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Community Corner

Levittown Resident Receives Environmental Award

Dale Frazier was awarded for his volunteer efforts with G.O.A.L. to clean up trash, plants trees, and educate citizens on environmental issues.

Levittown's own Dale Frazier and his organization G.O.A.L. (Greenbelt Overhall Alliance of Levittown) received the 2011 Bucks County Conservation District (BCCD) "Outstanding Conservation Organization of the Year" award on May 4 at Pennsbury Manor.

The Bucks County Commissioners presented Frazier with a Letter of Commendation. They thanked Frazier for his leadership efforts towards cleaning and protecting areas in and around Levittown in Bucks County. Last year, the commissioners proclaimed November 4 as "G.O.A.L. Day" in Bucks County.

The award is presented to "a Bucks County organization that has made a noteworthy contribution to the conservation of Pennsylvania’s soil, water and related natural resources on a local, county, state, or regional level," according to the BCCD website.

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Frazier formed the non-profit organization in April of 2009 with the mission of cleaning up Levittown. Specifically, G.O.A.L. strives to clean Levittown greenways and waterways of debris, remove invasive plant species and replace them with suitable plant species such as native plants, and educate the public about environmental stewardship. Frazier coordinates G.O.A.L.'s efforts with volunteers in the four municipalities that comprise Levittown.

During the first year of forming G.O.A.L., Frazier's volunteer efforts were very impressive. In the spring of 2009, volunteers cleaned up the drainage ditch between Stonybrook and Greenbrook from Millcreek Parkway to Kenwood Pass, a six-tenths of a mile area. In the fall of 2009, they removed 70 cubic yards of trash and 10 cubic yards of recovered recyclables. In addition, the volunteers cleaned up and restored Black Ditch, a six-tenths of a mile area.

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Frazier promotes community education of environmental issues through frequent seminars at the Levittown Library. Topics have included: tree planting, native and invasive plants, water chemistry, and stormwater management. G.O.A.L. has also been an active partner of the Middletown Athletic fields through cleanup and removal of invasive plants.

This year, Frazier and G.O.A.L. volunteers have been helping to clean up the Mill Creek-Otter Creek watershed area around Silver Lake Nature Center, including Magnolia and Silver Lakes. Several educational sessions are being held this year. Stroud Water Research led a macroinvertebrate educational class at the Bristol Township Senior Center on April 27. On May 7, the group will participate in a field study along the Neshaminy Creek. Stroud Water Research is one of the best water research facilities in the world, according to Frazier.

"It's been great working with Dale on cleanup projects in southern Bucks County," said Steve Donohue, a member of the Middletown Township Environmental Advisory Council and G.O.A.L. volunteer. "Dale is as rare as some of the plants and animals he is trying to protect. There are a lot of people who 'get it' from an environmental standpoint but not nearly so many that can effectively lead, mobilize and organize people toward helping restore our land and waters. The Middletown EAC looks forward to continuing our partnership with Dale and G.O.A.L. to make it a healthier and safer place to live."

This grass roots volunteer organization relies on the support of its sponsors that include the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, the Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Ocean Conservancy, the Heritage Conservancy, the Friends of the Delaware Canal, the Delaware River Basin Commission, PennDOT, PA Cleanways, and eco-clubs of local school districts.

When you see Frazier in your Levittown neighborhood, thank him for his efforts and his concern for the ecological health of the community. If you'd like to help with volunteer efforts, contact Frazier at: dfrazier@ltowngoal.com and visit G.O.A.L.'s website for more information.

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