WATERSHED CONNECTIONS · Salt (NaCl) has been increasing signiicantly at many locations in northeastern North America, since at least the 1970s. In some cases, salt concentrations

WATERSHED CONNECTIONSLeveraging Our Power for Watershed Health

FEBRUARY 24TH & 25TH | WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL STATE COLLEGE

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

2019

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Watershed Friends Non-Profit Friends

Chesapeake Legal Alliance

Issac Walton League of America

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper

Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

Watershed Leaders

Watershed Advocates

1

Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds

www.PAEnvironmentDigest.com

WELCOME

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) welcome you to the 2019 statewide conference for watershed organizations.

This conference celebrates and honors the efforts, accomplishments, and successes of the hundreds of volunteers and staff that work passionately and tirelessly to protect, enhance, and restore watersheds and rivers. The conference theme “Watershed Connections: Leveraging Our Power for Watershed Health” emphasizes the impact that hundreds of watershed organizations can have on Pennsylvania’s watersheds, streams, and rivers when strengths, talents, resources, and ideas are shared and combined. In partnership with local governments, state and county agencies, and other environmental groups, Pennsylvania’s community-based watershed organizations implement projects and coordinate programs that improve the health of our water resources and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to the commonwealth.

Once again, the conference program reflects your input received as part of our watershed regional meetings and guided by a diverse group of volunteers, as well as the expertise and guidance of Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program managers. The conference provides a balanced program including sessions focused on organizational capacity and those providing technical information on a variety of emerging topics and policies. Throughout the conference, stories will be shared about the most unusual item collected during a clean-up; the impacts to water quality and habitat from riparian buffers planted along local streams; and the look of amazement in a child’s eyes when they see a macroinvertebrate or native brook trout in a local stream during an educational program. Watershed leaders and the dedicated individuals that support them make all of this and so much more possible.

Despite countless such efforts, water quality impairments persist. Runoff from agricultural fields continues to contribute to nutrient overloading, streams still run orange from acid mine drainage, and urban areas struggle to effectively manage stormwater. Therefore, the sharing of knowledge, best management practices, and other resources must continue.

While you are here, we hope that you will find inspiration, learn new ideas, and explore innovations in technology and education to help build and sustain your programs and organizations.

It is with the deepest gratitude that we thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to attend this conference. We hope you see that your efforts are recognized and appreciated. As volunteers, advocates, project managers, fundraisers, and educators - you are the heart and soul of environmental and water resource protection. You have the power and the passion to work for change, and the commonwealth’s watersheds and rivers are improving because of your efforts and successes.

Sincerely,

Susan MyerovWatersheds Program DirectorPEC

Janet SweeneyExecutive DirectorPOWR

2

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM

3:25 PM - 3:40 PM

3:40 PM - 4:35 PM

4:40 PM - 5:10 PM

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Arrival/Registration

Vendor/Table Setup

One-on-one Mentoring

Opening Plenary - Garden Ballroom

Concurrent Session #1

Beverage Break



Dinner Reception & Funder Shark Tank Event -

Mountain View Ballroom

SCHEDULE

Special Events


Visit the registration table to reserve your spot for 30-minute session with organizational experts on a variety of topics. See page 15 for mentoring topic descriptions.

Opening Plenary - Telling our Stories Through Pictures

Help us celebrate and be inspired by watershed stories, successes, and challenges documented through film. We will be screening several short films and discussing their impact and your reactions. Moderated by: Rebecca Rumbel, Instructional Designer, Penn State University

12:00, 12:30, 4:40 PM

1:00 - 2:15 PM

Dinner Reception & Shark Tank: Funder’s Edition

Support your fellow watershed group representatives who volunteered to pitch their ideas to our sharks.

5:30` - 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 24

Nathan BoonProgram Officer, Watershed Protection, William Penn Foundation

Betty GilmourDirector of Grantmaking, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania

Branden S. DiehlGrant and Project Consultant, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds

Kelly Rossiter, AICPRivers Program Specialist, PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

3

7:00 AM - NOON

7:15 AM - 8:05 AM

8:10 AM - 8:30 AM

8:35 AM - 10:00 AM

10:15 AM - 11:10 AM

11:15 AM - 12:10 PM

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM - 2:25 PM

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM

Arrival/Registration

Breakfast Roundtables - Mountain View Ballroom

Welcoming Remarks

Keynote Address - Mountain View Ballroom



Luncheon Buffet - Mountain View Ballroom



3:25 PM - 3:45 PM Conference Wrap-up - Garden Ballroom

Breakfast Roundtables

Welcoming Remarks

Davitt Woodwell, President, Pennsylvania Environmental CouncilRichard Roush, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State UniversityCindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

7:15 - 8:05 AM

8:10 - 8:30 AM

Join your colleagues and friends at themed breakfast tables. Check out the list of topics at the Registration Desk.

Keynote: Engaging Communities in Conservation in a Polarized Time 8:35 - 10:00 AM

Introduction of Dr. Johnson: Rebecca Kennedy, President, Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh ValleyKeynote: Dr. Tora Johnson, Ph.D. Associate Professor, GIS & Environmental Studies, University of Maine

Conference Wrap-Up - Garden Ballroom 3:25 - 3:45 PM

Stay for an extra special send-off for our attendees.

