Accomplishments In 2020

Ongoing

  • Publish a monthly FWW newsletter

  • Attend White Township Supervisor Meetings, and White Township Planning meetings

  • Conduct interviews with radio and print media, including WCCS, Indiana Gazette, Hawk Eye

  • Monitor the letters to the editor in the Gazette

  • Communicate with DCNR 

  • Contact relevant community environmental and special interest groups

  • Created and distribute yard signs

  • Develop and distribute promotional and educational materials

  • Sponsor Zoom seminars:

    • Gavin Deming, Allegheny Goatscape, “Using Goats to Treat Invasive Species”.  September 24, 2020

    • Appalachian Forest Consultant Mike Wolf, “The Health of White’s Woods.”  October 22, 2020

    • Vincent Cotrone, PSE, “The Role of Trees and Forests in Stormwater Management.”  November 19, 2020

    • Margaret Brittingham, PhD, “Community Forests:  Benefits for Birds and People – Options and Challenges.” January 14, 2021

    • Bonnie McGill, PhD, “Comfortable Spaces for Uncomfortable Conversations:  The Climate and Rural Systems Partnership of Western Pennsylvania.”  February 11, 2021

 

Historical

  • April 2020: 

    • Discovered attempt to timber WWNC

    • Secured legal counsel

    • Contacted DCNR

  • May 2020: 

    • Met with Mike Lawer, person hired by White Township to work in WWNC

    • Enlisted support of expert scientists: ecology, forestry

    • Filed a legal complaint asserting violation of the Sunshine Act and the Second Class Township Code pertaining to contract bidding

    • Sent mailing to over 1,000 households that border WWNC\

    • Posted a petition on Change.org protesting protesting timbering in WWNC

    • Designed and solicited responses to a consumer survey about use of WWNC using Survey Monkey

  • June 2020: 

    • Hired consulting forester Mike Wolf of Appalachian Foresters to review the Millstone plan and provide guidance for WWNC

  • July 2020:

    • Obtained over 8000 signatures on a Change.org petition

    • Compiled survey responses from 232 participants

    • Engaged consultant forester Mike Wolf to present his assessment of WWNC at a White Township Supervisors meeting

    • Prepared a 255-page response to the Millstone Plan and submitted copies to the Township and to DCNR.

  • August 2020:

    • Submitted a successful grant request to the Indiana County Endowment

    • Contacted the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, The Natural Areas Association, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for information and guidance.

  • September 2020:

    • Earned the Gold Star level of Transparency with the GuideStar Nonprofit Directory

  • October 2020:

    • Submitted a grant proposal to Mountain Dew Outdoor Grants – currently awaiting response

    • Submitted a grant proposal to Walmart Community Grants – currently awaiting response