The mission of the PennEnvironment Preservation Program is to protect Pennsylvania's natural heritage. This means preserving open spaces, protecting species habitat, and fighting the sprawling development pattern that threatens our state's ecosystems and natural beauty.
From its beautiful waterways and lush valleys to its rich farmland and scenic vistas, Pennsylvania's natural environment is a valued treasure and an integral part of our state's identity. Pennsylvania's wild places provide habitat for many threatened and endangered species as well as clean air and drinking water for millions of citizens.
Our use of land in Pennsylvania, however, is growing less efficient and more destructive every day. A growing phenomenon known as "sprawl" threatens our environment and quality of life. Between 1992 and 1997, Pennsylvania lost over 1 million acres of forest, farmland, and open space. In the Philadelphia metropolitan region, we are currently converting open space at the rate of one acre per hour, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. This is approximately twice the national rate of green space consumption. This aggressive destruction of open space has led to loss of habitat, air pollution, water pollution, traffic congestion, taxpayer rip-offs, and other intrusions on Pennsylvanians' quality of life.
PennEnvironment's Preservation Interns will work to promote our platform for curbing sprawl in Pennsylvania. Interns will help to:
• Preserve threatened open spaces and habitat throughout Pennsylvania, especially in areas with the greatest growth pressure;
• Redirect growth into existing communities through limiting new development and increasing the livability of our cities;
• Stop beltways and other unnecessary highway projects, and increase investment in public transportation;
• End taxpayer subsidies of all projects that promote sprawl;
• Give citizens more control over land use decisions that affect their communities.
Specifically, Preservation Interns will assist with the following projects:
1. PennEnvironment will be working to pass legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that will promote intelligent land use. Our top priority for this session will be initiatives to direct growth into existing communities by promoting the revitalization of our state's urban areas.
2. PennEnvironment will be working with local municipalities and citizens' organizations to assist them in efforts to preserve open space and fight bad development projects. Currently, PennEnvironment is helping to fight bad highway expansions in Bucks and Chester Counties, and working to stop a Wal-Mart from being built on 93 acres of farmland in rural Chester County.
3. PennEnvironment will be conducting various research projects meant to expose the negative consequences of sprawling development and to provide local citizens with necessary resources and information to fight inefficient land use. Examples of projects include studies of the effects of highways on traffic and development, sample grants for local community groups seeking to preserve open space, and an explanation of federal, state, and local laws as they apply to development.
Tactics applied by Preservation Interns will include:
• Working through the media (writing letters to the editor, press releases, etc.).
• Researching local sprawl battles, state legislation and municipal efforts to control sprawl.
• Advocacy (researching legislation, drafting organizational letters, etc.).
• Organizing with coalition partners.
• Helping to develop the PennEnvironment sprawl Web page.
• Educating, organizing, and activating the public.
For more information on these or other internships, as well as volunteer opportunities, contact PennEnvironment’s Philadelphia office at (215) 732-5897 or e-mail us.
To apply, e-mail us your cover letter and resume or send it to PennEnvironment, 1420 Walnut Street, Ste. 650, Philadelphia, PA 19102.