Environment & Outdoors
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June 9th Penn State Webinar Explains How Bucks County Residents Can Help Scientists Track Wildlife, Water Quality, and More
You don’t need a lab coat to contribute to real scientific research. You just need a backyard, a pair of binoculars, or a stretch of waterway you care about. An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar is designed to connect Bucks County residents with community science opportunities, projects where everyday volunteers help researchers track environmental changes…
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Philadelphia Men Face Felony Charges After Alleged Cable Theft Disrupts Churchville Bald Eagle Nest
A cable theft gone wrong has landed two Philadelphia men in legal jeopardy—not just for stealing, but for trespassing on one of nature’s most protected addresses, writes Jo Ciavaglia for Bucks County Courier Times. Northampton Township police and local park rangers caught Ilyosdzhon Bakiev and Abdurakhim Vakhitov last week after the pair allegedly pushed past…
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Scientists Confirm That a Meteorite Struck a Home Just Outside of Bucks County
Scientists and academic officials are confirming that a meteorite recently struck a home just across the river from Bucks County. Staff writers at Planet Princeton wrote about the discovery. Officials from The College of New Jersey have confirmed that a small object, which recently struck a home in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, was a stony…
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From Peace Valley Park to Doylestown Borough, Bucks Beautiful Grants Are Transforming Bucks County
Look around Bucks County right now. The daffodils lining Route 202. The young trees taking hold at Peace Valley Park. The pollinator gardens popping up at schools and township buildings. A lot of that beauty doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of Bucks Beautiful. The Doylestown-based nonprofit just announced its latest round of community…
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Pennsylvania’s Free Native Plant Kits Turn Lawns Into Pollinator Habitats
Pennsylvania is paying people in wildflowers to stop mowing their lawns. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is distributing free Pocket Meadow Kits to residents across the Commonwealth as part of its Lawn to Habitat Program, which aims to turn ordinary turf into thriving native ecosystems, writes Allaire Conte for Realtor.com. The…
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Pennsylvania May Soon Designate a New ‘Migratory Bird’
Pennsylvania is considering ending its status as the only state without a state bird by designating the scarlet tanager as its official “migratory bird,” writes Zoë Read for WHYY. While Pennsylvanians have already named the ruffed grouse the official “game bird,” bird enthusiasts are welcoming the idea of also establishing a “migratory bird” designation. State…
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Shop More Sustainably with These Eco-Friendly Options Around Bucks County
For the environmentally conscientious, there are lots of ways to take steps toward a more sustainable and greener lifestyle. With Earth Day coming up next week, there are several eco-friendly retail options around Bucks County to check out to help protect our planet. Low Waste Stores For those looking to cut down on their waste after grocery shopping, the Yardley Refillery…
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Local Experts: Prolonged Snow Cover Helped Plants Survive, but Also Brought Drawbacks
Philadelphia region’s extended snow cover was a mixed blessing, which protected local plant life from the cold while inviting trouble from deer, voles, and snow mold, writes Anthony R. Wood for The Philadelphia Inquirer. This winter, the region logged 36 days with at least an inch of snow, including 23 straight days starting in late January. The snowpack was well-timed, said…
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Another Chester County Town Considers Becoming Designated ‘Bird Town’
Chester County is for the birds, well, bird towns. Under the program Bird Town Pennsylvania, there are a few designated areas such as Malvern and Charlestown Township. Chadds Ford might be on the next flight, writes Rich Schwartzman for Chadds Ford Live. The program partners with municipalities and organizations to work on bird conservation, creating…
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Philly Health Department Unveils New Solar-Powered Sensors to Monitor Air Quality in Real Time
Philadelphia officials have introduced a real-time air-quality network that collects data from solar-powered sensors installed at strategic points across every neighborhood, writes Frank Kummer for The Philadelphia Inquirer. A new online dashboard allows residents to monitor outdoor air quality before going for a walk, run, or park visit. The system gives alerts when pollution levels…
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Washington’s Delaware Crossing Foreshadowed Both New Nation, Climate Change
George Washington’s 1776 crossing of the Delaware foreshadowed both the birth of a nation and the dawn of human-caused climate change, reports David Schechter for CBS News Philadelphia. The painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” emphasizes the frozen river that was crucial in Washington’s plan, according to Alex Robb, an educator at Washington Crossing Historic Park.…
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In Bid to Protect Rare Species, Longwood Gardens Joins Global Anti-Poaching Coalition
In an effort to protect rare species, Kennett Square-based Longwood Gardens has joined the Illegal Plant Trade Coalition, a global alliance working to stop plant pilfering, writes George Weigel for the Penn Live Patriot-News. Through the initiative, which brings together public gardens, scientists, conservation organizations, and enforcement agencies, Longwood Gardens is urging plant buyers to carefully consider where their plants are sourced.…
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Chalfont Wildlife Rehabilitation, Education Center Hosting Valentine’s Event
Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfont has been taking care of local animals in need since its founding, rehabilitating around 5,000 animals a year, reports Bob Kelly for FOX 29 Philadelphia. Injured animals, like rabbits, squirrels, birds, and reptiles, are brought in by the public to receive the help they need so they can be released back into the wild. The nonprofit’s education center features a variety…
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Delaware River Greenway Partnership Board Welcomes Newly Elected Member
The Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) recently announced the election of Brian Koons to its Board of Trustees. The DRGP is an environmental nonprofit that sponsors lectures discussing a variety of topics related to the Delaware River’s recreational, cultural, and natural heritage. Organizations like the Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River, the Delaware River Heritage Trail, the…
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Pennsylvania’s Large Rivers Struggle While Small Creeks Offer Path to Recovery
With Pennsylvania’s flagship waterbodies like the Delaware River struggling to restore fish and wildlife populations, small creeks offer hope for a broader turnaround, write Scott Ensign and David Arscott for The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Pennsylvania’s recent river health report card, waterbodies throughout the state are likely to begin the spring season with diminished populations…
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State Awards $800K for Solebury Township’s Former Quarry Initiative
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded Solebury $800,000 to support the acquisition of a former quarry within the township, writes Chris Ullery for the Bucks County Courier Times. The funding is part of more than $1.8 million in state grants awarded across Bucks County and over $82 million allocated statewide to almost…
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Stroud Water Research Center Reveals the Impact of Road Salt on Local Waterways
A new study by Avondale’s Stroud Water Research Center has revealed the significant impact of road salt on local waters, writes Susan Phillips for WHYY. Completed this past October, Stroud’s recent study examined the salt content in over 1,200 locations, mostly local streams. Citizens and community partners conducted the research, which marked the fall first…
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Longwood Gardens Boasts Unique Plant Species from All Over the World
One of the most scenic tourist stops in Chester County, Longwood Gardens lets visitors take in unique plant species from all over the world, writes staff for The Martha Blog. With a global reputation for its diverse collection and artistic displays, Longwood Gardens has grown its plant exploration and acquisition program for centuries. Since a…
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