The Senate passes a massive public lands bill including permanent reauthorization for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Pennsylvania's native trout are flourishing thanks to the state- and national-level work of Trout Unlimited. We talk with TU President Chris Wood and Mid-Atlantic O...

100 Communities Support the Circuit Trails!  And PEC Helped!   800 miles of multi-use trails that connect important destinations across nine counties in two states is a big, ambitious idea that is not easy to get one’s arms around. And yet, communities all over Greater Philadelphia a...

Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed legislation [S.47, the Natural Resources Management Act] that permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Passage by the Senate is a major step toward ending the uncertainty that has plagued this landmark conservation program for the pas...

Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of small, people-powered organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring local watersheds. These groups are accomplishing great things in their communities, typically on a shoestring budget. But could they be even more effective by coordinating their efforts? ...

By Dan Grossman and Davitt Woodwell The news on climate change went from bad to worse in the last quarter of 2018. During that time, and despite inaction on all fronts at the federal level, the biggest story may have been that science and defense agencies weighed in with their Fourth National...

Patriots Cove, along Beaver Run in Wyoming County, is more than just a great fishing spot. It's a refuge for brook trout and human beings alike, where injured veterans are healing themselves and one another while helping to restore an impaired stream. Patriots Cove co-founder Jeff Swire is our guest...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2018   Contact: Josh Raulerson, Director of Communications Phone: 412-481-9400 Email: jraulerson@pecpa.org   It’s Time to Act on Climate Change in Pennsylvania PEC Releases Proposed First Steps for State Action   Pittsburgh — Calling ...

There's been plenty of talk about climate in Pennsylvania. Now it's time for action. Davitt Woodwell and John Walliser discuss PEC's just-released policy proposal for putting the Commonwealth on a path to zero carbon emissions. ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2018 CONTACTS: Terry Brady (DCNR) 717-772-9101 Janet Sweeney (POWR) 570-718-6507   Clarion River Named PA 2019 River of the Year in Public Voting   Harrisburg, PA - A Wild and Scenic River that draws legions of anglers, paddlers and other outdoo...

Pennsylvania will slash 80% of net greenhouse gas emissions statewide by 2050 under targets announced January 8 by Governor Tom Wolf. State agencies will lead the way, working strategically through the governor's new GreenGov Council to improve energy efficiency across government operations. Mea...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2018 CONTACT: Janet Sweeney or Angela Vitkoski, POWR PHONE: 570-718-6507   POWR announces 2019 Pennsylvania Sojourn Grants Now Available   The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) has announced the opening of the 2019 Penn...

Despite what you may have heard, environmental causes resonate with Pennsylvanians from all walks of life, throughout the state, and across the political spectrum. Recent polling from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership shows Pennsylvania hunters and anglers in particular are passionate ...

New leak detection technology will help natural gas utility Peoples Gas cut methane emissions from its Pittsburgh distribution system in half this year. The announcement marks a new phase in Peoples' ongoing partnership with Environmental Defense Fund and Google Earth Outreach. ...

Former state Senator Edwin "Ted" Erickson passed away earlier this week, leaving behind a tremendous environmental legacy. His professional career reflected strong dedication to the residents of Delaware County and the Commonwealth. In addition to his tenure with the General Assembly, Ted Erickson�...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2018   CONTACT: Sally Tarhi, Pennsylvania Environmental Council EMAIL: WPEA@pecpa.org   Nominations Sought for Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards   Pittsburgh—If you have an exciting environmental project to improve your commun...

Congress has missed its last opportunity in 2018 to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a landmark conservation and recreation program that has funded projects throughout Pennsylvania and across the nation since it began in 1965. Despite strong bipartisan support, including fro...

Vermont Law School is home to the nation's top-ranked environmental law program. Its graduates are also among the best prepared for the real world, thanks to the Semester in Practice program. Davitt Woodwell chats with Vermont Law's Johanna Thibault and fall 2018 PEC legal intern Ethan Story. ...

With new urgency around the unfolding climate crisis, policy discussions at the state level are intensifying. PEC's policy team has an update and analysis on recent and forthcoming proposals to tackle Pennsylvania's carbon emissions. Links: IPCC Special Report on Global Warming, October 20...

As voting begins for 2019 Pennsylvania River of the Year, a chat with Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper's Carol Parenzan about last year's winner, Loyalsock Creek. Then: plenty of groups and government agencies are working independently to restore Pennsylvania's forest lands. Could they make a bigge...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2018 CONTACTS: Janet Sweeney, POWR, 570-718-6507 Terry Brady, DCNR, 717-772-9101   Voting to Begin for Pennsylvania’s 2019 River of the Year   Harrisburg, PA – The public is invited to again vote online for the 2019 Pennsylvania River of ...

At PEC we believe in “conservation through cooperation”: an ethic of connection, engagement, and close collaboration with partners. By convening a diverse group of stakeholders to focus on a problem we achieve not only a better understanding of the challenges we face, but also a broader rang...

In working to clean up one of Pennsylvania's most impaired urban watersheds, the members of the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership face a daunting challenge. But the coalition also has a major advantage: a shared recognition that working together is the only way forward. As the initiative pivots to...

The site of Barbara Bradford’s home near Canawacta Creek in Lanesboro, Susquehanna County, is as historic as it is picturesque. Built in the 1830s, the stone cottage stands amid the remnants of a small commercial district – complete with blacksmith and livery stable – that once occupied th...