West Hanover Township's Environmental
Advisory Council (EAC), was established by ordinance in
1989. The natural environment has long been an area of
interest to policy makers and leaders of the Township and the
EAC's mission is to advise the Board of Supervisors, other boards and commissions,
and the general public on issues related to
the environment, ways to protect, preserve and enhance the
Township's natural environment, to develop programs to educate citizens,
and encourage citizen participation in environmental concerns.
As a member of the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council (PEC), the West Hanover Township EAC continues to
be dedicated to environmental protection in West Hanover
within the Township's progressive subdivision and land development review
processes. The EAC is also
active in presenting environmental seminars for citizens, promoting
special recycling and similar conservation programs,
participating in county and statewide initiatives such as the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's riparian buffers restoration
project, Businesses for the Bay, and networking with other
EACs through the Regional EAC Networking program.
In 1990, the EAC began an intense voluntary recycling program
that operated successfully for 3 1/2 years, recycling more
than 36 tons of items. Today, the EAC promotes the
Township's formal curbside pickup program under the
residential waste collection contract with Waste Management and other initiatives
designed to recycle and conserve.
The West Hanover EAC was the first EAC in Dauphin County to
prepare a Natural Resource Inventory (currently being updated)
for it's local government. The NRI is an important component in
the Township's Comprehensive Planning and land use management
program.
The EAC continuously explores and posts new and innovative
guidelines, resources and information links useful to Township
citizens for learning about and improving the
environment. The following links are provided for public
information. Stop by this page for more information and
upcoming projects.
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Link
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Description
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Guide
to Home Composting
Composting
Guide website
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Lawn mowing, hedge trimming, weeding and raking produce nearly two
million tons of yard waste each year in Pennsylvania. It doesn't
have to be dumped. Instead, learn how to use it and practice the 3
Rs of waste management
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Native Plant
Guide
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The
native plan guide provides a comprehensive listing of native plants that
will thrive in West Hanover Township. Why? Native plants have
evolved in concert with local and regional conditions, they are better
adapted to local site requirements; require less maintenance then exotic
plants; and provide a wide range of beauty and natural diversity.
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Natural
Alternatives to Hazardous Household Products
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More people are recognizing the dangers of many
household products and
choosing safer ones. Their actions are in turn bringing even more
healthful and environmentally sound products to the marketplace.
Check out this useful information.
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Water
Saving Tips from the Susquehanna River Basin
Commission
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Useful quick tips for saving water.
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Home Control
Tips for Reducing Mosquitoes and the Threat of West
Nile Virus
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Useful tips
for homeowners and citizens on eliminating mosquito
habitat for "container breeding"
mosquito species carrying West Nile Virus.
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The
Problem of Invasive Exotic Plants
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A .pdf file
outlining the problem and characteristics of invasive
plans, as well as other links to more information
about this problem in the Township and
Pennsylvania.
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Township
Rain Garden Project
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Information
highlighting the Township's Rain Garden constructed
near Fairville Park.
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West Hanover Township
Recycling Brochure - Online
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A .pdf file outlining the Township's recycling program
brochure. Clip this to your "frig."
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PA
Environmental Digest
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Link to the PA Environmental Digest Newsletter for a
variety of articles and information on environmental
issues facing Pennsylvania.
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Green
Makes $ Sense $ Brochure
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PA Environmental Digest's award winning brochure
outing how you and/or your business can save thinking
"green."
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Earth
Day - At Home, On the Farm, At School
EPA
Earth Day Website
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Learn ways in which
you can "shrink your environmental footprint" in
water and energy use, waste reduction, cleaner air and
more...check out the Earth Day Network (EDN) anytime.
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The
Birdhouse Network (TBN)
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The Bird House Network (TBN) is a
citizen-science project of the Cornell
University Lab of Ornithology. People place
birdhouses, or nest boxes, in their yard or
neighborhood and then monitor the birds that nest
inside. Participants gather information such as the
number of eggs and young in the nest, then submit
their data over the Internet to scientists at the Lab
of Ornithology. TBN is an exciting way to
participate in "hands-on" scientific
research. Not only will you enjoy contributing to
science, you'll also be helping cavity-nesting birds
by providing nesting sites in your area.
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Green
Landscaping
Demonstration
Gardens - Links
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Before
you begin to think of changing your landscape design
this season, change your management practices for your
existing landscape:
Assess
your property and list your needs and check out EPA's
Green Landscaping site.
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