Schuylkill Action Network

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee - Public and Virtual Meeting
2024-04-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). UAIPAC will convene to discuss proposed recommendations for the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.
Written comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 via email to UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom webinar. Pre-registration is required to attend the UAIPAC meeting and access informaton will be provided to registered individuals via email. Registration details can be found at: https://www.usda.gov/​partnerships/​federal-advisory-committee-urban-ag.

Oil Spill Response: Advances in Detection Capabilities (Webinar)
2024-04-10 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Join EPA for an overview of technologies and projects for tracking hydrocarbons underwater or in floating slicks. Additionally, this webinar will highlight the need for measurements that provide a better understanding of behavior and transport of spilled oil in water environments. Click here to register

Creating Age-Friendly Communities with Green Infrastructure: How Addressing Needs of Children and Older Adults Benefits All (Webinar)
2024-04-09 13:00 (America/New_York)
Check out the latest installment of EPA’s Green Infrastructure Webcast Series:
Description: As we are experiencing unpredictable conditions intensified by climate change, discussion on who is the most vulnerable has focused on race, income and zip codes. Age, however, must also be part of the conversation because children and older adults are at a higher risk for exposure to environmental factors such as excessive heat and flooding. In this webinar we will hear about the risk factors facing those older and younger among us and how age-friendly resilience strategies that include green infrastructure can mitigate risks while strengthening a community’s social infrastructure and benefit all.
SPEAKERS:
Danielle Arigoni, Managing Director for Policy and Solutions, National Housing Trust
Sharon Danks, Founder and CEO of Green Schoolyards America
Juan Mireles, Director, School Facilities and Transportation Services Division, California Department of Education
Click here to learn more and register

Workforce Solutions for Agriculture: Taking a Closer Look at Apprenticeships (Webinar)
2024-04-04 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Join this webinar offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension to discover the basics of registered apprenticeships for agricultural workforce development, explore current opportunities in Pennsylvania, and learn how employers can connect and support apprenticeship programs.
Learn more and register here

From Drought to Deluge: Use of Multiple Sampling Modalities to Understand Microcystis Dynamics in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, CA (Webinar)
2024-04-03 13:00 (America/New_York)
This Algal Bloom Action Team webinar will feature Ellen Preece, Senior Scientist for the California Department of Water Resources. Dr. Preece will share her research on microcystin during drought and record wet years in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California.
Click here to register

PFAS Regulations, Soup to Nuts Webinar
2024-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association is hosting this presentation which will provide an overview of Pennsylvania’s regulatory program for PFAS, EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, and recent EPA PFAS-related initiatives affecting the water and wastewater sectors. Specific topics include PFAS drinking water standards, the significance of designating PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, NPDES permitting, the impact of PFAS on biosolids management, and the cost of PFAS compliance and federal/state funding programs.
Click here to learn more and register

Pottstown Keystone Drive Community Cleanup Event
2024-03-30 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Location: 567 Keystone Blvd, Pottstown, PA
Great opportunity to earn Community Service hours.
Call 484.781.1748 to get involved

Flood Mitigation: A Roadmap for Pennsylvania (Virtual)
2024-03-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
In this panel presentation hosted by PASA, learn about the growing impact of severe floods and droughts on farms and other lands, and the role farmers and land stewards can play in directly mitigating damage caused by these natural disasters.
We will also cover resources farmers can access to reduce exposure, take preventive measures, and help downstream neighbors. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share your own flood impact stories and solutions.
Click here to learn more and register.

Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series: Harmful Algal Blooms
2024-03-26 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Establishing an Algal Toxin Rule and Regulatory Program in
Rhode Island, an Informal Case Study
Shannon Harrower-Nakama, Rhode Island Department of Health
In 2019, Rhode Island was one of the earliest states to establish a HAB/cyanotoxin rule in the state public drinking water regulations, which also required the development of surrounding program infrastructure. This presentation will serve as a brief, small-scale case study of a state-level Algal Toxin program from its inception onward, including topics such as an overview of the rule’s regulatory language, toxin selection and health limits, implementation, challenges, and other resources/information.
Insights on HAB Dynamics in Urban Lakes and an Introduction to
Benthic Sample Preparation
Heath Mash and Toby Sanan, EPA Office of Research and Development
HABs in recreational and drinking water sources can cause adverse health effects in humans and animals but are understudied in the urban environment. This presentation discusses the investigation of urban lakes in three metropolitan areas to determine if there are parameters that are unique to these lakes and investigate the correlation between urban watershed characteristics and cyanobacterial HABs.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CKP-COkmSHGy3-6SeOYSAQ#/registration

