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Directory of Environmental Resources & Services
Source: "Directory of Environmental Resources & Services". A Publication of the Bucks Conservation District
BOWMAN'S HILL WILDFLOWER PRESERVE
P.O. Box 685, New Hope, PA 18938
Phone - 215-862-2924, Fax - 215-862-1846
Purpose
Managed and operated by Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc. in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Preserve seeks to provide the public with a greater appreciation of native plants, and thereby inspire a commitment to their preservation. The Preserve is located 2-1/2 miles south of New Hope, PA, on route 32, River Road. It provides 100 acres of botanical gardens and trails, a nature shop, park and museum. It is open daily 9 to 5 except major holidays.
Programs
Propagation, planting and maintenance of wildflowers, native plants and shrubs. Development of meadows. Control of exotic invasives.
Services/Expertise
Workshops, lecture series, field trips, nature walks, student and group tours. Informative member newsletter.
BUCKS CONSERVATION DISTRICT
924 Town Center, New Britain, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-7577, Fax - 215-345-7584
Purpose
The Bucks County Conservation District (BCD) is a legal subdivision of state government, operating along county lines, and responsible for the conservation of soil, water and related natural resources. The BCD works with land owners in cooperation with federal, state and local environmental agencies and organizations to control soil erosion and sedimentation pollution problems throughout Bucks County.
Programs
Soil erosion & sediment pollution control, education, non-point source pollution control, watershed management, lake management, water quality & quantity, land use, forestry.
Services/Expertise
Sponsors seminars on Pennsylvania's Erosion Control Program and other environmentally-related subjects, environmental education programs for all ages, publishes newsletter.
BUCKS COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
6324 Upper York Road, New Hope, PA 18938
Phone - 215-297-5880, Fax - 215-297-5880
Purpose
Bucks County Audubon Society (BCAS) is a private, non-profit organization devoted to environmental education for all ages. The mission of BCAS is to generate an awareness, understanding, and above all, a sense of stewardship of the environment.
Programs
Field trips and special programs for schools and other groups, on-site and off-site. Pre-school programs and summer camp. Visitor Center with conservation related displays and nature trails. Birding programs, nature walks. Educational meetings on natural history topics held on the first Tuesday of each month.
Services/Expertise
Teacher education, summer intern program, archaeology, historic tree registry, wetland watch, legislative action, newsletter, etc.
BUCKS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARK & RECREATION
Core Creek Park, 901 E. Bridgetown Pike, Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone - 215-757-0571, Fax - 215-752-1421
Purpose
Bucks County Parks and Recreation is the county agency that provides for the development, management and operation of the recreational needs of the citizens. It is also responsible for the maintenance of special facilities within the parks, including tennis, swimming, golf, playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking trails.
Programs
Coordinates with municipalities and non-profit organizations in providing facilities for special needs. Provides many resource based programs including three nature centers. Hiking, boating, fishing, camping, environmental education. Also concerned with active recreation, which includes athletic events, concerts, festivals, and a host of other leisure time interests.
Services/Expertise
Provides programs and activities related to the environment and natural sciences. Naturalists and Park Rangers are available to meet with organizations and discuss matters pertaining to the parks.
BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT
705 Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-348-2940, Fax - 215-340-1964
Purpose
The Intermediate Unit (IU) is a regional educational service agency that provides services to each of the school districts in Bucks County.
Programs
Teacher in-service programs and courses.
Services/Expertise
Science seminar for high school students, film and video library, professional library, on site outdoor study area, and in-service programs and courses.
BUCKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Almshouse, Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-3400, Fax - 215-345-3886, Email
Purpose
To provide functional and comprehensive planning to Bucks County and its municipalities.
Programs
Comprehensive sewage and water facilities, solid waste management, parks and open space, natural resources and housing planning, development of zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances and regulations.
Services/Expertise
Speakers available for all Commission programs. Staff consultation on planning and plan implementation. Library resources.