SCHEDULE

Special Events

Monday, February 25

Luncheon Buffet and Master Watershed Stewards Search for Excellence Awards

12:15 - 1:30 PM

Erin L. Fredrick, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program Coordinator, will be acknowledging outstanding projects from 2018. See page 16 for project awardees.

4

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITYTrack A

Sunday, February 24

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Opening Plenary - Telling our Stories Through Pictures

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM

Concurrent Session 1

Engaging in Uncomfortable ConversationsKathy Salisbury, Director, Ambler Arboretum of Temple University

From invasive plants to pesticides, as educators we all have discussions with people who do not see eye to eye with us – and we should! But how do we create a space for productive conversation? We have to explore the gray areas of the topics. Participants in this session will gain tools they can employ to help turn uncomfortable and unproductive dialogue into meaningful discussion that creates change.

Beverage Break3:25 PM - 3:40 PM

3:40 PM - 4:35 PM


“Your Attention Please”: Garnering Media Coverage for Your Activities and Initiatives

Leza Raffel, President and Founder, The Communication Solutions Group

If you think that positive media coverage happens by luck or accident, it is time to think again. Your watershed group’s upcoming program, new initiative, or even your efforts to secure more volunteers and donors CAN garner the publicity you desire by using the right media relations strategy. Pointers for maximizing broadcast, print and social media coverage will be reviewed in this highly educational session.

Dinner Reception & Funder Shark Tank Event5:30 PM - 7:30 PM5

Monday, February 25

Welcome Remarks and Keynote Address8:10 AM -10:00 AM

10:15 AM - 11:10 AM


Communications Strategies for Small OrganizationsAdam Hymans, Senior Program Director, Resource Media

Whether you’re looking to mobilize your community or attract donors, communication is key to your organization’s success. But strategies that work for large nonprofits are often not achievable, or even appropriate, for smaller groups. This session will help small organizations think critically about their audiences—and identify tools and tactics that engage them with limited resources.

11:15 AM - 12:10 PM


Better Together: Collaborating in Complex TimesSarah Clark, Senior Associate, Institute for Conservation Leadership

Joining forces with others can achieve more and strengthen your work. Are you looking for leadership approaches to help you navigate the complexity of collaboration and work better with others? In this workshop you will identify your strengths and your growing edge for leading in a network or coalition, strengthen your influencing skills to increase effectiveness, and share ideas and practices with colleagues from other organizations. You’ll also leave with practical steps for your work in a network or coalition.

Lunch12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM - 2:25 PM


Utilizing the Community Organizing and Family Issues Methodology to Ensure Safe and Clean Drinking Water for your Stakeholders

Paco Ollervides, Leadership Development Manager, River Network

The Community Organizing and Family Issues model focuses on preparing parents to become community leaders. We build the foundation of individual goals to find commonality in collective and community needs and establish work plan priorities. This basis helps us elevate the voices and decision-making power of disenfranchised communities. A series of interactive exercises will introduce River Network’s Drinking Water Guide as a tool for engagement. The Guide is a first step in helping to create a more informed and engaged national network of community advocates for safe, clean, affordable, and sustainable drinking water systems.

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM


Enagaging Non-traditional Volunteers

Carol Parenzan, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper

In this session, explore outside the traditional citizen scientist box and discover ways to engage community members in your clean water work. This highly-interactive session will include a hands-on, mind-mapping exercise to expand your current thinking about community connections and move participants from connecting through activities to caring about and advocating for clean water.

6Conference Wrap-up3:25 PM - 3:45 PM

AQUATIC MONITORING & DATA USE

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM Salt, salt everywhere, does it really matter?John Jackson, Ph. D, Senior Research Scientist, Stroud Water Research Center

Salt (NaCl) has been increasing significantly at many locations in northeastern North America, since at least the 1970s. In some cases, salt concentrations have more than doubled in a 15-20 year period, and reached potentially toxic concentrations. This presentation will address current patterns of stream degradation in the region, salt as an emerging pollutant, and salt as a toxicant to stream macroinvertebrates (Ephemeroptera), including factors that affect toxicity to mayflies.


3:40 PM - 4:35 PM Microplastics: Sources, Implications, and SolutionsSarah Lowe, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA Marine Debris Program

Microplastics (plastics less than 5mm in size) are a growing concern as they are now being documented in all parts of the world. This talk will give an overview of marine debris, focusing on sources and implications of microplastics in our freshwater and marine environments. We will highlight past and current research efforts on microplastics, as well as future research directions and how individuals and communities are working to address the problem.

Dinner Reception & Funder Shark Tank Event5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 24




Track B

7

Welcome Remarks and Keynote Address8:10 AM - 10:00 AM

10:15 AM - 11:10 AM Promoting Cleaner Water by Restoring Freshwater Mussels, the Blue Collar Bivalves of the Delaware River Watershed

Danielle Kreeger, Ph.D. Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Drexel University

Abundant and healthy beds of freshwater mussels can function like the system’s kidneys that filter and transform many types of pollutants. Example applications include the multi-faceted Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program in the lower Delaware River Basin which aims to restore natural mussel assemblages and ecologically significant beds. A new “Mussels for Clean Water Initiative” will launch in 2019 aimed at both the Delaware and Susquehanna basins.

