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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 aheath@pagrowinggreener.org 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 12^th Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference from May 1-3^rd 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 2^nd.

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

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

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

For Immediate Release:  November 4, 2013

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Congratulates Cindy Adams Dunn on Appointment as President and CEO of PennFuture

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath congratulating Cindy Adams Dunn on her appointment as President and CEO of PennFuture:

“Cindy Dunn is an excellent choice as the chief executive of PennFuture and the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition congratulates her on this prestigious appointment.

“Cindy has decades of experience in outdoor recreation, conservation of natural resources, environmental protection and will be a strong leader for PennFuture, an organization that has a track record of success in enforcing environmental laws and advocating for strong environmental and public health policies.

“Since 2008, the Growing Greener Coalition has been working with groups like PennFuture to protect land, water, wildlife and historic sites. We look forward to working with Cindy and her colleagues at PennFuture to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities throughout the state by advocating for funding to support the protection of land, water, wildlife and air quality.”

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.

For Immediate Release:  October 10, 2013 

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Congratulates Department of Agriculture
on 25^th Anniversary of Farmland Preservation Program

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today congratulated the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on the 25^th anniversary of the state’s Farmland Preservation Program.

“The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition congratulates the Department of Agriculture on the anniversary of the Farmland Preservation Program, which continues to boost the state’s agriculture industry and give residents access to fresh, local food,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition.  “As the number one industry in Pennsylvania, agriculture has a major impact on the state, providing $67 billion in economic benefits and 1 in 7 jobs. Continued investment in farmland preservation is critical to the economic success of our state and to the health and well-being of residents.”

Created in 1988 in response to a growing trend of developing farmland for non-agricultural uses, the program gives state, county and local governments the option to purchase from farmers conservation easements that protect against development.

Pennsylvania is the nationwide leader in farmland preservation, having protected over 478,000 acres on 4,471 farms in 57 counties throughout the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania residents and government officials have long understood that beautiful, productive farmland supports our economy, nurtures our health and enhances quality of life,” said Executive Director of the Lancaster Farmland Trust Karen Martynick.  “The success of this program says a lot about who we are as Pennsylvanians and has given us the opportunity to shape the future for our children and grandchildren in a real and positive way.”

The program is funded through an annual allotment of cigarette tax revenue in addition to Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship funds.

According to a survey from the Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg, 92 percent of 608 Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to preserving farmland and open space, providing parks and trails and protecting rivers and streams should continue to be used for these purposes.

In addition, the survey found that nearly 78 percent of respondents support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests and farms even if would cost the average household $10 more annually. These high levels of support are constant throughout every geographic region and every gender, ethnic, educational and economic demographic throughout the state.

Pennsylvania Borough News article on Statewide Investment by Andrew Heath (click here for .pdf of article)

For Immediate Release:  March 18, 2013

Keystone Partners, DCNR Secretary Allan and ’93 Champions Celebrate 20^th Anniversary of Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund

New Report Finds Significant Economic Value of Keystone Investments, Keystone Awards Announced 

(HARRISBURG, PA) Keystone partners from across Pennsylvania along with Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan and the original 1993 legislative champions today celebrated the 20^th Anniversary of the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund at a special event in the Capitol Rotunda.

“Since 1993, grant investments through the Keystone program have worked to bolster our vision for the strength of our economy, the vibrancy of our communities, the health of our families and our quality of life in Pennsylvania,” Allan said.  “The legacy of the Keystone program is that it allows us to partner with communities so that they can expand and improve the wonderful assets that make the places we call home vital and attractive.”

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