Environmental and conservation leaders to Governor Rendell: Respect precedent and invest in environment, economy and jobs

Governor Rendell has a great opportunity to boost the economy using existing revenue and using authority already provided by the General Assembly: The opening of our publicly owned forests to drilling by private companies for Marcellus shale natural gas recently generated $190 million for the state’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund. Through seven recessions and five decades, the Oil and Gas Lease Fund has supported conservation, recreation, dams and flood control projects. The $190 million influx to the Fund provides the Governor with a golden opportunity to make job-creating capital investments in Pennsylvania’s green infrastructure.

Our state parks and forests are badly in need of these investments. The Governor could contract with Pennsylvania companies to repair and replace old dams, improve trails, clean up damage from past drilling and mining, restore floodplains and wildlife habitat, rebuild roads and parking lots and insulate and upgrade buildings. These infrastructure investments would build on the long-standing achievements of the 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corps, benefiting Pennsylvanians for generations to come. Most immediately, our economy would benefit from the construction work and the associated jobs that would be created. The Commonwealth’s recreational, sporting and tourism businesses would also benefit, preserving many service sector jobs.

When the General Assembly created the Oil and Gas Lease Fund in 1955, our leaders adopted a farsighted policy of taking the money from the sale of nonrenewable oil and gas resources owned by the state and reinvesting this money into public conservation assets that would last for generations. They established a funding stream to reinvest in the magnificent system of public conservation lands they inherited from their predecessors. They showed respect for the generations yet to come who deserved to inherit more than empty gas wells and degraded public lands.

Fifty-three years of honorable precedence may come to a close with Governor Rendell’s proposal to redirect the Oil and Gas Leasing Fund to support the day-to-day operations of government. (read more)

Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation

Pennsylvania municipalities may require developers to provide new parkland or pay fees to support recreation for residents of new developments. PALTA's newest publication, Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation: A Guide to Using Section 503(11) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code explains how. (read more)

2009 Government Leadership Award - Now Accepting Nominations

Now accepting nominations for the 3nd Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Government Leadership Awards to honor those municipalities and counties that have demonstrated leadership in protecting our natural resources. (read more)

What Types of Conserved Land Do We Have in PA and How Much?

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2009 Pennsylvania Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award - Accepting Nomination Forms

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) is soliciting nominations to honor individuals for decades of leadership and dedication in conserving our special places and landscapes. (read more)

2009 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference & Confluence 2009: Working Together to Protect Our Land, Water & Communities

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are joining forces to focus on land and water issues. The event will be held May 7-9, 2009 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College (Centre County). (read more)

Q: What Will Pennsylvania Look Like in Fifty Years?

A graphic representation of conserved and developed lands in Pennsylvania in 2008 and projections for 2058. One Answer: Pennsylvania is on track to become much more developed than present-day New Jersey in the next several decades. (read more)

ConserveLand Newsletter - Fall 2008

The Fall 2008 issue of the ConserveLand Newsletter is now available. (read more)

National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Threatens Landowners, Landscapes & Energy Alternatives

PALTA submits comments to 2009 National Electric Congestion Study. (read more)

Testimony Submitted to Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Regarding Transmission Issues

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Accreditation Commission Announces Nation's First Accredited Land Trusts

The Accreditation Commission recognized 39 organizations at Rally 2008 in Pittsburgh with accreditation. Six of these land trusts are Pennsylvania organizations. (read more)

Natural Gas Resources

Handouts and presentations for Natural Gas & Land Conservation Conference now available as well as additional resources, including the NEW Conserveland Natural Gas Listserv. (read more)

Join the ConserveLand Listserv!

The ConserveLand Listserv is a networking resource for land conservation professionals and volunteers. Sign up today! (read more)

Land Conservation Votes 2008

Five Local Land Conservation Measures Win Overwhelming Support in General Election (read more)

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Pennsylvania’s population is hardly growing. Yet we consume land at rates comparable to Florida, Georgia and Texas, where populations are growing explosively.