11:15 AM - 12:10 PM Personal Care Products and Pharmaceuticals Heather Gall, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Engineering, Penn State

Many everyday products contain chemicals that disrupt the endocrine systems of aquatic species. As these contaminants are increasingly found in surface and groundwater, there is a pressing need to understand both their environmental and human health impacts. The “Emerging Contaminants Footprint Tool” helps the general public become more informed about this topic. Learn how this tool is being used by the Susquehanna Citizen Science Network.

Lunch12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM - 2:25 PM Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Cooperative and Phase 3 WIP UpdateJulie Vastine, Executive Director, ALLARM & Veronica Kasi, PA DEP

To achieve the 31 goals and outcomes in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement requires innovative partnerships and data to help assess whether targets are being met. In this session, the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring will provide exciting case studies from and an update on the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC), a six-year project to train volunteers to conduct water quality monitoring and integrate data from around the Bay watershed into a centralized database.

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM Water Quality Monitoring in the Upper Allegheny River: An Overview of Data and Monitoring Challenges Since 2012

Dr. Bruce Dickson, Redhorse Environmental

Water quality monitoring in the Upper Allegheny River began in 2012 during the regional deep shale boom and has continued in various forms to date. While there is no direct evidence of impacts from shale gas drilling on the parameters assessed while monitoring, it is apparent that shallow oil and gas production has an ongoing influence on water quality in many areas in the Upper Allegheny River.

Monday, February 25





8

Conference Wrap-up3:25 PM - 3:45 PM

WATERSHED RESOURCES & PROGRAMS

Kids Keeping Manure Out of Our WaterJennifer Fetter, Penn State Extension

From hobby farms to large scale dairy operations, proper manure management planning is vital to preserving PA’s waterways. Even though manure management plans are required by law, lots of smaller operations are unfamiliar with both the regulations and the environmental impacts related to manure. Penn State Extension is working with partners to unveil a brand new curriculum of fun, hands-on activities to help teach youth about this very subject. In this workshop, we will give you a quick rundown of manure management and the related regulations and then demo some activities from the curriculum that will help you reach new audiences in your watershed. This project was funded by an EE Grant from PA DEP.

Connecting People to Rivers Through SnorkelingKeith Williams, Executive Director, NorthBay

Snorkeling is one of the most connecting activities we can have with rivers. It gives a completely new perspective which leads to behavior change. This presentation will cover how organizations can start river snorkeling programs.

Track C

Sunday, February 24


2:30 PM - 3:25 PM


3:40 PM - 4:35 PM




9

Rain Gardens for HomeownersRobert Berghage, Associate Professor, Horticulture & Director of Green Roof Research Center, Penn State University

This session will cover design, function, and installation basics for residential and small-scale commercial rain gardens, bioswales, and stormwater bio-infiltration with an emphasis on plant selection and maintenance.

Planting and post-planting care for Riparian Forest Buffer SuccessMatt Ehrhart, Director of Watershed Restoration, Stroud Water Research

Buffer establishment strategies to insure long term success and buffer establishment will be reviewed. Successes, failures, and research conducted on the details of establishing forest buffers will be discussed. Session will also summarize strategies being successfully used by a number of groups in different geographies, with different limiting concerns such as reed-canary grass, invasive vines, deer, voles and mice, and routine flooding.

Planting Your Rain Garden Connie Schmotzer, Consumer Horticultural Educator, PSU Extension

Rain gardens do double duty in our landscapes. As they function to clean and infiltrate storm water they can also become an oasis for wildlife with wonderful colors and the sights and sounds of butterflies and songbirds. Learn how to choose plants that “work” in your rain garden.

Managing Invasives in a Changing Climate Andrew Rohrbaugh, DCNR Bureau of Forestry

Research shows that Pennsylvania’s weather patterns are changing, which is also slowly altering the landscape that we all work to conserve and restore. With this changing landscape comes diverse invasive plants, insects and diseases that require efficient and effective management.This session aims to help watershed practioners prepare for the potential migration and or proliferation of these invasive species within the Commonwealth. This session will review the trends in invasive species being experienced in watersheds across Pennsylvania, as well as techniques for early identification and treatment.

Monday, February 25


10:15 AM - 11:10 AM

11:15 AM - 12:10 PM

Lunch12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM - 2:25 PM

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM





10


WATERSHED POLICY AND STRATEGIES

Water Quality Monitoring 101Helen Schlimm, Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM), Community Science Specialist

ALLARM will present an interactive 50 minute session that addresses the fundamentals of volunteer water quality monitoring. This introductory session will explore common questions communities ask about water quality, strategies to answer them, and avenues for data use. When communities engage in scientific data collection, it creates a win-win situation where people are answering questions about their local streams while also sharing those data, which can help inform answers to whether watershed goals are being achieved.

Championing for Your WatershedTaylor Nezat, Campaign Manager for Water Advocacy, Penn Future

This presentation will touch on the numerous ways watershed groups can amplify their on-the-ground work and elevate protection of their streams through engaging with important decisionmakers. Learn about why participating in public comment processes is an important part of conservation work and how to be an effective commenter. This presentation will also outline other integral methods to bolster your efforts to protect Pennsylvania’s waters, including education and outreach opportunities.

Track D

Sunday, February 24


2:30 PM - 3:25 PM


3:40 PM - 4:35 PM




11

Pennsylvania Water Law and Policy Framework 101Abigail M. Jones and Alice R. Baker, PennFuture

This presentation will provide an overview of the legal and policy structure in which so much watershed protection work lies. Learn about the basic elements of the federal Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law from water quality standards to pollution discharge prevention. The presentation will provide explanation of this sometimes complex material with an eye towards relevant information for watershed groups.

Long Term Strategies for Riparian Forest BuffersKate Ebel and Michael Hock, Wildlands Conservancy Inc.

Most environmental professionals would agree that riparian forest buffers are a critical characteristic of healthy watersheds, and a cost-effective restoration strategy for many streamside sites. This session will review the Lehigh Valley’s recently completed Riparian Buffer Gap Analysis and how other regions may accomplish similar goals. Information related to buffer maintenance—from techniques and options to typical costs and partnership ideas—will be provided.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful: Illegal Dumping in Pennsylvania, A Decade of DiscoveryHeidi Pedicone, Program Director, Keep Pennsylvania BeautifulJanet Sweeney, Vice President, PA Environmental CouncilPalmira Miller, Program Coordinator, PA Environmental Council

Learn the drivers associated with illegal dumping in Pennsylvania and recommendations for addressing it including education, access, enforcement and cleanups. Session includes an overivew of current, successful regional approaches underway and tips to facilitate programs in your community.

The Role of Watershed Groups in Municipal Stormwater Planning Susan Myerov, Watersheds Program Director, PA Environmental CouncilAndy Yencha, PSU Extension

Presenters will provide brief overview of stormwater policy basics including the goals and requirements of the MS4 program and how watershed groups can support their local municipalities. For good measure, you’ll learn about the Clean Water Act and how it underpins modern watershed-based stream restoration & protection efforts.

Monday, February 25


10:15 AM - 11:10 AM

11:15 AM - 12:10 PM

Lunch12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

1:30 PM - 2:25 PM

2:30 PM - 3:25 PM





12


KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Tora Johnson, PhDAssociate Professor

GIS & Environmental StudiesUniversity of Maine at Machias

Dr. Tora Johnson is an associate professor of geographic information systems (GIS) and environmental

studies at the University of Maine at Machias where she serves as the director of the GIS Laboratory

and Service Center. She holds a PhD in Natural Resource Policy from the University of Maine. Before

her son was born in 1996, she made a career of teaching and crewing aboard several of the large

sailing vessels that ply the coast of New England, as well as commercial fishing in Alaska. Dr. Johnson’s current social and spatial science research focuses on supporting sustainable and prosperous rural

communities in a changing world. Centering on dignity as a guiding principle, her work focuses on best

practices for resolving conflict and engaging diverse people in productive decision making. She has collaborated with installation artists and sculptors on community-based and place-based installation

art projects. Also a writer, her award-winning book, Entanglements: The Intertwined Fates of Whales

and Fishermen, was released in 2005.

Introduction: Rebecca Kennedy, President, Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley

Engaging Communities in Conservation in a Polarized Time

13

Mountain View BallroomMonday, February 25 8:35 - 10:00 AM

Rick Roush’s career in sustainable agriculture spans research, teaching, regulatory, and administrative appointments in both the USA and Australia. Trained as an entomologist at the University of California, Rick earned his BS at UC Davis (1976) and PhD at UC Berkeley (1979).

Prior to joining Penn State in October 2014, Rick served as Dean of the Melbourne School of Land and Environment at the University of Melbourne, Director of the UC Integrated Pest Management & Sustainable Agriculture Programs, & Director of the Cooperative Research Centre on Australian Weed Management based at the University of Adelaide.

Rick’s research has focused on strategies to slow insect pests and weeds from evolving resistance to genetically modified insect resistant crops and pesticides, but also on the biological control of pests. In addition to serving on review panels for the USDA and US EPA, Rick served as a member of the Australian Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC) from 1998-2003.

Richard RoushDean

College of Agricultural SciencesPennState

SPECIAL REMARKS

Cindy Adams DunnSecretary

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Cindy Adams Dunn is the sixth secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. At DCNR, she has helped position Pennsylvania as a leader in land conservation, outdoor recreation, green practices and public land management. During her tenure the department created the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps to connect youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the outdoors and the environment.

Under her direction, Pennsylvania continues efforts to address the impacts of climate change, as well as providing leadership on planting forest buffers along streams to improve water quality.Dunn has worked in both the public and private sectors. She served in several leadership posts at leading environmental advocacy groups like Audubon Pennsylvania, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and PennFuture.

She is trained as a biologist, and when not at work championing conservation her hobbies include birding, fishing, canoeing and hiking.

14

Mountain View BallroomMonday, February 25 8:10 - 8:30 AM

• Board Development, fundraising plans, volunteer engagement Paco Ollervides, Leadership Development Manager of River Network

• Garnering media coverage and handling crisis communications Leza Raffel, President of Communications Solutions Group

• Volunteer program management Kathleen Connally, Master Watershed Steward and Master Gardener Program Coordinator for Penn State Extension, Bucks County

• Fiscal responsibilities and diverse revenue streams Carol Parenzan, Middle Susquehanna River Keeper and Nonprofit entrepreneurship consultant

• Volunteer recruitment & retention, citizen science, & water quality monitoring Julie Vastine, Executive Director of ALLARM

• Communications strategy, digital and visual communications Adam Hymans, Senior Program Director of Resource Media

• Grant writing, programming events, hosting sojourns, conducting clean-ups Janet Sweeney, Executive Director of POWR

• Leading a coalition/collaborative effort, difficult conversations/improving relationships, team building, leadership, engaging new constituencies Sarah Clark, Senior Associate at the Institute for Conservation Leadership

• Project development from idea to implementation Andy Yencha, Watershed Resource Educator at Penn State Extension

Thank you to our mentors for volunteering their time and expertise!

Head to the registration table to reserve your spot for 30-minute session with our organizational experts on a variety of topics:

Sunday 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, and 4:40 PM

ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING

15

The Master Watershed Steward Program will be acknowledging the following outstanding projects from 2018:

Youth Programs: Junior Master Watershed Steward ProgramThe Lehigh Valley Junior Master Watershed Steward Pilot Program, in partnership with local organizations, worked with 46 youth at Saucon Valley High School. Students were taught about the physical, biological, and chemical properties of water and water’s importance in local ecology. Students planted a streamside pollinator garden as a buffer and will continue to monitor the parameters of Polk Run on the school’s property.

Restoration Projects: Windsor Bioswale Master Watershed Stewards in York County converted an existing drainage swale into a bioswale in Freysville Park. The turf grass was removed and replaced with rocks to decrease erosion at the inlet pipe, three check dams to slow the movement of water, and approximately 2,000 native grasses and perennials plugs to improve water quality. The bioswale is about 2,500 square feet. The Stewards plan to monitor the site and incorporate educational signage.

Innovative Projects: Greater Hazelton Remote Dog Fountain The Master Watershed Steward Program in Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming Counties worked with the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, students from a local Job Corps Center, and employees from American Eagle to install a drinking water site for dogs along an isolated section of the Greater Hazleton Rail trail by building a pavilion, capturing, and filtering rain into a rain barrel.

Monitoring/Research: Bank Pin Study Master Watershed Stewards in Bucks County partnered with the Bucks County Conservation District to monitor stream bank erosion along 18 monitoring sites on three streams: Poquessing Creek, Neshaminy Creek and Cooks Creek. This data will help municipalities target areas that require mitigation.

Special Volunteer Achievement: Carol Armstrong, Delaware and Chester County ProgramFirst Master Watershed Steward in Delaware and Chester Counties to contribute 1,000 hours of volunteer service.

Monday Luncheon Buffet

SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

16

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Alice R. Baker, Staff Attorney, PennFutureBased in PennFuture’s Philadelphia office, Alice focuses her work on water quality protection and stormwater management in southeastern Pennsylvania. Prior to joining PennFuture, Alice was an Associate Attorney at Super Law Group, LLC, a private environmental law firm in New York City, where she pursued Clean Water Act cases and stormwater enforcement issues. She also served as the Director of the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI), a nonprofit designed to inform, equip, and inspire new environmental attorneys and continues her involvement as a member of NYCELLI’s Board of Advisors. Alice received her J.D. and Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School and B.A. from Bard College.

Robert Berghage, Associate Professor, Horticulture & Director of Green Roof Research Ctr. PSUDr. Berghage is an Associate Professor in Horticulture and Director of the Center for Green Roof Research. A Penn State faculty member since 1994, he conducts research on plant growth in modified and controlled environments, hydroponics and aquaponics, green roofs and other green infrastructure, phytoremediation, & ornamental plant selection and performance. Current projects mainly focus on hydroponics and green roofs. Dr. Berghage is state Floriculture and Greenhouse Crop Production extension specialist and serves on Penn State’s Stormwater Management Advisory Committee, The Arboretum Plant Collections Committee, and Chairs the Plant Science Greenhouse Committee. He received a Ph.D. and MS in Horticulture from Michigan State University and a BS in Botany from the University of Michigan.

Sarah Clark, Senior Associate, Institute for Conservation LeadershipSarah has over 20 years of experience developing and leading local and national programs, collaborative efforts, and leadership development initiatives with membership, advocacy, volunteer and community-based organizations. A skilled facilitator, Sarah is adept at working with leaders to assess needs, clarify outcomes and develop strategies to create change and meet goals. Sarah currently leads ICL’s efforts with the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, facilitating network development and collaboration with the initiative’s 50+ organizations. She has a Masters in Organization Development from American University and a BA in Sociology from Miami University.

Dr. Bruce Dickson, Redhorse EnvironmentalDr. Bruce C. Dickson is a broadly trained scientist specializing in aquatic ecology, water quality monitoring, pipeline inspection, and stream restoration with experience in consulting, teaching, research, and community service. Dr. Dickson has coordinated monitoring in the Northern Allegheny River basin since 2013 with grab samples collected at 90 stations for Three Rivers Quest. In-stream data loggers have also been widely deployed as part of a program for the Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Targeted water quality studies have been completed for watersheds in the Allegheny River headwaters, Oswayo Creek, and currently in Pithole Creek.

Kate Ebel, Senior Environmental Scientist, Wildlands Conservancy Inc.Kate Ebel is the Senior Environmental Scientist at Wildlands Conservancy where she works on such projects as large-scale stream and floodplain restoration, dam removal, riparian buffer restoration, invasive species management, and naturalization of open space. She has been working for the last four years to build partnerships and restore stream health throughout the Lehigh River watershed and surrounding areas.

