[APWG] Announcing Outdoor Heritage Month in PA's Alleghenies: April 2008

[Kristin Sewak]

April 2008 is declared Outdoor Heritage Month in Pennsylvania's Alleghenies

* *

*            **The Alleghenies Region undoubtedly holds a wealth of history,
culture, and beauty in its landscape that residents enjoy and that visitors
drive many miles to experience; however, numerous demands on non-renewable
resources threaten to diminish our precious natural resources, locally and
globally.  On the forefront of a national movement to "Go Green" and to
highlight our rich resources, local organizations have teamed up to bring
you Outdoor Heritage Month, with the theme **Constructing a Greener Earth in
the Alleghenies**.  *

*Outdoor Heritage Month is a celebration of our cultural and natural
heritage and is a call to action, inviting citizens to implement
conservation practices in their homes, schools, and communities.*

*          Throughout April, numerous local events, national celebrations
such as National Wildlife Week, and global celebrations like Earth Day, take
place to educate and engage citizens in conserving, preserving, and enjoying
our natural resources.  *Outdoor Heritage pulls these events together to
showcase the many good works and opportunities in our hometowns.

          On Monday, March 10th, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
unanimously passed House Resolution No. 626 declaring April 2008 Outdoor
Heritage Month in the Pennsylvania Alleghenies.  This declaration encourages
all Pennsylvanians to participate in education and service activities
occurring in Pennsylvania's Alleghenies.

          Local public events include a lecture series provided by the
Pennsylvania Humanities Council; the Stonycreek Rendezvous, a weekend of
whitewater fun; and the Westmoreland Earth Day celebration, a
family-oriented event held at St. Vincent College, Latrobe.  A complete list
of activities may be found on the Outdoor Heritage Calendar of Events
webpage: www.naturalbiodiversity.org/oh/ohcalendar.shtml.

          Specifically for school children, the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team
and Natural Biodiversity, local non-profit organizations, are hosting
Outdoor Heritage, the education event.  This event, for which schools must
register, teaches students about a variety of environmental concepts through
dozens of hands-on exhibits and activities provided by numerous conservation
organizations.  For example, students will learn how to leave no trace while
recreating in nature, make fish prints that will discern the differences of
fish species, and play games to demonstrate the competitiveness of native
versus invasive species.  Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell said of
Outdoor Heritage 2008, "By taking the time to teach young people in your
area about the importance of caring for our environment, you are setting a
fine example that will have a lasting legacy."**

*          *Outdoor Heritage is brought to you by the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream
Team, a program of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Inc. and Natural
Biodiversity.  It is financially supported by the Foundation for
Pennsylvania Watersheds, the Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project,
Gamesa Energy USA, Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps, Summer's Best Two
Weeks, the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, and many other businesses.**

For more information about Outdoor Heritage or to post an event, please
visit the Outdoor Heritage website at www.naturalbiodiversity.org/oh or call
814.532.5049.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/apwg_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20080326/7dd93619/attachment.html>