Overview

The North Area Environmental Council (NAEC) was founded in 1969 by a group of North Hills residents in response to an environmental series at the North Hills YWCA called Our Plundered Planet.

From this beginning awareness, NAEC has published studies of the watersheds in the North Hills, operated recycling events, conducted environmental education and cleanup events, awarded teacher and student scholarships,  and advocated for environmental protection.  NAEC publishes a bimonthly newsletter about current environmental concerns.

Learn more about our projects.

Our Impact Timeline

NAEC Timeline: 1969 – 1974

  • Spring 1969: YWCA lecture series (“Our Perishable Planet”) brings together North Hills residents concerned about environmental issues. Speakers are Roger Latham, William Robinson, Mark Rutledge, and Joseph White. Interested citizens continue to meet during summer and fall.
  • SEP 1969: Individuals who will become founding members of GASP and NAEC lead major citizen actions in support of effective air pollution regulations.
  • NOV 1969: Organizing meeting for North Area Environmental Council. Organization is affiliated with, and receives support services from, YWCA.
  • JAN 1970: NAEC begins Pine Creek Watershed Study, focusing on mapping of steep slopes, landslide-prone soils, and wetlands. Study completed in 1972; continues as baseline study for watershed.
  • APR 1970: First Earth Day. NAEC creates week-long environmental display at Northway Mall, promoting the theme of public responsibility for protecting the planet for future generations.
  • JUN 1970: Thompson Run cleanup. 50 people. First of semi-annual series.
  • NOV 1970: “Light in Nature” slide presentation by Clyde Hare.
  • DEC 1970: First annual meeting. NAEC initiates annual awards (framed Sierra Club posters) for environmental achievements. Speaker is Dr. John Cutler (population expert at Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health). Quote from program announcement: To be concerned about the quality of our environment and not also be concerned about population growth is like trying to put out a fire with one hand, while pouring kerosene on it with the other.
  • MAR 1971: Fall Run Park walk. First of series of Wednesday walks, under YWCA sponsorship.
  • MAR 1971: Public meeting on regional planning and development. Norman Howenstein of SWPRPC.
  • APR 1971: “Unsilent Spring” of NAEC. Workshop on pesticides. “Safe Ways to Beat the Bad Bugs” brochure.
  • APR 1971: Tree planting at Latodami (5000 seedlings in hilltop groves). Tree planting at YWCA on Thompson Run Road (1000 Scotch pines). North Park cleanup.
  • JUN 1971: Ross Twp. halts broad-spectrum herbicide spraying, responding to citizen pressure.
  • SEP 1971: Candidate forum at Mellwood Church. John Heinz and John Backman. Ross Twp. acquires property for park. Allegheny County targets North Park for solid waste transfer site. NAEC begins fall program series. Newsletter reports on ecology activities in 7 school districts.
  • DEC 1971: Annual meeting. Speaker is Edward Furia, Administrator of EPA Region 3.
  • MAR 1972: Spring program at YWCA about proposed Harmony Trail (initiated in 1970 by NAEC).
  • APR 1972: NAEC sale of Scotch pine seedlings; distribution of seedlings donated by local homeowner.Project for outdoor reading area at Northland Library. Program at North Hills Art Center about community planning/landscape planning, co-sponsored with Artists’ & Craftsmens’ Guild.
  • APR 1972: Massive siltation of Pine Creek from construction project at McKnight and Pine Creek Road. NAEC monitors alert DER, which sends in a strike force. Developer forced to pay some costs of dredging silt from North Park Lake.
  • SEP 1972: Note in newsletter about search for new recycling site. Berkeley Hills Fire Hall could not handle the volume of traffic. North Allegheny Environmental Action Club had begun recycling(Operation SWEEP) in late fall of 1970, but program ended in 1971. NAEC (along with N.H.Jaycees and Welcome Wagon) restarted program in fall of 1971.
  • OCT 1972: Program on Growth – North Hills in 1980. Speaker is architect John Shurko. New site (North Hills Village) for monthly recycling. School notes mention three teachers: Beulah Frey (Fox Chapel); Rick Williamson (North Allegheny); Ed Schroth (Quaker Valley).
  • NOV 1972: Program on Land Use – Pine Creek Watershed Study.
  • DEC 1972: Annual Meeting. Speaker is Maurice Goddard, PA DER Secretary.
  • APR 1973: Harmony Trail hike attracts more than 150 people. Crouse Run cleanup. Seedling sale (95 orders; 8000 Scotch pine seedlings sold).
  • Spring 1973: For presentations of Pine Creek Watershed Study to municipal officials, NAEC creates slideshow, with accompanying handbook.
  • MAY 1973: Newsletter reports that initial presentations of the Pine Creek Watershed Study have been made in McCandless, Franklin Park, Hampton, Bradfordwoods, Pine, Shaler, and O’Hara. Remaining townships are Marshall, Ross, and Richland. Following up on study, NAEC presented written and oral testimony at federal, state, county, and municipal hearings, and spoke at local conferences.
  • OCT 1973: Program at art studio and home of Janet DeCoux and Liza Miller.
  • NOV 1973: Program about downstream flooding of Girty’s Run succeeds in making issue more visible,culminating in 1976 with state legislation.Annual meeting. Speaker is Richard Cyert, President of CMU.
  • JAN 1974: NAEC presents position paper on proposed shopping mall in Pine. NAEC presents program on watershed management (esp. Girty’s Run) at CMU. Pennsylvania authorizes establishment of local Environmental Advisory Councils, and NAEC begins advocacy in local municipalities to establish EACs.
  • APR 1974: Earth Week: Campaign promoting recycling and reduction of packaging waste. String bags.
  • MAY 1974: NAEC and CMU release study of Girty’s Run flooding. Leads to creation of Girty’s Run Watershed Association.
  • OCT 1974: NAEC organizes Teachers Education Day for North Allegheny faculty members. Day-long program held in North Park; keynote speech by Stewart Udall, former Secretary of the Interior.
  • NOV 1974: Annual meeting. Speaker: Jim Hightower, who had recently founded the Agri-BusinessAccountability Project.
 
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NAEC Timeline: 1975 – 1979

  • During its years of affiliation with the YWCA (1969 – 1982), NAEC held its monthly board meetings in the YWCA building on Thompson Run Road in Allison Park. Board meetings often attracted individuals from the general membership. Quite a few of the meetings were “bring a dish” supper meetings.
  • 1974: For 1974, NAEC named Conservation Organization of the Year by the Western Pennsylvania Audubon Society.
  • 1974: For 1974, NAEC named Outstanding Conservation Organization of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation District Directors.
  • 1975: Using NAEC’s Pine Creek Watershed Study as a model, residents of the O’Hara Township area form the Squaw Run Watershed Association and begin a similar land use study.
  • 1975: NAEC promotes political action at the county level, in an effort to force improvements of the master plan for county parks.
  • 1975: NAEC and Audubon join forces to prepare comments for Environmental Impact Statement on corridor proposed for I-279.
  • MAY 1975: Newsletter notes the opening of a new 33-mile hiking trail from Harrison Hills Park to North Park – the Rachel Carson Trail.
  • JUN 1975: Newsletter includes detailed report on programs and facilities at Latodami, with the effect of putting Allegheny County on the spot for dragging its feet on basic repairs to Latodami. Newsletter also includes article defining the route of the I-279 corridor as it passes through local municipalities; summarizing the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement; and taking note of how much green space is going to be wiped out by I-279.
  • NOV 1975: Annual meeting. Speaker is Dr. Craig Black of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, discussing the museum’s role as a resource for the community.
  • DEC 1975: NAEC announces series of seminars on energy conservation, land use planning, transportation, and environmental health effects.1975 – 1976 NAEC went to court, attempting to overturn Pine Township zoning decision that would authorize construction of Pine Mall. (This legal action was ultimately unsuccessful.)Meanwhile, CCAC students worked with NAEC on baseline study of Pine Creek in area potentially impacted by mall development.
  • MAR 1976: Newsletter includes detailed report on visit to McKeever Environmental Center by fifth graders from a local school. (McKeever opened in 1974.)
  • APR 1976: For Earth Week, NAEC presents two days of activities and informational booths at North Park.
  • MAY 1976: Following up on Pine Creek Watershed Study, NAEC testifies in favor of steep slope regulations in Hampton Township and Marshall Township. In June, Hampton adopts the first steep slope ordinance enacted in Allegheny County.
  • NOV 1976: Public meeting on Environmental Education. Discussion leaders are Suzanne Beckwith and Shirley Hopkins; both are teachers at Burchfield Elementary in the Shaler district.
  • DEC 1976: Annual meeting. Speaker is Arthur Davis of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, discussing land use issues.
  • FEB 1977: Newsletter presents summary of state land use policy programs, in advance of public meeting in April and other opportunities to submit comments.
  • APR 1977: NAEC joins La Roche and North Park naturalist Joe Grom to present Earth Week activities.
  • JUN 1977: NAEC awards scholarship to local teacher for summer environmental study. Scholarships were funded by NAEC’s consistently successful seedling sales, supplemented by any funds received in exchange for recycled materials.
  • 1978: NAEC continued its monthly recycling program, but arrangements for hauling the materialbecame more challenging in mid-year, when GRIP could no longer provide hauling services. At that point, NAEC began working with ECOZ (Environmentally Concerned of Zelienople) to handle the hauling. In October, collection point was relocated to Kaufmann’s on Peebles Road.
  • APR 1978: Nature ’78 program and seedling pickup held at North Park. Nature ’78 is sponsored by NAEC, La Roche, Audubon, and Allegheny County. 43 organizations participated.
  • JUN 1978: NAEC awards scholarships for summer environmental study to three local teachers.
  • OCT 1978: NAEC and GASP present program on impact of Clean Air Act (as amended in 1977) on Allegheny County. Followed up in March 1979 by presenting testimony at hearings on State Implementation Plan.
  • NOV 1978: Annual meeting. Speaker is John Oliver, President of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
  • JAN 1979: Naturalist Bill Edger presents a program about Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, a one-time dairy farm on Dorseyville Road that was recently donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. It is now operated by the Audubon Society.
  • APR 1979: Nature ’79 program and seedling pickup held at North Park. NAEC testifies at hearing on state recreation plan.
  • Spring 1979: Monthly recycling of glass, newspaper, tin, and aluminum continues at Kaufmann’s. Newspaper collection averages 5 tons per month.
  • JUN 1979: NAEC awards scholarships for summer environmental study to two middle school students and two local educators.
  • JUL 1979: NAEC holds summer gathering (bring-a-dish supper) for members.
  • NOV 1979: Annual meeting. Speaker is Peggy Hoburg, presenting a program about wilderness experiences in the Sierras, including slides and music.
 
