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
There are many recommendations for sustainable actions one can take at the household level. Many of those involve reducing waste – avoiding single-use items when possible, using the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), minimizing food waste, and other oft-repeated suggestions. While I keep these ideas in mind in my daily life so as to not... Read More
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