PA Growing Greener Coalition Points to Newly Released Survey as Clear Evidence of Strong Public Support for State Conservation and Recreation Funding

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition today pointed to a newly released statewide survey as clear evidence of strong public support for state funding to preserve farmland and open space, provide parks and trails and protect rivers and streams.

The survey, conducted between Oct. 1 and Nov. 4 by the Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg, showed overwhelming public support for both continuing existing dedicated state funding for conservation and recreation, as well as increasing state funding to protect land, water and wildlife.   The survey questions were commissioned by The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land.

“The results of this survey send a clear message that conservation funding is of utmost importance to the vast majority of Pennsylvanians,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “The Coalition is pleased to find such strong public support for our mission to continue and increase dedicated funding for programs that protect our natural resources and historic treasures.”

Overall, the survey found that more than 92 percent of the 608 Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to preserving farmland and open space, providing parks and trails and protecting rivers and streams should continue to be used for these purposes.

In addition, the survey found that nearly 78 percent of respondents support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests and farms even if would cost the average household $10 more annually. Further, these high levels of support are constant throughout every geographic region and every gender, ethnic, educational and economic demographic throughout the state.

“In a difficult economic climate, it is remarkable that support for conservation funding enjoys such strong public support at every level.  This clearly demonstrates that continued and increased conservation and recreation funding is in line with what Pennsylvanians value,” said Heath.

For the full survey results visit:

http://csr.hbg.psu.edu/PennStatePoll/MethodologyReportsandPressReleases/tabid/860/Default.aspx

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition The mission of Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener Coalition is to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities throughout the Commonwealth by advocating for public funding to conserve and protect land, water, wildlife habitat and historic places; and to ensure well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state. Established in 2008, the Coalition comprises local, regional and statewide environmental, conservation and recreation groups that have come together to collectively build awareness and educate the public and elected leaders about the critical need for conservation and preservation funding. For more information, visit www.pagrowinggreener and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @pagrowgreener.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         

October 1, 2012                                                            

CONSERVATION, RECREATION ORGANIZATIONS SEND MESSAGE TO SENATE: FIX PARKS-FOR-CASH BILL OR VOTE NO

HARRISBURG, PA. – More than 80 conservation and recreation organizations from across Pennsylvania have signed a letter imploring the state Senate to either fix House Bill 2224 – also known as the parks-for-cash bill – or reject it in its entirety.

The letter was delivered this morning to the Senate, which could vote on the bill as early as today. The organizations that signed the letter count tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents as members and supporters.

“Pennsylvanians who care about their local parks and greenspaces are outraged over this bill,” said Andrew M. Loza,” executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. “This letter sends a clear message to the Senate that the bill should not move forward without an amendment that protects our parklands from being sold for short-sighted gain.”

The Pennsylvania House passed the bill in the spring, the measure having escaped any close analysis of its obscure content.  Now, even some House members have publicly questioned whether the bill was written correctly.

“Given the obscure language in the bill, it is understandable that the House may not have realized the potential consequences for public parks throughout the Commonwealth,” said Karen Burke-Crawford, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society. “Fortunately, the bill can still be fixed to meet the needs of local governments and protect parklands that our communities cherish.”

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, urged the Senate to take a close look at the bill and refrain from voting until the concerns of the conservation and recreation community are addressed.

“The Senate should not rush a vote on this,” said Heath.  “Instead, our lawmakers should take the time they need to get this bill right. The future of our parks, farms and open spaces depends on the leadership of our legislature.” 

The text of the letter follows. For more information visit conservationadvocate.org.

October 1, 2012

Subject:  Oppose or Amend House Bill 2224

Dear Senator:

The undersigned organizations urge you to oppose House Bill 2224 or amend it to ensure that parklands continue to receive reasonable protections under the law. 

HB 2224 allows a local governing body to abandon long-standing decisions and commitments regarding parks that have shaped a community.  The legislation provides that, no matter the use by the public and support of governing bodies for decades or even centuries, the present governing body can undo a park in a single vote.  Yes, the responsible government officials can be held accountable in the next election, but it is too late for the park; once gone, it’s gone.

HB 2224 eliminates any need for the present governing body to justify its decision to sell particular classes of parkland. If the land wasn’t acquired in certain specified ways, the governing body will be free to sell for a good reason, a bad one or no reason at all.

