Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet
Swallowtail butterfly on echineachea
Swallowtail butterfly on Echinacea
Photo by Helena Kotala

Moshannon Group eNews is here!

Interested in keeping up with the Moshannon Group through your Inbox? Our e-mail newsletter will keep you informed of upcoming presentations, outings, special events, and local issues. Announcements are sent on a weekly or biweekly basis. This is not a listserv.

To subscribe to Moshannon eNews, follow the link and select “Join the List.” You may also unsubscribe by choosing “Leave the List” on this eNews sign up page.

See you out there!

Bull elk from Pennsylvania Elk country
Bull elk in Moshannon country
Photo by Helena Kotala

ACTION ALERT: PA State Forests Under Attack — In April 2008 Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opened 75,000 acres of our State Forests to leasing by the gas companies drilling the Marcellus shale. Some politicians now are proposing to force DCNR to lease an additional 390,000 acres of State Forest land to the gas industry. Marcellus Gas wells have ten times the impact of any gas wells you have ever seen: Each well requires the clearing of dozens of acres of forest and every well requires more than a million gallons of water to fracture the 5,000-foot deep wells.

More ...

Events to explore

All events and presentations are open to the public as well as Moshannon Group members.

Thurs, Nov 19 • 7 p.m.
Sustainability Based on an Ethic of Caring by Dr. Andy Lau

Dr. Andy Lau will give a presentation on sustainability based on an ethic of caring — for ourselves, for others, and for the world. The presentation critically examines our modern world-view, pictures a world-view that leads to sustainability, and shows how to work to move in a sustainable direction. Examples from the solar energy field will be used. Discussion to follow. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Of Interest...
Tue, Dec 1 • 7:30 p.m.
Public Reading: Rick Bass

Celebrated and prolific author Rick Bass will present a free public reading from his works in the Jury Space in the lobby area of the Stukeman Family Building for the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the Penn State University Park Campus. Book signing to follow.

More details about Events...

Need an idea for a daytrip or a weekend outing?
Check out our “On The Trail” columns for articles about central Pennsylvania outings to help plan your next nature walk, hiking, backpacking, camping or paddling excursion.

Outings to enjoy

All outings are open to the public as well as Moshannon Group members.

** SERVICE OUTING **
Sat, Nov 21 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Woomer Divide Road Cleanup

PA Cleanways is seeking volunteers to help clean up litter and illegal dumping at Woomer Divide Road, Curtin Twp, Centre County. Meet at Gamelands Howard Nursery at 8:45 a.m. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Contact Andrea Viazanko at 1-877-772-3673 ext 108 or aviazanko@pacleanways.org with any questions or to register your participation. Download the PA CleanWays Woomer Divide flyer for more details.

Sun, Nov 22 • Noon
Mid State Trail

4-mile long hike on the Mid State Trail, from Colerain Road to the Little Juniata Natural Area. Difficult Hike.

Sat, Dec 19
Annual Christmas Bird Count

Spend the day in the field and enjoy fellowship at the Hoyer’s for a covered dish supper and bird count for the day.

Saturday, January 23 • 1 p.m.
Hike the Moore’s Hill Trail at Canoe Creek State Park

Four-mile hike, moderate difficulty. Meet at the Canoe Creek Environmental Education Center at 1 p.m. Contact Stan Kotala by email or at 814-946-8840 for more details.

More details about Outings and 2010 Outings schedule...

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing List

When conditions are right, trips may be planned with only a few days notice. Contact Gary Thornbloom by email or at 814-353-3466 to join the XC-skiing contact list.

Issues to protect

Action Item
Spring Creek Canyon

State protection recommended for pristine canyon in Centre County.

Two simple steps to
Support the Transfer of Rockview lands to the PA Game Commission
Go to the Issues page to Learn How...

Take Action
Buffers Are Back!
Support Stream Buffers

Send a message to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). Statewide stream buffer requirements recommended for water quality and stormwater management. Download a sample letter, personalize and send it to the EQB. Deadline for comments is November 30.

Take Action
Allegheny National Forest Wilderness

Send a Letter to Your U.S. Senators and Representative — Help permanently protect the remaining wilderness in ANF. Read about the ANF Wilderness proposal to learn more.

Centre County Landfill

Sign up for Dump Alerts — America’s “largest landfill East of the Mississippi” for other states’ garbage proposed for Centre County.

Wind Power Development

Inappropriate placement of wind farms planned for Central PA ridgetops.

New
Marcellus Shale Drilling

Groundwater, surface water and wildlife habitat resources at risk.

I-99 Construction

Acid leakage from pyrite compromises local watersheds.

Corporate Development in Pennsylvania’s State Parks

Public lands to be used for private profit.

More details about Issues...

What’s Your Carbon Footprint?

carbon dioxide footprint

Every household can be a part of the solution to global warming.

Begin by calculating your household carbon footprint to learn exactly how many pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) you are responsible for emitting.

Learn many practical steps and the reduction in CO2 each offers.

By using these easy tools, your concern for the environment can make a real difference.

Contact Lynne Heritage for your Household Carbon Calculator — a spreadsheet that lets you enter information that reflects your lifestyle, then calculate your carbon footprint.

Lynne will also send you steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.

More about Your Carbon Footprint
(spreadsheet now available)...

Canoe Club of Centre CountyThe newly forming Canoe Club of Centre County wishes to speak and meet with those interested in pursuing recreational paddling to enjoy the outdoors.
 
Contact Joyce by email for more information of visit the Canoe Club of Centre County website.

FreeCycle™

We acknowledge that part of being ecologically responsible involves what happens within our own households. We participate in responsible use of resources when we are careful to recycle our wastes, but recycling takes on a broader meaning if we utilize the resources available locally in Freecycle.

Tired of that well-intentioned project item taking up space but feeling guilty about tossing it? Have outgrown clothes or toys that are usable but not yard sale-worthy? If you would like to pass items on to your neighbors for free, consider giving them away through Freecycle™.

Acquiring used items locally rather than buying new can help reduce your carbon footprint. To find the local group for where you live visit:

http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/Pennsylvania

The Sierra Club is a dedicated grassroots environmental organization, inspired by and pursuing John Muir’s goals: