Editors Note:
GET OUT AND VOTE, PA On May 17, the $625 million Growing Greener II bond issue will be put to Pennsylvania voters. The question would authorize critical state funding for Pennsylvania’s three largest environmental problems— acid mine drainage pollution, loss of farmland and open space and cleaning up rivers and streams. If you live in PA, please get out and vote yes for Growing Greener II on May 17!
For the fourth consecutive
year in Pennsylvania, May will be celebrated as
Watershed Awareness Month to encourage Pennsylvanians to learn more
about their local watersheds and participate in environmental activities to
enhance their natural surroundings and communities.
Topic of the Month
National Wetlands Month Nationally, May is recognized as American Wetlands Month, focusing on the ecologic and economic benefits that wetlands provide. Visit the American Wetlands Campaign website to find out about Wetlands Month activities in your area. More...
Policy Update
New Tools and Publications
Managing Mosquitoes in Stormwater Treatment Devices
The California Department of Health Services has released a publication, Managing Mosquitoes in Stormwater Treatment Devices, that describes ways to suppress mosquito populations in stormwater structures. Topics include dry systems, stormwater ponds, sump or vault systems, mosquito predators, larvicides, vegetation, and system access.
Citizens' Toolkit to Prevent Illegal Dumpsites in State Parks and Forests
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with PA CleanWays, a non-profit environmental organization, to provide ‘Tools for Change,’ a toolkit for citizens interested in cleaning up and preventing dumpsites in state parks and forests throughout Pennsylvania. The free guidebook includes information on: how to begin a change process; how to navigate local government; how to organize and run a meeting; and tips for volunteer recruitment as well as useful contact information for dozens of non-profit, state, and national organizations.
Practical Ecology for Planners, Developers, and Citizens
Practical Ecology for Planners, Developers, and Citizens, by Dan L. Perlman and Jeffrey C. Milder is tailored to meet the needs of land use professionals and citizens seeking a concise yet thorough overview of ecology and its applications. The book presents key concepts in simple and pragmatic terms, and provides numerous graphics to help explain important concepts. It also offers exercises for the reader to practice ecologically-based planning and design, along with a list of resources for practical information on ecology and conservation. ISBN: 1559637161, Island Press.
Directory of Watershed Resources
The Environmental Finance Centers (EFC) at Boise State University has created the Directory of Watershed Resources, an on-line, searchable database to assist communities in finding creative funding solutions for environmental protection and restoration. Thanks to additions by the New England EFC in 2005, the Directory currently includes funding information for programs available from federal, state, private, and other sources for the following states: AK, CT, ID, ME, MA, NH, OR, RI, VT and WA. The EFC at the University of North Carolina has created a similar database for the states of AL, FL, GA, MS, NC and SC. In the future, the EFC Network hopes to expand the Directory to include funding information for all states.
Buffer Visualization Simulation Software
Resource professionals who have difficulty explaining a proposed buffer plan to landowners now have software tools for editing pictures to illustrate proposed buffer design alternatives. The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) has prepared a 2-CD set consisting of the Visual Simulation Guide and the CanVis image-editing software program. The Visual Simulation Guide provides instruction on how to plan a simulation project, acquire images, edit an image, and accurately locate and size imported objects such as trees and wildlife. CanVis consists of a collection of existing object libraries that contain more than 500 images of plant materials, agricultural features, people, wildlife, and park elements that can be quickly added to the base image.
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Gasoline-powered
landscape equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws) account for
over 5% of urban air pollution. 
Residential
application of pesticides is typically at a rate 20 times that of
farmers per acre; this can wash into lakes and streams and cause blooms
to smother aquatic life.
Yard
wastes (mostly grass clippings) comprise 20% of municipal solid waste
collected. Most of this waste still ends up in landfills rather than
being compost.
