Follow Us

A coalition of environmental, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations in PA.

Paul Doerwald

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Clean Water Counts Campaign

August 26, 2014 2014
For Immediate Release
Contact  Kelly Donaldson, 717.234.5550, ext. 4205

 

CBF LAUNCHES CLEAN WATER COUNTS CAMPAIGN
Goal is Clean Water for the Keystone State

(HARRISBURG) –The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has launched an exciting statewide campaign, Clean Water Counts.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s most recent statewide water quality survey,  nearly one-quarter, almost 20,000 miles, of the creeks, rivers, and lakes that we rely on for recreation, and for drinking and household uses, are polluted.

CBF is urging Pennsylvania officials to make clean water a priority throughout the Keystone State, and to commit the needed funding to ensure that all 83,000 miles of waterways in the state are clean.

“Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving Pennsylvania economy depend on it,” said Harry Campbell, CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director. “That’s why we’re calling on the state to prioritize clean water and funding to decrease pollution from agricultural activities and runoff from our urban and suburban communities.”

In addition to calling on state officials to commit the needed resources for clean water, CBF is also asking something of local officials and citizens.

“We’re asking all Pennsylvania residents to show their support for clean water by signing the Clean Water Counts online petition,” said Campbell. “And we’re asking County Commissioners throughout the state to adopt Clean Water Resolutions, to further encourage state officials to prioritize clean water.”

Without targeted prioritization and funding to address pollution issues, the Commonwealth’s most important resource, clean water, will continue to be susceptible to pollution and degradation

The Clean Water Counts campaign is a part of CBF’s on-going mission to improve water quality locally, and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay. By working together and following Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Blueprint, we can restore our local rivers and streams.

Together, we can have clean water for today, and for generations to come.

Online petition signatures will be accepted through October 18th, the anniversary of the Clean Water Act. To learn more about the campaign go to cbf.org/PAForCleanWater.

Coalition Issues its Plan for Environmental Funding Within Severance Tax

For Immediate Release:  June 27, 2014
Contacts:  Andrew Heath, Growing Greener Coalition, (717) 824-2281

 Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Issues its Plan for Environmental
Funding Within Any Passed Severance Tax 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today made its case for why environmental funding must be contained in any severance tax package passed by the legislature.

“The impacts of drilling in Pennsylvania are evident throughout the Commonwealth. Our parks, forests, scenic and cultural areas, and waterways are at risk of being disturbed and degraded. Any severance tax must dedicate funds toward the protection of these public resources,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition.

“Funding through a severance tax is essential to address the resources being most affected by natural gas extraction and should not take away from funding already being provided by other general and special fund programs.”

The Coalition has proposed $26 million be set aside from a severance tax in year one, growing to $70 million by year five, to address the Commonwealth’s open space and forest resources, rivers and streams, historic treasures, and heritage areas. Distribution would be as follows;

Year 1
$3 million for Heritage Areas
$3 million for Historic Preservation
$20 million for Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund with a priority on conserving our sensitive lands and cleaning our rivers and streams (AMD, major basin watershed projects, etc.)

Year 2
$4 million for Heritage Areas
$4 million for Historic Preservation
$30 million for Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund with a priority on conserving our sensitive lands and cleaning our rivers and streams

Year 3
$5 million for Heritage Areas
$5 million for Historic Preservation
$40 million for Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund with a priority on conserving our sensitive lands and cleaning our rivers and streams

Year 4
$5 million for Heritage Areas
$5 million for Historic Preservation
$50 million for Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund with a priority on conserving our sensitive lands and cleaning our rivers and streams

Year 5 and beyond
$5 million for Heritage Areas
$5 million for Historic Preservation
$60 million for Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund with a priority on conserving our sensitive lands and cleaning our rivers and streams

The Coalition pointed to a new survey that found overwhelming bi-partisan public support for continuing existing dedicated state funding for conservation and for increasing state funding to protect land, water and historic sites.

Overall, the survey found that more than 97.4 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails, and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes. This figure represented strong bi-partisan support, and is up by five percentage points since 2012.

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of respondents – 82.6 percent – would support increasing state funds to address these issues, even if it would cost the average household $10 more annually. This figure is up from 77.7 percent in 2012.

Despite the success of such programs like the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund, Agricultural Preservation, Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, Heritage Areas Program and Historic Preservation, there is much more work that needs to be done.