CENTRAL BUCKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
115 West Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-348-3913, Fax - 215-348-7154
Purpose
The Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce is an association of business, industry, and professionals, artists and non-profit organizations offering resources for unity and power through programs that continue to build business and the community.
Programs
The Architectural and Environmental Committee of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce sponsors seminars for the business community and public officials stressing the inter-relationship of business and the area's natural resources. The Committee sponsors the annual Architectural Design Awards Program.
CHURCHVILLE NATURE CENTER
501 Churchville Lane, Churchville, PA 18966
Phone - 215-357-4005, Fax - 215-396-1153
Purpose
Churchville Nature Center is a facility of Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation. Its purpose is to nurture an attitude of caring and respect for the natural world through environmental education and wareness programs and to provide a natural habitat where local flora and fauna can flourish.
Programs
Visitor Center with interpretative exhibits, gift shop, auditorium and bird viewing area. Over two miles of nature trails through meadow, forest, and aquatic habitats. Grounds include a re-constructed Lenape Indian Village, bird observation blind and wildlife gardens. Programs offered for all age groups include nature walks, family programs, campfire programs, children's nature clubs and field trips. Year-round environmental education and Lenape Native American programs are offered for school and scout groups.
Services/Expertise
Field trips, courses and workshops on birding, wild edible foods, botany, attracting wildlife, astronomy, reptiles, wilderness skills and canoeing. Programs and information on Native American Heritage of the area and on developing Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Live animal traps available. Nature reference library.
DELAWARE-LEHIGH CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
10 East Church Street, Room A-208, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone - 610-861-9345, Fax - 610-861-9347
Purpose
The Commission was established by Pennsylvania and federal governments to create partnerships to preserve and enhance the unique heritage of the five-county region (Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks and Luzerne).
Programs
Historic preservation, recreation, restoration, enhancing and preserving natural resources, economic revitalization.
DELAWARE RIVER GREENWAY PARTNERSHIP, INC.
3037 Route 29, P. O. Box 87, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone - 908-996-0230, Fax - 908-996-0231 E-mail
Purpose
The Delaware River Greenway Partnership was formed in 1990 as a partnership of more than 140 public and private groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its mission is to promote the public and private stewardship of the lower Delaware River Valley as a continuous corridor of natural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources extending from the Delaware Water Gap to the Delaware Bay.
Programs
The DRG publishes a quarterly newsletter, holds workshops, hosts focus groups, provides advocacy on corridor issues and assists local governments and organizations in their river-related planning projects. The National Park Service designated the DRG to coordinate the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Study in cooperation with its local Greenway Partners. An annual Forum and awards ceremony is held each Fall to give focus to specific issues in the river corridor and to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Greenway mission.
DELAWARE RIVERKEEPER
P.O. Box 326, Washington Crossing, PA 18977-0326
Phone - 215-369-1188, Email
Purpose
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network works to protect and restore the Delaware and its tributary streams - providing all citizens an opportunity to take an active role in river protection.
Programs
Maintains two toll-free pollution hotlines to report pollution incidents and threats to water quality and receiving assistance in getting the problem addressed; works with the Widener Environmental Law Clinic to monitor and enforce compliance with state and federal water protection laws; monitors pollution incidents, water quality threats, etc. aboard the Riverkeeper boat; organizes, trains and supports citizens to perform chemical, biological, and sediment pollution monitoring of the watershed; and, works with volunteers to organiza and implement stream restoration projects.
FRIENDS OF THE DELAWARE CANAL
145 S. Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938
Phone - 215-862-2021, Fax - 215-862-2021, Email
Purpose
The Friends of the Delaware Canal seeks to educate the public to recognize the historic significance and present-day value of the Delaware Canal; to promote the preservation and restoration of the canal; to coordinate efforts of local, staqte and federal agencies with those of local citizens; and to organize volunteers to help protect and maintain the canal and its facilities.
