In a township such as Maidencreek, with rich natural resources like Lake Ontelaunee and spanning farmland, it is comforting to know that the community is aware of the treasures they possess. This spring, the Maidencreek Township Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance to create an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) for the municipality.
EACs are comprised of residents who have been appointed by local officials to undertake conservation projects and assist in researching and advising on environmental-related decisions within the municipality.
Connie Cammarano, a retired school counselor, and Deanne Weber, farm manager of Willow Run Farmstead, spearheaded the motion to create Maidencreek’s EAC. Both have been championing environmental stewardship in and outside of the greater Maiden Creek watershed for years as residents and as members of the Maiden Creek Watershed Association, a volunteer-led group that monitors stream health and restores streamside habitats in the watershed.
While known for its waterways, in recent years Maidencreek Township had been feeling uncomfortably waterlogged. More frequent flooding was not only impacting municipal infrastructure but was also damaging people’s homes and yards. This sparked new interest from the township’s residents in how environmental decisions at the municipal level were made, and if more information or guidance – from a body like an EAC – was needed.
Stormwater management is an issue that affects everyone. Deanne, the appointed chairperson of the EAC, is hoping the new group will be able to find ways to manage the stormwater runoff and streamside areas to protect homes in the community, without compromising the ecological value of the creeks.
“As a group, I think we dream of a community that works together to provide native habitat as well as increased quality of life for our neighbors,” says Deanne.
As Connie put it when asked about future goals of the EAC, “One of our hopes is to facilitate an exchange of ideas and resources to create an embedded culture of environmental stewardship at the township level as well as at the individual level.”
The Lorax may speak for the trees, but EACs speak for the watershed’s people, plants, and everything in between. Maidencreek Township is fortunate to now have someone speaking for them all.