Barrels and Beer Rain Barrel Workshop
2024-03-23 11:00 (America/New_York)
Join Berks County Conservation District on March 23rd at Saucony Creek Brewery in Kutztown for “Barrels and Beer” a rain barrel workshop. Enjoy a delicious Saucony Creek Brew while painting a rain barrel to take home. Pre-registration required!
To register and for more information contact Jennifer at Jennifer.brooks@berkscd.com

2024 Watershed Congress
2024-03-23 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Sharing information, tools, and practices for watershed protection and restoration
The Watershed Congress has evolved since 1998 to advance the best available information and techniques for protecting and restoring watersheds. The focus on networking across disciplines means that the Watershed Congress melds science, policy, and practical applications into one program. As a result, the annual Watershed Congress is a highly anticipated event for people interested in understanding, protecting, and restoring their local streams.
For full details of the event, including sponsorship opportunities and programming information, please visit bit.ly/WatershedCongress
In person tickets are for March 23rd at Montgomery County Community College – Pottstown Campus. Tickets for the Virtual Sessions (the week beginning March 25th)
Click here to learn more and register

Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talk: Algae and Microplastics Stick Together
2024-03-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)

Scrub and Pub 2024
2024-03-21 14:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Join us at the 2024 Scrub and Pub in Upper Merion Township where the community and partners gather to clean before it’s green. This event is registered with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in support of Pick Up PA, the Annual Spring Initiative — and the Schuylkill Scrub.
Thursday March 21st
2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
followed by a Happy Hour at Puddler’s Kitchen where volunteers receive one free beer courtesy of Conshohocken Brewing.
Please RSVP by clicking here.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our sponsorship options, please contact Kaitie at kevers@delawareestuary.com or by phone 657-999-6730.

WEBINAR: What You Need to Know About Microplastics in Our Waters
2024-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
DESCRIPTION
Microplastics are emerging contaminants in the water environment. These manufactured polymer particles have been found across water matrices, capturing the attention of consumers and regulators, raising questions about potential human and ecosystem hazards. A major challenge for understanding microplastic fate and transport is that these are complex particle mixtures of varying size and shape. Join us to learn the latest about this a hot topic! This webinar will provide updates on the regulatory landscape, consumer knowledge and attitudes about microplastics in their drinking water, what you need to know about sampling and analytical options, and what we know about microplastic sources and occurrence across water matrices.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe current and pending legislation, consumer knowledge and attitudes.
Recognize microplastic monitoring challenges and how to interpret/compare studies in the MP literature.
Compare microplastic concentrations and characteristics in wastewater, stormwater, and surface water.
Register Here

PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference
2024-03-18 17:30 - 2024-03-21 17:00 (America/New_York)
Location: Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel
215 Innovation Boulevard
State College, PA 16803

Join PA Rural Water Association for the largest training and exhibit conference for water & wastewater utilities.
The conference provides three full days of training, up to 18 contact hours. There are over 70 courses to choose from and 130+ vendor exhibits.
vening entertainment and meals are provided with your registration.
Learn more and register here

Webinar - Five Steps for a Healthier Farm Pond
2024-03-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Click here to learn more and register.
Penn State Ext. Webinar: Learn about management steps you can take to reduce problems with algae and aquatic plants, water quality, nuisance wildlife, and leaks. Farm ponds can be used for a variety of reasons, from livestock drinking water to irrigation to fishing or just as a beautiful landscape feature. There are many challenges that can arise when managing a pond, such as nuisance plant and algae growth, nuisance wildlife, water quality issues, and leaks. Five Steps for a Healthier Farm Pond will discuss five steps you can take as an earthen pond owner to help manage and minimize these challenges.
Who is this for?
Farmers
Conservation Professionals
Agriculture Professionals

What will you learn?
Basic pond ecology
How to assess water quality for different farm pond uses
Ways to prevent water quality and algae problems
Options for solving nuisance aquatic plant and algae issues
Ways to address nuisance wildlife

Webinar: Water Quality Data in the Delaware River Basin
2024-03-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Join the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) in partnership with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) for an informative webinar on Water quality data in the Delaware River Basin (DRB) – the river and its tributaries. Learn how to access and use data for restoration, conservation, and recreation efforts.
Click here to register

From A to C: The Connection Between Agriculture and Conservation with Senator Bob Casey
2024-03-12 12:15 - 13:15 (America/New_York)
Senator Casey will join us for a comprehensive discussion on the intricate connection between conservation and agriculture in Pennsylvania. Together, we will explore the impact of the Farm Bill on local conservation efforts, review climate-smart agricultural practices and programs, and gain insights into the latest developments on Capitol Hill.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage and ask questions with a key policymaker who is actively shaping the Farm Bill—legislation at the crossroads of climate and agriculture policy. Register here!

