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Environmental Advisory Council celebrates 51 years, lays out 2026 climate and conservation priorities
Summary
Karen McGarry Rosen, chair of Abington’s Environmental Advisory Council, presented the council’s 2025 accomplishments — including energy benchmarking support, stream monitoring, native-plant initiatives and outreach — and outlined 2026 goals such as a township salt-management plan and a climate action plan.
Karen McGarry Rosen, chair of the Environmental Advisory Council, told the Abington Township Board of Commissioners on June 11 that the council is marking its 51st year and building on work in energy efficiency, water quality, resource protection and public education.
Rosen told commissioners the council supported municipal energy benchmarking and township building energy audits, advanced feasibility discussions for solar canopies and renewable initiatives, and used a grant-funded online food‑waste survey that showed strong resident interest. "We supported the municipal energy benchmarking and township building energy audits," she said.
On water quality, Rosen said the council elevated concerns about high salt concentrations in Betelwood Creek and conducts monthly volunteer stream monitoring at several township sites. The council also received consecutive Golden Eagle awards from Bird Town for its bird‑friendly work.
Rosen described resource-protection efforts — native-plant sales, expanded native gardens at the Abington Library and Rosalind Park, and an advanced invasive-plant management plan developed with the Shade Tree Commission and Natural Lands. She said the council participated in a multi‑municipality composting coalition and supported the Abington School District referendum for a new middle school.
Rosen said the council’s public‑education programming includes recycling education, youth environmental-service programs in partnership with the library, regular bird walks and community events such as Garden Fest and Earth Day. "We collected approximately 1,900 pounds of food, which is approximately 500 more than last year," she said, and described additional collections of "4,810 in gift cards and cash" for distribution.
Looking ahead, Rosen listed the EAC’s priorities for 2026: training on Energy Star Portfolio Manager to support municipal benchmarking, developing a township salt‑management best‑practice plan, advancing the invasive‑plant management plan, coordinating with township departments on landscaping and plant installations, and completing a climate action plan.
President Hecker and other commissioners thanked the volunteers and praised the EAC’s work. Rosen said the council will continue coordinating with township staff and other commissions as it advances its projects and completes the climate action plan.
The EAC presentation concluded with no substantive board questions; commissioners encouraged continued coordination and outreach to residents.
