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2011-12 Releases

GGC: Strong Suport for State Funding

For Immediate Release: December 20, 2012 

PA Growing Greener Coalition Points to Newly Released Survey as Clear Evidence of Strong Public Support for State Conservation and Recreation Funding 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition today pointed to a newly released statewide survey as clear evidence of strong public support for state funding to preserve farmland and open space, provide parks and trails and protect rivers and streams.

The survey, conducted between Oct. 1 and Nov. 4 by the Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg, showed overwhelming public support for both continuing existing dedicated state funding for conservation and recreation, as well as increasing state funding to protect land, water and wildlife.   The survey questions were commissioned by The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land. …

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         

October 1, 2012                                                            

CONSERVATION, RECREATION ORGANIZATIONS SEND MESSAGE TO SENATE: FIX PARKS-FOR-CASH BILL OR VOTE NO

HARRISBURG, PA. – More than 80 conservation and recreation organizations from across Pennsylvania have signed a letter imploring the state Senate to either fix House Bill 2224 – also known as the parks-for-cash bill – or reject it in its entirety.

The letter was delivered this morning to the Senate, which could vote on the bill as early as today. The organizations that signed the letter count tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents as members and supporters. …

Coalition Applauds Restoration of Recreation and Conservation Funding

For Immediate Release:  June 29, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Restoration of Recreation and Conservation Funding

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today applauded the restoration of funding for two key programs in the 2012-13 state budget.

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition, issued the following statement:

“The Coalition applauds the decision to restore funding for our parks, trails, open space, waterways and family farms and thanks our lawmakers for recognizing the importance of investing in recreation, conservation and preservation. …

RGGC Praises House Passage

For Immediate Release:  June 6, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Praises House for Unanimous Vote to Restore Recreation and Conservation Funding

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today praised House members for their unanimous vote on a budget amendment that restores funding for a key recreation and conservation program.

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition, issued the following statement:

“The Coalition is extremely pleased with the House vote to restore funding for the Keystone 93 program, which is critical to sustaining our state’s parks, open space and outdoor recreational opportunities. …

Save Our Farms Coalition

For Immediate Release: May 11, 2012

Group Rallies to Save Pennsylvania Farms

(Lancaster, PA) Conservation groups concerned about the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to farmland preservation have pulled together to form the Coalition to Save Farms. Members of the group include Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Renew Growing Greener Coalition, Pennsylvania Association of Land Trusts, Brandywine Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association.

Pennsylvania’s award winning farmland preservation program is funded through a dedicated tax on the sale of cigarettes. The Governor wants to permanently redirect this funding to the general fund. With no source of funds to replace the cigarette tax, the program will not survive. For more than 20 years, the Commonwealth has made an investment in protecting the land that grows our food, supports our economy, and provides jobs for our citizens.

…

Earth Day

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2012

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Calls on Legislature to Celebrate Earth Day by Rescuing Programs for Parks, Farms and Open Space from Budget Cuts

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and historic preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today called on the Legislature to celebrate Earth Day by rescuing programs that benefit Pennsylvania’s parks, farms and open space from budget cuts.

“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by saving the programs that protect our land, air and water right here in Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “The legislature should reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to these programs and make long-term, meaningful investments in our parks, farms and open space that ensure they will be around for many more Earth Days to come.” …

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.” …