Latest news with #JessicaShirley
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Penn State environmental program receives state award
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Penn State program is one of 19 projects that have been granted the 2025 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence. The projects were evaluated on their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved. SCASD to pay $150k to settle discrimination lawsuit Penn State's Center for Science and the Schools AG Seed-Lings program was one of the awardees. The program is a K-5 educational program funded by a USDA NIFA K-14 grant. It works to teach students about pollination, pollinators and their impact on food security. The program's curriculum consists of 19 STEELS-aligned lessons provided in both English and Spanish. Last year, the program was implemented in 42 school districts and reached over 1,700 students. 'The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,' Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'Together, we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards. These projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.' You can read about the other 18 projects and what they're doing for their community on the Department of Environmental Protection website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local projects recognized with Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two Lancaster County projects have been awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project in East Hempfield Township and the Wetland at Long's Park received honors from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,' said Jessica Shirley, the acting secretary of the department. 'Together, we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards. These projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.' The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project converted over six acres of unused land into wetlands and meadows, providing trails and natural water filtration. The project led to the reduction of 98,015 pounds of sediment and 2,369 pounds of nitrogen, according to the award. The Wetland at Long's Park is a natural water treatment system designed to meet the city's Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan. The goal of the project is to capture and treat over 16 million gallons of stormwater runoff and recirculated pond water each year, according to the award. The project exceeded that goal by almost double, the award noted. Better views come to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Each year, the Department of Environmental Protection invites businesses, farms, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to apply for the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The award highlights projects that 'promote innovative technological advances, partnerships, public service and environmental outreach as well as encourage pollution prevention, demonstrate economic impact or employ innovative technology.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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.
