Alliance to Keep Pike Green
Delaware Highlands Conservancy
The Eagle Institute
Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed
Management District
The Lackawaxen River Conservancy
National Park Service - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area
National Park Service - Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational
River
Northeast PA Audubon Society
PA Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pike County Conservation District
Pike County Office of Community
Planning
Pinchot Institute of Conservation
Pocono
Environmental Education Center
PPL
The Nature Conservancy
SEEDS - Sustainable
Energy Education & Development Support
Upper Delaware Roundtable
US Forest Service-Grey
Towers Historic Site
Wayne Conservation District
Please check the
Partnership members websites for information on the many
environmental education programs that they offer in addition
to the Conservation
Partnership Workshop Series.
You can get to their websites by clicking on their name
listed above.
Photo by Heron’s Eye Communications
In August members of the Conservation Partnership gathered
once again with local, state and federal legislators to
discuss natural resource issues and concerns. The
Conservation Partnership consists of over 20 governmental
and non-governmental grassroots and volunteer-driven
organizations active in Pike and Wayne Counties. This annual
event provides an opportunity for legislators and the
Partnership to discuss shared goals, educational
opportunities, funding needs for protecting water resources,
promoting alternative energies and conserving forested lands
and various natural resource-related legislative
initiatives.
Alex
Stout of Promised Land State Park shared with legislators
how DCNR’s Pocono Waters Conservation Landscape initiative
works with local communities to connect nature and tourism
in the Hawley area. This cooperative effort is bringing
together neighboring communities to enhance recreation,
greenway connections and business opportunities. Susan
Beecher, Executive Director of the Pike County Conservation
District, discussed the regional efforts of the Common
Waters Partnership. This regional cooperative effort is
focused on supporting the development of sustainable
communities and working landscapes in the Delaware River
watershed. Susan, along with Bob Muller, Wayne Conservation
District Manager, highlighted natural gas transmission line
projects impacting constituents in both Pike and Wayne
Counties and the wider northeast region. Sue Currier of the
Delaware Highlands Conservancy and Sally Corrigan of the
Pike County Office of Community Planning provided an
overview of the importance of federal and state funding
initiatives, such as the Forest Legacy Program and the Land
and Water Conservation Fund, for local open space and
planning efforts. Michele Sands of SEEDS (Sustainable Energy
Education and Development Support) highlighted local
renewable energy educational initiatives that are ongoing
throughout Wayne County. The Partnership appreciates the
interest of all participants and their continued support of
important regional conservation priorities.
iConserve Pennsylvania website
- designed to share the
stories of people taking everyday actions to conserve,
protect and enjoy the natural resources of the Commonwealth
The Pike Conservation
Partnership
originally met late in 2004 with the intent of sharing
information and calendar dates to prevent offering competing
programs on the same days. From the initial meeting, the
Partnership realized there were many more opportunities to
enhance efforts by working in unison. Since that time the
Partnership has pooled
resources to present educational programs focused on growth
management for local citizens and municipal officials that
reach a broad range of participants from across Pike, Wayne
and Monroe Counties and into neighboring New York State.
In 2007 the Pike Conservation Partnership changed its name
to the Conservation Partnership
to better represent the region that the partners serve.
The Partnership also focuses its efforts in several other
areas including: identifying, prioritizing, and exploring
funding options and actions to conserve some of the most
environmentally sensitive areas in the region; supporting
the Pike County Commissioners in providing education on the
$10 million Scenic Rural Character Preservation Bond
Referendum and helping to support the bond after its
approval by Pike County voters in November 2005. The
Partnership also provides an important networking
opportunity in development of
Pike
County's Open Space, Greenways and Recreation Network Plan
and the
Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
The Partnership
meets on a regular basis to share information and provide
updates on current activities. Each organization has thus
developed a better understanding of one another’s role in
protecting and preserving the natural resources within the
region. This understanding has opened lines of
communication as well as provided important contacts that
help the Partners achieve both individual and group goals.
This collaboration has helped reduce duplication of services
to residents of the region. Information is communicated in a
complementary manner, making it easier for the public to
understand. Ideas build on one another, goals are
interrelated, so the message to the public builds with each
member’s subsequent efforts. The result is more powerful
communication of the main messages.
Pike Conservation Partnership efforts were
recognized in 2005 with a NEPA Environmental Partnership
Award. The 2006 workshop series was recognized
by the Northeastern PA Nonprofit & Community Assistance
Center’s 2006 Annual Community Awards for projects and
programs that have made an extraordinary impact upon the
quality of life within the communities they serve.
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