Programs
Walking and biking tours, educational activities, informational meetings, clean-ups, Adopt a Canal Section program.
Services
Operates Locktender's House in New Hope with exhibits, displays and artifacts; newsletter and education program with slide show for groups and schools.
HERITAGE CONSERVANCY
85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-7020, Fax - 215-345-4328
Purpose
Since its inception in 1958, Heritage Conservancy, a non-profit membership organization, has established itself as an innovative regional leader in land conservation and historic preservation. To accomplish the mission of preserving our natural and historic heritage, the conservancy advocates sound resource management, open space protection, adaptive reuse of historic structures and compatible ecological and economic development.
Programs
Focus on land conservation and historic preservation
Services
Land planning & design for open space; natural and historic resource protection; community planning; and geographic information systems.
NATURAL LANDS TRUST
1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA 19063
Phone - 610-353-5587, Fax - 610-353-0517, Email
Purpose
The Natural Lands Trust is a regional land trust whose mission is to preserve land in the Delaware Valley by acquiring and managing areas of environmental concern and by encouraging and supporting conservation actions of landowners, communities, government agencies and non-profit organizations.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)
530 East Butler Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914
Phone - 215-822-5840, Fax - 215-997-6685
Purpose
NRCS provides leadership ina partnership effort to help conserve, improve and sustain out natural resources and environment.
Programs
Agricultural conservation program; soil and water conservation; natural resource surveys and soil surveys; and community resource protection and management.
Services
Non-agricultural landowners: on-site consulting assistance with regard to soil and water issues. Design and construction referred to private consultants. Agricultural producers: planning, survey and construction design assistance for soil erosion and wate rproblems.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY - EASTERN PA CHAPTER
110 East Hector Street, Suite 470, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone - 610-834-1323, Fax - 610-834-6533
Purpose
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive
PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
4999 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone - 717-545-8878, Fax - 717-545-8850
Purpose
PACD was organized in 1950 to serve as a collective voice for Pennsylvania's conservation districts. PACD provides districts with education nd information to helpthem in their work in land and water conservation. They represent districts at the state and national levels in soil, water, and related resource management.
Programs
Sponsors awards to recognize individuals and organizations that have helped to promote or continue conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. Administers an annual poster contest open to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Services
Make several publications available.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Box 300, Creamery, PA 19430
Phone - 610-489-1003, Fax - 610-489-6119
Purpose
The Department of Agriculture is the administrative and regulatory agency of the Executive Department of the Commonwealth charged with encouraging and promoting agriculture and related industries. The Department's mission is accomplished through three major programs: consumer protection, property protection and agribusiness development.
Programs
The Department provides a full range of services to farmers and consumers. Provides assitance for new and expanding agribusinesses. A matching grant program provides funds to new and expanding agribusinesses each year. Administers the farmland preservation program, assists with rural development projects, provides diagnostic testing for control and eradication of livestock diseases. Safeguards public health through supervision of the state's food supply, and regulates labeling of food to the needy. Offers market development assistance to farmers. Inspects nurseries and greenhouses to control insects and disease.
Services
Some literature available. Speaker's Bureau.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DCNR)
Rachel Carson Office Building, P.O. Box 8767, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8767
Phone - 717-787-2869, Fax - 717-705-2832
Purpose
The primary mission of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is to maintain, improve and preserve state parks; to manage state forest lands to assure long-term health, sustainability and economic use; to provide information on Pennsylvania's ecological and geologic resources; and to administer grant and technical assistance programs taht will benefit river conservation, trails and greenways, llocal recreation, regional heritage conservation and environmental education programs across Pennsylvania.
Programs/Services
DCNR provides a bi-monthly newsletter as well as hundreds of publications about a variety of conservation and natural resoource-related topics.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (PADEP)
Southeast Regional Office, Lee Park, Suite 6010, 555 North Lane, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone - 610-832-6000, Fax - 610-832-6259
Purpose
DEP's mission is to protect Pennsylvania's air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment. Work as partners with individuals, organizations, governments and businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources.
