Posts tagged Delaware river
Philadelphia Forum: Drilling for Natural Gas–What Does it Mean for PA?
May 25th
Join The Academy of Natural Sciences, Clean Air Council, and The Community Action Forum on Marcellus Shale for an educational forum about drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. The forum will provide a broad and diverse overview of the environmental, health, and economic issues related to the natural gas boom that is currently taking place throughout Pennsylvania.
What: Drilling for Natural Gas in the Marcellus Shale: What it Means for Pennsylvania
When: Wednesday June 8, 2011. Networking: 6-6:30 pm. Program: 6:30-8:30 pm.
Where: Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia
Who: Featured panelists include
- Mr. Joseph O. Minott, Esq., Executive Director – Clean Air Council
- The Honorable Michael Krancer, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Dr. David Velinsky, Vice President of the Patrick Center for Environmental Research at the Academy of Natural Sciences
- The Honorable Michael Sturla, Pennsylvania State Representative (D), 96th Legislative District
- Mr. Brian Grove, Director of Corporate Development for Northeast Pennsylvania for Chesapeake Energy
- Mr. Richard V. Pepino, Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and the Public Policy Program Chair at Franklin and Marshall College
Register now via EventBrite >>
Carnival on the Parkway April 16 kicks off two week long Phila Science Festival: join us there!
Apr 12th
If you don’t have a reservation for the sold out Melting Moments of Delight: The Science of Chocolate (Artisserie Chocolate Cafe on South 18th next Friday), not to worry: you’ve got dozens of alternatives for discovering how science intersects with our daily life over the next couple of weeks as the Philadelphia Science Festival gets underway. You can discuss Biomedical Ethics over beer, uncover the science behind the iPod, hear how fuel cells can decrease our dependency on oil, and catch inventor Dean Kamen’s views on innovation and the future. Events are happening all over the city, from the 15-28!
You can check out the complete schedule here >>
The Festival kicks off with a public outdoor carnival on Saturday, April 16th and we’ll be there in force. GreenTreks has teamed up with the School District of Philadelphia and our EcoExpress Community Partners to create a booth offering young and old the chance to discover their connection to the local environment–while also offering teachers resources they can take back to the classroom to engage their students in exciting new ways.
What: Science Carnival on the Ben Franklin Parkway
When: Saturday, April 16, 2011. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE ALL DAY!
We’ll be there! Visit the School District of Philadelphia with EcoExpress and our Community Partners at Booth 74 around Logan Square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, just west of Race Street, to participate in hands-on activities focused on Philadelphia’s watersheds. Learn about the quality of our waterways by exploring Delaware Valley Earth Force’s watershed map, viewing local water samples through microscopes with volunteers from the GlaxoSmithKline Science Ambassadors, and taking home native plant seeds that help protect your local water sources. EcoExpress will provide teachers with lesson plans aligned to Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology and Science & Technology and the School District of Philadelphia’s Planning and Scheduling Timelines, so teachers can incorporate EcoExpress.org’s ever-expanding library of videos and educational resources into their curriculum.
ECOEXPRESS is for everyone, so be sure to stop by BOOTH 74!
Science Carnival on the Parkway Details >>
Science Carnival Map and Guide >>
Philadelphia Science Festival Details >>
Philadelphia Science Festival Schedule of Events >>
Forum to Address Threats to Water Supplies
Mar 3rd
Believe it or not, more than 15 million people rely upon the Delaware River as the source for their drinking water, and millions more count on this diverse waterway for inspiration, recreation–and jobs.
On March 10, 2011, a free one-day forum will take a look at the Delaware River Basin, with a goal on preserving the quality and quantity of the Basin’s drinking water.
What: First-ever Delaware River Basin Forum
When: March 10, 2011
Where: Eight linked locations and via live webcast
Who: Municipal, community, and business leaders, and water professionals.
The forum is sponsored by the Source Water Collaborative and the Forum Planning Team (United States Environmental Protection Agency, Delaware Department of Health and Human Services, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware River Basin Commission, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Department of Health and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectio
Download a flyer here >>
Get more information and Register >>
While you’re at it, why not learn more about the underappreciated Delaware? 
Check out our PBS documentary, Life on the Delaware. It’ll turn your preconceived notions about the Delaware on upside down and give you a new appreciation for this amazing waterway’s place in the world. Rather than pitting environment versus economy, this lyrical film is a personal travelogue that sheds light on the many roles the Delaware plays in so many lives.
A perfect mind-opener to the Forum, Life on the Delaware recognizes that the river is at once a living ecosystem and an industrial waterway. Do we have the vision and determination to enable the Delaware to continue to be both.
Salt on the Roads: Good for Safety, bad for the environment…
Jan 12th
As we dig out from another winter storm here in the Northeast–and road crews work to stay on top of the snow–we’re all focused on getting around safely. Whether we’re driving, cycling (yup, people still do, despite windchills and slippery ground), or navigating on foot, clearing roads and sidewalks quickly and effectively is a primary concern.
And that means we’re using all kinds of salt. Nothing does the job as well or as economically–but we’ve been going overboard without thinking about where the salt goes. We’re after the plusses, but aren’t tuned in to the negative effects.
Remember last winter’s massive storms and those images of front loaders dumping snow into the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers? That snow is loaded with the salt and sand that gives us traction on the roads. What about the snowmelt that washes into the storm drains? You guessed it: this runoff is also loaded with salt–and it may be heading straight into local creeks, rivers, and streams. Studies are showing that sodium levels in waterways all across the country have been rising–and that’s not a good thing. Plants and fish are being adversely affected; in fact, the entire aquatic ecosystem is being thrown out of whack.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sandy Bauers wrote a good piece about the problem over the holidays. In case you missed it, you can find the article here >>
She draws from a study by the US Geological Survey that says salt deicing can turn waterways toxic to aquatic life. Check it out here >>
Thought provoking stuff. We want everyone to be safe out there, but let’s use our salt wisely. Like it or not, all of our actions have some unintended effect…
New Years in Philly: Mummers Tackle “Fracking” for Gas
Jan 5th
It’s pretty obvious that Mummers have no fear of controversy, but who knew one troupe would make a passion play out of the debate over drilling for natural gas? Check it out:
