BRC Update
The voting for 2014 River of the Year has begun! Make sure you cast your vote between now and December 27 for one of the five rivers that have been nominated:
Brodhead Creek and watershed in the Poconos
Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh rivers in the Laurel Highlands
The Ohio River in the western part of the state
The Schuylkill River in the eastern part of the state
The West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the north central section of the state
“So many unique natural resources and recreational opportunities are showcased individually in these nominations,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Ellen Ferretti. “Collectively, these rivers and streams demonstrate just how blessed Pennsylvania is with its wealth of major waterways.”
Nominations were based on each waterway’s conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans should the nominee be voted 2014 River of the Year. In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices was overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Visit http://pariveroftheyear.org/ to vote and learn about the nominated waterways and the River of the Year program.
The next free webinar in DCNR’s Green and Sustainable Series will be on December 18, 2013, 10:30 a.m. to noon. This webinar will explore how to establish and maintain native grass and wildflower meadows instead of mowing large areas of turf in local parks. The ideas and techniques presented will help reduce staff costs, improve wildlife habitat, increase groundwater infiltration and improve water quality in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Click here to register for the webinar or send an email to linmanning@pa.gov for more information.
The 2014 DCNR grant workshops for recreation and conservation projects will be held in February. These workshops will provide information to potential applicants on DCNR grants available for public recreation and conservation projects. The next grant period opens January 15, 2014 and ends on April 16, 2014.
Locations and dates are:
Camp Hill (Prosser Hall, Camp Hill Borough Building) February 5
Conshohocken (Fire Academy, Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus) February 6
Nanticoke (Educational Conference Center, Luzerne County Community College) February 19
Boalsburg (Pennsylvania Military Museum) February 20
Wexford (Pine Township Recreation Center) February 25
Clarion (Clarion Holiday Inn) February 26
The workshops will provide in-depth information on projects eligible for DCNR’s grant funds, how to develop a competitive “ready-to-go” application, eligible applicants, and matching fund requirements. Participants will also receive guidance and updates on the eGrants application process and have an opportunity to interact with Bureau staff. 
Community leaders, municipal officials, consultants, land trusts, board members, trail managers, and park and recreation professionals are encouraged to attend. Preregistration is required. Click on the individual workshop event that you would like to attend and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to register. For additional information email linmanning@pa.gov 
Safe Routes to School national partnership now has an interactive policy workbook. The site is designed to help school board members, administrators, recreation and park professionals, families of students, and community members create and implement policies that support active transportation and Safe Routes to School programs. The work book will walk you through a series of policy options to help you build your own customized Safe Routes to School policy, which you can download and use in your community.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Transportation is responsible for encouraging, promoting, and supporting the Safe Routes to School activities across the state. Their website also offers the latest news, funding information, training opportunities, resources, and materials available on Safe Routes to School in Pennsylvania.
The Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission in Monroe County is seeking an executive director to facilitate continued growth of the organization. This is a permanent full- time position and will involve the overall administration of the Commission and its facilities and programs. The successful candidate will be responsible for grant writing and managing the budget approved by the Commission. Additionally, the candidate will work collaboratively with the board of directors, member municipalities, state and local agencies, and volunteers to promote greenway and recreation development in the region.
Applications will be reviewed beginning December 15, 2013 and continue until position is filled. Resume, References and Salary Requirements should be submitted to chairperson@srosrc.org. For more information on the position, visit http://srosrc.org/employment.php. 
Almost 10 years ago, DCNR helped form the Commission through its peer and circuit rider grant programs. These grant programs enable local municipalities to explore the benefits of cooperative recreation and park services and, if there is support from at least two or more municipalities, hire a professional, full-time park and recreation director.
The boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg along with Stroud Township and the school districts of Stroudsburg Area and East Stroudsburg Area created the Commission to plan, protect, and develop public recreation resources. Typically exploring cooperative recreation services starts with a peer grant funding request. Interested municipalities can submit a peer request at any time. Click here for more information on these two grant programs, and contact your DCNR Regional Recreation and Park Adviser to discuss your specific grant project needs.
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To check out other Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Updates click here.
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