Abandoned Mine Posts

By Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator

In 1999 Gov. Tom Ridge and the Pennsylvania General Assembly created the enormously successful Growing Greener Program, a program that invested in watershed restoration work, the remediation of abandoned mine reclamation, preserving open space, and more. That program, the largest single investment in cleaning up and restoring the environment in Pennsylvania’s history, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2009. But for all the hoopla associated with such a big program, it has maintained its grassroots nature, empowering groups to find local solutions for local environmental problems.

But, the idea of community-based watershed groups tackling their local water quality problems isn’t new. Groups like the Loyalhanna Watershed Association in western Pennsylvania and the Swatara Creek Watershed Association in the eastern part of the state have been active long before the advent of Growing Greener. Organizations like those have always understood the power of partnerships and community action. One of Growing Greener’s successes was bringing those concepts to a much wider audience for an even greater impact.

In a DEP recent press release dated May 19, 2009, DEP Secretary John Hanger commented:

“The Growing Greener program has profoundly improved the health of our waterways, funding hundreds of projects that enhance and protect water quality and providing needed financial support to local community and watershed groups so this vital work can continue”

To help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Growing Greener, PA Environment Digest has teamed up with Foundation for PA Watersheds, Stream Restoration, Inc., the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and LandStudies, Inc. in inviting watershed groups all across Pennsylvania to tell everyone their story of how the Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Program made a real difference in cleaning up their watershed.

An Incentive To Tell Your Story

Submissions of articles/photos or video are being sought, describing your projects, water quality assessments, or education programs showing how instrumental Growing Greener was in helping you to accomplish your local cleanup goals. Each month through December, two $250 grants will be given to the watershed groups with the best article and photo or video. These grants are an extra enticement for watershed groups to publicize their successes!  The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds has donated the funding to provide one of the $250 grants each month while funding for the second $250 grant was provided by an anonymous benefactor.

For more information about Growing Greener’s 10th Anniversary celebration and for details on how to submit your article, photo, or video, go to the Growing Greener Celebration website at: http://www.growinggreener.com/

By Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator

Sewickley Creek in Westmoreland County is getting healthier thanks to the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association and its partnership with Bob Hedin’s Iron Oxide Recovery, Inc., the Westmoreland County Conservation District, and a host of others. In fact, the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association was recently awarded one of the 2008 Governor’s awards for Environmental Excellence. In this installment of WPCAMR Video Diaries, we visit the award ceremony honoring the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association for all their hard work and success.

Click on the player below to view the video.

Note: If you’re on a work computer and can’t view the video, speak with your IT person to see if embedded videos are blocked.

Click here to read a Tribune Review news article about the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association’s Environmental Excellence Award.