Environment & Science

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

A sunrise observance was held Saturday at the private, nonprofit park to mark the transition from summer to fall. The park features dozens of stone settings strategically placed throughout more than 20 acres.

The storm is expected to cause heavy rainfall across the Mid-Atlantic states, potentially leading to flash and urban flooding. Easton's PorchFest has been postponed to Oct. 1.

A tropical system that was officially named Ophelia on Friday will drench the East Coast this weekend, including the Lehigh Valley, officials said.

The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. The schedule includes nature walks, live animal presentations, monarch butterfly tagging, music and more.

Northampton County and its conservation district appear poised to split after a County Council committee meeting Wednesday showed deep distrust between them

Lehigh Valley Breathes, a Valley-wide effort, aims to measure air quality. From the collected data, officials said they will make recommendations for improvements.

It’s becoming increasingly probable that a subtropical storm develops off the Southeast coast this weekend, forecasters say, but expected impacts to the Lehigh Valley remain in question.

It took less than two weeks to fix operational issues at Kline’s Island Wastewater Treatment Plant on Union Street. Officials described the sewer odor as an ‘"earthy" or "rotten egg" smell but said it is not harmful to human health.

The average price for a gallon of gas in the Lehigh Valley was $3.87 this week. That's below the Pennsylvania average of $3.92 per gallon but up slightly more than 11 cents from last week, according to AAA.

Property-owning residents in Environmental Justice Areas are eligible for one free tree. The giveaway is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the city’s Recycling Drop-off Center.

City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $200,000 contract for Bethlehem-based WSP USA Inc. to help officials develop a comprehensive strategy to meet climate-related goals.

Some 51 acres of the Unangst Tree Farms in East Allen Township raised the total of preserved farmland in Northampton County to 21,000.

This week on Watching the Skies, WLVR's Brad Klein and Bethlehem's "Backyard Astronomy Guy" Marty McGuire look forward to this year’s Lehigh Valley Space Fest at Lafayette College in Easton, set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12.

The exhibit's stop in Allentown is its first on a 13-museum tour that’s booked through the summer of 2030.

State officials on Thursday released the first fall foliage forecast of the year, an annual effort that maps the state’s six-week leaf-peeping season.

Gov. Josh Shapiro reached out to Easton City Council for assistance with signage along the 9-11 Trail in anticipation of the 25 anniversary of Sept. 11 in 2026.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Environment Committee approved comments on more than a dozen water and wastewater projects Tuesday. The projects are part of a five-year capital plan.

This week, a look at the planet Saturn which is shining particularly brightly.

The largest green space in Easton, situated in the West Ward, Easton Cemetery officials are working to generate revenue through membership, fundraisers and events.

Three Lehigh Valley projects are in the running for Green Building United’s 2025 Groundbreaker Awards. Winners will be announced Oct. 9.

Northampton County and state Game Commission officials celebrated the opening of Gerald E. Seyfried Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex and Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park with events at both locations.