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During its 2011 Joint Annual Conference, the executive council for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts elected its 2011 – 2012 Board of Directors that are committed to growing the organization, enhancing its advocacy efforts and promoting the 66 districts it represents.

“Our membership is fortunate to have in place a talented group of individuals that will be leading and setting the direction of our organization for the next twelve months that will have positive impacts on the Association for years to come,” said Robert B. Maiden, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. “Under the strong leadership of the Association’s president, MaryAnn Warren, we will continue to address, promote and support the efforts of our county conservation districts by providing the necessary tools and resources that will lead to a safer, cleaner and healthier environment.”

On July 12, the PACD Executive Council, composed of voting delegates fromPennsylvania’s county conservation districts, elected the following:

• President: MaryAnn Warren, Susquehanna County
• 1st Vice President: Drew Gilchrist, Montgomery County
• 2nd Vice President: Bob Robinson, Wyoming County
• Secretary: Jack Tressler, Somerset County
• Treasurer: Ken Meck, Lancaster County

The board of directors is tasked with administering the affairs of the Association in accordance with its bylaws, programs and policies.

“On behalf of myself, the staff at PACD and the conservation districts across the state, I would like to congratulate MaryAnn, Drew, Bob, Jack and Ken for their continued support and commitment to not only our Association, but to protecting Pennsylvania’s environmental resources,” continued Maiden.

PACD is a non-profit organization that supports, enhances, and promotesPennsylvania’s Conservation Districts and their Programs. PACD works to enhance locally led efforts that support the wise use of the state’s natural resources. The PACD primarily serves as the collective voice forPennsylvania’s 66 county conservation districts. Over the years the Association has played an integral part in shaping the modern conservation district by providing advocacy, education and training, program coordination and facilitation to districts and their constituents.

The PACD has an earned reputation for being able to effectively tackle new challenges. The Association works side-by-side with private organizations, business and industry partners, and many federal and state agencies. Through a statewide network, the PACD leadership supports a multitude of locally led conservation efforts and stands ready to address future issues.

PACD recently encouraged state legislators to vote in favor of a severance tax in PA to help all conservation districts across the state maintain their environmental protection programs.   “A severance tax should be instituted in the Commonwealth to protect Pennsylvania’s communities and natural resources,” stated Susan Marquart, PACD Executive Director.  PACD is seeking dedicated sources of funding to provide 50% cost share for basic staff positions.  Click here to read the entire press release.

Contact your legislators on this issue today!  You CAN make a difference for PA’s conservation districts.

It has been almost a year since PACD hired Ray Ledgerwood, who made 100 telephone calls to interview PACD members and came to Pennsylvania to help PACD develop a new strategic plan. Many of you provided input to Ray and took time to go to State College last August to help develop the plan. We have created a brief survey to provide you with an update on our progress on the plan and give you the chance to weigh in. I encourage you to take the survey and make your voice heard!

Please take the survey by July 30. Start the survey by clicking here.

The entire strategic plan with goals, benchmarks, actions and accomplishments is available here. Where will we go from here? The strategic plan will be reviewed annually. The first annual review will take place in August, when a smaller group made up of strategic planning participants will review the strategic plan and the information gathered in this survey, and make recommendations to the PACD Executive Board accordingly.

PACD is pleased to announce that four Pennsylvania farms will be recognized for improving water quality destined to the Chesapeake Bay.  Travis and Christine Sherman of T-n-C Farm in York County; Alvin and Michael Herman of Albavale Farm in Bradford County; Morrill and Melody Curtis of Snyder County; and Jim and Carol Biddle of Mill Hill Farms in Blair County were named as the 2010 Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award recipients. PACD will recognize these farms on July 20, 2010 in State College, PA during its Annual Conservation Awards Program.

The Clean Water Farm Award, initiated in 1986, recognizes farmers within Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, who manage their daily farm operation while keeping a watchful eye on water quality. Recipients of the annual Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award are nominated by their local county conservation districts. The awards are sponsored jointly by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to recognize farmers who implement Best Management Practices.

Click here to read more about each farm.