The Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition Conference featured a wide variety of well-received presentations on Nov. 7, 2011, at Powdermill Nature Reserve.

Sixty people participated in the program, which was hailed as very successful.  The coalition was created in 2010 to enable conservation organizations and individuals to share information, support funding for conservation causes and network.  The next program will be held around April 2012.  To receive information, please e-mail bclemenson@pec-pa.org.

Six presentations were made at the Nov. 7 program and are being linked below:

The Value of Conservation, Dr. Timothy W. Kelsey, Penn State University professor of agricultural economics, said public or government extenditures on programs can be justified if they provide information that enable people to make better decisions, address an issue of fairness, or address a "market failure" -- when the private sector will not provide something that is good.  Click here for his presentation.

Dr. Kelsey's presentation was supplemented by Doug Finger, Manager of the Linn Run State Park complex, who noted that visitors spent $56.8 million in state parks in the Laurel Highlands last year, sustaining nearly 600 jobs.  Finger said this direct economic impact is just a small part of the "value" that these parks bring t the region.  Click here for his presentation.

Michelle Chapkis, executive director of Women for a Healthy Environment, spoke on the Health Impacts of Environmental Issues, including Marcellus Shale drilling.  She listed 10 toxins released during drilling at various stages of the process.  Click here for her presentation.

Dr. John Wetzel, director of Powdermill Nature Reserve, spoke on their new initiatives, including research on the accuracy of permit applications for Marcellus wells.  Click here for his presentation.

Davitt Woodwelll and John Walliser of Pennsylvania Environmental Council spoke about the shortcomings of current laws and regulars on Mecellus drilling, which are outlined at marcellus.pecpa.org.  Click here for their presentation.