One Bangor High School team has advanced to a statewide competition five years in a row – not the football, basketball, or baseball team, but the Envirothon team. This group of committed, driven students advised by science teachers Josh Thomas and Robert Hachtman takes part in Northampton County Conservation District’s Envirothon competition each year with... Read More
When I think of the Lehigh Valley, I might think of MusikFest, the D&L Trail, driving on Route 22, Coca-Cola Park, or the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. However, with the exception of the rivers, these features are specific not only to our region but to our region in this particular time – within the past... Read More
On a blustery autumn day, you might notice an old window that rattles in the breeze, a certain room of the house that always feels cold, or a draft coming in under a door. Ensuring that your house keeps out the elements not only makes it a more comfortable place to live, but also improves... Read More
Nature journaling is described as one way of improving observation and documentation skills, connecting to nature, and taking care of one’s mental and emotional health. Reading about these benefits, however, is very different from experiencing them personally, so I decided to try out nature journaling for one week and reflect on what it was like... Read More
The Lehigh Valley is home to many universities and colleges that draw talented students and faculty from around the region, country, and world to further their education and prepare for successful careers. These institutions are centers for a wealth of resources – in terms of knowledge, reputation, people, and funds. They have tremendous capacity to... Read More
Two goals of the Spotlight on Community series are to bring attention to the variety of organizations and individuals in our local area who are committed to addressing issues of the environment and sustainability and to connect readers to local opportunities to make a difference regarding a problem or area they are passionate about. The... Read More
Since many people have been spending more time at home, backyard gardens and local farms have become more common sources of food than they were in previous years. I have been caught up in this shift myself, joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with my family, for which we pick up a crate full... Read More
A recent study found that there’s a “sweet spot” for effective action on climate change – initiatives targeting between 10,000 and 1,000,000 people, at the community, city, or regional level. This means that by focusing on implementing solutions in a local context we can find the most effective levers for catalyzing rapid action. Even before... Read More
I’ve heard a lot of jokes and comments about 2020’s seemingly endless barrage of threats and bad news, comparing this year to the biblical plagues or remarking that it feels impossible for so much to have happened in so short a time. In one example of this, the East Coast recently experienced tropical storm Isaias... Read More
Say you’re installing a rain garden and aren’t sure what type of plant to use, or a local park is experiencing erosion along a stream bank. Who can you call? The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards! This program, similar to the Master Gardener program, trains volunteers to help their community find and use information... Read More