“Silence is the voice of complicity.” I’m reluctant to use this maxim, knowing that good people face many obstacles to voicing their concerns: shyness, uncertainty as to facts, burnout from years of seemingly talking to brick walls. Nevertheless, in Harrisburg, silence is in effect a position—a tacit endorsement of wherever the status quo is heading.
In the coming weeks, your state legislators will choose whether to build on past constructive efforts to help Pennsylvania communities by restoring waterways to productive life, reducing flooding, repairing parks, and conserving land—or backslide by diverting money from state funds that were established specifically to fund these efforts.
Your state senators and representatives need to hear from you. Silence tells them that you don’t care deeply about conservation of our natural and recreational resources—that they should focus their energies and state monies elsewhere. Don’t let this happen. Reach out and tell them to:
- Support the new green investments called for in the Governor’s Restore Pennsylvania proposal; and
- Oppose any budget that would divert money from the community and conservation investments made by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and the Environmental Stewardship Fund. (More about the budget threats here.)
Also, please distribute this message to your friends, family, and colleagues (or use parts of it as you see fit).
Thanks for caring.
Andrew M. Loza
Executive Committee Member, Growing Greener Coalition
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
Background and Resources
Summary of Restore PA’s conservation and environmental components
Information about budget threats to the Keystone Fund and Environmental Stewardship Fund
Information about the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund
Information about the Environmental Stewardship Fund