“The Commonwealth has 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards. Historic preservation funding is at a low and the Heritage Areas Program was zeroed out in the Governor’s proposed budget,” said Heath. “These issues must be addressed.”

In addition, conservation funding is an essential component for meeting federal Clean Water Act mandates associated with the Chesapeake Bay Blueprint and the need to reduce pollution in our local rivers and streams.

“Utilizing funds collected through a severance tax to address these issues is a step in the right direction, and would also negate the need to raise additional state revenues through more leasing of state lands,” said Heath.

 

Sign-On Letter Delivered to General Assembly

Print version available here

June 19, 2014

Dear Member of the General Assembly,

We, the undersigned business leaders, educators, elected officials, and organizations, strongly urge you to protect general and special fund sources in the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year budget for conservation, recreation, and preservation programs critical to the protection of our land, water and heritage.

We recognize the budget challenges currently facing the Commonwealth and ask for your leadership in addressing these challenges without sacrificing core programs that contribute so much to the economic health and overall well being of Pennsylvania communities.

We oppose cuts that reduce or eliminate General Fund appropriations to programs that protect our land, water, and heritage – like the Heritage Areas Program.

And while no specific proposals currently threaten the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, farmland preservation, and the historic preservation tax credit, we want to emphasize the importance of keeping intact these special funds and the investments they make for all Pennsylvania communities.

Now more than ever, Pennsylvania needs to strengthen its investment in local efforts to protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support parks and recreation, and preserve our historic and cultural sites.

Pennsylvania communities have had to endure significant cuts to several programs in the past. If we hope to make real progress in tackling the many environmental challenges facing Pennsylvania, now is the time to step up our commitment to programs that protect land and water.

Consider that:

  • The Commonwealth has 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards.
  • More than 2,000 family farms remain on the statewide list for preservation.
  • Pennsylvania continues to lose more forest, wildlife habitat, farmland and other open spaces to development than we are able to preserve.
  • Abandoned mines still scar almost 220,000 acres across the Commonwealth and are the cause of more than 5,000 miles of dead streams.

The investments made by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, farmland preservation, and historic preservation programs in conservation, recreation, and preservation are proven to bolster the economy. For example, a Trust for Public Land study on the Keystone Fund found that for every $1 invested in land and water conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to the state of Pennsylvania.

Moreover, investments in parks and open space add billions of dollars to property values and help support Pennsylvania’s tourism and recreation industry.  A report by the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania generates $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and supports 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

Lastly, polls show strong, consistent public support for programs that improve our quality of life, boost the economy and protect the environment throughout Pennsylvania. The Growing Greener Environment Stewardship Fund, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, which just passed its 20th anniversary, have enjoyed strong, support from voters, legislators and governors since the beginning.

A survey released June 3rd by Penn State found that more than 97.4 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails, and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes. This figure represented strong bi-partisan support, and is up by five percentage points since 2012.

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of respondents – 82.6 percent – would support increasing state funds to address these issues, even if it would cost the average household $10 more annually. This figure is up from 77.7 percent in 2012.

The people of Pennsylvania clearly feel that these programs hold value and must not be diminished.

The General Assembly rightly rescued the Heritage Areas Program last year, and we urge you to restore this program and provide $3 million in funding for the program this year. It is a valuable program that creates jobs and brings business to the region, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues.

We recognize the challenges ahead and look forward to working with you to ensure that funding for programs that protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support our parks and trails, and safeguard our historic treasures remains intact.

Thank you.

LeeAnn Murray, Assistant Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
(717) 234-5550

Jane Sheffield, President
HeritagePA
(814) 940-1922

Karen Martynick, Executive Director
Lancaster Farmland Trust
(717) 687-8484

Andrew Heath, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition
(717) 824-2281

Andy Loza, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
(717) 230-8560

Mindy Crawford, Executive Director
Preservation Pennsylvania
(717) 234-2310

 

SIGNATORIES

Doug Wendell, Director
Abington Parks & Recreation

David Swope, President
Adams County Trout Unlimited Chapter 323

Christopher J. Beichner, President & CEO
Allegheny Land Trust

George Kutskel, President
Allegheny Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Jane Sheffield, President
Allegheny Ridge Corp.