Matt Ehrhart, Director of Watershed Restoration, Stroud Water Research CenterMatt currently manages Stroud’s watershed restoration program working on projects in 4 states, advising numerous groups on restoration programs, project implementation, and monitoring. Matt serves as an instructor for restoration related workshops throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Prior to joining Stroud in 2013, Matt served as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) for over 11 years. Matt has received the PA Governor’s Award for Watershed Stewardship and was named to the 2011 Pennsylvania Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Citizens Advisory Committee. Matt received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Resource Management and his Master of Engineering in Engineering Science from Penn State University.

17

Jennifer Fetter, Exension Educator, Penn State ExtensionAs an Extension Educator, Jennifer is responsible for helping to relay valuable research-based information to Pennsylvania’s citizens, including homeowners, farmers, educators, municipal officials, and youth among others. Her focus areas include safe drinking water, stormwater management, and agricultural water resources. Jennifer’s work has been recognized by several national awards, including the Dive Deeper Youth Water Educators Summit and the Rain to Drain Slow the Flow stormwater curriculum. She earned both her BS and MS in Biology from Villanova University.

Heather Gall, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Engineering, Penn State UniversityHeather Gall is an assistant professor of natural resources engineering in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State. She has a teaching and research appointment, with a passion for understanding the fate, transport, and impacts of contaminants of emerging concern. Her research group is currently focused on creating tools and new knowledge to empower the general public to reduce the presence of contaminants of emerging concern in the environment.

Michael Hock, GIS Specialist, Wildlands Conservancy Inc.Michael joined Wildlands in 2017 as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist. He holds a M.S. in ecology from Binghamton University where he spent time as a teaching assistant. Prior to coming on board, he completed an internship with The Nature Center. A Lehigh Valley native, Michael is enthusiastic about the outdoor opportunities the area provides.

Adam Hymans, Senior Program Director, Resource MediaAdam Hymans is the Philadelphia-based Senior Program Director with Resource Media, a national, nonprofit communications firm that works exclusively in support of sustainability and social justice. Adam provides strategic communications support for clean water and energy equity initiatives along the East Coast and the Pacific Northwest. He comes to Resource Media from SPIN, one of Pennsylvania’s leading providers of intellectual disability and early childhood services, where he brought national visibility to workforce development and educational justice issues. Adam also held engagement and communications roles at The Philadelphia Foundation and Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and served on the boards of LGBT and immigrant rights organizations. Adam earned a BA in German Studies and Anthropology from Cornell University and was a 2011 fellow with the former Center for Progressive Leadership.

John Jackson, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Stroud Water Research CenterJohn holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the Univ of California, Berkeley, a MS in Zoology from Arizona State University, and a BS in Biology from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Jackson has been involved in aquatic entomology and stream ecology for 38 years, and has run an active research program at the Stroud Center for 28 years. His basic and applied research is worldwide in scope but has a particular focus on assessing macroinvertebrate community structure in North American rivers and streams. He holds adjunct faculty positions at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Delaware, and has coordinated research involving over 350 sites in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. John is currently a member of the Delaware River Basin Commission’s Water Quality Advisory Committee and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Resources Advisory Committee.

Abigail M. Jones, Staff Attorney, PennFuture, Northeast RegionAbby is PennFuture’s Staff Attorney for the Northeast PA region, where her work focuses on water quality and watershed protection, special protection waters, and public land and open space protection. Prior to joining PennFuture, Abby was a Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper, where her work focused on civil litigation and administrative enforcement actions targeted at safeguarding the water quality and ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries. She has written about and presented on issues including the regulation and legal challenges of Marcellus Shale development in New York, energy leases for private property owners in Western States, and the Superfund cleanup of the Hudson River. Abby received her J.D. and Certificate of Environmental Law from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and her B.A. from Cornell University

Veronica Kasi, Chesapeake Bay Program Manager, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Veronica Kasi (Nicki) has been with the Department of Environmental Protection for the past 26 years. She started her career with the Department as a hydrogeologist for the Chesapeake Bay Program and was heavily involved in the 1990 Chesapeake Bay Program Re-evaluation. Last March, she returned to the Chesapeake Bay Program as the Program Manager

18

for the newly established Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Nicki has been involved with the creation of Pennsylvania’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Operator’s Certification Program and various assistance programs to improve the technical, financial, and managerial capability of water treatment systems in Pennsylvania. Nicki has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Penn State.

Danielle Kreeger, PhD, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Drexel University Dr. Danielle Kreeger is an ecologist with more than 30 years of experience as a research scientist and educator. She currently serves as Senior Science Director for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Her other responsibilities include organizing a biennial Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit and charting science, management, and restoration needs in the estuary. She also maintains an appointment as an associate research professor at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Trained as a shellfish and wetland ecologist, much of her studies have focused on the ecology, restoration and societal benefits of bivalve shellfish and coastal wetlands. Dr. Kreeger holds a Ph.D. in fisheries from Oregon State University, a master’s degree in Marine Studies from the University of Delaware, and a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Penn State University.