Streambank Stabilization and Stream Crossings on Farms
2024-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join this live virtual webinar offered by Penn State Extension and learn about conservation practices used to stabilize eroding streambanks, improve instream habitat, and provide suitable crossings on farms and other land uses. During Streambank Stabilization and Stream Crossings on Farms we will discuss different practices for stabilizing eroding streambanks on various land uses such as cropland, pasture, and forest. Several economical options are available, and we will explore their purpose and effect. Additionally, we will cover the available resources for financial or technical assistance associated with planning, permitting, and constructing these practices.
Who is this for?
* Farmers
* Conservation Professionals
* Agriculture Professionals
What will you learn?
* Different options to stabilize eroding streambank
* Design considerations and techniques
* Permitting requirements
* Technical assistance and financial resources available
This event is being offered at no charge to participants.
Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.
Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.
Click here to register and learn More

Perkiomen Stormwater Symposium 2024
2024-03-08 09:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Join the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and their regional partners to dive deeper into the world of stormwater! Discover the different methods local organizations are using to tackle stormwater issues. Municipalities will walk away with educational materials and volunteer opportunities for their residents. This training is also designed to be a one-stop-shop for municipal staff, covering all six MCMs!
Speakers representing the following:
The Department of Environmental Protection
The Montgomery County Planning Commission
The Montgomery County Conservation District
The Perkiomen Flood Study
Center for Watershed Protection
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
Have an impressive stormwater project you would like to showcase? Submit a project poster to display during event registration and the lunch hour. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work with fellow colleagues! Check out project poster guidelines here.
Click here to learn more and register

Choose Native Workshop for Landscape Professionals - Philadelphia
2024-03-07 08:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Calling all Landscape Professionals!
Professional landscapers and water gardeners are invited to register for one of three regional workshops provided by Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Penn State Extension, and regional partners focused on replacing invasive species with those native to Pennsylvania, in landscaping and water gardens. The March 2024 “Choose Native” workshops are free and continuing education credits are available. The Philadelphia event on March 7 will be hosted at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Register by February 5th!
Landscaping and water gardening activities often lead to the unintended introduction and spread of invasive plant species to our land and waterways. Once established, invasive species can degrade natural habitats by outcompeting native species for space, light, and nutrients. Invasive species can impact the food web by altering the plant community and decreasing the diversity of plants available for food sources, habitat, and shelter.
Preventing invasive plant introductions by utilizing native alternatives in landscaping and water gardening is a viable solution. The Choose Native workshops will introduce participants to the native species options, creative ways to include native species, management strategies for existing invasive species, and creating a management plan for native species in landscapes and water gardens.
Join this workshop to
Learn about native alternatives to commonly planted invasive and ornamental species
Learn about using native plants for landscapes and aquatic spaces
Create a mock management plan for native and invasive species on your properties
Obtain continuing education credits
Attendees are eligible for:
15% discount for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 Course
International Society of Arboriculture Credits
PDA Certified Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional CEUs
Sustainable Landscape Certification CEUs
Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist CEUs
Click here to learn more and register! The workshops are being offered thanks to support of funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Draft Blue Marsh Lake Master Plan Open House
2024-02-29 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host an open house on Feb. 29, 2024, to share details on a draft revision of the Blue Marsh Lake Master Plan. The open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533.
The public open house will cover the proposed changes to the current Blue Marsh Lake Master Plan. Team members will share instructions on how to submit comments and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide feedback. A 30-day public comment period will begin on February 29th, 2024, and end on March 30th, 2024.
More information is available on the Draft Master Plan here.

The State of Stormwater Symposium: Programs and Fees in a post-West Chester Landscape
2024-02-28 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York), 2024-02-28 09:00 - 11:00 UTC
Register now for The State of Stormwater Symposium: Programs and Fees in a post-West Chester Landscape- a crash course on recent developments for stormwater management programs and fees, hosted and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council being held on Wednesday, February 28th from 9 AM – 11AM.

