Sometimes pictures do really tell the story, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is counting on that premise to make a case for the Chesapeake Clean Water Act now before Congress. CBF joined forces with the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) to visually document the Chesapeake watershed.

Kelly Donaldson, spokeswoman with the Foundation, says that in Pennsylvania they snapped pictures on land, in the air, and underwater. They shot areas and wildlife that need protection, as well as those that have been polluted.

"We traveled throughout the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake watershed. We really tried to focus on a broad variety of what's impacting our streams and really focus in on how we can fix this."

Neil Ever Osborne, an ILCP photographer who is part of the project, says the pictures they take can bring light to issues of concern.

The cleanup of power plants is long overdue.  Power plant pollution causes tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. These plants are major contributors to particulate pollution and ozone in the East and Midwest.   The American Lung Association welcomes the proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce power plant pollution across 31 states.   The Code Red and Orange days we've experienced in the Eastern U.S. underscore the need for healthier air.  This action is an important step towards safe and healthy air across the region. 

The American Lung Association in Pennsylvania is hosting a complimentary kickoff luncheon for the October 2 "Fight for Air Walk" on Thursday, August 26, from noon to 1:00 pm at Uno Chicago Grill, 3905 Commerce Boulevard in Dickson City. 

Attendees will learn about the mission of the Fight for Air Walk, the American Lung Association and will be provided with instructions on how to raise money and coordinate teams for the upcoming event.  The Fight for Air Walk is taking place at the PNC Field in Moosic and will benefit the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania and its mission of saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.  Fight for Air is seeking to raise $50,000 and have 1,000 walkers attend.

NFPA's Firewise offers tips on saving lives and property from wildfire:

PHILADELPHIA (August 18, 2010) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $475,669 grant to the Philadelphia International Airport to help put eight highly efficient, low emission, low-floor passenger buses into service at airport.   By replacing older diesel powered shuttle buses this project will reduce air pollution and improve air quality.  EPA’s grant was awarded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.   In addition to EPA’s grant, US Airways will spend more than $3.5 million to replace the older shuttle buses.

Pennsylvania's Highlands are made up of more than a million acres of forests and farmlands, lakes and streams. And, within those areas, hubs — or conservation priority areas — play key roles in maintaining the integrity of the landscape.

A new network of trails on South Mountain in the Lehigh Valley sits in one of those hubs. Wildlands Conservancy Project Manager Kevin Fister says the six-mile project offers a navigation route for hikers, bikers and birdwatchers, and also serves as a link to other areas of the Highlands.

"There's long-term plans to connect the South Mountain trail system with the Bethlehem Greenway project, which will connect to the D and L Trail. That would connect from Philadelphia, all the way up north to White Haven and possibly further."

He points out that South Mountain is home to a number of unique natural communities, including vernal pools that provide habitat for a variety of salamanders and turtles.