Pennsylvanians can brighten holidays for servicemembers by donating a tree

Dec. 3—Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs deputy adjutant general-Army, this week helped kick off the 2023 "Trees for Troops" donation weekend at Strathmeyer Christmas Trees in York, encouraging Pennsylvanians to donate Christmas trees to active-duty military and their families.

"As you search for a tree to decorate your home for the holidays, we hope you'll remember Pennsylvania's servicemen and women by donating a Christmas tree to brighten their holidays," Redding said. "This weekend, we invite you share your gratitude to members of the military and their families and spread the holiday spirit by donating a tree through Trees for Troops."

Trees for Troops is a national program that provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees and personal greetings to armed forces members and their families each holiday season through donations, sponsorships, grants, and the work of volunteers.

Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided more than 293,392 Christmas trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas.

Tree shoppers can participate in the program by visiting one of four Pennsylvania locations Dec. 1-3, or by visiting their websites to donate online:

Strathmeyer Christmas Trees

334 Carlisle Avenue, York, PA 17404

Yenser's Tree Farm

1910 Mahoning Dr. East, Lehighton, PA 18235

Bustard's Christmas Trees

2210 Bustard Rd., Landsdale PA 19446

Kenny's Christmas Trees

1121 Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, PA 19477

"Most active-duty military members are serving far from home and could use a little holiday cheer," McHugh said. "Donating a Christmas tree to these families sends the message that they are not forgotten, and their sacrifices are appreciated. We are grateful for Strathmeyer and everyone who donates a tree to support the troops. Your efforts truly bring a joyful spirit to men and women in uniform all around the world."

Strathmeyer Christmas Trees is a fourth-generation family-owned Christmas tree farm cultivating fresh Christmas trees for more than 75 years. The Strathmeyer family operates the farm year-round and hosts 11 seasonal tree lots serving York and Lancaster counties. Strathmeyer Christmas Trees has partnered with Trees for Troops since its inception in 2005.

The Trees for Troops program is part of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a non-profit branch of the National Christmas Tree Association, which represents more than 700 active member farms, 29 state and regional associations, and more than 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture's military and veterans in agriculture initiatives, visit — agriculture.pa.gov.

State awards $19.3M in 2024 Countywide

Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this week awarded $19.3 million in 2024 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants to county teams across Pennsylvania's share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

These grants support their efforts in reducing nutrient and sediment pollution to restore the health of local streams, rivers, and lakes.

The Luzerne Conservation District received a $200,000 grant.

"These grants have proven to be effective in boosting projects restoring Pennsylvania streams, rivers and lakes," said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "Since 2021, we've seen teams implement everything from streambank tree plantings to livestock crossing installations. I'm excited to see the ingenuity and progress made by this year's grant recipients. Their work benefits not only their communities, but our Commonwealth and beyond."

Nutrient pollution and eroded sediment can enter streams, rivers and lakes from wastewater treatment and other activities on land, such as using too much fertilizer, plowing and tilling farm fields, stripping away trees and vegetation, and expanding concrete and paved surfaces.

Nutrient pollution like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms that block sunlight from reaching the underwater grasses that provide critical food and habitat for aquatic life. In addition to also blocking sunlight by making the water cloudy, sediment pollution like soil runoff smothers creatures that live at the bottom of rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay — like oysters, clams, mussels, worms, and insects.

Like the other jurisdictions in the watershed, Pennsylvania is mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower its nutrient and sediment pollution levels by 2025. Pennsylvania is required to reduce nitrogen by 34.13 million pounds and phosphorus by 750,000 pounds.

The 2024 CAP Implementation Grant round brought in applications for 226 projects that will be completed in the next 12 to 18 months, resulting in an estimated reduction of over 170,000 pounds/year of nitrogen, 122,000 pounds/year of phosphorus, and 36.3 million pounds/year of sediment.

2024 Pa. fishing licenses, permits,

gift vouchers are now on sale

If you're looking to punch your ticket to outdoor adventure for the next year, start gearing up today by purchasing your 2024 Pennsylvania fishing license, permits, and gift vouchers!

Beginning Dec. 1, fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers for the 2024 season can be purchased through the HuntFishPA online portal on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) website (Fishandboat.com), on your smartphone using the FishBoatPA mobile app, or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. 2024 licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2024.

"The holiday season is a great time to start dreaming about all the fishing fun you can still have this winter or in the spring season right around the corner," said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director. "Whether you're purchasing a license for yourself or a voucher to give as a gift to a family member or friend, you'll be opening the door to fishing adventures that can become lifelong memories. When you buy your license now, it ensures that you'll be ready to go for every fishing season for the rest of this year and next year. Thank you for investing in Pennsylvania's fishing future."

Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers can be purchased easily, conveniently, and safely online from your computer or smart phone. Licenses may be printed immediately upon purchase or saved digitally to a smart device which serves as proof of possession.

While many customers still prefer to purchase fishing licenses in person from local issuing agents, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

In addition to licenses and permits, such as the trout or Lake Erie permits, customers may choose to purchase vouchers that can be given as gifts and be redeemed by recipients.

"Getting someone new involved in fishing is extremely rewarding, and purchasing a fishing license gift voucher is one of the easiest ways to help them get started," added Schaeffer. "As a gift idea, vouchers are a great choice for active anglers or someone who likes to fish but hasn't been out on the water for a while. Even for someone who doesn't fish, purchasing a fishing license supports the conservation of aquatic species and clean water that benefits us all."

Once again for the 2024 license year, customers can purchase a collectible fishing license button. This year's button features a navy blue background with a golden yellow keystone design. In 2024, a limited-edition production of 10,000 buttons will be produced, and customers will receive a randomly numbered button between 00001-10000. Please note that buttons are not issued at the time of purchase and will be mailed to the buyer.

Important 2024 fishing dates:

Dec. 1 (2023) — 2024 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses, permits, and vouchers on sale

March 30, 2024 — Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day

April 6, 2024 — Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season

Nov. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024 — Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement in effect

Nominations for 2024 Appalachian Trail

Hall of Fame Accepted through Jan. 31

Nominations for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2024.

The Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the approximately 2,190 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia.

"The 14th class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be inducted in 2024, and nominations are open for Hall of Fame nominees," said Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum — the organization that oversees the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. "Nominees should be people who have made a significant positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail and who have unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources toward making the Appalachian Trail a national treasure."

There have been 56 individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame in the first 13 years. Their names and biographies can be found on the Museum's website — www.atmuseum.org.

"These pioneers played critical roles in building, maintaining, protecting and publicizing the Appalachian Trail", Luxenberg said.

Nomination criteria and the nominating and selection processes for the 2024 Hall of Fame are:

Criteria

Those eligible for inclusion include anyone who has made an exceptional and positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community. This could be by leadership, inspiration, service, achievement or innovation.

This includes, without limitation, pioneers who conceived of and developed the trail; those who organized or directed major trail organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Appalachian Trail clubs; maintaining clubs; longtime trail maintainers; leaders who promoted and protected the A.T.; hikers who have made significant accomplishments, and other persons who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail by their association with it.

Eligible persons can be living or deceased. The emphasis will be on persons who have made their contribution to the A.T. over a long period, whether or not they are still active.

Eligibility and selection will be determined without regard to race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Nominations

Nominations will be solicited from throughout the hiking and trails community. The easiest way to submit a nomination is by using the online site — https://tinyurl.com/22kp8rkz.

Nominations also may be submitted using the paper nomination form. Copies of the paper form can be obtained at — https://tinyurl.com/2n8pp73e — or by requesting one from the Museum.

A nominator need not be a member of any hiking organization to submit a nomination.

A nominator may only make one nomination per election cycle. Nominators will be asked to justify their nomination in a brief statement that describes the nominee and why he or she fits the criteria.

Deadline for nominations is Jan. 31, 2024.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle