Several representatives from Pennsylvania’s conservation district community are attending the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) 64^th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The meeting runs from January 31 – February 3, 2010 and includes informative breakout sessions and board meetings.

Portions of the program featuring Pennsylvania’s representatives include:

• Patricia Sueck, PACD’s NACD Director and District Director at York Conservation District, will receive the President’s Award.
• Dr. James Shadle, District Director at Schuylkill Conservation District, will receive the NACD Distinguished Service Award.
• PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Deputy Chief for Programs Craig Derickson are co-presenting a session titled, “Targeting Major Natural Resource Concerns.” The session will use the Chesapeake Bay Basin region as an example of things to come when addressing large geographic resource concerns.
• Don McNutt, Administrator of the Lancaster County Conservation District, is co-presenting a session titled, “Districts Achieving Cutting-Edge Conservation Accomplishments.”

The conservation district community and its partners met in State College, PA from January 20-21, 2010 for the annual Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. winter meeting.

• Policy issues relating to oil and gas drilling were approved.
• An erosion and sedimentation committee will be requested from the SCC and DEP.
• PACD supports a National Environmental Good Samaritan Act.
• PACD supports federal legislation requiring a fully funded plan to reduce pollution from all sectors within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including a nutrient trading program.
• PACD elected a new second vice-president – Jack Tressler from Somerset County.

Click here to read the full press release.

PACD is pleased to unveil the PACD 2009 Annual Legislative Report. This document is a result of discussions at the strategic planning meeting last summer. PACD will utilize the report in various capacities to showcase conservation district activities. PACD plans on sharing the project with the Governor and his staff, various state agencies, and all members of the PA General Assembly. PACD believes the report will show lawmakers how vital conservation districts are to their communities. Thanks to everyone who worked so diligently to provide their page of the document.

PACD is pleased to announce that MaryAnn Warren assumed the position of PACD President beginning January 1, 2010. This announcement follows the resignation of Dr. Irvil Kear as President, whose term as director in Schuylkill County expired on December 31, 2009, making her ineligible to complete her Presidential term. Ms. Warren has been active in the PACD organization since 2004.

“I am looking forward to serving as President of PACD,” Warren stated. “Leading an organization whose purpose is to support, enhance and promote Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts as they continue their efforts to sustain, protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural resources is a challenge and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.”

• Read the entire press release
• Farwell letter from Irvil Kear