Growing Greener Coalition

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

Paul Doerwald

RGGC Petition Launch

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Announces Launch of Online Petition Drive to “Stop the Cuts” to Conservation and Recreation Funding 

More Than 5,000 Signatures Collected in Single Day

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced the launch of an online petition drive aimed at stopping cuts to conservation and recreation funding.

More than 5,000 people signed the petition on the first day of its launch, urging the General Assembly to reject Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to, and elimination of, essential conservation and recreation programs in the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvanians are sending a message to Harrisburg that they want their legislators to protect the Commonwealth’s land, water, communities and future,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Our state is facing significant challenges that must be addressed. We have a $400 million backlog of major maintenance projects at our state parks, more than 2,000 family farms waiting to be preserved and more than 16,000 miles of polluted streams that are unfit form swimming or fishing.  Because of these and many additional threats, the Commonwealth should be increasing, not decreasing funding.” …

Schuylkill County Calls for Renewal of Growing Greener

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2012

Schuylkill County Calls for Renewal of Growing Greener

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced

that Schuylkill County has passed a resolution calling for the renewal of the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Schuylkill County is the 37th county to  adopt a resolution in support of Growing Greener (Click of Map). In addition, at least 115 municipalities have also passed resolutions in favor of the program.

“Funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund is at its lowest point in history,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Counties throughout the state realize that without this program they will be hard-pressed to make critical investments in keeping our drinking water clean, protecting our land, and ensuring our children and families have parks and green open spaces where they can play.” …

Proposed Budget Cuts Cast Cloud Over Agriculture Week

For Immediate Release:  March 7, 2012

Proposed Budget Cuts Cast Cloud Over Agriculture Week

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today said that proposed budget cuts to conservation funding are casting a cloud over Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Week.

“The Governor is encouraging all citizens to pay tribute to our farmers, but at the same time his administration recommends the future elimination of funding for farmland preservation, which helps support our agriculture industry,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition.  “We urge the legislature to restore funding for this and other conservation programs, otherwise these cuts will chip away at the cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy until it crumbles.” …

Corbett Funding Cuts to Environmental Programs Undermine Shale Legislation

For Immediate Release:  February 21, 2012 

Renew Growing Greener Coalition to Legislature: Corbett Funding Cuts to Environmental Programs Undermine Shale Legislation 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today urged the Legislature to reject cuts to environmental, conservation and recreation programs in the Governor’s proposed 2012-2013 budget.

“With Pennsylvania’s land, water and air facing significant threats and impacts due to Marcellus Shale development, we should be increasing, not decreasing, funding for the programs that protect these vital resources,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition.  “The funding contained in the Marcellus Shale legislation was meant to help address the environmental impacts of natural gas drilling, but there would actually be less funding available for these purposes if the Legislature approves the cuts to environmental, conservation and recreation programs proposed in the Governor’s budget.” …

RGGC Statement of Passage of HB1950

For Immediate Release:  February 8, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Commends Growing Greener Funding Within House Bill 1950 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath, commending the Growing Greener funding contained within House Bill 1950, which passed today.

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is pleased with the passage of House Bill 1950 due to the environmental funding and commends the leadership of the General Assembly, legislators, and the Governor for taking the first step toward renewing funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund and Growing Greener programs and projects.   …

Support for Environmental Funding in Marcellus Shale Proposal

For Immediate Release:  February 6, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Expresses Support for Environmental Funding in Marcellus Shale Proposal

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath, expressing support for the environmental funding outlined in the current Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal:

“At first glance, this proposal appears to be a good first step toward restoring funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund and supporting Growing Greener programs and projects that protect our drinking water, conserve our open space, enhance recreational opportunities and stimulate economic recovery across the Commonwealth. …

New Members of RGGC Executive Committee

For Immediate Release:  January 27, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Adds Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lancaster Farmland Trust to Executive Committee 

(HARRISBURG, PA) Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition, today announced that the coalition has added LeeAnn Murray from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Karen Martynick from the Lancaster Farmland Trust to its executive committee.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state.

“LeeAnn and Karen, and their organizations, are strong environmental and conservation leaders in Pennsylvania,” said Larry Williamson, chairman of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “We look forward to their contributions to the executive committee as the Coalition continues to push for renewed funding to protect our drinking water, conserve our land and wildlife, enhance recreational opportunities and stimulate the economic recovery across the state.” …

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Hits Milestone

For Immediate Release:  January 26, 2012 

Support for Growing Greener Reaches Significant Milestone

Thirty-Five Counties – More Than Half the State – Call for Renewal of Critical Environmental Program 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that 35 counties – more than half the state – have passed resolutions calling for the renewal of the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, Pennsylvania’s primary source of funding to help local communities protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

Berks County today adopted a resolution in support of the Growing Greener initiative, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to save the critical program. In addition, Bedford County adopted a resolution this week.

“The Growing Greener program has made a tremendous impact in counties throughout the Commonwealth,” said Chairman of the Berks County Board of Commissioners Christian Leinbach. “In Berks County, the program has helped us enhance our heritage areas, conserve our open space and protect our water quality.  We could not achieve this without Growing Greener.” …

Make Marcellus Shale Package that Fund Growing Greener Agenda Number One

For Immediate Release:  January 17, 2012 

Renew Growing Greener Coalition to Legislature: Make Marcellus Shale Package That Funds Growing Greener Agenda Number One

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today welcomed legislators back into session and called upon them to restore Growing Greener funding by making the passage of meaningful Marcellus Shale legislation their top legislative priority.

“Now is the time to get down to business,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Our state and our environment can ill afford any further delays in the passage of a Marcellus Shale package that restores funding to help local communities across the state protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.” …

Support for Growing Greener Funding Grows

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2011

Eight More Organizations Join Coalition in Calling for Growing Greener Funding

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that eight more organizations have joined in supporting the effort to restore state funding for Growing Greener.

The Tulpehocken Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Bike Pittsburgh, and the Rail Trail Council of Northeastern PA have signed the Coalition’s Statement of Support, which calls for the establishment of a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue to support the renewal of Growing Greener.

In addition, Beaver County as well as Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, Lower Saucon Township in Northampton County, Bucks County Recreation Council and the Centre Regional Recreation Authority all have adopted resolutions in support of the program.

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