Pennsylvania Audubon Council
Education and Outreach Statements
for Our Priority Conservation Issues
Last June a special PA Audubon Council meeting for chapter leaders was held to discuss how to best frame our policies and position statements for the priority conservation issues we had previously and collectively identified. The discussion led to the development of a template to frame a 1-2 page document for each of these issues. The template outlined a range of activities that focused on the range of our work with individual members, our communities, as well as with our local, state, and national leaders.
The PAAC Executive Committee met earlier this month, and clarified that the work of our Council and the Chapter Network is “education and outreach.” The template was revised to reflect that change in emphasis, and to broaden the thinking behind the development for each of our statements. A copy of the updated Education and Outreach template can be found by clicking the links below.
The PAAC Executive Committee will now be developing Education and Outreach statements for each priority conservation issue, via a series of work sessions to be scheduled through this fall. The Committee wants increased participation with the drafting of these statements. Please share the link below with your chapter Board members, as you and they are invited to participate in any of the work sessions organized around priority conservation issues. Anyone interested in participating should sign up by Monday, October 10, 2022. The schedule of work sessions will be then be coordinated with those who have responded. Please click the link below for more details and direction.
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THE RENEWBLE ENERGY COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED!
The Renewable Energy Working Group (REWG) has been at work for over two years, focusing on responsibly sited solar and wind projects. This has been an “ad hoc” group of chapter leaders and others who meet frequently to study and formulate positions on a number of energy related issues. The REWG was the catalyst for a Pennsylvania chapter “sign on” letter in opposition to the “Icebreaker Project”, a wind installation proposed in Ohio, on western Lake Erie. Nineteen of our chapters signed on to that letter expressing concerns with the project being sited in an area which is an important migratory pathway for passerines and a wintering ground for ducks and grebes.
The REWG also offered support and counsel to the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society and the South Mountain Audubon Society with regards to proposed Utility-Scale Solar projects in their areas. Most recently, the REWG was part of a coalition led by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and others concerning a proposed “Anthracite Ridge” wind turbine project just west of the Kittatiny near Fort Indiantown Gap.
The REWG is co-chaired by Laura Jackson, Juniata Valley Audubon and Judy Stepenaskie, Wyncote Audubon Society. The group also includes Tom Kuehl, Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society, Susan Murawski, Presque Isle Audubon Society, and Leigh Altadonna, Wyncote Audubon Society. From time to time there has also been involvement with Regional and National Audubon Society staff and others. Until now, the REWG has remained an independent working group. It is now officially associated with the Pennsylvania Audubon Council and is now the “Pennsylvania Audubon Council Renewable Energy Committee.”
Last week, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Executive Committee officially endorsed the REWG and the Utility-Scale Solar “White Paper” that was produced by the REWG with Laura Jackson, Tom Kuehl and Judy Stepenaskie as the principal authors. Kelly McGinley also helped with the formatting and production of the “White Paper”. The Utility-Scale Solar “White Paper” can be accessed by clicking the button below. It is an extensive guide for our chapters, local municipalities, and others to promote the responsible siting of utility scale solar projects. It also is the focus of an upcoming webinar for interested chapter leaders and others. The webinar is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. We encourage all chapters to have representatives participate.
Both the “White Paper” and the webinar are timely, as there will be important initiatives and funding supporting the development of solar installations across the Commonwealth and the nation. There will be a critical need for fossil free energy production that is responsibly sited and operated!
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council
Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award
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In the past, the Audubon Council of Pennsylvania honored individuals who had made important contributions to conservation in Pennsylvania with a special “conservation award.” An award was bestowed upon Governor Robert Casey in 1990. Other past awardees included Congressman Jim Greenwood, State Secretary Maurice Goddard, and others. All of these past awards were earmarked by a simple ceremony. It was not associated with any fundraising activity or other purpose other than as an honor to a deserving recipient. The award was in the form of a framed piece of bird art with a simple engraved plaque.
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council Executive Committee has reinaugurated the award as the “Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award.” Walt Pomeroy was a great friend of Audubon here in Pennsylvania as well as throughout the “old” Audubon MidAtlantic Region and all of Audubon. Walt passed away on the evening of May 24, 2022. He leaves us with an inspirational legacy for all of us associated with our Pennsylvania Audubon chapters and our Pennsylvania Audubon Council. A wonderful tribute to Walt Pomeroy appeared in the Pennsylvania Environmental Digest Blog Spot on May 31st: https://bit.ly/3aadWFh. Walt was responsible for the establishment of many of our chapters here in Pennsylvania and the former MidAtlantic Region that included Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Walt established the Audubon Councils in each of these states and was integral to the work that led to the incorporation of the Audubon Council of Pennsylvania and the successful effort to establish the Pennsylvania Audubon state office with Cindy Dunn as the first Executive Director.
It is fitting that Pennsylvania DCNR Secretary, Cindy Dunn (pictured above), will be the first recipient of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award. Her long association with Appalachian Audubon, our chapters, the Council, Walt Pomeroy and her conservation record make her an outstanding honoree! A simple ceremony will take place at the Rachel Carson Office Building in Harrisburg on October 26, 2022. Lin Pomeroy, Walt’s widow, will be part of the presentation ceremony. Secretary Dunn will be presented with a Conservation Edition of “Deep Woods Drummer,” a Ruffed Grouse by noted artist, Ned Smith. Special thanks are due to Scott Weidensaul and John Booth, Executive Director of the Ned Smith Center for providing the Council with this special edition of the print.
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SOME IMPORTANT GOVERNANCE UPDATES!
Council Elections of Officers and Representatives to the Executive Committee:
Over the summer, all twenty-one Pennsylvania Audubon Chapters cast their ballots for the election of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Officers and Representatives to the Executive Committee. The results for Council Officers are: President: Leigh Altadonna, Wyncote Audubon Society; Vice-President: Paul Burroughs Presque Isle Audubon Society; Secretary: Heidi Shiver, Bucks County Audubon Society; Treasurer: Jim Bonner, Executive Director of Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. In addition to the Officers, three representatives were elected to serve with the four officers on the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Executive Board. They are Laura Jackson, Juniata Valley Audubon Society; Susan Murawski, Presque Isle Audubon Society; and Peter Saenger, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. They will serve for a one-year term that started July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2023.
Special thanks to the Nominating Committee includes Ali Bowling, Appalachian Audubon Society; John Carter, Juniata Valley Audubon Society; and Sean Minnick, Tiadaughton Audubon. And again, special thanks to every Pennsylvania Audubon Chapter as it is important to note that every chapter participated in the election!
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council Designated as an IRS 501(c)3 Organization:
We are pleased to report that the Pennsylvania Audubon Council has received the determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service that officially makes the Council an IRS 501(c)3 Organization. This status recognizes that we are an organization that promotes education and conservation and donations to the Council are “tax deductible” under the provisions of the IRS. This status is the same designation in place for each of our twenty-one Pennsylvania Audubon chapters.
National Audubon Board Representation for the “Atlantic Flyway North:”
There are nine “chapter” seats on the National Audubon Society Board of Directors that are reserved for representatives of the nine “chapter regions” in the Audubon network. Pennsylvania is included in the “Atlantic Flyway North” along with New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Vermont, and Maine (there are no National Audubon Society chapters in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island). Over the last five years our Atlantic Flyway North Representative has been Sally Jeffords. Sally has had deep Audubon roots and has been in a leadership role with the Friends of Hog Island and Audubon New York. Sally has been an important supporter and participant in Pennsylvania Audubon Council meetings. We applaud Sally’s service to Audubon! She maintains a home in Lancaster County and will continue to be connected to our work in the Pennsylvania Audubon Council.
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SOME MEMBER UPDATES
Ali Bowling:
Ali Bowling is the President of the Appalachian Audubon Society based in the Harrisburg area. Ali has been a leader with the “Lights Out Harrisburg” initiative. Ali has helped to support the initiative and Appalachian Audubon hosts the website for “Lights Out Harrisburg. Ali has also been an important voice in Pennsylvania Audubon Council meetings and programs. Earlier this month, Ali assumed a new role as the Executive Policy Specialist with DCNR where she will work on DCNR related policies. She will be working with interested parties on key conservation issues. In this new role, Ali notes that she is always available to chat or help organizations in any way -- please don't hesitate to reach out. Congratulations Ali!
Tom Dick:
Many of our chapters have learned of the passing of Tom Dick through the Hawk Migration Association of North America and the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology. Dick was the founder of the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society and the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch. Tom enjoyed the support of Walt Pomeroy during the chapter’s formative years. Tom and Sally were regular participants representing Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society at statewide Council meetings through the 1980’s. We join with Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society and the many organizations with which Tom was associated and honor his memory and record of service!
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WORKSHOPS OF INTEREST!
PA Sustainability Summit, October 3rd – October 7th:
Monday will feature a full day of speakers and presentations followed by a series of lunch and learn sessions hosted Tuesday through Friday – all now available for registration below.
Topics include energy efficiency cost-saving programs, solar siting issues and guidance, electric vehicle purchasing, local climate action plans, and much more. Also, there will be a full discussion on the federal funding coming to Pennsylvania through the recently passed Infrastructure and Climate bills. Also---local government officials and staff are a key audience—as we will share what we have learned in state government and what funding and assistance is available to them. So, please share with them too.
Thank you! Please register today! And, please share this invitation with others– including the registration links below – within your networks. It’s free and open to all—so please plan to attend.
Learn More Here:
How to Engage With Your Municipal Leaders:
Bird Town Pennsylvania has partnered with WeConservePA on a range of workshops. WeConservePA works with Environmental Advisory Councils and Land Trusts throughout the Commonwealth to promote work that is central to Bird Town. There is a range of workshops being offered along with direction for preregistration. One of the several events is “How to Engage With Your Municipal Leaders” on October 6, 2022 that is intended for Bird Town Leaders among others. Learn more about this and other valuable workshops sponsored by WeConservePA here: WeConservePA.org/events
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