Innovative Partnerships Key to Strengthening Chesapeake Bay Protection Initiatives

SHANNON — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:37:29 +0000

Members of Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD), state agency representatives, and the National Resources Conservation Service met in Lewisburg, Union County, to encourage and forge new partnerships that will serve to further protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“Each of our organizations have continued to make great strides in an effort to safeguard and clean up one of the nation’s most valuable water resources,” said Robert B. Maiden, Executive Director for the PACD. “We need to create a stronger synergy of collaboration between our organizations that will result in a better Chesapeake Bay now and for generations to come.”

During the 2012 Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting, participants took part in the “Snapshot of Innovative Partnerships” session which featured presentations from two conservation districts that forged unique alliances to assist with their Bay efforts.

In addition, meeting participants heard updates from both Nicholas DiPasquale from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kelly Heffner from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection who discussed the “state of the bay” and “Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Initiatives” respectively.

“Meetings like these provide our districts and their partners with the latest information regarding the Bay and how the work they are doing is contributing to its overall health,” added Maiden. “We must continue to be innovative and on the forefront of all Bay initiatives, including public education, that will improve the health of the Bay and ensure its sustained health.”

Presentations from the 2012 meeting are available at: http://pacd.org/calendar/2012baymeeting/.

Conewago Creek Watershed on its Way to becoming Federal Showcase Project

SHANNON — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:27:51 +0000

As a result of President Obama’s Executive Oder requiring additional measures to protect the Chesapeake Bay, the Conewago Creek Watershed in Lebanon County received a nod from the USDA to become a model showcase project for the six states responsible for restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The showcase initiative will be a collective and collaborative effort of federal, state and local partners working together to help landowners and communities use the land in the watershed in sustainable ways that will not adversely affect water quality.

With the majority of the Conewago Watershed being farmland, as well as 37% of the watershed located within Lebanon County, the County Conservation District took a leadership role with its district partners from Dauphin and Lancaster counties to survey the agricultural operations within the watershed and inventory the conservation practices already being implemented.

This survey, which included a site visit to each farm, enabled district staff to interact with landowners face to face, hear their concerns, and answer questions. Staff offered assistance to correct water quality problems that may have been identified. As a result, many landowners were interested in addressing resource concerns on their land with the help of the district staff.

Currently, district staff in Lebanon County are actively working with eight landowners in this watershed to develop or update conservation plans and implement various Best Management Practices (BMPs) including: stream crossings, riparian buffers, terraces, stream bank fences, walkways, and an off-stream livestock watering facility. Outreach, education, and information were provided to those that may not have been reached by other means. Through personal interactions with landowners, district staff has forged close working relationships and an on-going conservation dialog in that watershed.

In addition, three farms in the Conewago Watershed are in the process of being preserved due to the district-run Lebanon County Farmland Preservation Program.

Model Employee Policy Handbook Available

SHANNON — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:56:47 +0000

An Employee Policy Handbook was developed for PACD by McNees, Wallace & Nurick LLC, for conservation districts to use as a model in developing or updating their own Employee Handbooks. We ask that you email pacd@pacd.org for a copy.

PACD Boasts Progress, Success in Mid-Year Report

SHANNON — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:42:37 +0000

In its Annual Mid-Year Report, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts outlines the steps and process it has undertaken to promote and support its 66 county conservation district membership. From increased public outreach and education to new policy and program initiatives, the Mid-Year Report allows the public and membership to carefully review the benchmarks and successes of the organization during the past six months.

“Keeping our membership and the public informed about our progress, successes and future direction is paramount to keeping the lines of communication open,” said Robert B. Maiden, Executive Director for PACD. “Our Association works hard to support and enhance the activities, programs and initiatives of each of the county conservation districts and this report is a snap-shot of those accomplishments. While our work in this arena is never complete, it allows the membership to review the Association’s role in supporting their efforts from here in Harrisburg.”

In an effort to further support the state’s conservation districts, the report outlines a number of areas where the Association has focused its efforts to better position itself to provide new and additional resources to the districts including: Education and Public Outreach; Training; Government Relations and Policy; Engineering Assistance Program; and Management Services. These areas work in tandem to bring additional exposure to our Association and the districts, allowing public officials, citizens, and community organizations to realize the tremendous resource that the districts are and the important role they play in protecting Pennsylvania’s environment.

Click here to read the report.