The House this week unanimously passed House Bill 2775 (Zug-R-Lebanon) creating a special grant program within the Department of Education for schools interested in teaching indoor and outdoor watershed education programs. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) applauded the House action.

"We encourage all members of Pennsylvania's Senate to support this effort to ensure that Pennsylvania students and teachers directly experience the vast resources of the Bay watershed, from the small creek running behind the school to local rivers to the marshes and rich environments of the Bay itself,” said CBF's Pennsylvania Executive Director Matt Ehrhart. "The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education Program Act is an excellent step toward meeting Chesapeake 2000's stewardship and community engagement goals.”

“Research has shown that students are more motivated and focused when their lessons are related to their local environment,” said CBF's Pennsylvania education program manager, Kami Watson. "The connections that are made through outdoor experience are powerful. There is nothing like seeing the face of a child touching a fish for the first time, or seeing their first eagle, or watching the wings of a dragonfly unfold. That sense of awe is priceless."

The House also passed House Bill 2796 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) that expands the Main Street Program downtown revitalization initiative to allow for the improvement and promotion of residential properties.

Hickernell credited Main Street Mount Joy, a downtown revitalization organization in the legislative district he represents, with bringing these proposals and their merit to his attention.

The House Urban Affairs Committee also met and reported out House Bill 970 (Reed-R-Indiana) amending the Downtown Relocation Act revising the definition of “downtown.”

========= FYI =============

America Recycles Day     November 15

Fall is for Composting!

Season of the Bat

10/22/2004