Bill Weller, President
Allegheny Valley Trails Association

Jim Baird, Mid Atlantic Director
American Farmland Trust

Liz Deardorff, Director
American Rivers

Mark Zakutansky, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager
Appalachian Mountain Club

Karen Lutz, Regional Director
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Joseph Simon, Council President
Archbald Borough, Lackawanna County

Phil Wallis, Executive Director
Audubon Pennsylvania

 Jim Bonner, Executive Director
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania

Timothy P. Ishman, Director
Beaver County Recreation & Tourism

John Spiegel, Secretary
Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy

Kristina M. DeSenze, Environmental Attorney
Berman & Asbel, LLP

Joe Stafford, Executive Director
Bicycle Access Council

Sarah Clark Stuart, Deputy Director & Chair
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia & Circuit Coalition

Randy Bitting, President
Bitting Recreation, Inc.

Janis Long
Blacklick Creek Watershed Association

Christopher Clouser, President
BluAcres, LLC

Sherri Evans-Stanton, Director
Brandywine Conservancy

James E. Jordan, Jr., Executive Director
Brandywine Valley Association

Delores J. Columbus, Executive Director
Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority

Patrick Kelley, Manager
Carnegie Carbons Ltd.

Susan Moon, Secretary & Treasurer
Casselman River Watershed Association, Inc.

Anna N. Yelk, Executive Director
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy

Ernie Shumbat, President
Central PA Sleds and Treads

Pete Schempf, President
Centre County Farmland Trust

LeeAnn Murray, Assistant Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Bryan Hutchinson, President
Chester Co. Citizens for Climate Protection

Aimee Erickson, Executive Director
Citizens Coal Council

Cindy Dunn, President & CEO
Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future

Ken Kulak, Councilman
City of Monongahela

Jennifer Shuey, Executive Director
ClearWater Conservancy

Clifford David, President & CEO
Conservation Economics

Christopher Clouser, Director of Technical Services
Conservation Lands, LLC

Scott Douglas, President
Cooks Creek Watershed Association

Debra Frawley, Coordinator
Council on Greenways & Trails

Robert Hopkins, Chair
Crawford County Agricultural Land Preservation Board

Christine Lauriello, President
Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club

Elissa M. Garofalo, President & Executive Director
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.

Brian Winslow, Executive Director
The Delaware Nature Society

Daniel Germain, President
DDP Minerals, Inc.

Paul Battaglini, President
East Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners

Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director
Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Sara Jane Elk, President & CEO
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

B. Scott Fiegel, Director
Ecological Associates, LLC

W. Anthony Riley, M.D., President
Eden Hill Conservancy

Peter Haentjens
EMARR, Inc.

Frank Oliver, President
Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc.

Cindy Rogers, President
Evergreen Conservancy

Sean P. Kenny, Executive Director
Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County

Heather D. Fowler, Watershed Coordinator
Fayette County Conservation District

Christine A. Buckelew, President
Fayette County Historical Society

Valerie Lambert, President
Five Star Trail

Dennis Stagle, President
Fredericktown Area Chamber of Commerce

Pam Brown, Conservation Director
French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

Phillip Swank, President
French Azilum, Inc.

Beth Reseter, Treasurer
Friendship Hill Association

Dwight Washabaugh, President
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Paul Garrett
Green-CAUSE

Bradley Eisiminger, Chairman
Greene County Conservation District

Terri Davin, President
Greene County Watershed Alliance

Barry Lewis, Executive Director
GreenTreks Network

Jason C. Robinson, President
Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services

Andy Patterson, Director Manager
Huntingdon County Conservation District

Victoria E. Michaels, Executive Director
Independence Conservancy

Jeri E. Stumpf, President
Jeri E. Stumpf & Associates, Inc.

Laura Jackson, President
Stan Kotala, Conservation Chair
Juniata Valley Audubon Society

Fran Calpin, Sr. Director of College Relations
Keystone College

Alan Laick, Owner
Laick Design

Tom Fuhrman, President
Lake Erie Region Conservancy

Craig Lehman, Commissioner
Lancaster County

Gene Garber, Chair
Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board

Mike Burcin, CEO/COO
Lancaster County Conservancy

Karen Martynick, Executive Director
Lancaster Farmland Trust

Gwendolyn Lacy, Esq., Executive Director
Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County

Norma L. Calhoun, President
Land Conservancy of Adams County

Ronald W. Virag, President & CEO
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau

Natalie Gelb, Executive Director
Lackawanna Heritage Valley National & State Heritage Areas

Jo Ellen Litz, Commissioner
Lebanon County

Angie Foltz, Program Specialist
Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board

Stephanie Harmon, Water Specialist
Lebanon County Conservation District

Pat Krebs, President
Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition

Sheila Wartluft, Board President
The Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Inc.

Christine Tomsey, Board Member
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Olga Herbert, Executive Director
Christine Tomsey, Board Member
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Bill Anderson, President
Little Juniata River Association

Susan Huba, Executive Director
Loyalhanna Watershed Association 

Robert W. Genter, Director
Mackin Engineering Company

Sally Zaino, Director of Preservation
The Manada Conservancy

Heather Cuyler Jerry, Director
Marshall Township Parks & Recreation

Pat McInerney, President
Martins-Jacoby Watershed Association

Cathy McCollom, Principal
McCollom Development Strategies LLC 

Michele Adams, PE President
Meliora Design

Geoff Goodenow, Coordinator
Merrill Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy

Jay Salyers, Senior V.P.
Miles

Dulcie Flaharty, Executive Director
Montgomery County Lands Trust

Trevor S. Finn, Commissioner
John J. Gerst, Commissioner
Jerry R. Ward, Commissioner
Montour County

Evelyn Koppel
The Mount Gretna Bird Club

John Hook, President
Mount Nittany Conservancy

Cassandra Vivian
Mount Pleasant Glass Museum

Beverly Braverman, Executive Director
Mountain Watershed Association

Donna Holdorf, Executive Director
National Road Heritage Corridor

Molly Morrison, President
Natural Lands Trust

Melinda Hughes-Wert, President
Nature Abounds

Margaret McCarvill, Board President
Neighborhood Gardens Trust

Bill Moul, President
North Area Environmental Council

Joy Knapp, Co-Chair
Steve Porter, Co-Chair
Northwest Pennsylvania Green Economy Task Force

John R. Phillips, II, President and CEO
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism

Molly Duffy, Esq.
Open Land Conservancy of Chester County

Christina Voorhees, President
PA Chapter of the Wildlife Society

David Masur, Director
PennEnvironment

Andrea Ferich, Executive Director
Penns Valley Conservation Association

Edward J, McCrea, President
Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators

Rev. Sandra Strauss, Director of Public Advocacy
Pennsylvania Council of Churches

Brian Wagner, President
Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited 

Davitt Woodwell, Executive Vice President
Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Matt Knepper, President
Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association

Larry Williamson, Chairman
Andrew Heath, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

Andy Loza, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association

Stan Stubbe, President
Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council

Marci Mowery, President
Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Karen Burke, Executive Director
Doug Knauss, Government Affairs Chair
Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society 

Elizabeth Krug, Board President
Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association

Scott R. Becker, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

David J. Robertson, Ph.D., Executive Director
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust

Norene Halvonik, Treasurer
The Perryopolis Parks & Recreation Authority

Lauren Bornfriend, Executive Director
Philadelphia Parks Alliance

Ingrid E. Morning, President
Pine Creek Valley Watershed Association, Inc.

Meg Cheever, President & CEO
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Dawn Gorham, Executive Director
Pocono Heritage Land Trust

Carl Ables, Mayor
Patrick Kelley, Borough Council
Point Marion Borough

Victoria Evans, Chairwoman
Point Marion Parks Commission

Larry Reseter, Treasurer
Point Marion Rotary

Caroline E. Boyce, Executive Director
Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Mindy Crawford, Executive Director
Preservation Pennsylvania

Sharon Martin, Executive Director
Radnor Conservancy

Deb McNamara, Program Manager
Rail-Trail Council of NEPA

Daniel T. Visnauskas, President
Real Estate Recovery Services, Inc.

James E. Jordan, Jr., Executive Director
Red Clay Valley Association

Leslie Pierce, Manager
Regional Trail Corporation

Patrick Kelley, Manager
Resource Land Group, LLC

Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer
Responsible Drilling Alliance

Augie Carlino, President & CEO
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation

Emily Buka, Executive Director
Riverside Center for Innovation

John Makosky, President
Scagburners Snowmobile Club in Central Pa

Linda Stephens, Secretary & Treasurer
Schuylkill County Conservancy

Kurt D. Zwikl, Executive Director
Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area

Linda S. Sieber, Chair
Shermans Creek Conservation Association, Inc.

