Latest news with #JessicaShirley
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Over $175k awarded to environmental education projects in Central Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded over $1 million for projects across the state that work to promote environmental stewardship, including several in Central Pennsylvania. The funding comes from the Environmental Education Grants program, which works to educate those who live or work in areas that are affected by climate change, air pollution, and water pollution. According to the DEP, 87% of projects that received funding will work to captivate youth and adults on those topics. $200,000 in scholarships awarded to Somerset seniors Here are local projects: Huntingdon County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $30,000 for the 'Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit 2025.' The project will host 50 education leaders from 22 school districts to help increase sustainability efforts in the K-12 space. Blair and Huntingdon County Blair County Conservation District was awarded $30,000 for 'Regional Education on Healthy Soils, Riparian Buffers and Urban Green Spaces.' Interactive Stormwater Management programs and learning stations will be delivered to students, families and community members Somerset County Mountain Watershed Association was awarded $30,000 to conduct 'Expanding Outdoor Education in the Youghiogheny River Watershed' in multiple counties, including Somerset. The project will provide immersive hands-on programs, free community workshops, organized nature walks, fishing clinics, and service-learning opportunities. Centre County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $28,100 to deliver 'Equipping Educators through First Investigation of Stream Health Protocol Workshops.' Educators from multiple counties, including Centre County, will learn the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol and be provided supplies to guide middle and high school youth investigations. Jefferson County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $30,000 to deliver a 'Per-and Poly-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) workshop for Extension Educators and Volunteers.' Participants from multiple counties, including Jefferson County, will learn about PFAs fundamentals and management and, in turn, deliver community education programs. Cambria and Somerset County The Watersmith Guild, Inc. was awarded $27,188 to provide 18 'First Waves' workshops in counties, including Cambria and Somerset counties. Youth will engage in river and stewardship experiences and create digital media documentary films about their adventures. 'These projects help connect people to the ways we can protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, and many of them encourage learning at any age, whether you're a kid or an adult,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'Every grant we are awarding supports educational opportunities and will further improve people's connections to their environment.' You can read the full list of the 68 projects that received funding on the DEP website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEP bands falcons living on Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)– The Pennsylvania Game Commission banded the Peregrine falcons living in a nest on the 15th floor of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg on Thursday. The event, which was live-streamed on the Department of Environmental Protection's Facebook page, took place at 10 a.m. The DEP said Patti Barber, Endangered Bird Specialist with the Game Commission, led the team in bringing the nestlings in from the ledge and putting metal names around their legs for identification. The DEP added that each bird was weighed and had their health inspected. 'For over two decades, peregrine falcons have nested on the Rachel Carson State Office Building in downtown Harrisburg – the longest active nest site in Pennsylvania,' said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. 'It's fitting that so many falcons have been born and raised on the building that bears Rachel Carson's name.' The DEP says that banding falcons helps wildlife biologists track the birds. They added that the birds will begin to learn to fly in the coming weeks, and members from the Falcon Watch and Rescue will be able to monitor and recover them as they land. Individuals interested in volunteering for Falcon Watch and Rescue can contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Large EV charging station debuts in Dauphin County
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) — Harrisburg's largest EV charging station had its official grand opening earlier this week. Aero Corporation, in collaboration with IMC Solar, LLC, MVE Group, SRE Energy, EO Charging, and Nayax officially held the grand opening of what is now Harrisburg's largest EV charging stations back on Thursday, May 1. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to Aero Corporation, the new charging station is located at 1998 West Harrisburg Pike in Middletown. The state-of-the-art facility features a solar canopy and is now equipped with 12 new level-3 fast chargers with speeds up to 180kW. This brings the locations total to 22 EV chargers, which are open to the public with tap to pay options for charging. 'Our mission at DEP involves protecting clean air for the people of Pennsylvania, and a big part of that is reducing the air pollution from cars and trucks. Projects like this make it easier for people to switch to an electric vehicle – cutting down on pollution,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program supports projects like this one to increase the availability of EV charging stations and other alternative fuel options for Pennsylvania drivers.' Aero Corporation says the charging station was supported by a substantial Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Grant (AFIG) with partner the Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation to obtain over $300,000 from the state of Pennsylvania. 'At Aero Corporation, we are committed to leading the way in sustainable transportation,' Solomon Cramer, President of Aero Corporation, added. 'This new facility in Harrisburg is not just an investment in our business, but also an investment in the future of our community. We are proud to be part of Pennsylvania's journey towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.' Aero Corporation was founded back in 1968 and has now grown to become one of the largest Avis and Budget franchisees in North America. The company has a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles and annual revenues exceeding $60 million. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
DEP begins black fly suppression program
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has started its annual black fly suppression program, monitoring and treating 48 rivers and streams spanning more than 1,800 miles. 'As the weather turns warmer, Pennsylvanians will be spending more time outdoors, and black flies (biting gnats) are a pest that can put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day,' said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. 'This annual treatment program reduces this nuisance so that Pennsylvanians and visitors can fully enjoy outdoor activities.' The program involves aerial and backpack spraying to control nuisance black fly populations. Spraying activities will be performed on flowing sections of the river containing the pest species by both helicopter and DEP ground crews. Helicopters perform treatments by flying low over waterways and dispersing a brown liquid containing Bti. Bti is a naturally occurring soil bacteria used to treat the specific black fly species that is a pest to people. This bacterium quickly degrades in the environment and does not harm fish, people, birds or other insects. The frequency of the treatments will depend on weather and presence of the target species. The program is entering its 40th year of spray operations on Pennsylvania waterways. It focuses on the larval stage of a black fly's life cycle in rivers and does not conduct spray operations on land to control black fly adult populations. Prior to any spraying activity, DEP notifies county and local emergency management officials. Helicopters may be seen spraying material over waterways and ground crews may be seen applying material from bridges and wading in streams. Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel conducting sprays is encouraged to call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area. Spray notifications can also be found on the DEP's Vector Management Program website by clicking the link '2025 Spray Notifications.' The published schedule is subject to change depending on weather and water conditions.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania projects that work to combat environmental concerns may now apply for grants
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — In celebration of Earth Day, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it's accepting grant applications for environmental projects. The Growing Greener Plus Grant Program is now accepting applications for its next round and will do so until June 20. The program is the largest investment of state funds to address critical environmental issues, according to a release. Recycling center encourages Penn State fans to separate trash on game day 'Growing Greener is one of the most successful conservation programs in Pennsylvania history, and it is great to see the positive impact that these projects can have for our communities. These grants empower communities to build environmental improvements right where they live – ensuring cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient infrastructure,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'We're proud to open the next round of funding on Earth Day to recognize that protecting the environment benefits our communities and the people of Pennsylvania.' Here's who is eligible for grants: Watershed groups Local or county government Municipal authorities County planning commissions County conservation districts Educational institutions Non-profit organizations Since its inception, the program has provided over $420 million to over 2,800 environmental projects. In previous years, Central Pennsylvania projects that were awarded funds included the Clearfield County Conservation District, which got $200,000 for agricultural and stream restoration BMP implementation. The Elk County Conservation District was also awarded $87,002 for a stream improvement and rain garden project. You can learn more about the Growing Greener Plus Grants and how to apply on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
