Sustainable communities

HAWLEY, PA — On Thursday, November 7, Lacawac Sanctuary will host “Sustainable Community Development” a free public program in the library at the Wallenpaupack Area High School on Route 6. The program starts at 7:00 p.m.

Environmental lawyer and president, and founder of the statewide organization 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, Joanne Denworth will be the featured speaker. Her program will cover topics including the revitalization of cities and towns, infrastructure and economic development and the conservation of rural lands and natural and historic resources.

For more information call the Lacawac Sanctuary at 570/689-9494 or email director@lacawac.org.

Watch the autumn stars

MILANVILLE, PA — The Delaware Highlands Conservancy offers a free outdoor program on Friday, November 1 (rain date November 2) at 7:30 p.m. with astronomy experts Al Schultheis of Narrowsburg, NY and Norm Sullivan from Beach Lake, PA. Look through their telescopes to get a good look at the Andromeda galaxy and other constellations. With the naked eye Andromeda looks like a soft white smudge. Looking through telescopes, you will see a spiral cloud of light emanating from stars, gas, and stellar dust.

Meet at the Butterfly Barn Nature Center on the PA River Road one mile south of the Milanville/Skinners Falls bridge. Dress warmly and bring binoculars if you have them. Hot refreshments available in the barn.

For more information call 570/729-7053.

Upper Delaware Council to meet

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 7, at the Tusten Town Hall, Bridge Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will include a synopsis of minutes from the three standing Council committees; status reports from the Delaware River Basin Commission, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, National Park Service, and the UDC Executive Director; discussion of old and new business; and public comment.

All Council and committee meetings of the Upper Delaware Council are open to the public. For information call 845/252-3022.

Water quality for ponds

PIKE COUNTY, PA — A new Penn State Cooperative Extension fact sheet, “Water Quality Concerns for Ponds’’ discusses some of the common water quality parameters that may cause problems in ponds and how to detect and treat them. Common water quality parameters discussed in the fact sheet include temperature, dissolved oxygen, muddy water, nutrients, coliform bacteria and algae. There are also some suggested pond management techniques to prevent water quality problems.

To obtain a copy of “Water Quality Concerns for Ponds,” contact the Pike County Cooperative Extension office at 570/296-3400.