The Pennsylvania Environmental Council protects and restores the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education, and advocacy.
Resurfacing work was recently completed along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail – just in time for summer! PEC was able to help with this work through our new pilot program, T.R.A.I.L.S. Read more: triblive.com/local/regional/…
Learn more about T.R.A.I.L.S: pecpa.org/news/advancing-tra…
We had a great time celebrating the 2026 River of the Year, the Conestoga! 🎉
It was a full day of paddling on the river, learning about inspiring efforts to clean up local waterways, and enjoying the company of our partners. 🚣
Photo credit: @DCNRnews
ALT The PA DCNR Secretary, Cindy Dunn and four other individuals unveiling the poster for the 2026 River of the Year.
ALT PEC President, Tom Gilbert speaking at a podium outside.
ALT PEC President, PA DCNR Secretary and three other individuals standing around the 2026 River of the Year poster.
ALT Tom Gilbert and PA DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn in a kayak on the Conestoga River.
Overnight Bikeout is back! 🥳
You heard that right! We are BACK at our favorite Camp Kweebec this fall!
🗓When? Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, September 13
📍Where? Philadelphia to Schwenksville
Early bird registration coming soon! 🚴♂️
Photo credit: Tim Tiebout
ALT A graphic for bikeout. There is a photo of people standing under a large picnic shelter in the background. There are the words "Bikeout is Back September 12 & 13 at the top. There is also the PEC and Bikeout logos at the bottom.
There’s a lot of important legislation currently being considered in the state’s Senate but one bill, HB2223, is showing promise considering its unanimous approval in the House. Learn more about HB2223 in this installment of Pennsylvania Legacies: pecpa.org/news/pennsylvania-…
ALT An image of transmission lines with the sun setting in the background. The words "Advanced Transmission Advances" are in white at the bottom. There are white headphones to the right of the words.
On June 27th, BLJ Community Rowing and @DCNRnews will host an Outdoors for All Day in Philly!
From 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. there will be activities to participate in such as rowing, recumbent water biking, cycling, yoga, walking, line dancing, and more.
ALT A flyer for Philadelphia's Outdoors for All Day on June 27th.
Yesterday, we joined partners at the PA Statewide Active Transportation Summit.
The Summit served as the launchpad for the Coalition for Active Transportation in PA, which will align voices across the Commonwealth to increase influence and impact on walking and biking issues.
ALT A sign that says, "Introducing the Coalition for Active Mobility".
ALT A group of people sitting at a table with microphones in front of them. There is a PowerPoint to the side of them as well as a large audience in front of them.
ALT A group of people listening to a presenter speak. There is a PowerPoint behind the presenter that says, " A rallying voice for at advocacy statewide."
We had a great day at the South-Central PA Trails Connectivity Summit! 🚲
We received updates from partners about the progress being made to fill gaps identified in PEC’s South-Central PA Trails Connectivity Assessment.
Read our Connectivity Assessment: buff.ly/xRzDY7G
ALT Seven people presenting at the front of a conference room. There is a powerpoint playing in the background.
ALT People gathered around round tables in a conference room.
Mowing takes time and energy. It also removes food for pollinators, causing them to disappear.
To reduce your footprint, help provide clean water, and welcome birds and beneficial insects, let go of all that grass by converting your lawn to a meadow!
Join the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) for an important webinar discussing their recently released PFAS Water Quality and Fish Tissue Assessment Study.
Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…
Read the study: nj.gov/drbc/library/document…
A dynamic line rating system has shown the ability to increase capacity on transmission lines by 25%. This is just one example of how ATTs can help make our electric grid more efficient and reduce consumer cost. buff.ly/g0w30V2
New funding opportunity for nonprofit or municipal projects to provide backup electricity for essential services during power outages in southwestern PA. Learn more: poweredandprepared.org/#PoweredAndPrepared
The GRID plan identifies voluntary principles for responsible data center development, but there's a limited window of opportunity to pass legislation that would give them the force of law. Why we think GRID is a good start, and what needs to happen next:
pecpa.org/news/grid-data-cen…
Check out the latest episode of PEC’s podcast, Pennsylvania Legacies! In this episode, we talk with Nick Spinelli, Executive Director of the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District. Tune in to learn about their newly created HAB Lab. pecpa.org/news/pennsylvania-…
ALT A body of water surrounded by green vegetation. There are the words "Harm Reduction" in white at the bottom along with a white graphic of a tree with headphones.
PEC had the honor of hosting David and Lillian Cale at this year’s 2026 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards. The Cales were presented with this year’s Conservation Leadership Award for their gift of the Laurel Caverns property to the state.
More: buff.ly/2qUEOht
ALT Three professionally dressed people posing for a picture. The woman in the middle is holding a framed picture of a painted deer.
Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is hosting a virtual community engagement meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:30 pm to discuss their Low Carbon Pathways Project.
Register now to provide your input. pgworks.com/community-impact…
PEC staff recently got together for our annual retreat! Each year, staff members meet up to collaborate on new ideas and explore the natural resources of PA. After a day of brainstorming, we took team building to the trails and explored the Pine Creek Rail Trail!
ALT A group of people standing together outside, posing for a picture.
ALT people riding on a bike trail along the river. There is bright green vegetation on both sides of the trail.
ALT People sitting at a picnic table looking at a large post it note that says "what are 1-2 insights or reflections that stand out the most to you".
ALT Three people gathered around looking at a salamander outside.
Earlier this month, the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) was honored with the Trailblazer Award at PEC’s 2026 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards.
Learn more about the LHHT and why it was honored at this year's awards ceremony. pecpa.org/news/celebrating-5…
The General Assembly has been busy with legislation to manage impacts of data center development. Time is running out to address the issue before the legislature adjourns for the summer. Creating guardrails will ensure PA sustainably develops this industry.buff.ly/KHwc5Wj
Don’t miss out on the first ever NEPA Ecotour!
This two-day, 85-mile cycling excursion will take place on June 6th & 7th in northeast PA.
Learn more and register! buff.ly/LYxbxDe
Interested in sponsoring? Learn more: buff.ly/6JEXjp8
ALT A graphic detailing the NEPA Ecotour. Text includes "NEPA Ecotour, Benefiting Pennsylvania Environmental Council, June 6 - 7 2026." There is a white graphic of a person riding a bike in the corner.
It’s Native Species Day!
Today we're celebrating our state’s native species and the important roles they play. 🌲 🐦⬛
For more information, visit pa.gov/agencies/pda/about-pd…
ALT A poster for PA Native Species Day. There are graphics of different animals and plants on the poster such as a black bear, a bird, a hellbender, a firefly, a trout, and Mountain Laurel.