Sarah Lowe, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA Marine Debris ProgramSarah joined NOAA in 2009 through the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship, working with the NOAA Marine Debris Program to develop shoreline monitoring protocols for marine debris. She continued her work with the NOAA Marine Debris Program and has been serving as the Great Lakes Regional Coordinator for the past nine years. Until 2015, she also worked with the NOAA Restoration Center, where she assisted in the management of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects. Her current duties include working with partners on marine debris projects, developing, implementing, and monitoring prevention strategies and action plans, as well as community education and outreach. Sarah received her bachelors and master’s degrees in biology from Bowling Green State University. Sarah is based in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Susan Myerov, Watersheds Program Director, Pennsylvania Environmental Council Susan joined the Pennsylvania Environmental Council in 2013 as Program Director responsible for coordinating PEC’s watershed and water resource projects including municipal stormwater management education and outreach as part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative and PEC’s community engagement work supporting the Philadelphia Water Department. Susan holds a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and BS degree from Penn State University. She currently serves as Secretary of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council.

Taylor Nezat, Campaign Manager for Watershed Advocacy, PennFutureTaylor Nezat, Campaign Manager for Watershed Advocacy, Taylor is a native of southcentral Pennsylvania and located in PennFuture’s Harrisburg office. In this role at PennFuture, Taylor focuses on campaigns that generate citizen action on water issues affecting Pennsylvania’s environment in the Susquehanna and Potomac (Chesapeake Bay) watersheds. Prior to joining PennFuture, Taylor served as a graduate assistant at Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Taylor received his master’s degree in Public Administration in May 2017, and his bachelor’s degree in History and minor in Political Science in May 2015.

Paco Ollervides, Leadership Development Manager, River NetworkFrancisco “Paco” Ollervides was born and raised in Mexico. Focusing his work on the Great Lakes, Paco has aided nonprofit organizations working for clean and healthy rivers across the region. Prior to joining River Network, Paco served as Senior Field Coordinator with the Waterkeeper Alliance advising nonprofit advocacy groups in Latin America. He has also served as Director of the School for Field Studies (Center for Coastal Studies) in San Carlos, Mexico and as resident lecturer and adviser in the areas of Economic and Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development, Coastal Ecology, and Resource Ecology and Management (Boston University). Paco holds both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department at Texas A&M University. Paco is based near Columbus, Ohio.

Carol Parenzan, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Carol Parenzan serves as Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper. She holds a degree in environmental engineering, has written over 30 creative nonfiction books, holds a three-year appointment to DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board, launched

19

a new Floating Classroom Program with Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat, was instrumental in bringing together 20+ organizations and 500+ individuals as part of PA’s 2018 River of the Year “Science on the ‘Sock,” and has designed and facilitated courses through a consortium of 2,700+ colleges. She serves as the PA Stewardship Director for American Canoe Association and approaches her work as the river’s steward with entrepreneurial and innovative eyes.

Heidi Pedicone, Program Director, Keep Pennsylvania BeautifulHeidi Pedicone serves as the director of programs at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Heidi has been with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for more than 15 years and is responsible for the administration and management of multiple environmental grants and community improvement programs. Heidi is a graduate of Duquesne University with a Masters of Environmental Management degree as well as a B.S degree in Environmental Studies and Marine Science as a dual major from East Stroudsburg University.

Leza Raffel, President and Founder, The Communication Solutions GroupLeza Raffel, founder and president of The Communication Solutions Group, is the driving force behind her 28 year old public relations and marketing company. In 2009, she was recognized by Governor Ed Rendell as one of the Best 50 Women in Business. Twice Philadelphia Business Journal has awarded her company “The Philly 100” for its rapid growth. Leza’s company has been providing publicity support to the Pennsylvania Environmental Commission for the past year. A 1989 graduate of Ithaca College with a BS from the School of Communications, Leza specializes in overseeing the development and implementation of complete communication plans non-profits, charitable organizations, educational institutions, municipalities and government agencies. She also excels at media relations, with a myriad of professional connections. She is an industry expert on crisis communication and has spoken on the topic nationally.

Andrew Rohrbaugh, Ecological Specialist, DCNR Bureau of ForestryAndrew Rohrbaugh grew up in southcentral Pennsylvania and attended Gettysburg College and Shippensburg University. He has been an ecological specialist with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry since 2013. In that position, he helps manage rare and invasive plant populations on state lands, as well as statewide policy regarding these issues. He is the Invasive Plant Coordinator for the Bureau, and helps to represent the Bureau of Forestry at the PA Invasive Species Council. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, hiking, and trying to keep up with his two sons.

Rebecca Rumbel, Instructional Designer, Penn State ExtensionRebecca Rumbel joined Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2014. She combines her past experiences in environmental and adventure education, team facilitation, classroom English instruction, writing, and curriculum design to supervise a team of instructional designers and multimedia specialists that create educational videos and courses for Penn State Extension. In her current role, she uses video and multimedia to deliver science-based education, and to conceptualize new frameworks for agricultural education, community development, and conservation.

Kathy Salisbury, Director, Ambler Arboretum of Temple UniversityKathy is the Director of Temple University’s Ambler Arboretum and has held leadership positions at the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Laurelwood Arboretum, and the Native Plant Society of NJ. With a wide-range of experience in horticulture, Kathy’s passion is connecting people to plants through education and experiences. Kathy has a BS in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley University and a MS in Public Horticulture Administration from University of Delaware. A native plant enthusiast, you can find Kathy getting her hands dirty at the Arboretum’s Tuesday volunteer days, tending her home organic veggie garden, herding her happy hens, on a snowboard, a trail or in a kayak depending on the weather.

Helen Schlimm, Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM), Community Science SpecialistHelen Schlimm is the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring’s Community Science Specialist. Helen designs and implements water quality monitoring trainings for volunteers. She also coordinate’s ALLARM’s involvement in the regional Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative project. Helen has four years of experience working with PA and NY communities on stream assessments. She is passionate about teaching volunteers and communities the scientific tools for monitoring streams.

20

Connie Schmotzer, Consumer Horticultural Educator, PSU ExtensionConnie Schmotzer is the Consumer Horticulture Educator for Penn State Extension in York County, PA, where she coordinates the Master Gardener Program and the Mid-Atlantic Ecological Landscaping partnership (MAEscapes). Her interest in rain gardens began in 2004 when MAEscapes replaced the turf at the Extension Office with a landscape that included two rain gardens to handle run off from the roof. Since then Connie and her husband have constructed three rain gardens at their home and she has given numerous presentations on rain gardens to various organizations and municipalities.

Janet Sweeney, Vice President, Pennsylvania Environmental CouncilJanet manages the Community Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Program, the Pocono Forests & Waters Conservation Landscape Program, POWR, & Keep Northeastern PA Beautiful. Previously, Janet was VP of the Community and Government Services Division of the Northeastern PA Alliance where she managed the PENNDOT Rural Transportation Planning Work Program. She has a MS in Planning and Regional Development from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the American Planning Association Pennsylvania Chapter; the Countryside Conservancy Advisory Board and Trail Sub-Committee; the PA DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council; and board member of the Northeast Pocono Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Julie Vastine, Executive Director, ALLARM Julie Vastine is the director of the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is responsible for leadership of the ALLARM program and providing technical assistance to watershed communities interested in using science as a tool for change. Julie has worked in the volunteer monitoring citizen science field for fifteen years. In 2014, she was appointed to the National Water Quality Monitoring Council as the co-volunteer monitoring chair. In 2018, she was elected to the Citizen Science Association. A native of the Chesapeake Bay region, Julie enjoys working with community organizations to build their capacity to monitor, protect, and restore water quality in Pennsylvania and New York.

Keith Williams, Executive Director, NorthBayKeith worked as an Environmental Biologist with the U.S. Army for 10 years before starting his education career. Keith taught grade 3-8 science in Baltimore City, and developed an Associates degree in Outdoor Adventure Education at Cecil College where he serves as adjunct faculty. Keith regularly presents at state, national and international conferences on environmental education. He has developed river snorkeling based curriculum, has established freshwater snorkeling programs for non-profits and the US Forest Service, and regularly works with Freshwaters Illustrated to develop educational materials to accompany their underwater films. Keith has led thousands of people on river snorkeling explorations. His first book Snorkelhead, Adventures in River Snorkeling was published in 2016, and he is currently working on his second river snorkeling book due in 2020. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Kutztown University and MS in Ecological Teaching and Learning from the Lesley University Audubon Expedition Institute.

Andy Yencha, Water Resource Educator, PSU ExtensionAndy Yencha is a Penn State Extension Water Resources Educator and coordinates Extension’s Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Subteam. His position is focused on helping Pennsylvania’s residents, businesses, and local governments solve water related issues to protect the Commonwealth’s shared natural resources. Major program topics include private water supply, watershed management, water friendly landscaping practices, and stormwater management. Yencha holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin; and a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

21

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to the conference Planning Committe members and their organizations for donating time and experise to help plan and promote this conference. Their advice and guidance were extremely valuable in coordinating the tracks, recruiting session speakers, and planning the special events.

Andrew Yencha. PennState Extension, Water Resource Educator

Carol Parenzan. Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper

Elizabeth Rosser. PennState Extension, Master Watershed Coordinator, Lehigh Valley

Erin L. Frederick. PennState Extension, Statewide Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

Karen Holm. Delaware County Planning Department

Janet Sweeney. Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Jodi Sulpizio. PennState Extension, Master Watershed Coordinator, York County

JulieVastine. Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring

Kathleen Connally. PennState Extension, Master Watershed Coordinator, Bucks County

Kelly Rossiter. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Marla Meyer Papernick. Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Meagan Hopkins-Doerr. Penn State Extension, Master Watershed Coordinator, Chester & Delaware Counties

Paul Racette. Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Rebecca Kennedy. Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley

Tali MacArthur. Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Trish Attardo. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Special thanks to Paco Ollervides, Leadership Development Manager at River Network, for coordinating our mentorship program.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to our “Sharks,” Nathan Boon, Branden Diehl, Betty Gilmour, and Kelly Rossiter for graciously volunteering their time and expertise to participate in our Shark Tank event.

Finally, many thanks to Lizzie Hessek and Maria Trevino for program design and layout and to Cindy Ferguson for her invaluable proof-reading skills and assistance in coordinating production of our related conference materials.

22

Documents

WATERSHED CONNECTIONS · Salt (NaCl) has been increasing signiicantly at many locations in northeastern North America, since at least the 1970s. In some cases, salt concentrations