 

 

NAEC Timeline: 1980 – 1984

  • During this period, in addition to the monthly recycling collection and the annual seedling sale, NAEC activists were attending seminars and workshops, and presenting testimony at hearings. Through the newsletter, we reported to the membership on pending legislation, and wrote or reprinted articles on environmental subjects. Records for this period are sparse at intervals.
  • After the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish caught, you will discover that you can’t eat your money. – from a Greenpeace protest of toxic chemical production, quoted in the January 1982 newsletter.
  • JAN 1980: NAEC urges Allegheny County to go forward with a nature center for North Park, using $150,000 already raised for that purpose through a bond issue.
  • APR 1980: More than 4100 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.
  • Spring 1980: NAEC provides six scholarships to local high school students participating in a weekend study program at McKeever.
  • JUN 1980: NAEC awards scholarships for summer environmental study to three local teachers.
  • SEP 1980: NAEC approaches other environmental organizations to gather support for a MetroPark Authority, which would administer the Allegheny County park system.
  • FEB 1981: Annual meeting (shifted from Nov/Dec 1980 in order to secure a speaker on the MetroPark concept). Speaker is Harold Wallin, retired director of Cleveland MetroPark system. He recommends that MetroPark advocates push for new statewide enabling legislation.
  • MAR 1981: NAEC newsletter publishes history of Allegheny County parks, along with our proposal forMetroPark system.
  • MAR 1981: Allegheny County approaches NAEC about establishing a Pine Creek Watershed Association. For more than a year, NAEC requested more information about what the County had in mind. Nothing was forthcoming.
  • APR 1981: 6000 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.
  • JUN 1981: NAEC awards a scholarship for summer environmental study to one local teacher.
  • JUN 1981: NAEC contacts Allegheny County officials about their failure to properly maintain the Braille Trail near Latodami Nature Center, and their failure to fund activities at the nature center.Copies of the letter receive wide distribution.
  • JUL 1981: Allegheny County repairs the Braille Trail and provides funding for a day camp at Latodami.
  • NOV 1981: Through its newsletter and in public meetings, NAEC vigorously opposed plans for Ross ParkMall that failed to conform to Ross Township regulations.
  • FEB 1982: From the newsletter: Suburbia – where the developer bulldozes all the trees and then names the streets after them.
  • FEB 1982: Annual meeting. Speaking on ‘Environment 2000’, Joseph White (Director of the Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio) looked ahead to the projected state of the environment at the beginning of the new millennium.
  • APR 1982: More than 5100 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.
  • JUN 1982: NAEC awards scholarships for summer environmental study to three local students.
  • OCT 1982: NAEC recognized environmental initiatives in Washington by Senator John Heinz and Representative Doug Walgren.
  • OCT 1982: Recycling information expanded to include oil and oil products.
  • JAN 1983: NAEC becomes an independent organization, after being affiliated with the YWCA since its founding in 1969. New mailing address is Jim Mawhinney’s camp in Warrendale.
  • 1983 – 1984: Monthly recycling continues, with help from local scouts.
  • JAN 1983: NAEC completes draft of proposed statewide legislation to establish MetroParks.
  • FEB 1983: Annual meeting. Speaker is Mark McClellan, Director of DER’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
  • APR 1983: About 4500 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.
  • MAY 1983: NAEC announces two spring outings. May: Wildflower walk at Wolf Creek Narrows(Conservancy property near Slippery Rock). June: Sailing/Biking/Hiking at Lake Arthur.
  • JUN 1983: NAEC awards scholarship for summer environmental study to a local Penn State student.
  • JUL 1983: Newsletter highlights public hearing on acid rain and workshop on hazardous waste.
  • JAN 1984: Since NAEC had no current projects requiring significant funds, Board votes to donate proceeds from recycling collection to environmental groups with broad support among our members. To determine preferences, membership renewal form includes list of 30 organizations.
  • MAR 1984: NAEC completes draft of proposed enabling legislation for MetroParks system.
  • MAR 1984: Annual meeting. Speaker is Eleanor Winsor of PA Environmental Council.
  • APR 1984: More than 3000 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.

NAEC Timeline: 1985 – 1989

  • Beginning in 1985, NAEC’s annual dinner/meeting, which always took place in the winter, was transformed into an annual picnic/meeting at a local park. The picnics usually occurred in June. This transformation also brought to an end the annual environmental awards.
  • Spring 1985: Joining with Allison Park Sportsmen’s Club, NAEC lobbies the County to retain the trash compacting/transfer station on Wildwood Road, citing the efficiency gains from trucks making fewer drives to landfills, and the long-term hope of recycling some of the material.
  • JUN 1985: First annual picnic held at Moraine State Park Marina.
  • JUL 1987: NAEC’s Pine Creek Watershed Study is cited repeatedly in news coverage probing the causes of flash flooding in Shaler Township and neighboring municipalities.
  • SEP 1987: NAEC draws upon its experience with the Pine Creek Watershed Study in writing a detailed letter expressing concerns about a proposed high-density development (“Rolling Hills Estates”) on 219 acres in the Big Sewickley Creek Drainage Basin in Marshall Township.
  • 1989: At the request of the North Pittsburgh Community Development Corporation, NAEC updates its Pine Creek Watershed Study.
  • MAR 1989: Governor Robert Casey recognizes NAEC’s 19-year commitment to recycling during a meeting of the Conservation Network in Harrisburg. The monthly recycling collection at Giant Eagle on Peebles Road takes in 10 to 20 tons of newspaper per month, plus cardboard, glass, tin, and aluminum. Later in the year, however, a declining market puts an end to the collection of newspaper and cardboard.
  • JUN 1989: NAEC presents public program on environmentally responsible land use at Northland Library.
  • SEP 1989: NAEC follows up the land use program with a 3-mile multi-site walk in the Wexford area, looking at examples – good and bad – of stormwater management.
  • NOV 1989: Opposition led by NAEC prevents McCandless from installing a concrete spillway in Potter Park. The spillway would have wiped out the only stand in Allegheny County of a rare plant. McCandless agrees to substitute an earthen spillway, and appoints 4 NAEC members to a5-person advisory commission for the park.
  • DEC 1989: NAEC organizes two related events to assist local residents in finding and destroying the egg masses of gypsy moths.

