of the concert for $15.

This event is sponsored by Sierra Club Moshannon Group www.sierramsh.org and is a fundraiser for Friend’s of Allegheny Wilderness www.pawild.org

For More Information Contact: Gary Thornbloom, 814-353-3466 bearknob@verizon.net

From DCNR...

‘Elect to Conserve’ campaign will help Pa. conservation effort

DCNR is offering an election campaign with a twist this fall, inviting Pennsylvania residents to vote online from among five candidates and their favorite conservation causes.

The “Elect to Conserve” candidates are five PA iCons—people who already do things in their everyday lives to help address alarming environmental trends—who have been featured on the Web site for the iConserve Pennsylvania initiative, www.iConservePA.org.

“Elect to Conserve is a fun way to draw attention to serious conservation topics in Pennsylvania,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “When you cast your vote for your favorite candidate, you will be showing your support for the candidates’ chosen environmental cause via a conservation organization. The winning candidate’s affiliated organization will receive $5,000 to put toward a conservation project.”

The candidates, their cause and non-profit organizations are:

· Debbie Kirkpatrick, native species and habitat, Wild Resource Conservation Fund

· Montrell Wilkerson, water conservation and quality, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

· Norm Lacasse, trees and forests, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

· Carl Lorence, trails and volunteers, Keystone Trails Association

· Dana Lomma, open space and land conservation, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association

The funds for the donation are being provided by a private foundation.

The candidates have each recorded a video outlining their interest in their conservation cause. The videos can be viewed on the iConservePA Web site.

Voters will be eligible to enter a drawing for a backyard stewardship package consisting of a rain barrel and a composter, courtesy of the Spruce Creek Co., based in Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County.

The online contest runs from Oct. 1 through midnight on Nov. 4.

The iConserve Pennsylvania initiative is meant to remind everyone that as individuals, we play a critical role in the future of Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

Web site visitors can subscribe to a free monthly electronic newsletter that includes fun facts, green tips and conservation-related events and activities. Also featured are simple commitments, next steps and lifestyle change ideas that can help anyone become familiar with conservation, grow their interest, and take action.

PA iCons are featured on the Web site. Twelve “founding” iCons demonstrate some conservation practices needed to combat Pennsylvania’s core environmental challenges. More than 100 others have shared their conservation story by filling out a profile with their own tips, stories and favorite places in Pennsylvania.

From Clean Water Action and Sierra Club...

Clean Water Action and Sierra Club Score State Legislature

on Environment Votes

(Harrisburg) – Sierra Club and Clean Water Action released today a “Pennsylvania General Assembly Environmental Scorecard” which rates state legislators on their voting record on environmental issues in 2007 and 2008.

The Scorecard covers a range of environmental issues tackled by both the State House and State Senate over the past legislative session. Votes on the Scorecard include ones on air quality, energy, climate change, open space, transportation, and environmental funding.

The Scorecard is available for download at either www.cleanwateraction.org/pa or at www.pennsylvania.sierraclub.org/pa_environmental_scorecard.pdf

From WPSU...

WPSU hosted a public conversation to address the state of the Chesapeake Bay, relating to the local and individual level, as part of its Common Ground Lobby Talk series.

Patty Satalia moderated the panel discussion, which addressed the science behind the problems causing a decline in water quality, loss of wetlands, forests and shallow water habitats vital to wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay. Expert panelists included: Kristen Saacke-Blunk, director of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center; Denice Heller Wardrop, assistant director of the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center; Matt Ehrhart, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania; and Rick Batiuk, associate director of science at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program office.

This public discussion will be broadcast on WPSU-TV Channel 3 at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. It will also be streamed live at wpsu.org/lobbytalks.

For more information please visit the Common Ground Lobby Talks site or call or email Whitney Chirdon at 814-863-6634 or whitney@psu.edu.

From the Sierra Club Moshannon Group...

Save the Date!

Our next special presentation, “Residential Green Building,” featuring Dr. David Sheridan, will be on Monday, November 17 at 7pm at the Schlow Public Library Community Room in State College.

Green building practices are moving into the mainstream in the commercial and institutional building sector, where improvements in energy efficiency of 30 percent, compared to energy code, are becoming common. Adoption of green building practices in residential construction seem to be lagging, in spite of steep increases in the cost of energy. Dave will offer his views on how a homeowner or home builder might make a business case for building green, and the resources available to guide owners and builders in achieving high performance homes.

DAVID L. SHERIDAN is the Executive Director of the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania, and PC, dba Aqua Cura, an environmental engineering consulting firm offering services for sustainable site design and water resource management. He recently served as principal for Sustainable Community Development Co., Inc. dedicated to developing green residential and small commercial buildings in Pennsylvania’s small towns. A Penn State Alumni with a M. S. Environmental Pollution Control (1974) and Ph. D. in Environmental Engineering (1978), David is also an adjunct professor at Dickinson College, and an instructor for civil engineering professional examination preparation courses and LEED™ training courses. He recently served as Chair of the LEED™ Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group for the U.S. Green Building Council. David was made a John Muir Society member of the Sierra Club and lives in Carlisle, PA.

For more information, visit our website at http://pennsylvania.sierraclub.org/moshannon/

Or contact Laura Piraino at Laura.Piraino@sierraclub.org

From Appalachian Outdoors...

FREE UNIVERSITY SERIES FOR FALL & WINTER OF 2008

11/06: JOY OF SKIING FOR NOVICES TO EXPERTS Derek Canova , Tussey Mt. Ski instructor , will talk about simple and innovative movements in skiing that will make it more enjoyable and on edge.

11/20: SNOWBOARDING 101 : Josh M Clintic , Apphouse employee, will talk about snowboarding equipment, clothing , gear and where to go locally and beyond.

12/04: GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND MORE, WIN A $25 GIFT CARD

Jen Watts-Mattice , Apphouse employee , will talk about the TOP TEN BEST GIFTS in the store. Also see selected gifts under $10, $20, $30 and $40. Learn about our Gift & Bridal Registry along with Birthdays , Anniversaries, Baby Showers , Graduations, Mothers & Fathers Day and Wish Lists.

TIME- 7PM-8PM

LOCATION- Appalachian Outdoors, 123 S. Allen St., State College , Pa 16801

PHONE- 814-234-3000

EMAIL- For info adventure@appoutdoors.com

WEB- www.appoutdoors.

PARKING – Free on the streets after 6PM & we’ll validate parking for all parking decks

Clinics are FREE and refreshments will be served.

From State Earth and Environmental Systems Institute...

Penn State Speaker Series to Address Managing Water Resources

The Penn State Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (ESSI) is hosting an 11-week series that will examine how the world’s water resources are being affected by climate change and what the world’s water prospects are for the future.

The series, “Quenching the Thirst: Managing the Water Resources of a Changing Planet,” begins Sept. 15. Topics to be addressed by national and Penn State experts include water quality and quantity, regulations and public policy, pollution, droughts, floods and water conservation.

Please feel free to share these with your organization or with others who might be interested in this topic.

EarthTalks is co-sponsored by EESI, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment and the College of Agricultural Sciences.

To learn more about the “Quenching the Thirst” speaker series, visit:

http://www.eesi.psu.edu/news_events/Earthtalks.shtml.

For more information, contact Margaret Hopkins, coordinator of public information, Penn State Center for Policy Research on the Environment, Energy and Community, at 814-865-1587 or mah242@psu.edu.

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