Recently established parks are likely to have sufficient safeguards to prevent ill-considered sales, but HB 2224 will cause a significant number of older parks to be vulnerable. Which parks are at risk can only be determined through a labored and time-consuming process of reading through old deeds.

HB 2224 says that parkland acquired by donation should be treated more respectfully than lands acquired through condemnation or lands purchased for a dollar or for full market value. But why should the method of acquisition matter? The method has no bearing on the public’s enjoyment and love of these places.

For hundreds of years, Pennsylvanians have relied on local parks.  People have made decisions on where to live and work based on proximity to parks, which they see as stable, reliable places for rest, renewal and assurance in their everyday lives. People expect that their parks will endure.

The undersigned organizations support making improvements to the process by which local governments seek to dispose of properties that don’t serve a public purpose. We urge you to ensure that changes to the law intended to help local governments do not discard long-standing principles and safeguards that protect our parks from shortsighted decision-making. Please consider changes to HB 2224 and oppose it as currently written. 

Sincerely,

Andrew M. Loza
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
717.230.8560 (o) | 717.743.0146 (c)  

Karen Burke-Crawford
Executive Director
PA Recreation and Park Society, Inc
717.234.4272 

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For more information, visit www.ConservationAdvocate.org

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Restoration of Recreation and Conservation Funding

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today applauded the restoration of funding for two key programs in the 2012-13 state budget.

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition, issued the following statement:

“The Coalition applauds the decision to restore funding for our parks, trails, open space, waterways and family farms and thanks our lawmakers for recognizing the importance of investing in recreation, conservation and preservation.

“Restoring funding for Keytone and farmland preservation programs will help support our local and regional economies and will protect the quality of life that makes Pennsylvania a great place to live, work and visit.

“Elimination of these programs would have threatened the very fabric of the Commonwealth and put a greater burden on our local communities.

“After working closely with members of leadership, the Coalition thanks the House, Senate and Corbett administration for making the right decision to fund Keystone and farmland preservation and looks forward to working together to identify long-term solutions to ensure these and other critical conservation programs are sustainable in the future.”

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth. More than 244 organizations, groups and businesses have signed the Coalition’s statement of support, and nearly 150 government entities, including 37 counties, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

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Renew Growing Greener Coalition Praises House for Unanimous Vote to Restore Recreation and Conservation Funding

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today praised House members for their unanimous vote on a budget amendment that restores funding for a key recreation and conservation program.

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition, issued the following statement:

“The Coalition is extremely pleased with the House vote to restore funding for the Keystone 93 program, which is critical to sustaining our state’s parks, open space and outdoor recreational opportunities.

“This was a bi-partisan effort and the Coalition expresses its gratitude to every member voting in the affirmative.  We especially thank Representative William Adolph (R-Delaware) for his leadership and for bringing both sides of the aisle together to stop this cut to recreation and conservation funding.

“The Coalition also commends Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) for lending his voice to the cries for conservation funding to be restored.

“As budget negotiations continue, this unanimous, bipartisan vote in defense of Keystone 93 should send a strong signal that investments in recreation and conservation are a priority across Pennsylvania and must be included in the final budget package.”

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth.  More than 200 organizations have signed the Coalition’s statement of support, and more than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

For Immediate Release: May 11, 2012

Group Rallies to Save Pennsylvania Farms

(Lancaster, PA) Conservation groups concerned about the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to farmland preservation have pulled together to form the Coalition to Save Farms. Members of the group include Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Renew Growing Greener Coalition, Pennsylvania Association of Land Trusts, Brandywine Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association.

Pennsylvania’s award winning farmland preservation program is funded through a dedicated tax on the sale of cigarettes. The Governor wants to permanently redirect this funding to the general fund. With no source of funds to replace the cigarette tax, the program will not survive. For more than 20 years, the Commonwealth has made an investment in protecting the land that grows our food, supports our economy, and provides jobs for our citizens.

As a result of this commitment from the state, county, and private individuals, Lancaster County leads the nation in farmland preservation with 92,000 acres of the most productive farmland in the country protected for future generations. “The Governor’s plan to transfer the cigarette tax revenue to the general fund is short sited,” said Karen Martynick, Executive Director of Lancaster Farmland

Trust. “Farmland preservation is a long-term investment in our state and county’s economic well-being that must not be traded to balance the budget for the short term.”

The Coalition to Save Farms provides a way for conservation groups to work together to save Pennsylvania’s farms, the agricultural economy and our treasured heritage. “Lancaster County and Pennsylvania need your support for farmland preservation and your help in letting legislators know how important this issue is to our economic well-being and cultural heritage,” Martynick continued. “Please join the Coalition to Save Farms and protect our farms today before it is too late.” For more information, please contact Karen Martynick at kmartynick@lancasterfarmlandtrust.org.

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Renew Growing Greener Coalition Calls on Legislature to Celebrate Earth Day by Rescuing Programs for Parks, Farms and Open Space from Budget Cuts

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and historic preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today called on the Legislature to celebrate Earth Day by rescuing programs that benefit Pennsylvania’s parks, farms and open space from budget cuts.

“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by saving the programs that protect our land, air and water right here in Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “The legislature should reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to these programs and make long-term, meaningful investments in our parks, farms and open space that ensure they will be around for many more Earth Days to come.”

Under the current state budget proposal, the Corbett administration has recommended:

• Transferring $30 million from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminating this popular and important conservation and recreation program. This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

• Diverting the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service, leaving just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, the lowest amount of funding in recent decades.

Together, the Keystone, Growing Greener and Farmland Preservation programs have supported thousands of park and trail projects throughout the Commonwealth, preserved thousands of acres of family farmland, conserved thousands of acres of threatened open space and protected hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. In addition, they have contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

“Keystone Fund grants to communities protect our most important open spaces.  As land continues to be developed, the parks, greenways, trails and wildlife habitats protected by Keystone become all the more essential to our quality of life,” said Andy Loza, executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. “Keystone creates lasting public assets.  We cannot afford to lose it.”

Pennsylvania’s land, air and water is facing significant challenges that must be addressed, including:

• A $400 million list of major maintenance projects at state parks and forests.

• More than 2,000 family farms waiting to be preserved.

• More than 16,000 miles of polluted streams that are unfit for swimming or fishing.

“Without funding to preserve our family farms, we risk losing locally produced food and the dollars it generates for our economy,” said Karen Martynick, executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust. “These losses will have long-term consequences for communities across the Commonwealth.”

Earlier this month, the Renew Growing Greener Coalition announced the launch of a petition drive to urge the General Assembly to reject Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to, and elimination of, essential conservation and recreation programs in the Commonwealth. The petition generated more than 5,000 signatures on the first day of its launch.

“Our Legislature needs to rescue these programs from the chopping block,” said Kim Woodward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. “As we celebrate Earth Day, we encourage Pennsylvanians to tell our lawmakers to save our parks so our children and grandchildren have places to play.”

The “Stop the Cuts” petition may be viewed and signed by visiting

petitionbuzz.com/petitions/2012budget

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and historic preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, representing more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

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Renew Growing Greener Coalition Announces Launch of Online Petition Drive to “Stop the Cuts” to Conservation and Recreation Funding 

More Than 5,000 Signatures Collected in Single Day

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced the launch of an online petition drive aimed at stopping cuts to conservation and recreation funding.

More than 5,000 people signed the petition on the first day of its launch, urging the General Assembly to reject Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to, and elimination of, essential conservation and recreation programs in the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvanians are sending a message to Harrisburg that they want their legislators to protect the Commonwealth’s land, water, communities and future,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Our state is facing significant challenges that must be addressed. We have a $400 million backlog of major maintenance projects at our state parks, more than 2,000 family farms waiting to be preserved and more than 16,000 miles of polluted streams that are unfit form swimming or fishing.  Because of these and many additional threats, the Commonwealth should be increasing, not decreasing funding.”

Under the current state budget proposal, the Corbett administration has recommended:

• Transferring $30 million from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminating this popular and important conservation and recreation program. This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

• Diverting the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service, leaving just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, the lowest amount of funding in recent decades.

“If the Keystone Fund is eliminated, it will be the biggest cut in conservation-recreation funding in Pennsylvania history,” said Kim Woodward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. “We need to let our legislators know that this is a mistake and that Pennsylvanians value their parks, trails and open space.”

