Sustainable UDT Initiatives

Quick Links to Various Upper Dublin Environmental Initiatives:

Links to UDT Boards and Commissions Related to Environmental Concerns:

Clean Energy Initiative

Renewable Energy Transition Plan for Upper Dublin Township Municipal Operations - November 9, 2021

Upper Dublin Clean Energy Purchases

Upper Dublin Township purchased 100% of its energy needs from clean energy sources from January 2007 to December 2012 for a total of six years. Upper Dublin Township qualified as a Clean Energy Community on January 9, 2008 when we reached our goal of 200 residents or businesses signing up for Clean Energy. Thanks to this joint effort by the Township, residents, businesses, and school organizations, the Township received a free 1kW solar energy system! Upper Dublin Township received one free solar energy system, valued at $10,000, as a symbol of its leadership when over 200 residents and businesses signed up for the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign.

Upper Dublin Township Awarded Free Solar Energy System

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 18, 2009 at the Robbins Park for Environmental Education, 1419 E. Butler Pike in Ambler. The event commemorated receipt of a 1/26-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system awarded to Upper Dublin Township by the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign for achieving status as a "Clean Energy Community."

Vegetation Maintenance

Upper Dublin Township, in cooperation with a Montgomery County farmer, is now in its third year of using sheep to provide vegetative management - mostly in stormwater detention basins. The use of a specific breed of sheep, known as Katahdin Sheep, is crucial, as they have been bred specifically for the task. Given that they are hair sheep, they do not require shearing, and are able to stay clean and cool. The breed is parasite-resistant and need very little attention during their May to October stay. Township costs are minimal given the hardiness of the animals. Township Parks crews provide water two to three times a week, and have crafted fencing devices out of standard wood snow fence to assist with moving them.

The Township owns and maintains about 700 acres of land including numerous storm water detention basins, many of which are properly fenced and suitable to hold the sheep. Our experience and study show them to be cost effective for vegetative management and weed control in these basins. They have cleared out unwanted growth of invasive weeds, including multi-flora rose, phragmites, and poison ivy. A series of before and after photographs and analysis of the vegetation will allow the Township to evaluate the longer term impact on conditions in the basins. Scientists from Temple University have monitored and texted stormwater in and out of the basins, and report no adverse impacts on water quality.

The Township has not purchased the animals, but rather has worked in collaborations with a farmer who has long raised the sheep. The Township is also cooperating with the Upper Dublin School District on detention basins that handle water from both School District and Township facilities.

Visit the Department of Animal Science - Oklahoma State University, to see these sheep used in many capacities, including clearing power line right of ways and ski slopes.