Todd A. Zeigler, Manager
Shrewsbury Township, York County

Kristy A. Owens, Manager
Silver Spring Township Parks & Recreation

Robert Merrill, Chair
Society of American Foresters, PA Division

James Moses, President
Somerset County Conservancy

Ellie Hyde, Chair
The South Branch Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Coalition

Richard Terry, President
Southeast Montgomery County Trout Unlimited

Ed Lawver, Secretary & Treasurer
Southern Potter Snowmobile Club

Lisa Minardi, President
The Speaker’s House

Judi Sittler, Chair
Spring Creek Watershed Association

Mark N. Platts, President
Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area

Trish Carothers, Executive Director
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

Court Gould, Executive Director
Sustainable Pittsburgh

Ron Ramsey, Sr. Policy Advisor
The Nature Conservancy, PA Chapter

Karen Budd, Trustee
Jim Engel, Executive Director
Tinicum Conservancy

Ed Camelli, President
Trail Creek Outfitters

Mary Schorse, Managing Director
The Tropical Re-Leaf Foundation

Anthony Cucchi, PA/NJ State Director
The Trust for Public Land

April L. Temple, Executive Director
The Trust for Tomorrow

Thomas D. Saunders, President & CEO
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Ron Rohall, Board of Directors Chairman
Westmoreland Conservation District

Ted Kopas, Commissioner
Westmoreland County

Christopher Kocher, President
Wildlands Conservancy

Jeanne B. Van Alen, Executive Director
Willistown Conservation Trust

Christopher Reilly, Commissioner
York County

Carl Knoch, Chairman
York County Rail Trail Authority

Coalition Thanks House Members for Passage of Heritage Legislation

June 18, 2014

Dear Representative,

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition and the twelve state-designated heritage areas, we want to thank you for passing the Heritage Areas Program legislation.

This legislation makes what was merely a concept within the DCNR into a full-fledged program, something the Heritage Areas managers appreciate greatly.

The PA Growing Greener Coalition teamed up with the heritage areas because we recognized the economic value they bring to the Commonwealth. With their emphasis on economic development, tourism and partnership collaboration, the heritage areas are an essential piece of the collective identity of the state.

What the legislation did not do was provide a dedicated source of funding for the program. Prior to last year when the General Assembly restored their line-item, the program had been zeroed out the previous five years.

With no dedicated line-item, the heritage areas must then compete in the DCNR Partnership Program with a very diverse group of organizations who are seeking funds for single projects such as land conservation, rails to trail projects, community parks and recreational projects, feasibility studies, along with a slew of other projects. While the DCNR has worked hard to fund the heritage areas through this grant vehicle, it severely limits the heritage areas’ ability to implement the broad spectrum of projects, programs and services they undertake in their very multi-faceted work plans which serve a large population of your constituents.

We have to change this. Just as you rightly restored the program last year, we are urging you to put $3 million in the line-item this year. That is our short-term fix. For the long-term, we need to find a dedicated source of revenue.

Lastly, please consider joining the more than three-dozen other House members who have written to Chairman Adolph calling for the $3 million line-item restoration. This is a challenging year and we need your help.

Once again, thank you for your support and thank you for your vote.

Sincerely,

Andrew Heath

Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Include Environment in Severance Tax Legislation (Includes New Polling)

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2014

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Include
Environment in Severance Tax Legislation

New Survey Shows Overwhelming Bi-Partisan Support for Increasing Funds to Protect Land, Water, Historic Sites

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today urged state legislators to include funding for environmental programs and initiatives in any legislation that would enact a severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania.

“Any severance tax must dedicate funds toward the protection of our land, air and water,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition. “The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition urges lawmakers to remember the critical need for funding to protect our farms and open spaces, restore our waterways, enhance our parks and trails, conserve our wildlife habitat, and preserve our historic sites and heritage areas.”

The Coalition pointed to a new survey that found overwhelming public support for continuing existing dedicated state funding for conservation and for increasing state funding to protect land, water and historic sites.

Overall, the survey found that more than 97.4 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails, and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes. This figure represented strong bi-partisan support, and is up by five percentage points since 2012.

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of respondents – 82.6 percent – would support increasing state funds to address these issues, even if it would cost the average household $10 more annually. This figure is up from 77.7 percent in 2012.

The survey was conducted between March 17 and April 16 this year by the Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg. The survey questions were commissioned by The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land. For the full results of the survey visit http://csr.hbg.psu.edu/PennStatePoll/MethodologyReportsandPressReleases/tabid/860/Default.aspx.

“Public support for protecting Pennsylvania’s extraordinary natural and historic treasures has always been strong, and this survey shows that it continues to grow,” said Heath. “If there is to be a severance tax on natural gas extraction, it makes sense that a significant portion should be invested in the forests, fields, rives and streams that Pennsylvanians value so highly.”

Despite the success of such programs like the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund, Agricultural Preservation, Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, Heritage Areas Program and Historic Preservation, there is much more work that needs to be done. Consider that:

  • The Commonwealth has 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards.
  • More than 2,000 family farms remain on the statewide list for preservation.
  • Pennsylvania continues to lose more forest, wildlife habitat, farmland and other open spaces to overdevelopment than we are able to preserve.
  • Abandoned mines still scar almost 220,000 acres across the Commonwealth and are the cause of more than 5,000 miles of dead streams.

Investments in conservation, recreation, and preservation also bolster the economy. A Trust for Public Land study found that for every $1 invested in land and water conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to the state of Pennsylvania.

Moreover, investments in parks, trails, greenways, and open space add billions of dollars to property values and help support Pennsylvania’s tourism and recreation industry.  A report by the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania generates $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and supports 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

In addition, conservation funding is an essential component for meeting federal Clean Water Act mandates associated with the Chesapeake Bay Blueprint and the need to reduce pollution in our local rivers and streams.

The Coalition also strongly supports preserving the funding provided by the current impact fee in order to address the impacts of drilling on communities and the environment.

“Communities across Pennsylvania have benefited from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund,” said Heath. “These investments and the economic and quality of life benefits they bring must continue.”

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

The mission of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition is to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities across the Commonwealth by advocating for funding to conserve, protect and restore land, water and wildlife; to preserve farms and historic places, and to provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state. Established in 2008, the Coalition comprises local, regional and statewide conservation, recreation and preservation groups.  For more information, visit www.PaGrowingGreener.org.

Monthly Executive Director Message: Effective Advocacy

Dear Friends,

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to participate in the 12th Annual Land Conservation Conference presented by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA).

It was a great conference, and if you could not make it this year, I urge you to mark your calendars for next year.

In the meantime, I thought I would share with you ten key points from the Advocacy session I had the honor of presenting with Kevin Abbey of ClearWater Conservancy, Oliver Bass of the Natural Lands Trust, and Sean Robertson of the Land Trust Alliance:

  1. Cultivate relationships. Don’t be a stranger to elected officials and their staff.
  1. Introduce yourself at every opportunity.
  1. Always say “thank you” before you say “please.”
  1. A well-written brief, thank you note is always appreciated.
  1. Always be concise and to the point.
  1. Engage the media when appropriate.
  1. A face-to-face meeting is the most effective form of communication, followed by phone calls, e-mails, letters and letters to the editor.
  1. Don’t burn long-term bridges over a short-term issue.
  1. Provide materials such as fact sheets, media clips, endorser letters, petitions, other demonstrations of grassroots support.
  1.  Be passionate, but rational. Avoid extremes.

With budget deliberations heating up in Harrisburg, please keep these tips in mind as you go about your advocacy work to protect our parks and open spaces, preserve our family farms, and safeguard our historic treasures.

In the meantime, we are being diligent in monitoring the state budget negotiations. It is the mission of the Coalition to protect conservation, recreation and preservation funding – and we will use every resource to do so.

Recently we have also been meeting with legislators who have introduced severance tax legislation to ensure that these proposals contain funding to increase investments in our environment. Any severance tax passed by the Commonwealth must contain funding for conservation, recreation and preservation programs. We owe it to future generations.

Also, I am happy to report that we have distributed nearly 2,000 copies of “Finding the Green,” a single-source guide to state funding opportunities for conservation, recreation and preservation projects.

If you have not gotten a copy, please contact me to order a print version or visit our website where it can be downloaded.

I truly enjoy opportunities to present at events like PALTA’s Land Conservation Conference and welcome the chance to talk about the Coalition’s work and how we can support your organization’s mission and goals.

Finally, the Coalition is looking for partners to join us in co-hosting “Finding the Green” days throughout the Commonwealth with the goal of educating participants on the current status of state funding for conservation, recreation and preservation programs, and how to effectively access funding for projects.

If you are interested in partnering with us or would like more information, please contact me.

Thank you!

And as always, thank you for all you to keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener!

Sincerely,

Andrew Heath
Executive Director
PA Growing Greener Coalition

Monthly Executive Director Message: Earth Day

April 2014

Dear Coalition Partners and Friends:

Happy Earth Day!

As you celebrate today, I hope you all have an opportunity to get outside and enjoy Pennsylvania’s beautiful outdoors. Visit a park or playgroud. Fish or sit by a stream. Walk, bike, or hike a trail.

