+ Diaries Of The Diabolical

More than 70 percent of the woodlands in Pennsylvania are owned by private landowners. With the proper instruction, tools, and technical assistance, these landowners can manage their land in ways that enhance the production of wood, water, recreation, and wildlife and can mitigate the effects of a changing climate. Making wise and informed decisions on how to manage land helps conserve the natural resources of Pennsylvania and ensure that forests are resilient and able to withstand future changes. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry has been fielding an increasing volume of inquiries from private forest landowners and managers regarding climate change. Some questions they ask include: -- What climate change-related impacts are observable in my forest? -- What should I be on the lookout for? -- What species are expected to do well or suffer in a rapidly changing climate? -- How can I enhance my forest’s resilience to climate change? Climate Change Resilience Factsheets The bureau has responded

By Penn State News A Penn State entomologist is asking Pennsylvania deer hunters for help with research on biting flies that are active in the fall, which may be vectors of dangerous disease. Michael Skvarla , associate professor of entomology and biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, wants to document the locations and prevalence of these “keds” in an effort to determine whether they pose risks to human health.  Research has suggested that the insects, an introduced species of biting fly originally found in Europe, Siberia and northern China, may be carriers of diseases normally associated with ticks. Deer keds frequently are mistaken by hunters as ticks, Skvarla noted. Keds may superficially resemble ticks, but the former are typically larger, ranging from 1/8 to 3/16 inches long.  Keds are also highly mobile and found on the deer belly, while ticks are attached to the skin, do not move around much, and are usually found around the head and neck. “We’re asking hunters t

On October 19, the Public Utility Commission welcomed the return of Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. and the arrival of Commissioners Stephen M. DeFrank and Kathryn L. Zerfuss to the PUC.  The Commission thanked Gov. Tom Wolf for his nominations, along with the Pennsylvania Senate for its support of all three nominations earlier. This is the first time the five-member panel has been at full strength since Senate Republicans notified Gov. Wolf on April 21, 2021 (Earth Day) they would reject all future nominees to the PUC until he withdraws his executive order joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.  Read more here . The PUC has nothing to do with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Program. “We look forward to the return of Commissioner Coleman’s experienced voice, along with the new perspectives we will gain with the arrival of Commissioners DeFrank and Zerfuss,” said Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille. “Pennsylvania co

Are You Telling Your Story? Senate returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 15 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule House returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 14, 15, 16 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule TODAY’s Calendar Of Events   -- City & State PA Recognize The 2022 Pennsylvania Nonprofit Power 100 Leaders, Including 7 Conservation Leaders   [PaEN] -- Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Plants Its 5-Millionth Tree In Franklin County Park; Thousands Of Volunteers Were Critical To Reaching This Milestone   [PaEN] -- WeConservePA Visits Award-Winning Headwaters Restoration Project By Wissahickon Trails In Montgomery County   [PaEN] -- DCNR Blog: New Resources Available For Forest Landowners And Managers For Climate Change Resilience   [PaEN] -- York Daily Record: York County Creek Samples Show Highest Levels Of PFOA ‘Forever Chemicals’ In The Country   -- Senate Confirms Three PUC Commissioners Bringing 5-Member Panel Up To Full Strength