Environmental Advisory Council

EAC February 17, 2026 Minutes Members in Attendance: Grant Alger, Dave Riedel, Steve Nelson, Jason Wood, and Kirstyn Gudknecht. Grant Rowe, Sustainability Coordinator, and Karyn Hyland, Director of Planning and Zoning, were also in attendance. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm. Approval of Minutes, January 20, 2026: The minutes were approved as submitted. Area EAC Collaborations: • New Britain Township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is interested in hosting a rain garden workshop that the Borough EAC is welcome to collaborate on. • Grant A. and Grant R. met with Chad Clem, the Chairperson for the Doylestown Township EAC. The goal was to catch one another (Borough and Township) up to speed on what the other is doing and to gauge possibilities for further collaboration. To that end, the following collaboration potentials were proposed: o 1) Joining together to host a movie or discussion.  The Borough EAC is open to this idea. Grant A. suggested a dark-sky, bird-themed event. o 2) Partnering on a recycling event.  Grant R. shared that the Borough is looking into hosting a waste collection event, including reviewing options for collaboration. Potential funding via the Bucks E-Waste Collection Reimbursement Grant (BCERG) could be available. Karyn added that the Borough has met with some waste collection companies, specifically TerraCycle. o 3) Having the Township EAC table with the Borough EAC at the Borough’s Earth Day Event.  The Borough EAC decided to invite the Township EAC to host a table at the Borough’s Earth Day Event. Next year, a more collaborative joint event could be explored. o 4) Having the Township EAC join the Borough EAC at the Doylestown Farmers Market.  After discussion, the Borough EAC decided that the Township EAC should be invited to table alongside the Borough at 1-2 Farmers Markets in 2026. Jason noted that many visitors who interact with the EAC at the Farmers Market are not Borough residents. Thus, occasionally having the Township EAC there could be beneficial. Reports: • DCAP: A joint Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and Planning Commission (PC) meeting took place last month as part of the Doylestown Climate Action Plan (DCAP) adoption process. Jason shared that he thought the meeting went well. Kirstyn agreed. Karyn shared that a few small revisions to the DCAP were adopted, most notably the reclassification of 4 action items from the Climate Adaptation chapter as “High- Priority/Short-Term” and their subsequent addition to the Implementation Matrix. • Outreach & Communications: o Earth Day Updates and Planning:  Grant R. shared that EAC will host an Earth Day event on April 25, 2026. He informed the EAC that the Bucks County Conservation District, Heritage Conservancy, Bucks County Master Gardeners, and Exact Solar have confirmed they will table at the event. The Women’s National Farm and Garden Association, Master Watershed Stewards, Neshaminy Watershed Association, Doylestown Nature Club, a student environmental club from Delaware Valley University, and ATS Tree Services are still in limbo with more information expected soon.   Additionally, Grant R. mentioned that Divine Earth Gardens is another organization potentially able to table. Still, they want to know whether they can sell products at the Earth Day event. After discussion, the EAC decided that it is best if most organizations at the event, outside of food or services, focus on educating or advertising their company rather than physically selling products, e.g., acting as a vendor.  The EAC also tasked Grant R. with inviting another company, Kind Earth Growers, and the local high school student environmental organization, SAGE, to the Earth Day. Kirstyn added that the Peace Valley Nature Center can also table.  Grant R. shared that he reached out to Nook Nook Music School for music at the event and is waiting for a response. He also contacted Madelyn Crawford, who offers face painting at events.  Finally, Grant R. reviewed kid-friendly environmental sustainability games called CUSP Kits. He detailed two games: a tree-focused one (called Tree Machine) and an animal-carbon one (called Tiny, Slimy Carbon Keepers). Steve made a motion to use up to $150 from the EAC budget for these games. Dave seconded the motion. o Event Planning: EAC continued conversations regarding a potential event, especially a movie/film. Kirstyn shared that the Peace Valley Nature Center held an event at the County Theater in the past at a cost of around $400. She also added that a new environmental film on caterpillars could be interesting to screen. Karyn added that the Borough held an event at the County Theater once before. She also suggested that Borough Hall could host a film screening. Dave suggested that a film on water conservation could also be beneficial, especially if paired with the Borough’s Water Department. o Website: Kirstyn shared a document she made regarding updating the Borough’s website to include a native plant section. She reviewed this document, which lists the benefits of native plants, links to educational materials, and action-steps, e.g., the Homegrown National Park initiative. Jason shared that this information could also be incorporated and updated for when EAC tables at the Farmers Market. Grant R. added that this information could be connected to tree planting materials that the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission (STC) is working on. Grant R. and Kirstyn will connect to work on this further. Finally, Kirstyn added that this website aligns with an event other municipalities are hosting, e.g., native container plants. • Park Habitat Enhancement: o Order of Chapman Park Sign: Grant R. noted that the Borough ordered the sign stand/holder for Chapman Park. The sign will be installed this year by the Borough’s Public Works Department. • Bird Town o The Borough submitted its annual report to Bird Town to maintain its status in the program. Grant A. also shared information about recent grants awarded in the Bird Town space, specifically a $500,000 grant to Liberty Bird Alliance. Grant A. suggested that the EAC look into opportunities through the awarding of the grant. o Grant A. also announced that he is on the Fundraising Committee for Bird Town. • Staff Report: o Farmers Market: Grant R. shared a Google Sheets file with the dates that the EAC will be at the Farmers Market. He asked the EAC members to consider which dates they may be available to help table. o Planting Grant: Grant R. shared that the Borough is applying to the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Native Plant Grant for Broad Commons Park. Old/New Business: • EAC Organization: Grant A. was nominated by Steve to be the Chairperson and accepted. Jason seconded the decision. Steve nominated Dave to be Vice-Chair. Dave agreed, and Jason seconded the decision. All were in favor of both nominations. • Borough Ordinances: Grant A. asked Karyn for some insight and a summary of the ordinances related to native plants in the Borough. Karyn will share links to sections of the Borough Code of Ordinances related to trees and plantings. • Complete Streets/Active Transportation: Steve asked about a WalkWorks grant opportunity related to a Complete Streets or Active Transportation plan. Karyn will connect with Steve about this. • Additional EAC Information: Kirstyn asked if there was more information regarding the layout of local government, especially how Doylestown Borough organizations function and relate. Grant and Karyn can connect with Kirstyn to share some information. The EAC will also explore options to create a new EAC member packet. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 pm. Respectfully Submitted by: Erika Fellman