2020/2021 Press Releases

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2020/2021 Press Releases

GREATER PIKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: RICHARD L. SNYDER GRANT AWARDED TO PEEC

August 13, 2021

Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) was pleased to receive a grant from the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Richard L. Snyder Fund in support of PEEC programming in 2021/2022. Maryanne Monte, the Grant Committee chair, noted grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 were awarded. “Approximately $71,000 will be available to not-for-profit organizations in the categories of beautification, cultural events, and medical-related projects,” Monte said. “Richard Snyder’s legacy to Greater Pike Community Foundation is a reflection of his enduring support for our community and his love for Milford and Pike County. His generosity truly underscores our slogan For Good. Forever.”

PEEC will utilize the grant funds to support ongoing efforts to engage the local community in Pike County. Efforts will focus on marketing PEEC events to those individuals closest to the PEEC campus, which is located between Milford and Stroudsburg, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. In addition, the grant supports PEEC events throughout the year including the Earth Day Festival, Harvest Fest, and Tough as Trails 5k.

Finally, the grant also provides the necessary funding for extended hours of PEEC’s EcoZone, an immersive environmental education experience where participants learn about the local environment, watershed, and sustainability. The Richard L. Snyder grant allows EcoZone Tours to be scheduled weekends, all year long. Joel Penkala, Director of Development at PEEC, stated, “The Snyder Grant helps to sustain multiple public programs at PEEC and we are very thankful to have the continued support of the Greater Pike Community Foundation. Their commitment to environmental education and a sustainable future as well as to the residents of Pike County cannot be overstated.”

Greater Pike Community Foundation was created to enable generous individuals, families, and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term community philanthropy. The Foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain. For information about establishing a fund in memory of a loved one, or to discuss how to realize your charitable goal for the future, please contact Jenni Hamill at jennihamill@greaterpike.org or 570-832-4686, or visit our website wwww.greaterpike.org, or our Facebook page, Facebook.com/GreaterPike.

PEEC is located within the 77,000 acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, along the Delaware River, and is within a short driving distance of New York City & Philadelphia. The mission of PEEC is to advance environmental education, sustainable living, and appreciation for nature through hands-on experience in a national park. PEEC is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with nearly a half century as the education partner of the National Park Service. Since 1972, over 1 million visitors have come to PEEC at an average of 25,000 per year.

PEEC AWE FELLOWS FEATURED IN POCONO RECORD

August 8, 2021

PEEC Day, a capstone project for Alliance for Watershed Education Fellows Brian Frey and Xzy-Naye Campbell, was featured by the Pocono Record in a front page story.

Read the entire article here: Gateway to the Outdoors – Pocono Record Article

PEEC’s Tough as Trails Virtual Competition

April 6, 2021

Executive Director, Jeff Rosalsky, remarks, “Tough as Trails allows participants to raise funds to support PEEC’s environmental education mission simply by enjoying their favorite places to run, hike or walk. What better way to support a great cause than by doing what you love?”

If you’re looking forward to getting outside as much as we are this spring, join us on May 1 and 2 for the Pocono Environmental Education Center’s (PEEC) first annual Tough as Trail event! This virtual competition makes it possible for your enjoyment of being outdoors to help support environmental education for the 15,000 students that attend PEEC’s environmental education programs annually. The beauty of it? You can participate from anywhere!

The event will run the entire first weekend of May and takes place in your favorite outdoor location to run, hike or walk. To participate, go to https://peec.jmvirtualraces.com/ and click to join Tough as Trails. Once you’ve registered for the event, download the free JustMove app to your phone and log-in. Search for Tough as Trails in the charities section and join the event using the code provided when you registered. Once you’ve joined the event in the app, you’re ready to get moving!

Tough as Trails is a great way to turn your passion for the outdoors into support and advocacy on its behalf. PEEC’s Executive Director, Jeff Rosalsky summed it up perfectly: “Tough as Trails allows participants to raise funds to support PEEC’s environmental education mission simply by enjoying their favorite places to run, hike or walk. What better way to support a great cause than by doing what you love?” Director of Operations, Derek Scott, had similar sentiment, stating: “I think we all have a favorite place to spend time outside, regardless of what or where it is. We felt this event was the perfect way to give back to these outdoor spaces that we care about.”