READING, Pa. – The current state of the environment and the sustainability of Berks County’s future were among the topics highlighted during Berks Nature’s 16th annual State of the Environment Breakfast Thursday morning.
Organizers say the primary goal of the program, held at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Reading, is to raise awareness about conservation choices that can improve the local environment in Berks County.
Berks Nature, a non-profit conservation organization serving the Berks County community since 1974, manages six different public nature preserves within the county.
In the past year, the organization says it permanently protected a total of three different properties covering 439.48 acres of open space in Ruscombmanor, Bethel and Earl townships. The acquisitions add to the total of over 11,000 acres owned or protected by Berks Nature.
Conservationists say the planting of native trees and shrubs is an important weapon in the fight against climate change, and Berks Nature, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, planted over 1,224 native trees in 2024.
Officials say the large trees, usually two to six years old, benefit our air, local water quality and quantity and help satisfy a critical need for carbon storage and temperature modification.
The importance of environmental education programs for children in the community was also highlighted during Thursday morning’s event.
In 2024, Berks Nature hosted more than 10,000 visitors for field trips, programs and events.
Enrollment in the organization’s summer Eco-Camp was at capacity and an additional six-week camp was added to maximize the opportunities for children to learn by immersing themselves in nature.
The Nature Preschool, a four-star, fully state-licensed program, is now in its sixth year and serves over 85 families.
As it celebrated its 50th year, Berks Nature held a series of listening sessions throughout the county to solicit feedback and gather data to inform next year’s strategic plan.
Over 80% of participants stated the two most important components of Berks Nature’s mission were land protection and environmental education.
Those who gave feedback also say they’d like to see more community education on native plants and also more support to municipalities on natural resource protection.
A lack of land use planning was another large community concern.
Things like warehouses, solar farms, larger scale agricultural operations and more housing were among the issues that troubled participants most.
In closing, Berks Nature officials identified an increased number of visitors to The Nature Place, expanded Nature Preschool enrollment, engaging more students and adults in nature programs and protecting the natural landscapes that define Berks County as items on the agenda for next year.
More information on the 2024 State of the Environment report can be found here.