Newsletter of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources March 8, 2023
 Newsletter of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources March 8, 2023  Featured in Our Good Natured Blog Governor Shapiro’s Budget Supports Outdoor Recreation Economy, Park, and Forest Infrastructure Governor Josh Shapiro presented his first budget to the people of Pennsylvania — sharing his vision for commonsense investments to make Pennsylvania communities safer and healthier, create real opportunity and build an economy that works for all, and ensure every child has access to a quality education. This budget is a set of real solutions to the most pressing issues Pennsylvania communities face, Governor Shapiro said. During his remarks, the Governor stressed the importance of protecting our natural resources, parks, and trails, mentioning both Presque Isle and Pine Grove Furnace state parks by name. He talked about how important parks, forests, and trails are to families across the Commonwealth, including his own family. Read more… Funding Available for Volunteer Fire Companies to Increase Protection from Wildfires in Rural Areas The application window is now open for grants to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities increase protection from wildfires. “We are pleased to the support the men and women who volunteer with the fire companies that serve our rural areas and communities across Pennsylvania with these grants,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Having well-equipped and highly trained wildland firefighters is critical to protecting the Commonwealth’s natural resources, and we encourage eligible fire companies to apply for this grant round. ”Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents qualify for the aid, which is used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Grant recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection. Read more… |
 Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Announces Statewide Stakeholder MeetingsPennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner announced a series of statewide stakeholder meetings on efforts to unite, grow, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy — a sector that adds nearly $14 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy. “Businesses like these connect people to opportunities to recreate outside and build outdoor recreation into our daily lives,” Reigner said. “We are hopeful that we can harness the community that is built through running, biking, and other outdoor recreation activities to broaden the benefits and impact of this important piece of our economy. ”The meetings aim to connect businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to maximize the hidden value of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania. Supporting the growth of the outdoor recreation sector will help improve health and wellness, conservation efforts, job creation, and more. Read more… |
 Good Natured PennsylvaniansMeagan Hopkins-Doerr is the Master Watershed Steward Coordinator in Chester and Delaware Counties, and the Master Gardener Coordinator for Chester County. As a coordinator of these two programs, Meagan works to provide learning opportunities, helps volunteers as they develop projects and outreach, manages community needs to discover potential projects, and facilitates the ongoing volunteer program. Meagan has always had a fascination with ecology, science, and the natural world, and has tried to share that throughout her career. Both steward programs rely on partnerships with community members, which Meagan facilitates. Sharing ideas and opportunities leads to meeting various needs in a community, such as a riparian buffer planting on private former farmland, or stormwater basin naturalization on county-owned properties. Both steward programs aim to share science-based information with as wide an audience as possible. Master Watershed Stewards focus on projects related to watersheds and water health. Master Gardeners focus on educational projects related to horticulture. Both provide education through direct and indirect education and restoration projects. Projects overlap between the two groups when they focus on native plants and environmental responsibility related to gardening. This past year, rain gardens were installed by both the Master Gardeners and the Master Watershed Stewards. Tree plantings and converting lawn to meadows are other projects that both programs are involved in. By converting mowed turf to native forests and meadows, these environments: Provide native habitat to support our declining insect and bird populations Reduce flooding by absorbing more stormwater Change the soil structure and vegetation for increased carbon sequestration Create green space communities can enjoy “The more we change our lawn aesthetics to embrace native plants and trees, the better we will be, and the benefits will be both visible and unseen,” says Meagan. “Part of changing yard aesthetics is seeing what is possible and understanding the personal and community costs and benefits of different land use decisions. ”Her favorite part of these jobs? The people and organizations she works with. “I’m consistently amazed at the Master Gardener and Master Watershed Steward volunteers who give so tirelessly to better their communities,” Meagan says. “Their ideas, projects, and enthusiasm are inspiring. ”Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or conservation that we should feature? Contact us at ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone. |
| Also in the News |
 Philadelphia Releases Strategic Tree PlanPennsylvania State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger joined City of Philadelphia officials to announce the city’s first Philly Tree Plan. The plan will guide the next 10 years of strategy to grow and protect the city’s tree canopy, as well as produce new ways of working with residents to combat climate change. “DCNR applauds Philadelphia and its partners for recognizing the many benefits of urban trees for every neighborhood,” Shultzabarger said. “Having this vision and action steps positions the city to take advantage of funding at the state and federal level to protect and grow the trees that help address heat and flooding and improve our well-being. ”The recommendations in the Philly Tree Plan call for a historic investment in communities, using trees to deliver community-sustaining jobs, health benefits, and connections to culture. |
| Help Clean Up Pennsylvania’s Waterways with Project Clean Stream Every year, tens of thousands of volunteers come together to pick up trash from local streams, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods as part of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Project Clean Stream. If you know of an area in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that is plagued with trash and litter but are not sure how you can make a difference, Project Clean Stream can help. By becoming a site captain, you can register a clean-up event in your community. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay works with site captains to coordinate local clean-up events and provide supplies such as trash bags and gloves. You also can report a trashy area to help site captains find clean-up sites. Volunteers can pick-up trash in their communities, discover how their everyday decisions affect the overall health of their local waterways, and ultimately foster a healthier and more sustainable relationship with the Chesapeake Bay. |
 Nominations Open for 2023 Watershed Forestry Leadership AwardThe DCNR Watershed Forestry Team is seeking nominations for the 2023 Watershed Forestry Leadership Award, which celebrates exemplary leaders with significant, positive impacts that bring people together to advance watershed forestry practices in Pennsylvania. Examples of nominees include those who: Have far-reaching effects at many levels through their work and impact Connect ideas, concepts, and people together Inspire others to work collaboratively and creatively Lead with courage Are an excellent role model Individual employees, volunteers, and teams working with watershed forestry practices in Pennsylvania — including riparian forest buffers and lawn conversions — are eligible. All prior year nominations will be considered again in 2023. If you would like to edit previous nominations, please contact Watershed Forestry Program Manager Teddi Stark. Nominations can be submitted online and are due by Friday, March 31. The award winner will be announced at the 2023 Virtual Watershed Forestry Summit in June 2023. |
 Six Counties Added to Spotted Lanternfly QuarantineThe Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced that six counties have been added to Pennsylvania’s spotted lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of the 2023 spring hatch. With this addition, the quarantine for this invasive pest now includes 51 counties. Spotted lanternflies have not been found throughout the entirety of each of the new six counties, but rather have been found only in a few municipalities. Counties new to the quarantine for 2023 are: Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Fayette, Lawrence, Somerset. Opportunities for funding to help counties slow the spread of spotted lanternfly also will be available, with $150,000 in grants for county conservation districts in Pennsylvania. The grants will assist conservation districts with activities designed to enhance spotted lanternfly quarantine compliance by businesses and residents of their county. |
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| Featured Photo |
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| A wonderful, clear view from the square timber vista, one of many fine vistas along Ridge Road in Elk State Forest. |