PENNSYLVANIA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION
3532 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17521
Phone - 717-626-0228
Purpose
The purpose of the Pennsylvania Fish & boat Commission is to protect, preserve and enhance the aquatic resources of the commonwealth. They are responsible for enforcement of the Fish and Boat Code.
Programs
It conducts the "Adopt a Stream Program" and teacher workshops on aquatic environment (KARE).
Services
Fisheries management, fish production, fish kill investigations, stream and lake surveys, environmental services, technical assistance and public information about water resource protection. Speakers available.
PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION
2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
Phone - 717-787-4250
Purpose
The Pennsylvania Game Commission, the state's wildlife agency, ownes and maintains State Game Lands and assists landowners with habitat management
Programs
Trees, shrubs and crops are planted and maintained for wildlife habitat. Through the Cooperative Farm Game Program, private landowners open their lands to public access in return for benefits from the Game Commission. Cooperating landowners are provided with trees and shrubs, wildlife seed mix, bird nesting structures, and maintenance of safety zones. The Game Commission participates in the State Environ.
Services
Educational display and publications; public speaking.
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION
Address: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, P.O. Box 103, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Phone - 215-493-4076, Fax - 215-493-4820
Purpose
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the Commonwealth's memory, telling Pennsylvania's story, safeguarding the tangible remains of our past, and serving present and future generations as the state's official history agency.
Programs
Washington Crossing Historic Park has a variety of porgrams. Those related to conservation issues include garden tours, summer camp, interpretation of river front, woodlands, meadows, and wetlands to the visiting public.
Services
Historic horticulturalist on staff to assit with interpretation of the historic and cultural landscape.
PENN STATE EXENTSION SERVICE - BUCKS COUNTY
Bldg. K, 1st Floor, Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-3283, Fax - 215-343-1653
Purpose
Cooperative Extension is an informal educational partnership with county, state, and federal governments. Penn State Extension extends its campus to communities through county offices staffed by university professionals. Through this system, the latest research and technical information of the university is accesible to county residents. Extension education programs enable the Commonwealth to maintain a competitive and environmentally sound food and fiber system and prepare youth and adults to enhance the quality of their lives and participate more fully in community decisions.
Programs
Education is accomplished through short courses, seminars, meetings, newsletters, publications, personal consultation and mass media.
SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT (RC&D) COUNCIL
824 Main Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Phone - 215-541-7930, Fax - 215-541-7933
Purpose
A non-profit organization dedicated to the wise use and conservation of natural resources in a mixed rural and urban region, the Southeastern PA RC&D seeks to improve problem solving, address orderly development and provide for the sound use of natural and human resources in the region. RC&D partners with and assists in carrying out local and regional plans of environmental organizations and governmental agencies, securing the necessary services and resources to implement plans.
Programs
Land conservation, water management, community development, environmental enhancement.
Services
Public speaking and accessing technical, financial, educational or other resources needed to implement projects.
WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
601 Orchard Place, Emmaus, PA 18049-1637
Phone - 610-965-4397, Fax - 610-965-7223
Purpose
Wildlands Conservancy is a non-profit, member supported organization dedicated to preserving precious land. keeping our waterways healthy, teaching the public about nature and the environment and expanding parks and trails for future generations.
Programs
Research, education advocacy, land acquisition, volunteers.
Services
Water testing, teacher/children education, wetlands delineation.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - BUCKS COUNTY FARM SERV. AGENCY
Address 530 East Butler Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914
Phone - 215-822-5630
Purpose
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is the USDA agency assigned the responsibility of administering conservation cost-share funds and crop production price support programs as mandated by Congress
Programs/Services
Through the FSA program, eligible farmers and landowners are provided with cost-share assistance to install necessary conservation practices to control soil erosion and sedimentation flowing into sttreams, rivers and other waterways. Information on agriculture is available for schools, teachers, and other.