NAEC Timeline: 1990 – 1994

  • Spring 1990: NAEC appoints a committee to explore the possibility of establishing a land conservation trust. This leads to the formation of the Pine Creek Land Conservation Trust (PCLCT), which holds its first meeting on November 14.
  • APR 1990: More than 10,000 seedlings distributed on pick-up day.
  • MAY 1990: NAEC celebrates Rachel Carson Day with a 5-mile hike along the Rachel Carson Trail, beginning in North Park.
  • JUN 1990: Annual meeting, picnic, and summer solstice celebration at North Park boathouse and nearbypavilions. The day’s events include a nature walk, several workshops, and children’s activities.
  • JUN 1990: With the state law mandating municipal recycling due to take effect in the fall, NAEC’s monthly recycling collection shifts to the upper parking lot at Northway Mall.
  • DEC 1990: NAEC begins water quality monitoring project at sites on two tributaries of the North Fork of Pine Creek. At one site, measurements are also taken for Project ALLARM, the Alliance for Acid Rain Monitoring coordinated by Dickinson College.
  • FEB 1991: NAEC takes part in 5-day North Hills History Celebration at CCAC North, presenting information on transportation routes, parks, and suburban development.
  • OCT 1991: Reversing its earlier decision, the North Allegheny School Board agrees to restore Shenot Pond, which the district had drained earlier in the year. NAEC led the effort to persuade the school board to take this action.
  • DEC 1991: Annual meeting. Brian Hill of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council speaks about groundwater quality and wetlands protection.
  • JAN 1992: NAEC designates 3 members as its representatives on the newly formed Harmony Trail –Greenways Steering Committee. PCLCT is also represented on the committee. This organization soon evolves into the Harmony Trails Council, which later becomes the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.
  • Fall 1993: NAEC organizes a recycling collection for telephone books. The collection totals 95 tons.
  • 1994: Working with officials of Allegheny County, NAEC continues to conduct monthly recycling collections, accepting newspapers, magazines, and catalogs.
  • MAY 1994: NAEC completes the legal process of incorporation.
  • JUN 1994: Annual meeting and picnic, held at Linbrook Park in Franklin Park.
  • OCT 1994: With the enthusiastic assistance of 150 fifth-graders from Marshall Elementary, NAEC stocked Shenot Pond with minnows, bluegills, and several large-mouth bass. The students formed a human chain and passed buckets and bags of fish from the school down the hill to the pond.

NAEC Timeline: 1995 – 1999

  • JAN 1995: Several NAEC members volunteer to serve on a committee to plan environmental education activities utilizing the Shenot Pond site. In September, NAEC volunteers construct a 3-tieredseating area for students in the wooded area near the pond.
  • FEB 1995: In the newsletter, NAEC discusses the controversy in Franklin Park over a proposal for a 200-acre mixed use development, served by a new road connecting Brandt School Road to Rochester Road. Residents of Franklin Park are in the process of organizing a grassroots organization around this issue – a positive step in which NAEC is assisting. In 1996, NAEC presented its land use program to this group
  • MAR 1995: NAEC distributes information from Allegheny County about three possible routes for a Class A bikeway through Ross Township, calling upon the public to submit comments.
  • APR 1995: NAEC participates in Earth Day event at the Aviary. Soergel Greenhouses presents second annual Safe & Natural Gardening Seminar.
  • JUN 1995: PCLCT acquires its first piece of land – a hillside tract above Pine Creek in Shaler. In the fall, PCLCT took the first steps in the process of acquiring the Crouse Run tract.
  • JUN 1995: Annual meeting and picnic at the barn in Knob Hill Park.
  • AUG 1995: Supported by a grant from DER – supplemented by a grant from NAEC – 12 North Allegheny elementary school teachers took part in four days of environmental education activities.
  • SEP 1995: Newspaper/magazine/catalog collections continue, but Allegheny County declines to conduct a telephone book collection. Don Berman, who has headed the County’s Solid Waste Management Division for many years, announces plans to retire in December, and the County declines to replace him.
  • OCT 1995: At Potter Park, a local Eagle scout completes work on a loop trail, including a bridge across the creek downstream from the dam. NAEC volunteers had mapped out the route of the trail during a site walk in April.
  • Spring 1996: Scientists from Pitt begin a study of Shenot Pond, following reports of possible long-ago chemical contamination.
  • Spring 1996: Volunteers from NAEC are participating in an effort to restore the old arboretum on Wildwood Road in North Park.
  • JUN 1996: Annual meeting and picnic. Janet Thorne presents an overview of the activities of the Hollow Oak Land Trust.
  • JUL 1996: By one vote, Marshall turns down the proposal to form an Environmental Advisory Council. On the other hand, Franklin Park’s EAC is off to a positive start.
  • OCT 1996: Acting on information supplied by NAEC, state officials halted a sewer renovation project of the McCandless Sanitary Authority, because of serious damage to a creek near North Park. DEP ordered the sanitary authority to restore the creek bed.
  • MAR 1997: Public program at CCAC featuring Brian Hill of the French Creek Project.
  • APR 1997: Planting day at Potter Park, using plants ordered during the seedling sale.
  • JUN 1997: NAEC awards scholarships to two local students for summer environmental study at Penn State’s Conservation Leadership School.
  • JUL 1997: NAEC organizes “Discover North Park” Road Rallye – a timed event in which participants had to scavenge through the park in search of answers to a set of questions.
  • SEP 1997: Acting on a request by Ross Township, NAEC volunteers will investigate improvements to the pond in Ross Community Park. There are virtually no plants around the pond, which experienced a major fish die-off in 1996. In the spring of 1998, water plants were installed, and the pond was stocked with fish. The pond in Potter Park was stocked at the same time.
  • OCT 1997: PCLCT holds a work day at Crouse Run, for the purpose of removing some heavy debris.
  • OCT 1997: Marshall Township opens a 1.5 mile trail from RIDC to Knob Hill Park. Harmony Trail pilot project in McCandless (Potter Park to Vestal Field) is stalled by inaction at the County level.
  • APR 1998: Stream ReLeaf volunteers planted seedlings in two locations along Pine Creek. Cleanups were conducted in Potter Park, and along Crouse Run and Brush Creek. The Stream ReLeaf project expanded in 1999, with additional volunteers from Trout Unlimited and other organizations.
  • JUL 1998: Annual meeting at Tuscan Inn, adjacent to PCLCT’s Crouse Run property.
  • NOV 1998: Members of EASI (Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement) launch water monitoring program for Brush Creek in Marshall Township.
  • JAN 1999: NAEC announces grants to support environmental education projects at three local schools.
  • MAY 1999: NAEC canoe trip on Pymatuning Creek, led by naturalist Bob Faber.
  • MAY 1999: NAEC opposes the funding mechanism for Governor Ridge’s ‘Growing Greener’ initiative. It would strip money from the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund and the Landfill Closure Fund.
  • JUN 1999: Annual meeting and picnic in Ingomar.
  • JUN 1999: NAEC awards scholarship to local student for study at PSU Conservation Leadership School.
  • JUN 1999: NAEC donates benches to Crouse Run Nature Reserve in memory of Joe Grom, long-time naturalist at Latodami.
  • DEC 1999: At a public hearing in Hampton, NAEC spoke out against a development planned near the intersection of Route 8 and Wildwood Road, describing it as “not environmentally sound.” Concerning another proposed development, NAEC submitted comments to the Army Corps of Engineers, opposing a plan that would damage Deer Creek and adjacent wetlands in Harmar. This proposal was finally defeated (by permit denial) in October.

