Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

The Moon Township Environmental Advisory Council met April 10 and approved the Feb. 13 minutes with corrections. No new land development plans were submitted, as the March Planning Commission meeting was canceled. The council discussed the township’s partnership with Public Works and Ernst Seed to create a pollinator wildflower meadow at Robin Hill, a two-to-three-year project, and noted a Moon High School biology teacher’s interest in placing beehives there. Moon Township took first place in the medium municipality group for the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge, and the EAC was thanked at the award presentation at PNC Park.

For Earth Day, the council ordered 300 American Redbud tree seedlings, which will be stored at Robin Hill, and planned a painting activity using toilet paper rolls as flower painters. Members will set up between 11 a.m. and noon. The Public Awareness Weekend interviews with two members went well. The EAC Recycling Day is set for June 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all members planning to attend. A member reported the Montour Watershed Stream Clean Up removed 20 bags of trash, scrap metal, plastic, and five tires along the Montour Trail. The group will conduct a bug count April 28.

Upcoming events include Earth Day Live Well on April 28, Arbor Day tree planting in Moon Park on April 26, Recycling Day June 1, Walk the Moon on Oct. 5, and an Olson Park riparian buffer planting May 10, funded by a $5,000 grant. The buffer is part of the township’s pollution reduction plan, estimated at $700,000 total. On glass recycling, a member offered to collect containers at Michaels Brothers, and a member sought quotes for pop-up recycling events at $750 each, requesting township budget support. A member will write a letter requesting funding for next year. The council also discussed the chaotic recent JVS electronics recycling event and whether the EAC should help facilitate future ones. The next meeting is May 8 at 6 p.m.