By S. BEECHER

PIKE COUNTY — Trees perform a variety of functions in any landscape. Whether in a city or town, residential community or on commercial or industrial sites, trees add value to our personal property and our communities. Trees can carry out engineering functions such as noise reduction, light control, stormwater management and erosion control. They also play important environmental roles in air pollution reduction, climate control, wildlife habitat, water conservation and water pollution abatement. Trees provide social and economic benefits as well, beautifying our counties and increasing property values.

These facts are often inadvertently overlooked when communities develop zoning and subdivision ordinances with the goal of minimizing the impacts of land development on communities. The old adage "you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone" has never been truer, as historically forested areas or majestic municipal shade trees increasingly disappear over properties slated for residential or commercial development.

What can Pike County citizens do to help encourage conservation of trees in their communities? Start with your township supervisors, borough council, municipal planning commission or community association board of directors. Ask them to look for ways to address these issues in municipal ordinances or restrictive covenants. This might include okaying old grading regulations that limit removal of existing vegetation on a site, provisions for vegetated buffers along roads or property lines, limitations on the percentage of impervious surfaces on commercial sites, requirements for open space preservation in residential subdivisions, or maintenance of forested buffers along streams. There are many tools available and examples of communities that have successfully incorporated trees and other natural features into residential and commercial development. The results are added value to developed properties and enrichment of quality of life through energy savings, stormwater management, water quality protection, and a more beautiful environment in which to live and work.

On a smaller scale, the many benefits of trees can also be realized on individual properties. Trees around your home or business provide shade, screening, sound barriers, windbreaks, glare control, runoff reduction, wildlife habitat and landscape diversity.

For additional information on conservation of trees on your property or in your community, contact the Pike County Conservation District at 570/226-8220 or pikecd@ptd.net.

Note: If you’re thinking of planting trees and shrubs on your property, check the Conservation District’s Spring 2000 Tree Sale for a variety of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, and groundcovers chosen for conservation purposes and suitability for planting in this region. Order forms will be available in mid-March.

NEW YORK — Senator John J. Bonacic (R-Mt. Hope) last week called for local student entries for the ninth annual statewide competition known as the "I-MA-Green-Nation" celebration, which was created to encourage student awareness of environmental issues.

The Senate-sponsored competition is open to students in grades one through eight. It includes an awards reception at the state capitol in Albany on Tuesday, May 9, where winners will receive award medals, view submissions by their fellow students from around the state and have the opportunity to tour the seat of state government.

Last year more than 600 students submitted projects that explored issues relating to solid waste and recycling, with more than 1,000 students and their teachers travelling to the capitol to participate in the events.

For registration forms and additional information, schools may encourage their teachers and students to individually contact Senator Bonacic’s office at 518/455-3181.

WALLENPAUPACK — Dr. Gary Alt, Game Commission Deer Management Section Supervisor, has been participating in a series of public meetings throughout the Commonwealth to discuss the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s new direction in deer management.

"The issue of deer management invokes strong emotions from many people," Alt said. "Over the past few years, the commission’s deer management approach has drawn sharp criticism. However, the commission is taking steps to improve its management of their deer herd. To explain our new approach, I will be cooperating with several partners who are hosting public meetings throughout the Commonwealth. These meetings will provide an excellent forum for me to hear people’s views on the changes proposed by the Commission, and for me to describe why we believe this new direction will work."

Dr. Alt has been scheduled to speak at a free program at the Wallenpaupack High School Auditorium on Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Additionally, at the April 3 and 4 commission meeting, the Board of Game Commissioners is scheduled to consider for adoption the 2000-2001 seasons and bag limits that were given preliminary approval in January. It is important that public comments and support of the new proposals be sent to the appropriate addresses in time for this April 3 meeting. Letters can be sent to: PA Game Commission, Deer Management Section, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, fax 717/787-6957.