Molly Bilinski
Environment & Science reporterI cover environment and science for LehighValleyNews.com. Originally from Schuylkill County, I got my start in journalism writing obituaries for the Reading Eagle in 2014 after graduating from Kutztown University. I’ve also reported for The Press of Atlantic City, covering municipalities, crime and courts, and The Morning Call, where I was part of the audience team. In 2022, I won first place in the diversity category of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association’s Keystone Media Awards. Contact me at mollyb@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8225.
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Administered by Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, with funding from the DCNR, officials said the effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. -
The longest running raptor migration count in the world wrapped up for the 2024 season. Staff and volunteers spent more than 1,000 hours recording species as part of Hawk Mountain's conservation efforts.
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The project, beginning today, includes rebuilding the stream bank. Officials said increased public interest and use, climate change and more frequent high-water events have significantly eroded it.
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State environmental officials awarded $2.55 million in grants as part of a statewide effort to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.
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Three farms in Lehigh County were the latest to be included in Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program. The program aims to ward off development and protect open spaces.
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During the 2023-24 hunting seasons, a record-breaking 261,672 pounds of venison from 6,905 deer and six elk statewide was donated through Hunters Sharing the Harvest. Find out how much was donated in the Lehigh Valley.
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Part of the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the grants support projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats. A dozen Lehigh Valley projects were funded.
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The Blue Mountain fire, also called the Gap Fire, on Nov. 2 erupted in Lehigh Township. The fire, which grew from 150 acres to almost 600, took seven days of fighting before it was marked 100% contained.
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Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s annual autumn Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch ended late last month, with 9,373 migrating raptors recorded. While the overall count is lower than last year, many species exceeded 2023 totals.
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The Unidos Foundation was one of 12 community organizations across Pennsylvania to receive the grant. Money is earmarked to ensure that historically marginalized and underserved communities have access to information and resources about environmental protection.
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The first new building on Muhlenberg’s campus in more than a decade, the Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, 2400 W. Chew St., has racked up three different sustainability awards and certifications.
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Lehigh Valley Breathes is a Valley-wide effort to monitor air quality amid emissions from trucking and warehousing. The project is expected to run for a year.
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All lot codes and expiration dates of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches have been voluntarily recalled due to the possibility of elevated lead levels.
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Animals and insects use fallen leaves to live or find food — including birds and butterflies. Often, if leaves aren't composted, they end up in landfills. Here are some alternative ideas.
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Seven candidates are vying for five open seats on the Whitehall-Coplay School Board in the upcoming Nov. 7 election. Candidates said fiscal responsibility, transparency and curriculum were key issues.
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PennEnvironment on Monday released a new report, “Lawn Care Goes Electric," ranking emissions from gas-powered lawn and garden equipment by state and county across the U.S. Here's where Lehigh and Northampton counties ranked.
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The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index was launched on Oct. 2 through a partnership between the Environmental Defense Fund and Texas A&M University. Here's where the Lehigh Valley ranks.
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The commonwealth’s fifth fall foliage report was released Thursday. Here's the forecast for the coming week in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
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Environment and Science Reporter Molly Bilinski, alongside Grace Oddo, social media specialist, trekked across the Lehigh Valley to map out the best leaf-peeping spots. Fall foliage is expected to peak across the region later this week.
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Theresa May, former prime minister of the U.K., spoke about threats to national security during a lecture Tuesday night at Lehigh University. It's part of the university's “Compelling Perspectives” lecture series.
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Students learn to identify medicinal, edible and toxic plants. They also study how some plants have impacted history for both the good and bad, through their healing, addictive, profitable or edible properties.
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Timothy Foley and Anthony Murphy, two Democrats, are challenging two Republican incumbents, John Inglis and Dennis Benner, in the Nov. 7 election. The township hasn't seen a tax increase in three decades.
