Category: News and Updates
State Officials Alert Residents about Spotted Lanternfly
The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species native to Southeast Asia, has found its way to southeastern Pennsylvania, including parts of Chester County. It is known to destroy crops such as grapes, hops, and trees. In an effort to detect and control the Spotted Lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has established an email (badbug@pa.gov) and phone number (866-253-7189) that they are asking residents utilize when sightings occur outside of the “quarantine area.”
Check out the quarantine areas in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Learn more about the Spotted Lanternfly by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture or the Penn State Extension.
Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Ellen Ferretti
Ellen M. Ferretti, the director of the Brandywine Conservancy, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. She lives and works on the campus at the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art in Chadds Ford–just across the line from Chester County and right along the banks of the Brandywine River. The Brandywine Conservancy has a long history of preserving land in Chester County and working with local municipalities and elected officials on conservation oriented land use policies and regulations, according to Ferretti.
Ferretti’s expertise and areas of interest as a member of the steering committee include land conservation, land use planning, and community engagement in planning and outdoor recreation. She has over 25 years of experience working in state, county, nonprofit, and private sectors. She started her career doing environmental site assessments and site cleanups, and expanded her interest and efforts into land and water conservation. Continue Reading →
Historic Yellow Springs Provides Glimpse into the Past
Nestled off Art School Road in the heart of West Pikeland, is a village that carries remnants of centuries of deep history, ranging from the first military hospital in North America to a spa resort to an orphan school for military soldiers’ children. The village is known as Historic Yellow Springs, which consists of 142 acres of land and 16 buildings — 10 of which are owned by the nonprofit organization that maintains the historic district these days.
“Historic Yellow Springs is a vibrant and living village that brings people together through its many cultural and art events and programs, it’s beautiful and inspiring landscape and its rich history,” said Eileen McMonagle, executive director of Historic Yellow Springs, Inc. “The 300-year history of this village reflects the history of our nation and provides us with lessons in innovative rebirth and creativity. Historic Yellow Springs is a unique gem in Chester County that is preserved by and shared with the community now, and for many years to come.” Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Employee Takes on Open Space Coordination Role
Whether she is tending to her garden in rural East Vincent or making phone calls from her desk in West Goshen to land trusts and conservancies, one thing is for certain: Rachael Griffith has a strong appreciation for Chester County’s open space. And she’s looking forward to leading open space coordination efforts between the Chester County Planning Commission and other agencies.
Rachael is a Pennsylvania-registered landscape architect who has been a staff member at the county’s Planning Commission since December 2016. Rachael now will be handling open space coordination efforts for the county agency and will be the main point of contact for people with open space inquiries. She is available to answer questions about the Planning Commission’s Protected Open Space Tracking data. Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Welcomes New Community Planner
The Planning Commission welcomed a new employee in August: Community Planner Kaitlin Feiler.
Kaitlin began working for the agency on Aug. 21. As a community planner in the Planning Services Division, Kaitlin is already assisting with revisions to a township zoning ordinance and updates to municipal comprehensive plans, and will also perform monitoring for projects that are funded through the county’s Vision Partnership Program. Continue Reading →
Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Lisa Moore
Lisa M. Moore, a Kennett Township resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Moore is the manager of Kennett Township.
As the manager of Kennett Township, Moore has a vested interest in planning for the entire community and the future of her township and the county. Her areas of expertise that she will bring to the steering committee include extensive knowledge in planning, utilities, transportation and housing needs, open space preservation and benefits. She also is currently working on an economic development plan for her community. Continue Reading →
Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Pamela Brown
Pamela Brown, a resident of the Birchrunville section of West Vincent, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Brown is the conservation director of French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, and her service area includes 11 municipalities in the French and Pickering Creeks Watersheds.
Brown’s area of expertise and interest as a member of the steering committee is land protection and how it relates to the health and well-being of the community, including groundwater protection, outdoor recreation, and economic benefits. Continue Reading →
Commemorating 240th Anniversary of Battle of the Brandywine
Did you know Sept. 11 marks the 240th anniversary of the Battle of the Brandywine, the largest single day battle of the Revolutionary War? The Chester County Commissioners are honored to commemorate this anniversary, share news on opportunities to engage with our history, and celebrate a grant awarded for further studies of the battle.
There will be two days of re-enactments in Birmingham Township, Chester County on Sept. 16 and 17 to recreate a part of the historic confrontation between American and Crown Force soldiers at historic Sandy Hollow. This re-enactment is taking place on the very lands where some of the fiercest battle action occurred.
Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Timothy Phelps
P. Timothy Phelps, an East Whiteland resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Phelps is the executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County, an organization based in East Whiteland that focuses on congestion mitigation and alternative commute options for transportation projects countywide.
Phelps’ areas of expertise and interest as a member of the steering committee include congestion mitigation and air quality, employer outreach for mobility options, multimodal transportation options, and transportation demand management. Continue Reading →
Calling All Photographers to Participate in Photo Contest
The Chester County Planning Commission launched a Landscapes3 photo contest at noon Monday, Aug. 28 to highlight the county’s greatest asset: people. The Planning Commission is seeking photos of people who live, work, visit, or play in Chester County. The photos can focus on people in different settings, including businesses, homes, downtowns, public community events, and outdoors, among others.
The contest, “Putting a Face on Chester County,” ends at noon Friday, Oct. 13. To view the rules and submit a photo, click here. Continue Reading →