NAEC Timeline: 2000 – 2004

  • MAR 2000: Site walk in ACORD Park (Camp Horne Road) at location that has been proposed for logging of mature trees. NAEC then summarized its concerns about the proposal in a report. In April, Ben Avon Council responded to the report, and stopped the logging proposal.
  • APR 2000: Planting day along Pine Creek (Bryant Road site). At Crouse Run, benches purchased in memory of Joe Grom were installed.
  • APR 2000: NAEC contacted County park officials about damage to field near Latodami, where nesting boxes were removed and the field was mowed. Field is being used for groups that are flying radio-controlled model airplanes.
  • Spring 2000: NAEC participated in hearings about the future of the county park system. In the fall, NAEC prepared comments on a plan drafted by a consultant to the County. The comments recommend formation of a Parks Authority. NAEC cites the Emerald Necklace park system in Cleveland as an example.
  • OCT 2000: NAEC awarded a grant to a local teacher, in support of an outdoor education program.
  • NOV 2000: NAEC celebrated completion and mailing of its application for 501(c)3 status.
  • FEB 2001: Soil remediation, then seeding at Bryant Road site. Problems with survival of some plant. May be a need for soil and/or water testing at the site. Marian prepared a plan for planting at the site. The project is funded by a Growing Greener grant from DEP.
  • APR 2001: More than 3600 seedlings distributed on pick-up day. PCLCT clean-up at Crouse Run.
  • SEP 2001: Initial meetings of Pine Creek Watershed Association. PEC is facilitating this effort, and has asked NAEC to participate in a watershed assessment. In October, NAEC agreed to work with PEC on the assessment.
  • APR 2002: “Creek Connection” program for 350 students at North Park. Slides about water testing.
  • APR 2002: Bryant Road site benefited from planting of five large trees by Duquesne Light. In the fall, several rock dams were installed at the water’s edge.
  • JUN 2002: Annual meeting/picnic at Latodami.
  • SEP 2002: Potter Park pond stocked with fish. Park has been adopted by local boy scout troop.
  • OCT 2002: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment – PEC applied for grant to execute assessment, but received (09/2002) only a third of the requested amount. Has three interns at work on aspects or project. Five municipal representatives attended organizing meeting at Shaler. EASI will get involved, handling water quality monitoring. January 2003 meeting attracted new volunteers.
  • JAN 2003: At Allegheny County Council meeting, NAEC opposes TIF subsidy for Mt. Nebo Pointe (Target) development in Ohio Township.
  • FEB 2003 Army Corps of Engineers holds initial public meeting about North Park Lake: dredging, and encounters strong opposition to dumping silt on wildlife habitat near Latodami.
  • APR 2003: “Creek Connection” program at North Park. Watershed Assessment display at Beechwood.
  • JUL 2003: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment – Water monitoring training is well underway. Event has been scheduled for volunteers to get to know each other. Monitoring demonstration for the public will follow. Twenty stream signs should be in place before September. $5000 WREN grant has been received.
  • OCT 2003: Annual meeting (at U.U. Church). Speaker was Andy Baechle of County Parks.
  • NOV 2003: Organizational meeting of Friends of North Park.
  • FEB 2004: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment – Stroud Water Research Center presents three programs about watershed management.
  • APR 2004: Better Backyards Workshop at Shaler High School. Speakers include Doug Oster, Sue Seppi, Bill Plunkett, Chris McHenry-Glenn, Darrell Frey, Kathy McGregor, and Sandy Feather.
  • APR 2004: Harmony Trails Council assumes responsibility for Rachel Carson Trail and Baker Trail, becoming the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.
  • JUN 2004: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment – Event has been scheduled for volunteers to get to know each other. Monitoring demonstration for the public will follow. 23 stream signs obtained. $5000 WREN grant received.
  • OCT 2004: Annual meeting (at U.U. Church). Speaker was John Oliver, currently chairing the Allegheny County Parks Commission.
