Project Type: Environment / Trails

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease. The state is responding with groundbreaking research

The largest study of its kind — focused on tiny ticks — is underway in Pennsylvania.

The full study, expected to be released this summer, is not only compiling the tick intel, but is building prediction models designed to help reduce human exposure to ticks, and therefore lower future Lyme disease rates. Continue reading Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease. The state is responding with groundbreaking research

In Pa., climate change threatens the state tree, bird and fish. Work is underway to help the native species

On the surface, the Pennsylvania scene appears idyllic. But a closer look reveals the presence of numerous invaders. Experts say climate change is fueling and favoring the growth of invasive species—in many cases, at the expense of Pennsylvania’s cherished symbols. Continue reading In Pa., climate change threatens the state tree, bird and fish. Work is underway to help the native species

Park Perch: Susquehanna Riverlands is a new gem of a state park with a bird’s-eye view of the river

It’s a stunning vista overlooking the Susquehanna River.

To the north, the river flows and swirls around the pillars of the picturesque Shocks Mills Bridge. If you stay perched on the rocky outcropping long enough, you just might spy a miniature train below, chugging across the bridge.

Most people would probably describe the scene as “sweeping.” But most people haven’t seen or even had access to this bird’s-eye view, until now.
Continue reading Park Perch: Susquehanna Riverlands is a new gem of a state park with a bird’s-eye view of the river

Climate change in Pa.: The flood-prone Susquehanna River watershed poses a widespread challenge

It’s one of Harrisburg’s most treasured, beloved landmarks. The Susquehanna River is the longest river east of the Mississippi. Its basin — an immense 27,510 square miles —encompasses half of Pennsylvania, along with portions of New York and Maryland.

As iconic as it is, the Susquehanna is also considered one of the most flood-prone watersheds in the nation, averaging $150 million in flood damage annually. And with an already-observed 10% to 20% increase in Pennsylvania’s precipitation, a heightened risk of flooding is considered the state’s top climate change-related risk. Continue reading Climate change in Pa.: The flood-prone Susquehanna River watershed poses a widespread challenge

Change Agent: Meet Greg Czarnecki, a man on a mission to impact climate change, one Pennsylvanian at a time

If there’s a face, or voice, of climate change awareness in Pennsylvania, it might be Greg Czarnecki’s.

As climate change and research coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), he’s the only person dedicating his entire focus to climate change at a Pennsylvania state agency.

For more than five years, he’s been crisscrossing the state, giving about 60 presentations annually, about the impacts of climate change on the Keystone State.

But last summer, there were three that stood out as perhaps more vital than all the others. Continue reading Change Agent: Meet Greg Czarnecki, a man on a mission to impact climate change, one Pennsylvanian at a time

Night Watch

Could saw-whet owls be migrating through northern Dauphin County, along Pennsylvania’s primary migratory corridor—the Kittatinny Ridge?

This story is one of three that, together, garnered a national journalism award in 2023: The Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence in Journalism, Features Portfolio. Continue reading Night Watch

They Made a Stink

Callery pear trees added to noxious weeds list; new tree sales banned.

What’s so bad about this specific tree, you might ask? Despite the tree’s popularity as a longtime landscaping favorite, it has a stinky reputation.

This story is one of three that, together, garnered a national journalism award in 2023: The Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence in Journalism, Features Portfolio. Continue reading They Made a Stink

Reigner Reigns, Over the Outdoors

Pennsylvania welcomes its first director of outdoor recreation. While it may be the dawning of a new era in state management, the boon in the great outdoors has been a decade in the making.

This story is one of three that, together, garnered a national journalism award in 2023: The Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence in Journalism, Features Portfolio. Continue reading Reigner Reigns, Over the Outdoors

How Silas Chamberlin Forged a New Path in York County

Outdoor recreation is “in.” Amid the pandemic, its popularity has soared as high as the treetops.

At the same time, Silas Chamberlin, vice president of the York Economic Alliance, is doing some re-creating of his own: he’s redefining the field of economic development and merging it with his lifelong appreciation of the outdoors—specifically trails—as conduits for community revitalization.  Continue reading How Silas Chamberlin Forged a New Path in York County

Home Sweet Green Home

It was 1978. George Chorba was stuck waiting in a mile-long line of vehicles at the only gas station that still had fuel amid one of the Arab oil embargoes. He was in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., so, needless to say, it was hot.

“My pickup truck didn’t have air conditioning, and I remember looking up at the sun—I had certainly heard about solar—and I thought, ‘This solar stuff makes a whole lot of sense.’” Continue reading Home Sweet Green Home

Unwelcome in Our Woods

“Public enemy number one” is how Shannon Powers refers to the spotted lanternfly.

Powers, press secretary for Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture, said the invading insect is an $18 billion threat to the state’s economy—specifically products and jobs related to the grape, apple, hops and hardwood industries.

And April is when the spotted lanternfly hatches. Continue reading Unwelcome in Our Woods

Trailblazers

Gwen Loose was hiking with a friend on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) when a question crossed her mind.

While Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery are considered the founders and fathers of the A.T., “Who was holding down the fort at conference headquarters?” she wondered. Continue reading Trailblazers

Riding the Rails

Dust off your bike, come out of hibernation, and blaze some new trails—rail trails, that is—throughout the Susquehanna Valley. The number of rail trails—old railroad lines converted to recreational paths—is growing throughout the country, and Central PA is no exception. Continue reading Riding the Rails