The Carbon County Environmental Education Center (a branch of Carbon Conservation District) held its annual “Rattlesnake Run” this June in Lehigh Gorge State Park.

The race included a one-mile fun walk, a reptile education station at the start/finish, coloring sheets for children, and organic snacks for all participants, thanks to a local farm and bakery.

Runners and walkers set out along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail, paralleling the Lehigh River. The trail is home to both rattlesnakes and copperheads, with participants reminded that all can safely enjoy outdoor activities in areas home to venomous snakes by taking simple precautions.

This was the 13th year for the Rattlesnake Run, held annually on the third Saturday in June. The event was a fundraiser to keep their public programs low and to help with wildlife care.

It was a beautiful day for a ride along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) at the Westmoreland Conservation District’s first Pedaling for Conservation Bike Ride.

Participants brought their own bikes and enjoyed an easy, 8-mile (round trip) ride on one of the area’s most popular recreation spots. The participants stopped at multiple sites along the trail to hear from speakers about stormwater management, streambank stabilization, and invasive plants and learn about local history.

The event was the idea of Emil Bove, Westmoreland Conservation District Board Member, PACD 1st Vice President, and avid cyclist. Sponsors for the event included Westmoreland Heritage Trail, Turtle Creek Watershed Association, Bove Engineering, and Flat Tire Co. Bike Shop.

Submitted by Jolie Coates, Berks County Conservation District

On Friday, October 14, 2022, the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) held its 4th annual Envirothon Sporting Clay Fundraiser at M&E Sporting Clays in Hamburg, PA. BCCD partnered with the Berks County Water and Sewer Association and the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College. Approximately 70 participants walked through a 14-station course to shoot the most clays out of the 50 provided clays; prizes were awarded to the best marksmen, best markswomen, and overall top team. Proceeds from the event benefit the Berks County Envirothon and Source Water Protection. 

The 20th Annual Cumberland County Conservation District golf event was held September 23, 2022, at Rich Valley Golf Couse. There were 106 golf participants on 27 teams, in addition to very generous hole and prize sponsors! This year’s event was hit with lots of wind on the course, but the golfers took that challenge on with gust-o.

Each year the conservation district organizes a golf tournament to raise money for environmental education activities in the county. The money is used for scholarships, the county Envirothon, and other educational efforts. The district’s goal is to raise enough money each year to provide three $500 college scholarships for Cumberland County students. The district has raised over $57,000 since they began the tournament in 2003.

On September 16, 2022, PACD’s five-person team traveled to York County for the 15th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser benefitting the York County Envirothon.

Congratulations to York County Conservation District on a successful event!

On September 17, 2021, PACD’s 4-person team traveled to York County for the 14th annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser benefitting the York County Envirothon.

Due to overwhelming interest, the York County Conservation District added a morning shoot in addition to the afternoon shoot. Congratulations to York County Conservation District for another successful event!

In late September, twelve teams of sporting clay enthusiasts joined the Berks County Conservation District at M&E Sporting Clays to raise funds for the Berks County Envirothon. In the event’s second year, participants spent the afternoon testing their aim on clay targets at fifteen different stations. They then enjoyed an evening with awards, prizes, and a BBQ dinner.

Click here to read more, including how the district handled the event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 12, 2020, dawned crisp and sunny, the perfect day for golf, as the Elk County Conservation District (ECCD) hosted their first-ever Conservation Cup golf tournament at the Bavarian Hills Golf Course. The tournament was designed with conservation in mind. All the proceeds from the event will be put toward environmental education and the Elk County Conservation District Scholarship.

“In my opinion the Conservation Cup was a success, even with having to adjust the date multiple times due to COVID-19 concerns. While starting up this new event during a pandemic was challenging, we were still able to raise enough money for an environmental scholarship, as well as funding for our environmental education program. We do plan on hosting the event again next year. With one tournament under our belt we hope next year will be even bigger and better,” said Ryan Grimm, ECCD’s Resource Conservation Technician.

Eight teams participated in the first-ever Conservation Cup.

More photos are available on the ECCD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElkCountyConservationDistrict/.

On Monday, September 23, 2019, the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) hosted the annual “A Bite of Berks Scholarship Fundraiser.”

Here are a few of the highlights from the evening:

• Deputy Greg Hostetter joined the event and said a few words.
• The district awarded $20,500 in scholarships; partners gave an additional $2,500 in scholarships; there was a special award for the Berks Science Fair winner.
• Several award recipients were recognized, including Farmer of the Year, Conservation Individual of the Year, and others.
• After the scholarship and awards portion of the evening was complete, guests enjoyed food samples made by local restaurants, caterers, bakeries, food trucks, and others who used an ingredient that was grown or produced in Berks County. Guests tasted and then voted for their favorite. Awards were given to the top 3 in each of 4 categories.
• There was a Silent Auction with proceeds benefiting the BCCD Scholarship fund.
• Dave Kline’s Mountain folk Trio provided music.

Click here view the winners. Click here to read about the scholarship winners. 

On September 20, PACD’s 5-person team traveled to York County for the 12^th annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser benefitting the York County Envirothon. The event included teams with staff from the Cumberland and Lancaster County Conservation Districts, PACD, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The event had a record of 103 shooters participate. Congratulations to York County Conservation District for a successful, well-organized event!