Environment & Outdoors
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PECO Supports 17 Area Municipalities, Nonprofits to Advance Community Environmental Projects
Communities across the region will soon see new trees planted, trails improved, parks revitalized, and natural habitats restored thanks to a new round of funding from PECO. In partnership with Natural Lands, PECO has announced the 17 municipalities and nonprofits across the Greater Philadelphia region selected to receive support through the PECO Green Region Open…
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Pennsylvania’s Free Native Plant Kits Turn Lawns Into Pollinator Habitats
Pennsylvania is paying people in wildflowers to stop mowing their lawns. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is distributing free Pocket Meadow Kits to residents across the Commonwealth as part of its Lawn to Habitat Program, which aims to turn ordinary turf into thriving native ecosystems, writes Allaire Conte for Realtor.com. The…
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A New Invasive Pest Has Arrived in Montgomery County, and It’s Not the Spotted Lanternfly
The invasive New Zealand mudsnail, which was present in Pennsylvania in only four bodies of water until recently, has spread rapidly in the past several years and has now reached Montgomery County, writes Marcus Schneck for the Harrisburg Patriot-News. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission surveys from 2020 revealed that the snails have spread to three…
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New Ordinance in Jenkintown Targets Plastic Waste and Pollution
Jenkintown is taking a step toward sustainability with a new ordinance aimed at reducing plastic waste across the borough. According to a press release, the measure was passed by the Jenkintown Borough Council with support from the Environmental Advisory Committee. It will take effect on July 23. Under the new rules, businesses will no longer…
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Local Anglers Inject Trout Into White Clay Creek Waterways for Fishing
At the start of the week, volunteers and staff from environmental agencies helped restock White Clay Creek with dozens of trout, with trout fishing season ongoing since the beginning of April, writes Zoë Read for WHYY. With excitement, attendees scooped up buckets of wriggling fish and transferred them to the flowing creek near Avondale. Thanks…
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Pennsylvania May Soon Designate a New ‘Migratory Bird’
Pennsylvania is considering ending its status as the only state without a state bird by designating the scarlet tanager as its official “migratory bird,” writes Zoë Read for WHYY. While Pennsylvanians have already named the ruffed grouse the official “game bird,” bird enthusiasts are welcoming the idea of also establishing a “migratory bird” designation. State…
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Local Experts: Prolonged Snow Cover Helped Plants Survive, but Also Brought Drawbacks
Philadelphia region’s extended snow cover was a mixed blessing, which protected local plant life from the cold while inviting trouble from deer, voles, and snow mold, writes Anthony R. Wood for The Philadelphia Inquirer. This winter, the region logged 36 days with at least an inch of snow, including 23 straight days starting in late January. The snowpack was well-timed, said…
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Another Chester County Town Considers Becoming Designated ‘Bird Town’
Chester County is for the birds, well, bird towns. Under the program Bird Town Pennsylvania, there are a few designated areas such as Malvern and Charlestown Township. Chadds Ford might be on the next flight, writes Rich Schwartzman for Chadds Ford Live. The program partners with municipalities and organizations to work on bird conservation, creating…
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Pennsylvania’s Large Rivers Struggle While Small Creeks Offer Path to Recovery
With Pennsylvania’s flagship waterbodies like the Delaware River struggling to restore fish and wildlife populations, small creeks offer hope for a broader turnaround, write Scott Ensign and David Arscott for The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Pennsylvania’s recent river health report card, waterbodies throughout the state are likely to begin the spring season with diminished populations…
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Stroud Water Research Center Reveals the Impact of Road Salt on Local Waterways
A new study by Avondale’s Stroud Water Research Center has revealed the significant impact of road salt on local waters, writes Susan Phillips for WHYY. Completed this past October, Stroud’s recent study examined the salt content in over 1,200 locations, mostly local streams. Citizens and community partners conducted the research, which marked the fall first…
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King of Prussia’s Clean Earth Sells in Massive Deal to French Company
French waste-management giant Veolia announced plans to purchase King of Prussia’s Clean Earth, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The $3 billion acquisition of the waste recycler will expand Veolia’s U.S. operations, positioning the company as one of the largest players in the industry. Clean Earth employs roughly 1,800 people and handles contaminated…
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Opponents of Proposed LNG Plant in Chester Testify at State Hearing
Chester Mayor Stefan Roots said his city has “moved on” from a proposed gas export terminal in or near Chester. “This dangerous facility does not belong in a densely populated urban area like Chester,” he said during a Wednesday hearing at Chester City Hall before the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee. “Protect…
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Former Pennhurst Site in East Vincent Considered for Data Center, Plant Development
East Vincent Township officials and activists are looking at the potential for the former Pennhurst State Hospital property to be developed as a data center or tire-burning plant, writes Evan Brandt for The Daily Local News. During a recent special town hall meeting, officials said that the property owners have suggested both potential uses, but…
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Odor Alert. Delaware County’s Smelling Bad Again
The authorities have been alerted. The county’s 911 center received multiple reports about a gas odor that has returned to Delaware County. The county’s Emergency Services Department is investigating, according to FOX29. Over at the Springton Reservoir on 252, a Reddit user described a diarrhea smell. County residents from Clifton Heights to Marcus Hook are…
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Birchrunville Native Scores Resalable Treasures Among Trash from Wealthy Shore Towns
Tucker Upper, a Birchrunville native known to his scores of followers by that name, discovers resaleable treasures among trash from wealthy Jersey Shore towns, writes Lini S. Kadaba for The Philadelphia Inquirer. James Graeff, his given name, films GoPro videos of his trash picking and posts them on his YouTube channel with over 220,000 subscribers,…
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Brandywine River Restoration Trust Dismantles Second Dam to Restore Fish Migration, Improve Water Quality
The Brandywine River Restoration Trust (BRRT) is dismantling Dam 6, or the DuPont Experimental Station Dam, on the Brandywine River as part of its broader restoration project, writes Johnny Perez-Gonzalez for WHYY. The Brandywine River powered Delaware’s industrial rise in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Eleven dams reshaped the flow to fuel local mills.…
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Hazard vs. Economy: Delaware River LNG Terminal Back in Play
Exporting Pennsylvania’s fracked gas could mean a new $7 billion liquified gas facility along the Delaware River, affecting Chester and Eddystone, writes Nina Sablan for Inside Climate News. Chester already feels the effects of industrial sites along the river. Air pollution is blamed for high rates of deadly illnesses in Chester and surrounding communities. Researchers…
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PECO Green Region Grant Fuels Accessible Family Fun in Lower Makefield
Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County, a two-time winner of PECO Green Region grants, used its most recent award to improve accessibility at Five Mile Woods Preserve, including the installation of more than 700 linear feet of accessible boardwalk and new ADA-compliant parking. These upgrades addressed long-standing barriers for individuals with mobility challenges, many of…
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