It is because of your efforts — and the hard work of the Growing Greener Coalition members and supporters— that our state is the most beautiful state in the nation.

Enjoy it!

In other news, in case you missed it, earlier this year Governor Corbett announced a plan to invest more than $200 million in state parks and forests. The initiative, called Enhance Penn’s Woods, will support critical state park and forest development projects over a two-year period.

In addition to supporting much needed improvements to state parks and forests, this funding will offer a boost to local economies, and provide numerous other benefits.

Among the projects slated for investment are dam repairs at state parks in Cameron, Chester, Warren, Crawford and Monroe counties, updates to fire towers in forests statewide, 17 drinking water or wastewater system projects and the addition of 20,000 acres to the state forest system.

Earlier this month, DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti gathered with local legislators and officials from the North Branch Land Trust and Earth Conservancy to announce another Enhance Penn’s Woods initiative: a $4 million grant that will expand the Lackawanna State Forest to include Mocanaqua Mountain.

The Coalition looks forward to working with DCNR and state officials as the Penn’s Woods work progresses.

In other news, the Coalition is renewing its fundraising efforts to ensure that we are able to successfully advocate for land, water, and historic preservation, along with recreational opportunities for Pennsylvanians not just now but for generations to come.

Over the coming months, we will be soliciting support from local foundations and corporations and reaching out to our base of dedicated individual supporters, like you.

Please be on the look out for a request from us, and remember the fact that your gift will have a huge impact on the Coalition and our success advocating for strong funding programs in Pennsylvania.

If you would like to make a donation now, please e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 717.824.2281

I want to thank the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society for inviting me to present at their annual conference this spring.  I am always grateful for opportunities to discuss the work of the Growing Greener Coalition and to educate organizations on access preservation dollars and advocate for continued funding.

Finally, I am looking forward to participating in the 12th Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference from May 1-3rd at the Crowne Plaza in Reading, Pennsylvania organized by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA).  PALTA has been an active and valuable member of the Coalition for years and I am excited to participate in the Advocacy session being held on May 2nd.

Many thanks to all of you for your ongoing support. Don’t forget to stay connected to the Coalition via Facebook and Twitter!

Sincerely,

Andrew Heath

Monthly Executive Director Message: Finding the Green

March 2014

Monthly Message from Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

Dear Coalition Supporters and Friends:

I’m happy to report that following months of research and development, the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition’s Guide to Finding the Green is available!

We understand that as funding programs are being reduced or eliminated altogether, it is becoming increasingly difficult for non-profits and local governments to access much needed resources.  

The purpose of this single-source guide is to provide an overview of funding opportunities that may be of help to you.  The guide contains a thorough listing of state funding programs for conservation, preservation and recreation projects, including the more recent funding made available from Act 13 of 2012.

In addition to a list of specific grant opportunities, you’ll find tips on how to apply and where to go for more information.

The guide is available for download on our website and will be updated regularly as we gather new information so be sure to check back often. We have a limited number of print versions as well.  If you’re interested in obtaining hard copies, please contact me for more information.

A heartfelt “thank you” to all the agency staff who helped pull this information together. This would not have been possible without their cooperation.

We hope that this guide will make it easier for you to find the green, and we welcome your feedback on its content and usefulness.

As you are aware, Governor Corbett’s proposed budget eliminates funding for the Heritage Areas Program, despite the fact that it generates hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues by supporting jobs and bringing business to the region.

We are monitoring budget negotiations on an ongoing basis and continue to advocate for restored funding for the program. 

During an appropriations hearing last month, Rep. Deberah Kula, D-52, and Rep. William Adolph, R-165, voiced their support for the Heritage Areas Program. In fact, Rep. Kula called Heritage Areas funding “money well spent.” We appreciate their efforts and will continue to work with them and other members of the House and Senate to restore Heritage Areas funding to next year’s budget.

The scene was similar in the Senate appropriations hearing when Sen. David Argall, R-29 and Sen. John Rafferty, R-44, both expressed their support for the program and concern over the lack of dedicated funding. The Coalition looks forward to working with these members to identify ways to restore and expand the Heritage Areas Program funding in the budget.

In other news, the Coalition was honored to participate in the 67th Annual Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society State Conference. We led two presentations during the five-day event, which took place at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, PA.

The first session, entitled “Advocacy 101,” explained the proper and most effective ways to conduct local and state level advocacy in Pennsylvania.

