February 2023- More than $134,000 in scholarships are available for students through The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers. In 2022, the Foundation awarded scholarships to 42 local students.

Not every ruffed grouse across Pennsylvania is quite the same as the next. Some – though wild, undomesticated birds – might even be called “tame,” meaning they show little fear of or even act aggressively toward people, especially in spring and fall.

A #WildSciPA video available on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel shows just what that looks like.

But does that behavior matter, to grouse and grouse management?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking the public’s help in answering that question. The agency – charged with perpetuating wildlife species including grouse over the long term – is conducting a ruffed grouse genetics study in cooperation with Pennsylvania State University. The research aims to determine whether the Commonwealth’s grouse population shows signs of splitting up into distinct subpopulations and if “tame” behavior is linked to genetics. The results of this study will ensure habitat management efforts are targeted to improve and maintain grouse population connectivity.

Accordingly, the Game Commission is encouraging Pennsylvanians to report the location of any “tame” grouse they see this spring by sending an email to grousecomments@pa.gov. That email should include the person’s name and phone number, date of the sighting, location of the encounter and a description of the grouse’s behavior.

Ideally, those sending in a report should also include GPS coordinates for the encounter site. If that information isn’t available, reporters should provide as much other detail about the location of the encounter as possible, listing things like the county and/or township, the name of the property (like a particular state game lands, for instance), the property address, the closest intersection and the like.

Game Commission staff may reach out to those who report encounters for additional information, if necessary.

Field staff will then visit those locations where “tame” grouse sightings occurred to capture birds and collect a genetic sample from each.

“You may be familiar with mail-order kits where a simple saliva sample or mouth swab can unlock all kinds of information about your own ancestry or information about the breed background of your dog,” said Game Commission grouse biologist Reina Tyl. “We will be sampling these ‘tame’ grouse in essentially the same way, swabbing their mouth and sending the swab off for genetic analysis.”

All grouse from which samples are taken will be released immediately afterward at the same sites they were captured.

The more birds the Game Commission can sample, the better. That’s why public participation is so important to this project, Tyl said. It’s really the key to success with this effort.

“Gaining a more complete understanding of the genetic diversity of Pennsylvania’s grouse population is critical to ensure proper management of our beloved state bird,” she added.

Nonprofit Link and Learn Seminar topics for 2023 also announced

OLEAN, N.Y., February 28, 2023 — The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will launch this year’s Nonprofit Link and Learn seminar series on March 21 with the “Grant Application Coaching Workshop,” facilitated by CRCF’s Karen Niemic Buchheit and Monica Emery and Laura Whitford of the Renodin Foundation.

This session will help attendees to prepare grant applications that will stand out to funders. The session will cover pre-application research, writing tips and best practices, project budgets, post-approval actions such as grant acknowledgment and reporting and what to put in your “grant application toolbox.”

The session will cover information specific to applying for grants from CRCF and the Renodin Foundation, but tips will be applicable to most any grant program. Should attendees have a project they are considering seeking grant funding for, there will be time for a Q&A at the conclusion of the session to address specific questions.

Quart Soup Sale Fundraiser: Stop in or call the library at 814-697-6691 to order a
quart of one of these delicious homemade soups: Tomato Bisque, Chicken Noodle,
Minestrone (veggie), or Broccoli Cheese. Pre-sale goes until Saturday, March 18th, and
pick-up and pay is on Saturday, March 25th from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides tax incentives for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient home improvements. These incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. This credit allows homeowners to claim a credit of up to 30% or a capped amount of the cost of specific energy-efficient home improvements. Energy Efficient improvements that might qualify are things like windows, doors, energy audits, and heat pumps. Homeowners can claim the credit on their federal income tax return.

Extension Educators will provide information based on guidance from the IRS about what might qualify and the various stipulations. An electric bill will be reviewed to determine what the different numbers and charges mean. An Extension Educator will also discuss heat pumps, a focus of the tax credits, and how they function.

Matthew Minich of Minich Electric of Bradford, PA, will be a guest panelist. Matt is an electrical contractor who will give general advice and answer questions about upgrading electrical components eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Matt has over 25 years of industry experience and is a Pennsylvania College of Technology graduate. He is also on the advisory committee of Seneca Highlands CTC.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 16, at noon. The webinar is free, and pre-registration is required. Registered participants will receive a recording. You can register at the following website: www.bit.ly/energyMarch2023. Any questions about this webinar can be directed to Joseph C. Conklin, Ed.D., at juc50@psu.edu.