Andy Loza, executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, said:

“The Keystone Fund creates real and lasting assets.  A hundred years from now, our great grandchildren will still be enjoying the parks, greenways, trails and other open spaces created and protected by Keystone.”

Together, the Keystone, Growing Greener and Farmland Preservation programs have supported thousands of park and trail projects throughout the Commonwealth, preserved thousands of acres of family farmland, conserved thousands of acres of threatened open space and protected hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. In addition, they have contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

“One in seven jobs in Pennsylvania are related to agriculture,” said Karen Martynick, executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust.  “At a time when we need to do all we can to help our economy, cutting funding to help preserve the state’s leading industry is counterproductive.”

The “Stop the Cuts” petition may be viewed and signed by visiting: petitionbuzz.com/petitions/2012budget

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, representing more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

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Schuylkill County Calls for Renewal of Growing Greener

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced

that Schuylkill County has passed a resolution calling for the renewal of the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Schuylkill County is the 37th county to  adopt a resolution in support of Growing Greener (Click of Map). In addition, at least 115 municipalities have also passed resolutions in favor of the program.

“Funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund is at its lowest point in history,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Counties throughout the state realize that without this program they will be hard-pressed to make critical investments in keeping our drinking water clean, protecting our land, and ensuring our children and families have parks and green open spaces where they can play.”

Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Governor Tom Ridge and later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell.  Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, improving at least 234 community parks, plugging 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 1,600 acres of abandoned mine lands.

However, despite the success of the Growing Greener, the current budget proposal by Governor Corbett reduces funding to its lowest amount in the history of the program.

The proposed budget continues the flawed practice of using the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service.  This $37.5 million debt diversion will leave just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, including farmland preservation.

The residents of Schuylkill County have benefited tremendously from Growing Greener, especially in the area of tourism due, in large part, to the investments made in the county’s natural resources.

Among other accomplishments, Growing Greener has helped Schuylkill County:

• Reclaim more than 475 acres of abandoned mineland.
• Invest $1.7 million in abandoned mine drainage projects.
• Preserve more than 2,500 acres of family farmland.
• Acquire more than 150 acres of land along Hawk Mountain Road and the Little Schuylkill River to protect important bird habitat.
• Support the reclamation of Sharp Mountain in Pottsville, which was extensively deep mined through the early 1900s.
• Support efforts to develop a multi-municipal greenway and trail system for the lower Anthracite Region in Columbia, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.

In addition to the diversion of Growing Greener funds, Governor Corbett’s proposed budget also diverts $30 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminates this popular and important conservation and recreation program.  This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

Moreover, the budget proposal also calls for the permanent diversion of the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

“These diversions will set back the advances the Commonwealth has made in conservation funding by decades,” said Heath. “The Coalition urges the General Assembly to reject these cuts, which undermine any progress made in Act 13.”

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, representing more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

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Proposed Budget Cuts Cast Cloud Over Agriculture Week

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today said that proposed budget cuts to conservation funding are casting a cloud over Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Week.

“The Governor is encouraging all citizens to pay tribute to our farmers, but at the same time his administration recommends the future elimination of funding for farmland preservation, which helps support our agriculture industry,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition.  “We urge the legislature to restore funding for this and other conservation programs, otherwise these cuts will chip away at the cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy until it crumbles.”

Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s leading industry, generating $5.7 billion in cash receipts and an estimated $57 billion in economic impact. One in seven jobs are related to the state’s agriculture industry.

While Governor Corbett has declared this week as Agriculture Week, the proposed budget diverts the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund.  This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.  The proposed budget also recommends:

• Diverting $30 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminating this popular and important conservation and recreation program.  This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service.  This $37.5 million debt diversion will leave just $23 million – the lowest level in the history of the program – available for Growing Greener programs and projects, including farmland preservation.

“These recommendations undermine any progress made in the Marcellus Shale legislation, Act 13, to renew the nearly bankrupt Growing Greener program,” said Heath, “and is not a green light for gutting other existing conservation, recreation and environmental funding.”

Together, these conservation programs have supported thousands of park and trail projects throughout the Commonwealth, preserved thousands of acres of family farmland, conserved thousands of acres of threatened open space and protected hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. In addition, they have contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, representing nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 140 government entities, including 36 counties, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.