  • DEC 2004: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment – Focus of meeting in Etna was the serious damage to downstream from recent flash flooding triggered by Hurricane Ivan. No municipal officials from upstream communities attended.
  • DEC 2004: Crews of volunteers removed debris from Pine Creek. Additional cleanups were organized, beginning in March 2005.

NAEC Timeline: 2005 – 2009

  • JAN 2005: Pine Creek Watershed Assessment (PCWA) – Stream signs installed to raise public awareness funded through League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network (WREN) grant.
  • Spring 2005: PCWA – Completed report presented to local officials and residents at 7 public meetings.
  • MAR 2005: Newsletter carries article about local demonstration site for storm water management – LIPP Homestead in Girty’s Run watershed.
  • APR 2005: Planting project in Crouse Run to restore area disturbed by replacement of sewer line.
  • APR 2005: Allegheny County Planning Department asks NAEC to participate in final work on County’s Comprehensive Plan.
  • JUL 2005: County receives $10,000 grant for riparian restoration at Latodami. Work will include restoration of Braille trail.
  • OCT 2005: Annual meeting (at U.U. Church). Program presented by children at North Park Eco Camp during summer. (NAEC provided some financial support to the camp.)
  • DEC 2005: DEP announces that it has awarded NAEC $19K Growing Greener grant for riparian assessment in Pine Creek watershed.
  • JAN 2006: PCWA – Displays have been set up at Hampton and Northland libraries. Planning underway for Watershed Festival in May.
  • JAN 2006: NAEC receives $65K grant from DCNR and $15K grant from Western Pennsylvania Watersheds Association for river conservation plan activities.
  • MAR 2006: Randy Minnich’s book (Wildness in a Small Place) continues to generate funds for Latodami.
  • APR 2006: Contract has been signed to dredge pond at Latodami.
  • MAY 2006: Watershed Festival at Harmony Shelter in North Park.
  • OCT 2006: Annual meeting (at La Roche College). Panel discussion on future of green space in region. Speakers were Andy Baechle, Bob Bingham, and Roy Kraynyk.
  • DEC 2006: PCWA – New equipment, such as GPS units and cameras, now in the hands of volunteers. Support provided by Allegheny County Conservation District and Trout Unlimited. More than a dozen volunteers now trained to do bacteriological work.
  • APR 2007: NAEC receives the President’s Volunteer Service award presented by the EPA Administrator
  • JUN 2007 NAEC awards three scholarships to students participating in Creek Connections program.
  • JUN 2007: NAEC receives $14K grant for river conservation plan activities from Foundation for PA Watersheds (a successor organization to the Western Pennsylvania Watersheds Association).
  • OCT 2007: Volunteer recognition program for PCWA volunteers.
  • OCT 2007 NAEC participates in Route 8 Economic Corridor conference.
  • NOV 2007: Annual meeting (at La Roche College). Discussion on steps that individuals can take to reduce carbon emissions, led by Jeanne Zang and Helen Ortmann.
  • APR 2008: Stream valley cleanups by volunteers at several sites.
  • SEP 2008: Stream Relief workshop. Funds provided by ACCD.
  • OCT 2008: NAEC receives additional $14K grant for river conservation plan activities from Foundation for PA Watersheds.
  • OCT 2008 Annual meeting (at La Roche College). Panel discussion: ‘Rethinking Our Built Environment’ with Janie French, Aurora Sharrard, and Indigo Raffel.
  • JAN 2009: Led by Allegheny Land Trust, Friends of North Park, and NAEC, campaign begins to purchase 73 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to North Park.
  • FEB 2009: Newspaper articles begin to raise awareness of fundraising campaign for Irwin Run property. Good turnout for nature hike through property in March.
  • JUN 2009 Public meetings held for citizen input into Watershed Conservation Plan for Pine Creek.
  • JUL 2009: Allegheny Land Trust announces that goal has been met. NAEC matched $4000 of its members’ donations, and then donated the final $500 to reach the campaign goal on June 30.
  • JUL 2009: Data for watershed assessment has been compiled into GIS and an Access database.
  • SEP 2009: Dredging begins in North Park Lake.
  • OCT 2009: North Park Community Day and Dedication of Irwin Run Conservation Area.
  • NOV 2009 Annual meeting (at U.U. Church). Speaker is Sharon Pillar of PennFuture. Celebration of NAEC’s 40th anniversary.

