Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

In early April, 26 individuals from PA’s conservation districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, PA Department of Environmental Protection and county farmland preservation offices participated in agricultural conservation technical training (also known as “boot camp”) at Fort Indiantown Gap (a National Guard Training Center) in Annville, PA. The basic level is an intensive, hands-on training for newer employees to learn about conservation agronomy, working with landowners and applicable regulations.

An advanced course was held two weeks later. The 24 Agricultural Conservation Technical Training Level II participants were divided into two tracks: agronomy and engineering. These individuals with more work experience were able to build on the knowledge they gained during the basic level training.

“PACD understands that training is important to the conservation districts. That is why we continue to help facilitate this training,” said Robert B. Maiden, PACD Executive Director. “I had the opportunity to speak to the Level II participants and I let them know how important the work they do is to Pennsylvania’s citizens. I’m proud that PACD is integral in planning this training which uses local farms as outdoor classrooms where the participants can see first-hand the conservation practices they learn about in the classroom.”

The training is also sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

More than 90 attendees recently took part in two rigorous Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) trainings hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts that provided the latest information relating to E&S laws and regulations, Best Management Practices and safety issues, as well as compliance and enforcement education.“These trainings are an effective tool to keep our membership informed and up-to-date on the latest information regarding Erosion and Sediment Control issues from officials and experts around the state,” said Robert B. Maiden, Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
 
Attendees were offered remarks and provided in-depth information from prominent environmental leaders and advocates from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Dering Consulting Group; the York, Lancaster, Chester, and Wayne County Conservation Districts; PA Game Commission and others.
 
“With a changing economy, strain on schedules and an increased workload, PACD is doing business a little differently,” said Maiden. “We asked the membership for what they wanted out of the training, what topics they wanted to learn more about, even what time of year was most convenient.”
 
Maiden continued, “PACD responded by incorporating these suggestions into this year’s training and the response was overwhelming with our attendance almost tripling from the previous year.”

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts provided two separate trainings in response to membership requests including a basic/refresher course (participants are pictured above), as well as an advance/topic-based session.

The sessions were designed by an active and dedicated training workgroup that includes:
• Rebecca Buchanan, Resource Conservationist/E&S Program Manager, Lancaster County Conservation District
• Karl Kerchner, E&S Pollution Control Specialist, Lebanon County Conservation District
• Eric Jordan, Resource Conservationist, York County Conservation District
• Rich Kadwill, Manager, Montgomery County Conservation District
• Linda Mackey, Conservation District Field Representative, PA Department of Environmental Protection
• Shane Kleiner, Conservation District Field Representative, PA Department of Environmental Protection
• Dean Auchenbach, Bureau of Waterways, Engineering and Wetlands, PA Department of Environmental Protection
• Johan Berger, Conservation Program Specialist, State Conservation Commission
 
Training was funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and made possible through the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Recently, the PACD, in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), hosted a three-day Conservation Planning course targeted at new professionals involved in conservation planning technical assistance. The seminar introduced entry-level staff from conservation districts, farmland preservation entities, non-profits, and private consultants to the conservation planning process. The course offered instruction on developing quality conservation plans that address the objectives of the decision maker in consideration of their economic and social needs, as well as an awareness of the NRCS conservation planning process, related federal and state laws and regulations, and supporting technology used to assist clients in making decisions.

Registration is now open for two Erosion & Sediment training sessions for conservation district staff to take place spring 2012: a basic/refresher session March 26-30, and an advanced/topic-based session April 2-4. Both sessions will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, PA, and are available at little to no cost to districts. There is no registration fee to attend, meals are provided, and conservation districts are eligible for travel and lodging reimbursement (click the links above for details.)

 Questions should be directed to Molly Burns, molly-burns@pacd.org, 717-238-7223.