Attend the hybrid Symposium, from the comfort of your computer over Zoom OR join us in-person for lively presentations and panel discussions at the Lancaster County Convention Center, integrated with the Lancaster Marriot at Penn Square.
Enjoy a welcome from Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s new President, Tom Gilbert, and Executive Vice President, Patrick Starr.
Keynote speaker, E. Lee Stinnett II, Esq. of Salzmann Hughes, P.C. will cover relevant caselaw and pending cases. The validity of stormwater programs and fees have been continuously challenged by opponents of alleged “rain taxes”; even more so after the Commonwealth Court’s decision in PASSHE v. Borough of West Chester which declared fees to be taxes and exempted non-profit and government landowners under appeal. Walk away with tips on how you and your community can maintain a successful fee-based stormwater program under the current state of the law.
Following our keynote presentation, hear from a panel including Lee, Charlotte Katzenmoyer, Chief Executive Officer at Capital Region Water, and Marc Cammarata, Deputy Water Commissioner at the Philadelphia Water Department, for case studies on their stormwater fee structures, as well as their current challenges and opportunities.
Symposium moderator, Alex Chiaruttini, Esq., Pennsylvania Environmental Council Board Member, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at The York Water Company, and former DEP Chief Counsel, will coordinate live questions and answers with the audience.
Click here for more details and to register.

Virtual DEP Update On MS4 Stormwater Program, NPDES Water Quality Permitting
2024-02-22 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Join PA Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) for a virtual meeting with Sean Furjanic, PE, Environmental Program Manager for the DEP Bureau of Clean Water, for an update on the Department’s activities related to the MS4 program and NPDES permitting, followed by a Q & A session with attendees.
Questions can be submitted both in advance and during the webinar. PSPE will moderate. Please note that site/project-specific questions will not be considered.
Please Register by February 21 to receive your access credentials. The session will not be recorded. Approved for 1 PDH.
Click here to learn more and register

Planning for Flood Resilience: Integrating Hazard Mitigation and Floodplain Management Planning Webinar
2024-02-21 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Join FEMA for this webinar highlighting how local-level planning provides a framework for local governments to lessen the impacts of natural disasters, including flooding. Many local governments undertake multi-hazard mitigation planning to engage their community in understanding risks and developing mitigation actions. They can increase benefits of their planning process by designing it to also meet the floodplain management planning criteria under the Community Rating System (CRS). Integration of these processes is a win-win!
REGISTER
After registering you will get a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. Please test your ability to connect prior to the day of the webinar.
Presenters:
Alan Lulloff, P.E., CFM – ASFPM Flood Science Center
Shubha Shrivastava, CFM – Mitigation Planner, FEMA HQ
Shanene Thomas – Mitigation Planner, FEMA Region 6
Mary-Carson Stiff – Executive Director, Wetlands Watch
Savannah Newbern, CFM – Flood Risk Project Manager, Wetlands Watch

Live Webinar: Introducing the Pennsylvania Community Conservation Partnerships Program
2024-02-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join Penn State Extension and participating partners US Forest Service, State, and Private Forestry; Pennsylvania DCNR, Bureau of Forestry; and Pennsylvania TreeVitalize Program, Pennsylvania Community Trees for a webinar highlighting how the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Conservation and Recreation Community Conservation Partnership Program can help make your community forestry project a reality. This annual grant program is designed to support a variety of projects from tree inventory, planting, and maintenance to workforce development and community outreach around increasing tree canopy.
Click here to learn more and register.

SAN Pathogens and Point Source Workgroup Meeting
2024-02-20 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Join us for our Pathogens and Point Source Workgroup meeting to connect utility and regulatory partners in the Schuylkill Watershed! If you have an agenda item to discuss, plan to attend, or would like more information, please email Meghan Rogalus, SAN Manager, at mrogalus@delawareestuary.org. If you haven’t already signed up to receive our email reminders for workgroup meetings you can do so here.
This meeting will be held virtually over Zoom.
Click here to register for the meeting.

Agriculture Workgroup Meeting Q1 2024
2024-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for our Agriculture Workgroup meeting to connect partners and projects in the Schuylkill Watershed! If you have an agenda item to discuss, plan to attend, or would like more information, please email Meghan Rogalus, SAN Manager, at mrogalus@delawareestuary.org. You can receive email reminders for workgroup meetings by signing up here.
This meeting will be held virtually over Zoom.
Click here to register for the meeting.

Stormwater Workgroup Meeting Q1 2024
2024-02-12 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Join us for our first quarter virtual Stormwater Workgroup Meeting.
We look forward to a presentation by Virginia Smith of Villanova University entitled, “Needs, Challenges, and Solutions for Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Implementation”
Virginia’s presentation will discuss impacts of watershed development is reflected in the health of our streams, particularly headwater streams. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) are becoming an increasingly pervasive solution for stormwater management to mitigate these impacts. While maintenance of these can be challenging, GSI design can be leveraged to create more effective and efficient maintenance plans.
SAN Stormwater Municipal and environmental organizational partners can all benefit from the information shared in this program.
Click here to register and join us on Zoom