NAEC Timeline: 2010 – 2013

  • MAR 2010: Second public meeting held for citizen input into Watershed Conservation Plan for Pine Creek.
  • MAY 2010: Pine Creek Watershed Channel and Riparian Assessment and Restoration Plan Completed.
  • OCT 2010: Annual meeting (at U.U. Church). Speaker: Dr. Joel Tarr on Pittsburgh’s Environmental History.
  • OCT 2010: Final public meeting held for citizen input into Watershed Conservation Plan for Pine Creek.
  • FEB 2011: NAEC Awarded Capacity Building Support from the Foundation for PA Watershed’s Capacity Building Project to work with the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management.
  • APR 2011: NAEC’s Gary Rigdon recognized by Allegheny County Council for his work with the Friends of North Park.
  • NOV 2011: Annual meeting (at North Park Lodge). Speaker is Christine Fulton, Executive Director of the Allegheny Parks Foundation.
  • FEB 2012: NAEC begins process of moving newsletter to online distribution.
  • APR 2012: First newsletter distributed online to some readers.
  • JUN 2012: NAEC begins support for Allegheny Land Trust’s project to conserve the Pittsburgh Cut Flower site in Richland Township.
  • OCT 2012: Annual meeting (at Shaler Area Middle School Auditorium). Panel Discussion, Visions of Gray and Green: Stormwater Solutions in Western PA .
  • JUL 2013: NAEC accepts role as funding administrator for the Hawthorne Road High Flow Bioswale monitoring project at Mount Alvernia, the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale.

 

List of Speakers at NAEC Annual Meetings:

1970: Dr. John Cutler, population expert at Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health
1971: Edward Furia, Administrator of EPA Region 3.
1972: Maurice K. Goddard, PA DER Secretary
1973: Richard Cyert, President of Carnegie Mellon University.
1974: Jim Hightower, recent founder of Agri-Business Accountability Project
1975: Dr. Craig Black of Carnegie Museum of Natural History
1976: Arthur Davis of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
1977: n/a
1978: John Oliver, President of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
1979: Peggy Hoburg, presented a program about wilderness in the Sierras
1980/81: Harold Wallin, retired director of Cleveland MetroPark system
1982:. Speaking on ‘Environment 2000’, Joseph White (Director of the Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio) looked ahead to the projected state of the environment at the beginning of the new millennium.
1983: Mark McClellan, Director of DER’s Citizens Advisory Committee
1984: Speaker is Eleanor Winsor of PA Environmental Council.
1985:
1986:
1987:
1988:
1989: