PennFuture: Help protect vital conservation funding

Your urgent action is needed now!  Almost $174 million of conservation funding is at risk, and we need your help to make sure it is used for protecting our environment.

Since 1955 and through seven recessions, Pennsylvania’s elected leaders have used money from the sale and drilling of nonrenewable oil and gas resources in state forests for investment in conservation, and maintenance and improvement of our parks and forests, for the benefit of all current and future citizens.

Governor Rendell’s proposed budget diverts $174 million out of the $190 million in drilling lease revenue to the General Fund — and away from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources projects that preserve and protect our waterways, forests and parks.  That means over 90 percent of these funds will be lost. This is an enormous blow for conservation funding.

Legislation is now in the Senate to make this proposal law. It will be voted on by Tuesday, March 24 – so we need your help now to fight this attack on environmental funding!

Send an email to your senator. Tell him or her that you oppose this bill and that you want to see the money used for environmental projects that will benefit all current and future residents.

Please don’t delay! Take action now!

Thanks.
Christine Knapp
Director of Outreach