Friends of PEC,

With another winter nearly behind us we're lacing up our boots, tuning up our bikes, and getting ready to hit the trails. March was packed with activity in every part of the state and across our portfolio of program work. Here's a little taste of what PEC has been up to lately:
190 people representing more than 45 watershed organizations from all over Pennsylvania attended February's 2019 Statewide Conference for Watershed Organizations, hosted by PEC and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.

Attendees gathered in State College to network, learn from national as well as state and local presenters, and take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities.

One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the return of Shark Tank: Funder’s Edition, where contestants present mock project pitches to a panel of major grantmakers.

Hear advice from our funding sharks on crafting the perfect pitch in a new video on the PEC website.
Visit the PEC website for photos, selected presentations, and other materials from the conference.
The Laurel Highlands region in southwestern Pennsylvania is rich with history, outdoor adventure, and economic opportunity. It's also still dealing with a legacy of environmental damage from decades past. What do these things have in common?

Through DCNR's Conservation Landscapes program, PEC works with local partners to grow the region's tourism industry -- while preserving the natural and historic treasures that draw hundreds of millions of visitors each year.

Drop in on the annual LHCL gathering held last month in The Barn at Fallingwater.
2019 Awards Announced
One individual and 18 organizations, businesses, and local governments in Pennsylvania have been selected by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to receive the prestigious 2019 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

The winners will be recognized at PEC's Harrisburg awards dinner on April 16th.
Two conservation leaders and two environmental projects from Western Pennsylvania will share $20,000 from Dominion Energy and PEC for their innovation and contributions to the environment.

Awards will be presented at the 2019 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards dinner on Wednesday, May 22 in Pittsburgh.
PEC is proud to welcome veteran trail developer Brett Hollern to our statewide Trails and Recreation team.

The long-serving Somerset County Trail Manager brings two decades of experience to PEC’s State College office. In his time with the County, Brett was involved in the planning, development, and management of two of the region’s most visible and popular trail assets: the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the September 11th National Memorial Trail.
Brett's initial focus will be on closing trail gaps in the Erie to Pittsburgh corridor as part of PEC's involvement in the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition.
Who are the creatures in your neighborhood? We go in search of urban wildlife with Philadelphia writer, podcaster, and naturalist Billy Brown. 
How to talk about divisive environmental topics with hostile audience: advice from University of Maine Prof. Tora Johnson, keynote speaker at last month’s watersheds conference.
The Pennsylvania Legacies podcast features conversations with community leaders, policy experts, and Pennsylvanians on the most important environmental and conservation issues facing the Commonwealth.

New episodes are posted every other Friday at pecpa.org/audio and are available on most podcast platforms.
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An avian research coordinator for the long-term bird-banding program at Powdermill Nature Reserve was named a Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award winner.
Lucas W. DeGroote was one of the four winners of the award, presented to organizations and individuals demonstrating leadership, effectiveness and results in making an impact on the environment. A group of independent judges, environmental experts and Pennsylvania Environmental Council staff chose the winners from a list of nominees.

DeGroote, who joined Powdermill in 2012, has expanded regional bird conservation in Western Pennsylvania by forming partnerships and initiating new programs extending throughout North America and the world, according to the environmental council...
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