Have you ever seen a new development bring disruptive levels of traffic to a particular street, enjoyed a community event or festival, had a question about policing in your community, or even simply noticed that a nearby streetlight is out? These are just some of the topics that local governments at the county and municipal... Read More
In 2017, Minsi Lake was drained for repairs to its dam and spillway, sparking an extensive effort to improve habitat and recreational opportunities in this special place. Draining the lake “was kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity” to undertake these projects, says Jim Wilson, Recreation Specialist for Northampton County Parks and Recreation. Since... Read More
Last spring and summer, there were many reports of increased use of trails, state and local parks, and other outdoor assets as people sought out activities that were safe during a pandemic. Beyond the fact that they were among the only recreation sites open at some points in the last 9 months, there is good... Read More
Don’t miss the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the evening sky on the 21st. Dubbed by some as the “Christmas star”, this rare alignment will occur on the evening of the winter solstice and is visible to the unaided eye. The solstice is the longest night of the year and is a consequence... Read More
As applications and photos come in for our Watershed-Friendly Property Certification program, it’s clear that people across the state are taking all sorts of actions to protect water quality – installing rain gardens, planting native plants, using rain barrels, and much more. We’ve seen so many good ideas and examples of best practices that we... Read More
When people think of environmental health and sustainability in communities, some things come easily to mind – like recycling, or planting trees perhaps. But much of what needs to be done for a healthy community remains behind the scenes. In the City of Easton, efforts from safe pest management and tree plantings to climate planning... Read More
In a previous blog post, I tracked the trash, recycling, and compost my household generated in one week to learn where we are making the most waste and how we might reduce our footprint. Since then, I have been doing some research regarding waste reduction to see what I might do at the household and... Read More
This time of year many will be reflecting on what they are thankful for while enjoying bountiful Thanksgiving meals. In my house, the meal itself is only slightly more anticipated than the leftovers. Perhaps it is some extra thought of gratitude for the seeds, water, sun, and work of farmers it takes to grow and... Read More
Biology teacher Greg Zahm describes his Sustainability Project at Liberty High School in Bethlehem as a “solution to two needs.” First, a need for education in sustainability, and second, students’ need to perform 60 hours of community service before they graduate. The Sustainability Project provides students with opportunities to learn about humanity’s effect on the... Read More
Hopefully whether by mail weeks ago or in person sometime today, you have been able to cast your vote in the 2020 election. Much attention has been paid to the significance of the presidential contest, but the outcomes of elections for state and local offices can be just as significant despite the fact that many... Read More