Deborah Weisberg
Deborah Weisberg is a contributing reporter/producer for The Allegheny Front, covering water pollution, fishing and outdoor recreation. She also covers fishing and the outdoors for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and is a frequent contributor to publications such as Pennsylvania Outdoor News and Pennsylvania Angler and Boater.
Ms. Weisberg is an award-winning journalist whose stories range from coverage of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic to chemical pollution and its effect on fisheries. "It is impossible to cover the outdoors without an interest in conservation, since anglers and hunters are the best keepers of our natural resources. They are the original conservationists."
Stories by Deborah Weisberg:
A Watershed Moment for Watershed Groups? - About a decade ago, watershed groups proliferated in Pennsylvania, thanks to an infusion of state money. Small groups of volunteers tackled pollution on their local rivers and streams. What they lacked in technical expertise, they made up for in passion. But is it time now for watershed groups to turn pro? Have they reached a watershed moment in their mission? In the first story in our look at the future of watershed groups, the Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg spent time with the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association in Mt. Pleasant, south of Pittsburgh. Aired week of 07/21/2010.
Saying 'I Do' to Green Weddings - A lot of brides still honor the old English custom of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue on their wedding day. But at least one Pittsburgh woman thinks green is the way to begin a happy marriage. Aired week of 06/30/2010.
Kayaking Pittsburgh's Rivers - You don't need to travel far for a lazy day on the water. And no problem if you don't have your own boat. Kayak Pittsburgh rents boats on the Allegheny River on the North Shore across from downtown Pittsburgh. Deborah Weisberg provides this taste of a summer adventure. Aired week of 06/23/2010.
New Recycling Facility Opens for Drilling Wastewater - A state regulatory agency voted Thursday, June 15 to approve new water quality regulations. The new rule establishes limits on Total Dissolved Solids to protect Pennsylvania's streams and rivers from industrial pollution. A new plant in the Pittsburgh area is recycling water for use in fracking, to collect natural gas out of the Marcellus Shale. That water is not intended to go into streams and rivers. DEP Secretary Hanger was in the Pittsburgh area recently to cut the ribbon on that processing plant. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has this report. Aired week of 06/16/2010.
Nature Conservancy Freshwater Expert Talks About H2O Threats, Solutions - The theme of World Environment Day events in Pittsburgh is "water matters." Brian Richter, a freshwater expert with The Nature Conservancy, speaks with The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg about the continuing stress on our nation's and the worlds' rivers and other freshwater systems. Aired week of 06/02/2010.
Nature Conservancy Defends Work With BP - Nature Conservancy donors may be scared off by the organization's ties to BP, some speculate in news reports. The oil giant is one of more than two dozen corporate partners on the Nature Conservancy's International Leadership Council. That connection drew little notice until the catastophic oil spill from BP's well in the Gulf of Mexico. The Allegheny Front asked the Nature Conservancy to comment on its relationship with one of the world's largest energy producers. Aired week of 06/02/2010.
Big Efforts to Save North America's Smallest Turtle - One of Pennsylvania's most endangered natives is the bog turtle, a tiny but important species that lives in eastern Pennsylvania's disappearing spring-fed wetlands. Development and the loss of agricultural meadowlands have taken a toll on the turtle and its habitat. But a major partnership between scientists and landowners could reverse the downward trend. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 05/19/2010.
Fish and Boat Commission Pulls Plug on Research Center - The Three Rivers Ecological Research Center was established four years ago to coordinate research on western Pennsylvania waterways. Although launched with federal wildlife funds, the center was intended to become self-sustaining. That never happened, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's new Executive Director John Arway closed the facility. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg reports. Aired week of 04/28/2010.
Scientists Unravel Mystery Fungus Killing Bats - A mysterious plague is wiping out cave-dwelling bats in Pennsylvania and much of the eastern US. They include endangered Indiana bats just when it seemed their numbers were rebounding. As the epidemic white nose syndrome spreads, scientists are working frantically to find the cause. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg traveled deep underground for the story. We'll follow up with an interview with researcher, DeeAnn Reeder on the latest research. Aired week of 04/21/2010.
Opening Day on Montour Run - For millions of Pennsylvanians, spring doesn't really begin until the Opening Day of trout season. Folks who fish all year, and even some who don't, wouldn't miss the chance to be knee deep in water at the crack of dawn in April. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 04/14/2010.
Fishers Rebound in Penn's Woods, Now State Considers Allowing Trapping - Fishers are thriving in Pennsylvania forests to the extent state wildlife managers are considering allowing limited trapping for the first time in more than 100 years. Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 02/17/2010.
Sewer Improvements Subject of Community Meetings - Infrastructure that carries sewage and storm water into local rivers is slated for a major overhaul in Allegheny County. It will be largest public works project the county has ever seen. Since the public will be picking up the tab -- expected to total billions of dollars -- Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will be visiting communities in coming weeks to tell residents what's on the horizon. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has this story. Aired week of 11/11/2009.
The State of the Watershed - Nine Mile Run in Frick Park in Pittsburgh is one of the largest urban stream restorations ever undertaken in the US. With 8-million worth of work completed, how successful was it? What more needs to be done? The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg headed to the urban stream as Nine Mile Run Watershed Association prepares for it's State of the Watershed event. Aired week of 11/04/2009.
Study Says Pollution Can Harm Children's Brains - A new study now says air pollution from cars and factories can harm a child's developing brain. Here’s the Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg. Aired week of 09/02/2009.
Settlement from Chemical Spill to Help Watersheds - One of the worst environmental disasters in Pennsylvania history occurred three years ago in the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed in northcentral Pennsylvania. Norfolk Southern railway was responsible for the disaster and agreed to a $7 million settlement. State officials recently determined how part of the money will be spent. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 08/12/2009.
State Decides on Bottling and Dredging - Rare mussels and spring water have stirred controversy in recent weeks. Two state agencies have reached decisions that will impact the future of both. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has been following these stories and has this update. Aired week of 08/05/2009.
Go Native: Turning a Yard into a Wildlife Haven - More than just the regal frittilary depend on native grasses and wildflowers to survive. Other butterflies, birds, mammals and insects depend on native plants in some way. A program by the Pennsylvania Game Commission helps landowners turn their properties into habitat. As The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg finds out, even her tiny yard can be a haven for wildlife. Aired week of 08/05/2009.
Poaching Hurts Pennsylvania's Protected Species - Wildlife officials and biologists say poaching wildlife and selling it on the black market is rampant in Pennsylvania. A recent bust involving Pennsylvania and New York uncovered a lucrative international market for native reptiles. The Allegheny Front's reporter Deborah Weisberg talks with Host Matthew Craig about the impact on protected species. Aired week of 07/29/2009.
Researchers Track Timber Rattlesnakes - For centuries, the timber rattlesnake has inspired both fear and fascination. Early Colonists put it on their flag, with the words "Don't Tread on Me." Since then, numbers have dwindled to the point where someday the timber rattlesnake may be nothing more than a symbol, though state wildlife biologists are working to prevent that. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story, the third in our series, "Protecting Pennsylvania's Wildlife." Aired week of 07/22/2009.
Researchers Risk Much to Study Wildlife - Wildlife researchers sometimes risk life and limb to reach treacherous terrain to study species at risk - they brave rattlesnake country, go deep into abandoned mines or scale rocky cliffs to gather important data. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg traveled with conservation biologists for our series, Protecting Pennsylvania's Wildlife. She shares her experiences with Host Matthew Craig and says this type of research is vital to saving vulnerable wildlife. Aired week of 07/22/2009.
Researchers Begin to Unravel Mystery Fungus Killing Bats - A mysterious plague is wiping out cave-dwelling bats in Pennsylvania and much of the eastern US. They include endangered Indiana bats just when it seemed their numbers were rebounding. As the epidemic white nose syndrome spreads, scientists are working frantically to find the cause. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg traveled deep underground for the story, the first in our series, Protecting Pennsylvania's Wildlife. Aired week of 07/08/2009.
Health Department Tables Air Quality Updates, Angering Residents - The Allegheny County Health Department board last week tabled a plan to modernize air quality policy even though the county has some of the worst pollution in the US. Even a dire new EPA cancer study targeting the towns of Clairton and Glassport failed to move the board to action. The Allegheny Front’s Deborah Weisberg was there. Aired week of 07/08/2009.
Interview with The Nature Conservancy's Bill Ginn - The Nature Conservancy recently spearheaded the purchase of 10,000 acres of forestland in Elk County. The man behind this deal and others, some involving millions of acres, is Bill Ginn, the Nature Conservancy’s chief conservation program officer. Ginn is considered a pioneer in private sector investing to protect timberland. He sits down to talk about the state of the world's forests with the Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg. Aired week of 06/03/2009.
Will New Shad Limits Be Enough? - American shad are making their annual spawning runs on the Delaware River this month. Shad are one of Pennsylvania’s most celebrated native fish but they're on the decline up and down the East Coast. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is taking steps to promote conservation of this fish species, but scientists ask, will it be enough? Aired week of 05/20/2009.
Laurel Hill Creek May Lose More Water - Although Laurel Hill Creek has been named one of the most endangered rivers in America, The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg reports the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has moved a step closer to approving a permit that has conservationists alarmed. Aired week of 05/06/2009.
Decision on Mussel Protection Delayed - To avoid a showdown with dredgers, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has once again delayed a controversial decision over protecting rare mussels in the Allegheny River. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 05/06/2009.
Laurel Hill Creek Makes Most Endangered List - American Rivers just named Laurel Hill Creek one of the most endangered streams in the country. The high quality creek and its tributaries have long been the lifeblood of the Laurel Highlands. But as The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg reports, too many people using too much water could cause the watershed to go dry. Aired week of 04/08/2009.
US Steel Scraps Upgrades to Clairton Coke Works - US Steel has scrapped plans to upgrade its Clairton Coke Works, a $1 billion project that would have reduced air pollution in Allegheny County. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has this report. Aired week of 04/08/2009.
PA's Deer Plan on Target - The Pennsylvania Game Commission says its controversial deer management plan is working in most, but not all, parts of the state. That's based on the latest harvest numbers from Pennsylvania hunters. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 03/25/2009.
Jobs vs. Mussels on the Allegheny - Conservationists faced off against one of the region's oldest industries Monday night in Kittanning over rare mussels in the Allegheny River. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg filed this report. Aired week of 03/04/2009.
Dredging Showdown Over Rare Mussels - Big business has thrown a wrench in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's plan to give more protection to rare mussels in the Allegheny River. A final decision hasn't been made yet but environmentalists and dredgers could be headed for a showdown. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 02/11/2009.
Bad News for Pennsylvania's Bats - White nose syndrome was recently discovered in bats in an old mine in central Pennsylvania. Although scientists don't know what causes the syndrome, which has killed millions of bats in neighboring states, the discovery here is an ominous sign. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 01/28/2009.
Paddlefish Make a Splash in the Ohio - Paddlefish are an ancient species that disappeared from local rivers with Pittsburgh's Industrial Age. But now that water is cleaner, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is determined to bring back this odd-looking native. Here's the Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 01/28/2009.
Pennsylvania to Get New National Wildlife Refuge - Pennsylvania will get its first new national wildlife refuge in 35 years in the Pocono region north of Philadelphia. The Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is intended as a sanctuary for rare plants and animals, and a hedge against urban sprawl. But creating a refuge can be a slow process. Here's The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 01/14/2009.
Millions of Mussels Thrive in French Creek - French Creek is considered the most ecologically diverse waterway in Pennsylvania and has one of the richest caches of mussels in the Northeast. Although one biologist has called French Creek a happy accident, maintaining its pristine quality takes a carefully planned effort. Here's The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 12/10/2008.
Stream Cleanup Hopes to Help Fish - The National Fish Habitat Action Plan has named Williams Run in Venango County one of America's 10 Waters to Watch. More than a million dollars is being spent to bring this small stream back to life, in the hope it will help expand the native range of the brook trout. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 12/03/2008.
Funding Scarce for Lock and Dam Repair - As companies consider placing hydropower generators along the Three Rivers' locks and dams, the Army Corps of Engineers has to take care of a more immediate need. The agency says the locks and dams on western Pennsylvania rivers are the most decrepit in its five-state infrastructure system. Emergency repairs are beginning this week on the lock and dam near Freeport, but the money may not be there for others. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 11/19/2008.
Exploring Sycamore Island - You needn't go far from Pittsburgh to have an island wilderness experience. Allegheny Land Trust has acquired the last privately-owned undeveloped island on the Allegheny River and is just beginning to explore the special world within. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg tagged along on a trip to Sycamore Island. Aired week of 11/05/2008.
A New Study Finds Deer Population Shifts - Young whitetail deer establish new turf twice a year in fall and in spring. But new Penn State University research shows their dispersal patterns are changing as a result of controversial hunting regulations implemented six years ago. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 11/05/2008.
Taking Down a Dam by Hand - One of the region's most pristine waterways is now flowing more freely to the Youghiogheny River, the result of an unusual dam removal at Bear Run Nature Reserve in Fayette County. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 10/01/2008.
Dredgers Agree to Fish Surveys - Three river dredgers have ended their lawsuit against the state over new permit conditions on western Pennsylvania rivers. Here's The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 09/24/2008.
'Shrooming with the Experts - Early fall is a perfect time to foray for wild mushrooms. Knowing which to pick and which to leave alone is best left to experts, like members of the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg tagged along on a recent 'shrooming adventure in North Park. Aired week of 09/24/2008.
Buying Access for Anglers - As more of America's undeveloped land disappears, efforts to preserve it are increasing. One of the newest initiatives is the recreational easement, which provides access to fishing, boating, hunting and other activities across land that is still private. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the latest on what's happening in Pennsylvania. Aired week of 09/24/2008.
Changes at the Clairton Coke Works - The Allegheny County Health Department has called US Steel the best and worst of the county's industries, the best in terms of job...the worst in air quality. US Steel has been ordered to reduce emissions at the coke works at a cost of more than a billion dollars. But will that be enough? The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 08/27/2008.
Anger Over Plan to Stop Stocking in Wild Trout Streams - Although Pennsylvania is known for its wild brook trout, hatchery-raised fish are more popular with the state's nearly one-million anglers because they're bigger and easier to catch. That could create a dilemma for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as it begins to overhaul its trout management plan for the first time more than a decade. Here's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 08/06/2008.
Peregrines Not Out of The Woods Yet - One of three peregrine falcons who recently fledged from their nest at The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning has died. It crashed into a building while learning to fly. The Pitt raptors are famous, but they are just one piece of a conservation puzzle that involves peregrine falcons in other places. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 07/16/2008.
Looking at the Louisiana Waterthrush, Signal of Watershed Health - A team of international scientists is studying the Louisiana waterthrush, a species of conservation concern, at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Ligonier. The songbird is a large warbler yielding vital clues about the health of our watersheds. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 07/09/2008.
The Fate of Pennsylvania's Dams Uncertain - Some of the dams on Pennsylvania’s most popular lakes are considered unsafe and not up to current standards. Governor Ed Rendell has ordered their repair of the dams. The problem is he hasn’t earmarked enough money in his state budget plan to ensure that happens. Here’s Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 06/11/2008.
PA Fish and Boat Commission to Put Resources First - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission manages fishing and boating in the state. It has long been accused of managing more from recreation than for the resource. That may be about to change, though. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 06/04/2008.
Wild and Scenic Allegheny Not Without Threats - This year marks the 40th birthday of the Wild and Scenic River program, established by Congress to preserve and protect the nation's most natural waterways. Although the middle Allegheny River is part of the program, the celebration is not without red flags. Here's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 05/28/2008.
Proposed Mine in Yough Watershed Raises Hackles - Although the Youghiogheny River was recently named Pennsylvania’s River of the Year, not everyone's celebrating. A proposed coal mine near Ohiopyle State Park and just a quarter mile from the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail has raised concerns. Here’s The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story Aired week of 05/21/2008.
Health Effects of Air Pollution - What are the health effects of air pollution? The Allegheny Front’s Deborah Weisberg talks with Dr. Bruce Dixon of the Allegheny County Health Department to find out. Aired week of 05/07/2008.
Interview with Dr. Bruce Dixon on Air Pollution in Allegheny County - The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg talks with Dr. Bruce Dixon, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department on his reaction to the ranking of Pittsburgh as worst in nation for soot, health effects of air pollution and the proposed changes to the County's Air Quality Program. Aired week of 05/05/2008.
River Dredgers Ordered to Quiet Down - For the first time ever, a company that dredges the Allegheny River will have to cut down on the noise it makes with its heavy equipment. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 04/23/2008.
Free Seedlings for Schools - To honor Earth Day and Arbor Day, both in April, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is making free trees available to students in Pennsylvania. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has more. Aired week of 04/02/2008.
Scientists to Study Smallmouth Bass Die-Offs in Susquehanna River - The Susquehanna River in Central Pennsylvania was once a world class bass fishery. In recent years, though, scientists are struggling to explain a mysterious die-off of young fish. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 03/19/2008.
Caddisflies at Risk from Insecticide - With trout fishing season just around the corner, anglers find caddisflies a welcome sight. But a new study indicates they may be under assault on rivers and streams. Here’s The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story Aired week of 03/05/2008.
Small Game Declining in PA - As Pennsylvania's landscape changes so do the kinds of animals who live there. We may be seeing the last of the bobwhite quail and snowshoe hare. What is the future of Pennsylvania's small game species? The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 02/27/2008.
Poachers in PA May Face Stricter Penalties - Pennsylvania has become a haven for people who illegally kill deer and other wild game. Laws here are lax compared with those in surrounding states. But that may be about to change. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 01/30/2008.
Steep Fish Declines Predicted Due to Global Warming - Trout Unlimited is warning that most of the country's trout and salmon could disappear within 50 years if streams aren't protected now from the effects of global warming. Here's The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg with the story. Aired week of 12/12/2007.
New Fish Ladder to Help Steelhead in Erie - Every year at this time, steelhead migrate to Lake Erie tributarie and so do the people who like to catch them. A unique project is in the works that would give both fish and anglers another stream to enjoy next fall as the state prepares to install its first-ever salmonid ladder. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 11/28/2007.
Searching for Mussels in the Allegheny - Scientists are conducting a treasure hunt of sorts on the Allegheny River about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. Specially trained divers are combing the riverbed on their hands and knees for clues about the health of one of the region's most important waterways. And they hope to find them in mussels. Deborah Weisberg spent two mornings with the dive team and has this story. Aired week of 10/31/2007.
Hunters of Today and Tomorrow - Deer hunting is the major mechanism to control the exploding deer population in Pennsylvania; yet the number of deer hunters is declining, and hunters are aging. Efforts are underway to connect young people and women to the sport to preserve Pennsylvania's hunting heritage and have enough hunters to make a significant dent in the deer population. Aired week of 10/10/2007.
Toxins Found in Car Seats - Car safety seats for infants and kids are now in the environmental hotseat. Dangerous toxins have been found in some of the most popular brands. Deborah Weisberg reports. Aired week of 06/06/2007.
Welcoming Minorities to State Parks - As minority populations grow and public lands shrink, state officials are faced with a problem - how to promote cultural diversity in the great outdoors. In a series of public meetings, Pennsylvania policy makers are beginning to ask how they can engage non-traditional users of parks, forests, and other amenities. Here's Deborah Weisberg with report, the final installment in our series on connecting people to the outdoors. Aired week of 05/30/2007.
Connecting Kids to the Outdoors - Pennsylvania environmental officials are launching a campaign to get state residents back in touch with nature, not just for their own well-being but to groom the next generation of conservationists. The greatest hope and biggest challenge are the state’s children who experts say have never been so overweight, inactive or disconnected from the environment. Here’s Deborah Weisberg with part two of our series on the back to nature movement. Aired week of 05/23/2007.
State Initiative to Connect People and Nature - Outdoors experts gathered in State College recently to look at why so many people are disconnected from nature…and how new bonds can be forged. The Allegheny Front's Deborah Weisberg has the story. Aired week of 05/16/2007.
Lawsuit on the Little Juniata - Fishing is one of summer's greatest pleasures and the Little Juniata River is one of the state's finest trout streams. The fate of the river got battled out in a Huntingdon County courtroom last week. A judge must now decide whether a 1.3-mile stretch known as Espy Farm belongs to a private fishing club or to the people of Pennsylvania. Here with the story is outdoors writer Deborah Weisberg. Aired week of 06/21/2006.
Chronic Wasting Disease - Chronic Wasting Disease is a mysterious disease related to Mad Cow that attacks the brains of infected deer and elk, resulting in death. It has been found just across PA's borders. Officials fear it could threaten Pennsylvania's deer herd. The state recently released a plan to contain the disease when, not if, it is found here. Aired week of 12/14/2005.
Hunters of Today and Tomorrow - Deer hunting is the major mechanism to control the exploding deer population in Pennsylvania; yet the number of deer hunters is declining, and hunters are aging. Efforts are underway to connect young people and women to the sport to preserve Pennsylvania's hunting heritage and have enough hunters to make a significant dent in the deer population. Aired week of 12/07/2005.
Pennsylvania Game Commission - PA Game Commission's current effort to manage deer is criticized for either not doing enough to reduce the deer herd or going too far and hurting the hunting experience. The future of this agency may rely on new methods of funding while finding a balance between these conflicting interests. Aired week of 11/23/2005.
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