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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 ersosion & 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 Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-3409, Fax - 215-345-3886
Purpose
The goal of the program is to place agricultural conservation
easements on selected farms meeting strict operational, locational,
and environmental standards. Special emphasis is placed on the
quality of the soils and dedication towards land stewardship.
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 Health, Div. of Environmental Engineering
Neshaminy Manor Center, Bldg. "K", Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone - 215-345-3316, Fax - 215-345-3833
Purpose
The Bucks County Department of Health is responsible for the
administration of a comprehensive environmental program designed to
deal effectively with those elements of our environment which may
have an adverse effect on the health, safety and well being of our
citizens and which will protect the environment from potentially
harmful effects of human activities.
Programs
Water pollution control, public water supplies, on-site sewage
disposal facilities, food service and shellfish sanitation, mobile
home park sanitation, housing hygiene and sanitation, recreation
area sanitation, public bathing places, school and institution
sanitation, rabies prevention. Also performs investigations of
public health nuisances and food and waterborne epidemics.
Services/Expertise
Consultations on private water supplies, vector control and
general public health problems. Provide speakers and literature on
topics such as rabies pollution, sewage solid waste, water quality
& supply.
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
rpotect 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
AddressWashington 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.
Neshaminy Creek Watershed Association
P.O. Box 633, Rushland, PA 18956
Phone - 215-598-7791