Welcome to spring in Pennsylvania! Despite continuing gloomy economic reports and sometimes depressing news stories, there's something about a sunny spring morning that renews your outlook and restores your belief that at least for the moment, things are looking up.

And speaking of renewal, check out our new website at www.10000friends.org. We've freshened the design (new logo too!) and added new features like a direct link to your legislators and a contribute, or purchase on- line feature. Now, you can easily communicate with your legislators about the important issues that 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania advocates on and you can register for events on-line too. The web-site is a work in progress, please be patient as we fine tune it and add more information. And, as always, we are interested in your comments and helpful suggestions. ...More

The June 9 date for the 2009 Commonwealth Awards is rapidly approaching, and registration for the event is now open. Visit the Commonwealth Awards website to order your tickets now.

This year's event features an expanded schedule beginning with a poster session where participants will have an opportunity to learn about the finalists and interact with the project leaders that made them a reality.

The awards presentation will follow. The keynote address will be given by Christopher B. Leinberger, Founding Partner, Arcadia Land Company, and President, LOCUS, Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors, on the topic of "How Sustainable Development Will Be a Major Factor in America's Economic Recovery." A reception will conclude the event with the opportunity to learn more about winning projects and enjoy generous refreshments.

Following the release of our report Plan Regionally, Implement Locally: an Evaluation of Multi-Municipal Planning and Implementation in Pennsylvania, we have been busy ensuring that this important research reaches planners and government officials. This effort led to the publication of several articles and editorials around the state.  In addition, we worked with DCED and PSATS to offer a series of roundtable discussions where participants could share their experiences with the multi-municipal planning process.

Now, we have teamed with the Local Government Academy to start the Multi-Municipal Planning Wiki which includes the comments shared at the roundtable discussions and the results of the report. For those who may not be familiar with the technology, a wiki is a web site designed to enable anyone with access to contribute or modify the site's content.

If you have had experience with the multi-municipal planning process in Pennsylvania, we encourage you to visit the wiki, register for editing access, and share your experiences about the multi-municipal planning process. By using this innovative technology, we can help to disseminate best practices in planning across Pennsylvania!

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders.