Choose Clean Water Conference: Attend, learn, engage.

The Choose Clean Water Coalition (CCWC) brings together over 200 organizations from the Chesapeake Bay watershed that are committed to restoring the Bay and its thousands of rivers and streams. PennFuture is the state lead organization for the roughly 30 Pennsylvania members of the CCWC who are working throughout the Commonwealth for clean water locally. 

We were delighted when the CCWC announced they would hold their sixth annual conference in Harrisburg. A conference is a great way to connect with other groups and learn from one another. Even better, this conference will showcase the Susquehanna River and the work of many of the Pennsylvania member groups. Best of all, it's open to anyone interested in clean water!

Join us on May 19-20 to learn new skills, see how clean water goals are being met locally, hear policy updates, and discuss best practices to reduce polluted runoff and increase conservation measures.

Sessions will include:

• Best practices for building new partnerships
• Passing, implementing, and communicating about stormwater utilities
• Responding to the impacts of natural gas pipelines on local communities
• Innovations in agriculture

Great field trips:

• Paddle on the Susquehanna River
• Take a walking tour of Harrisburg to see the local water infrastructure and the city's greening efforts
• See what the Gettysburg National Military Park is doing to create a sustainable environment
• Visit the Conewago Creek Initiative's best land management sites
• Join with a Harrisburg community group to pick up trash in their neighborhood

For an agenda and to register, click here. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Jen Quinn quinn@pennfuture.org . In exchange for a few hours of time, volunteers can attend the conference for free. I hope to see you there!

Jennifer Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1.

Two minutes for a better city

Anyone living, working, or visiting Harrisburg knows we have a big problem with trash. Trash cans are often overflowing and many folks think nothing of tossing their cigarette butts and food wrappers on the ground. Not only is this unsightly and gross, it also pollutes our water. When it rains, everything on the ground, from animal waste to motor oil to discarded plastic bags, gets washed into our storm sewers, or even directly into streams and rivers. Once in the storm sewer, the polluted runoff and trash is discharged into our waterways. Trash in our lakes and rivers often leads to mortality in fish and birds when they ingest or become entangled in it, and can increase bacteria levels in waterways, posing a threat to human health.

In order to address Harrisburg’s trash problem, 2Minute Tuesday was started in 2011. It’s a unique initiative and a call to action that encourages City of Harrisburg residents and businesses to take two minutes every Tuesday to pick up litter, sweep the sidewalk, and clean up the front of their homes and businesses. It’s a simple idea that can make Harrisburg a better place to live and work, and it’ll keep the trash out of our creeks and rivers.

We’ve started doing our part every Tuesday. Won’t you join us?

Jennifer Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1 (and tidies up in front of PennFuture's Harrisburg office on Tuesdays!).

Rain barrels: Helping to solve Harrisburg's stormwater problems

Last year, Harrisburg resident Jean Cutler established the Harrisburg Rain Barrel Coalition (HRBC) to lessen stormwater runoff in the city that contributes significant pollution to local streams and the Susquehanna River and causes localized flooding and sewer overflows. Rain barrels are a simple, cost-effective option for managing stormwater and can be easily attached to downspouts to capture roof runoff. The stored water can be used to water plants and gardens and can help reduce water bills. 

Image: Harrisburg Rain Barrel Coalition

Over the past year, the HRBC has held multiple workshops at various locations throughout the city, culminating in the well-attended Rain Barrel Festival. During these workshops, participants learn how to install and maintain their rain barrels and they also learn about their role in water quality protection and stormwater management. The Coalition uniquely combines artistic expression with environmental issues and allows workshop participants to have fun while creating awareness, as each participant can personalize their barrel. 
 

Image:Harrisburg Rain Barrel Coalition

But the HRBC is more than just rain barrels. By engaging and educating citizens and local government, the Coalition is working to develop and implement multiple green infrastructure practices, such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavers, and increased urban tree planting. All of these practices reduce polluted runoff more cost-effectively than traditional methods and provide additional benefits including neighborhood beautification and increased property values. The HRBC also participated in the planning and presentation of the 2013 Environmental Leadership Training program, which consisted of 8 courses and graduated 24 environmental stewards and advocates.

There are plans for future rain barrel workshops, a demonstration rain garden, and additional environmental leadership training. Upcoming HRBC events include a tree planting in Harrisburg and rain barrel painting at the upcoming Wetlands Festival at Wildwood Park. To learn more about the HRBC or to volunteer, contact Jean Cutler at jecutler32 at gmail dot com.

Effective stormwater management is essential to meeting Pennsylvania’s pollution limits under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Periodically, we will feature the work of other clean water advocates in the watershed as we work toward mutual goals and explore collaboration.

Jen Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She specializes in water quality issues.

Join us November 13 for "Eat, drink, and chat: A conversation on climate change"

As PennFuture’s new Central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, my efforts will be focused mainly on water quality issues. For one, I will be working to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams as part of our work with the Choose Clean Water Coalition. Another aspect of my job is meeting people and planning events, which in my opinion, is pretty awesome -- and since meeting and getting to know PennFuture’s members and supporters is high on my list, I’d like to invite everyone to Eat, drink, and chat: A conversation on climate change. 

This free (yes, that's right -- free), informal gathering will be an opportunity for you to socialize while learning what’s happening with climate change (and what you can do about it), and will allow me to introduce myself to you. We’ll be joined by PennFuture’s federal policy director, Joy Bergey, and Ed Perry of the National Wildlife Federation. As well, we'll have a very special guest -- PennFuture's new president and CEO, Cindy Dunn. Cindy is delighted to be at the helm and eager to meet our members and supporters, so come on out and join us!

We’ll provide snacks and beverages, but feel free to bring something to share.  Special thanks to the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg for hosting our event.

When- Wednesday, November 13
             6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where- Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
               1280 Clover Lane
               Harrisburg, Pa. 17113

RSVP - by November 11 to quinn at pennfuture dot org