The second session, “Wading Through the Dollars and Cents – Act 13,” provided an overview of Growing Greener, Keystone ’93 and Act 13 funding opportunities, and offered suggestions on how to access the dollars available.

We enjoy participating in events like this and would love to attend your conference, board meeting or another gathering to discuss the Coalition’s work and any other issues that may be of interest to you.

As always, we appreciate your ongoing partnership and support.

Please contact me if you would like more information about the work of the Coalition or would like to make a donation.

And don’t forget to stay connected to the Coalition through Facebook and Twitter!

Sincerely,

Andrew Heath

GGC Executive Director Receives Presidential Citation from PRPS

For Immediate Release:  March 27, 2014

PA Growing Greener Coalition Executive Director Receives Presidential Citation from Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

(HARRISBURG, PA) Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath recently received the presidential citation from Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) board president William Wert for his leadership in advocating for the Commonwealth’s parks, trails and open spaces.

“The Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society is fortunate to have Andrew’s leadership in our efforts to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to well-managed parks and recreational opportunities,” said Wert. “Andrew is a tireless advocate for our parks and trails and is committed to making sure future generations have opportunities to enjoy all the outdoor recreation opportunities the Commonwealth has to offer.”

Heath has served as the executive director of Growing Greener since 2010. Under his leadership, the Coalition has helped secure funding for recreation, conservation and preservation through the Marcellus Legacy Fund.

“Parks and other recreational opportunities provide numerous economic, environmental and quality of life benefits that help make the Commonwealth a great place to live, work and visit,” said Heath. “I am honored to receive this citation and look forward to continuing to work with PRPS to ensure that important parks and natural resources remain protected for future generations to enjoy.”

Heath, 35, is a native of Delaware County and currently lives in Lancaster. He is a graduate of Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., where he earned his BA in politics.

About the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS)

PRPS is the principal state organization promoting quality recreation and park training, networking, and leadership opportunities for those working and volunteering in the field. Members include professionals who manage municipal recreation and park systems and state parks, therapeutic recreation specialists and activity coordinators at health care institutions, college and university professors and students, staff of privately-operated recreation facilities, and citizen members of recreation and park boards and commissions in communities across the Commonwealth.

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

The mission of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition is to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities across the Commonwealth by advocating for funding to conserve, protect and restore land, water and wildlife, to preserve farms and historic places, and to provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state. Established in 2008, the Coalition comprises local, regional and statewide conservation, recreation and preservation groups.  For more information, visit www.PaGrowingGreener.org

Monthly Executive Director Message: State Budget

February, 2014

Monthly Message from Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener Coalition

Dear Coalition Supporters and Friends:

Thank you to those Coalition partners who attended our planning meeting in Harrisburg last month.  We had a productive day charting our course for the upcoming months and discussing a long-term approach for future conservation, recreation and preservation funding.

Coincidentally, just two days after our meeting, Governor Corbett announced $20.65 million in Growing Greener grants for projects statewide that will improve watersheds, reduce stormwater runoff and acid mine drainage and promote environmental education.

Congratulations to the awardees, many of which are Coalition members. For a full list, click here.

As we all know, these grants are important investments in our communities and play a significant role in combating pollution and keeping our drinking water clean.

Fortunately, the Governor’s proposed budget introduced earlier this month protects funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund as well as Keystone ’93 and Historic and Agriculture Preservation.

However, the spending proposal eliminates funding for the Heritage Areas Program, which has successfully conserved and enhanced the state’s natural resources and promoted tourism development for nearly 25 years.

The Legislature rightly rescued this important program last year restoring a critical $2.25 million line item.  We were surprised and disappointed to learn that it may be slated for the chopping block again this year.

Rest assured, we will be working diligently with the Corbett Administration and members of the House and Senate to restore funding for the Heritage Areas Program, which creates jobs and brings business to the region, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues.

As always, we appreciate your support on this and many other important issues.

Additionally, as the gubernatorial primaries approach, the Coalition will be reaching out to the candidates to educate them on the importance of funding to protect our natural resources, preserve our farmland, support our parks and trails and  safeguard our historic treasures.

If you have any questions you think we should ask, please let me know before the end of the month.

Also please feel free to contact me if you would like more information about the ongoing work of the Coalition or would like to make a donation.

And don’t forget to stay connected to the Coalition through Facebook and Twitter!

Sincerely,

Andrew Heath