Penn State Energy and Environment News

Webinar to address county planning districts as approach to community planning

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Penn State Extension will host an Oct. 16 land-use webinar on an innovative approach to community planning, with a focus on how counties can plan regionally while addressing local needs.

New specialist named to help Pennsylvanians implement integrated pest management

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The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management program — a collaboration between Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture —  has announced the appointment of Raymond R. Delaney as its new community program specialist. The program provides educational and logistical resources to help develop and implement effective, sustainable and environmentally conscious pest management practices to serve Pennsylvania’s diverse regions and sector-specific needs.

Penn State professor Susan Brantley named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania

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Susan Brantley, an Evan Pugh University Professor and Barnes Professor of Geosciences at Penn State, is one of 11 inductees named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania for 2024. She was recognized Sept. 25 at the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania’s annual luncheon held in the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg.

Nominations sought for IEE research awards

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The Institute of Energy and the Environment at Penn State has announced a call for nominations for its research award program. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Nov. 8. 

SustainPSU and Pa. GreenGov Council offer sixth annual monthly webinar series

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Building on their ongoing partnership, Penn State Sustainability (SustainPSU) and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council will renew their monthly webinar series to educate government officials, students and faculty about sustainability issues that affect Pennsylvania and the progress we as a state are making to address the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Penn State ranks 17th among US publics, top 5% globally in THE World University Rankings

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Penn State rose 22 places to tie for No. 100 in the world in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, placing the University in the top 5% globally among 2,092 ranked institutions. In addition, Penn State rose four places to No. 38 among all U.S. universities and ranked No. 17 among U.S. public institutions. Penn State was the top-ranked public university in Pennsylvania.

Webinar to focus on subdivision and land development regulation in Pennsylvania

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Subdivision and land development ordinances are the most common land-use regulations administered by local municipalities. To help local officials and citizens gain a better understanding of these ordinances, Penn State Extension will offer a webinar titled “Subdivision and Land Development Regulation in Pennsylvania.” The session will be offered twice: from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities

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Honey bees are not native to the U.S., leading to concerns that managed honey bee populations might negatively impact wild bees. However, a Penn State research team found that of the 33 genera of native bees studied, only a small number seemed to be negatively affected by the presence of honey bees.

Geography 'Coffee Hour' lecture series continues with Oct. 11 talk by Anne Bonds

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The Penn State Department of Geography will continue its fall 2024 "Coffee Hour" lecture series with a talk by Anne Bonds, professor of geography and urban studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

University-wide call to submit activities to the Community Impact Map by Oct. 15

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All campuses, colleges and other Penn State units are invited to submit activities to the Penn State Community Impact Map by Oct. 15 to be part of the map when it officially launches later this fall.

12 Penn State faculty receive U.S. Fulbright Scholar Awards for 2024-25 year

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Twelve Penn State faculty members received Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. An additional four faculty members have been named Fulbright Specialist Award recipients.  

ICDS Day seeks to amplify synergy for interdisciplinary research opportunities

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The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences is hosting their annual event that aims to bring together faculty, students and industry professionals to foster innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, ICDS Day MMXXIV: Shaping the Future of Penn State's Digital Research, on Oct. 23.