Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network

Over half a century ago, Pennsylvania committed to protecting air, water, and land for the benefit of all people, including future generations (*Section 27 of Article 1 of the PA Constitution, 1971).

It was in this context that the commonwealth developed the initial academic standards for K-12 public education in environmental and ecological education, expanded state parks and forests, and implemented policies to protect natural resources.

This work is being continued through the Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy (PA ELit) Network.

Vision

All Pennsylvanians are environmentally literate, prepared with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about complex environmental issues, and take actions that sustain a healthy environment for present and future generations.

Mission

To honor the legacy of Pennsylvania by cultivating a network of regional hubs to advance systemic and meaningful environmental literacy and sustainability education for all.

PA ELit Network Regional Hubs

The PA ELit Network is structured with six regional hubs across the commonwealth to better connect with community members and meet local needs. Each regional hub facilitates recurring virtual meetings, shares upcoming opportunities, and plans and holds in-person events.

Click on the plus signs to learn more about each regional hub.

Regional Hub Leads: Rebecca Schauffele and Kelcy Marini

The Northwest Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Coalition serves Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Coalition encompasses a landscape shaped by forests, farms, wetlands, and winding waterways, supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife and natural beauty.

From the rolling hills of the Allegheny Plateau to the streams that feed Lake Erie, this region’s rich natural resources provide clean water, fertile soil, and vital habitat, reminding us of the deep connection between healthy ecosystems and thriving communities. Stewarding these lands through conservation and sustainable practices helps ensure that Northwest Pennsylvania remains vibrant for generations to come.

Regional Hub Lead: Colleen Epler-Ruths

The Northcentral Environmental Literacy Regional Hub serves Bradford, Cameron, Center, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties, uniting partners committed to strengthening environmental learning across the region.

Defined by expansive rural landscapes, small towns, and the vital waterways of the Susquehanna River system, the region’s forests, farmland, and river valleys shape both its environmental identity and educational priorities.

The hub works to advance environmental literacy through place‑based learning rooted in the diverse ecosystems and natural resources that characterize northcentral Pennsylvania.

Regional Hub Leads: Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski, Stephanie Williams, and Megan Fedor

Northeastern Pennsylvania is defined by its stunning natural beauty, where rolling mountains, fertile valleys, and winding rivers shape the landscapes of Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

Home to the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, and countless lakes, waterfalls, and state parks, the region supports both thriving outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, skiing, and camping, and key industries such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism.

From vibrant fall foliage to snow-covered peaks and productive farmland, these natural resources foster economic vitality while sustaining a deep connection between the land and the communities that call it home.

Regional Hub Leads: Ellen Schultz and Diana Potts

The Southeast Regional Hub includes Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

The region is varied, with something appealing to all ages and interests, from history and culture to recreation, from roller coaster thrills to historic national parks to an abundance of urban green spaces.

The Delaware River flows through the region, and much of the area is known as the Delaware Valley. As such, we are a vital part of the entire Delaware River Basin, a watershed that provides over 15 million people with drinking water. The western portions of the region include sections of the Susquehanna River Basin and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Southeast Regional Hub hosts an annual Teaching Green Symposium to bring together school-based educators and environmental educators from a variety of organizations and institutions to share goals and accomplishments, and to form dynamic new partnerships to help advance environmental literacy for our young people.

Regional Hub Leads: Jen Peglow and Carrie Lankford

The Southcentral region includes Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, and York counties.

The area is a diverse region that blends small cities with large stretches of rural farmland, forests, and mountains. It includes productive agricultural valleys alongside growing urban centers, creating a strong connection between people, natural resources, and local economies.

This mix of environments makes the region rich in both ecological diversity and community heritage.

Regional Hub Leads: Diane McGaffic and Kevin Willis

The Southwest Regional Hub serves Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

Southwestern Pennsylvania is defined by a rich mix of natural resources, diverse ecosystems, and an extensive river network that includes the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers. These waterways and their tributaries support vital watersheds, aquatic life, recreation, and regional water supplies.

The region’s landscape features forested hills, mountain ridges, plateaus, and fertile valleys, creating habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species, including some that are rare or threatened. This natural diversity supports outdoor recreation while also playing a key role in maintaining clean air and water.

At the same time, the region’s environmental story is closely tied to its industrial legacy of coal mining, steel production, and natural gas extraction, which has led to challenges such as air and water pollution. In response, Southwestern Pennsylvania has made significant strides in environmental restoration and sustainability, including efforts to improve water quality, reclaim riverfronts, and protect natural habitats.

Today, the region reflects a balance between its industrial past and ongoing conservation efforts, highlighting both its environmental assets and opportunities for continued stewardship.

Join your PA ELit Network Regional Hub to connect with local educators and community members, learn about upcoming opportunities, and contribute toward regional environmental literacy goals.

Join Your Regional Hub