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Make a plan to vote on November 8th: elect officials with policies that protect the environment

10/28/2022

With major federal and state elections taking place on November 8th, now is the time to become educated about the candidates’ positions on environmental issues. Campaign websites provide policy positions, but the endorsements and websites of major environmental organizations can also be informative.

The following helpful information was released by the Pennsylvania Department of State for 2022:

Voting in person?
You can find your polling place here by putting in your address. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are a first-time voter or are voting at a new polling place, here are helpful tips to learn how to get ready. Don’t forget to arrange for transportation to your polling place in advance.

Voting by mail?
If you plan to vote by mail ballot (either no-excuse mail-in or absentee), you must request your ballot by Nov. 1. If you are concerned about receiving your mail ballot in time, you can apply in person at your county board of elections office, fill out the ballot while you are there, and submit it all in one visit.

If you are voting by mail ballot, remember these four steps for completing and returning your ballot:
1. Read all instructions and mark your ballot with a blue or black pen. There may be races on the back of your ballot, so be sure to check both sides.
2. Seal your ballot in the inner secrecy envelope marked “official election ballot.” Do not make any marks on the secrecy envelope. You must seal your ballot in this envelope for it to be counted.
3. Place the inner secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope. Sign and date the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope.
4. Return your voted ballot to your county board of elections office – either by mail or by hand delivery. All mail ballots must be received by your county board of elections by 8 p.m. Nov. 8. Mail ballots received after that time, even if postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 8, will not count. You can also hand-deliver your ballot by the deadline to a drop box or satellite location if your county provides one. A list of drop boxes and satellite locations will be updated on the Department of State website as information from counties becomes available. You are the only person permitted to return your ballot unless you have a disability and have designated an agent in writing to return your ballot using this form.

To register or check your registration status, and to request a mail-in ballot, visit votespa.com.

Compost your jack-o-lantern to keep food out of the waste stream

10/20/2022

Each year, 1.9 billion pounds of pumpkin is grown in the United States. Most of these pumpkins end up in landfills. Composting your jack-o-lanterns keeps them out of the waste stream and adds nutrients in your soil. While most of a jack-o-lantern is used for decoration, the seeds are very tasty when roasted. Another option, recommended by The National Wildlife Federation is to leave the raw seeds and pieces of your jack-o-lantern out in your yard to feed the wildlife after the holiday is over.

Dispense with the fall yard clean up: stems from old perennials provide nests for bees and the seed heads feed the birds

10/12/2022

If you are dreading the annual chore of the fall clean-up of your yard, here is some good news: it’s better if you don’t! A variety of insects including native bees lay their eggs in the stems of old perennials plants. Their eggs or larvae spend the winter in this safe shelter and emerge when the weather is consistently warm in the spring. Non-migratory birds visit the old seed heads as they forage throughout the winter. Therefore, you can put off this chore and leave the remnants of your plants to shelter and support wildlife throughout the winter. When you do cut back the dead stems, cut them high: the new growth will cover the old and leaves some parts of the old stems in place. Place the cut stems in a corner of your yard where any remaining insects can still emerge; the stems will eventually break down and provide mulch for your yard.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Leaving a layer of whole fallen leaves under trees and landscaping provides long lasting mulch and cover for overwintering insects, which become food for birds in the spring

10/6/2022

Leaving fallen leaves as mulch benefits your plants as well as insects that need a place to overwinter. Great spangled fritillary and wooly bear caterpillars hide in the leaf litter to evade predators and to find shelter from winter weather. Luna moths and swallowtail butterflies overwinter in cocoons and as chrysalises that are colored such that they blend in with the leaves. Chopping leaves before using them as mulch increases the speed at which they break down, which is great for mulching the lawn. Shredding leaves puts these insects in danger of being shredded themselves before they have a chance to finish their life cycle as adult moths and butterflies. Insects that depend on leaf litter for shelter also require a longer lasting cover. Leaving a thin mat of whole leaves under trees allows them to break down slower and continue to provide that shelter, ensuring a new generation of pollinators and food for nestling birds in the next season.

Make a plan to vote on November 8th: elect officials with policies that protect the environment

Compost your jack-o-lantern to keep food out of the waste stream

Dispense with the fall yard clean up: stems from old perennials provide nests for bees and the seed heads feed the birds

Leaving a layer of whole fallen leaves under trees and landscaping provides long lasting mulch and cover for overwintering insects, which become food for birds in the spring

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