The Pennsylvania Environmental Council thanks everyone who voted to help make "water conservation" the runner-up in the recently concluded "Elect to Conserve" campaign - a fun way to develop awareness and support for the state's broad conservation initiatives.
PEC was honored to be selected by DNCR as the organization to "campaign" for water with the "iCon" of Montrell in the election that had five different causes paired with five non-profit organizations competing for a $5,000 prize.
The winner was Carl and the Keystone Trails Association (trails), which got off to a a blazing start with 46 percent of the votes in the first week while PEC was in fourth place with only 11 percent. PEC gained ground throughout the campaign and eventually climbed into second place with 20 percent of the vote, narrowly edging out Norm representing the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (trees). In the end, the tally was:
PEC has three main focus areas (water, sustainable communities, and energy and climate), but PEC was selected to represent the cause of water conservation because of its work on watershed plans and restoration, stormwater management, abandoned-mine drainage, and legislation and policy, as well as its role in support of the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR).
DCNR is continuing to urge all Pennsylvania residents to become an "iCon" by filling out an on-line form describing their interest in a particular conservation cause. The form is available at http://www.iconservepa.org/.