Synchronous Fireflies! Early Summer (late Spring) Outing June 22 to June 24
June 22 to June 24 Join Us to Observe and Document Synchronous Fireflies in the Allegheny National Forest
The Synchronous Fireflies have started their display in the Allegheny National Forest! On the weekend of June 22 to June 24 we will be camping near Kelletville in the Allegheny National Forest to observe and document the rare synchronous firefly population in "The Branch" Watershed. Our camp will be near the intersection of FR 127 and FR 145--we will post signs on FR 127 just past the intersection. See this link for our camp site location. The site will also be near the intersection of the North Country Trail and FR 127. Look for signs to the camp. To prepare for our firefly watching weekend you can download a flash chart here which will help you identify different types of fireflies. If you are interested in following our Firefly Watch activities please sign up for the Firefly Watch Group to get updates on firefly monitoring and research in the ANF.
Call 814-520-4639 for more information.
For more information follow this link.
Hearing Scheduled in ANF Oil and Gas Lawsuit: WE NEED YOU THERE.
Oral Arguments will be heard 9AM July 2nd in the Erie Federal Courthouse, Erie PA.
A federal judge in Erie recently scheduled oral argument for July 2, 2012 regarding motions filed by parties involved in litigation over oil and gas drilling in the Allegheny National Forest. U.S. District Court Judge Sean McLaughlin ordered the arguments in the case, Minard Run Oil Co. v. U.S. Forest Service.
We need you there to show support for the protection of our Allegheny National Forest. We need you to be present to witness the proceedings. Please Join Us on July 2nd 9AM in the Erie Federal Courthouse (17 South Park Row, Erie, PA).
The litigation began nearly three years ago after the Forest Service entered into a settlement agreement with three conservation groups, Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, Allegheny Defense Project, and Sierra Club. Under the settlement, the Forest Service agreed to undertake “appropriate” environmental analysis of proposed oil and gas drilling projects prior to authorizing access across Allegheny National Forest lands.
The plaintiffs in the litigation, Minard Run Oil Co. and Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, sued the Forest Service and the three conservation groups, claiming the settlement exceeded the Forest Service’s authority to protect Pennsylvania’s only national forest from the impacts of oil and gas drilling. In December 2009, Judge McLaughlin granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, which blocked the settlement from going into effect while the case was being litigated.
Both the Forest Service and the conservation groups appealed that preliminary decision. In September 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld Judge McLaughlin’s preliminary decision. The parties are now at loggerheads about how the case should proceed. The oil and gas plaintiffs want Judge McLaughlin to simply convert his previous preliminary decision into a permanent injunction against the Forest Service. That would effectively bar the Forest Service from attempting to implement any measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of most oil and gas drilling in the Allegheny National Forest.
Please mark your calendar for July 2nd, 2012 and join us at the Erie Federal Courthouse (17 South Park Row, Erie, PA). Call 814-520-4639 if you need more information.
Donations Needed for Matching Challenge!
Great thanks to our anonymous supporter who has provided us with a matching donation challege in honor of the memory of our friend Joe Martin. Between now and our Spring/Early Summer Outing on the June 22-24 Weekend, we need to raise $1500 which will then be matched by $1500 for a total of $3,000.Please help us with your donation (all amounts will help us meet our goal!)...Read More
Heartwood Forest Council Article in the Huffington Post
We all had a great time with Heartwood during the May 25-28, 2012 Forest Council! Read More Here.
|
