Conservation district staff and partners attended the PACD/SCC Award Luncheon on July 19, 2023.

The following honorees were recognized: 

Legislator Leadership Award

• Senator Scott Martin (Senate District 13 – Berks and Lancaster Counties)

President’s Award

• Tamara Peffer (PA Department of Education)
• Piper Sherburne (Berks County)

Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award

• Thomas Boldin (Centre County)

Conservation District Employee Excellence Award

• Michele Long (Pike County)

Conservation District Trash Champion

• Washington County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards

30 Years of Service

• Russell Ryan, Resource Conservation Supervisor, Adams
• Bill Zavislak, Chesapeake Bay Engineering Assistant, Lackawanna

35 Years of Service

• Tim Matechak, Erosion and Sedimentation Technician (Retired), Lackawanna
• James Pillsbury, Hydraulic Engineer, Westmoreland

45 Years of Service

• Barry Travelpiece, Engineer (Retired), Columbia

Click here to read the entire press release. 

PACD announced the winners of the 2023 “One Water” statewide poster contest.

The winners and the county conservation district that submitted the posters are:

Category: Kindergarten through First Grade

• Aiden German, Columbia County Conservation District

Category: Second through Third Grades

• Cora Petrunak, Lehigh County Conservation District

Category: Fourth through Sixth Grades

• Alekhya Doddapaneni, Allegheny County Conservation District

Category: Seventh through Ninth Grades

• Olivia Greene, Columbia County Conservation District

Category: Tenth through Twelfth Grades

• Evelyn Warner, Cambria County Conservation District

In the digital poster contest, Quinn Brown, Delaware County Conservation District, won in the Seventh through Ninth Grade category.

Each state-level winner will receive $50 and will be submitted for judging in the upcoming national competition this winter. The National Association of Conservation Districts sponsors the national contest. Visit https://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials/contests for more information.

There is still time to participate! The submission deadline for the 2023 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2023. The theme this year is “Watersheds – One Water.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for more information. 

The deadline is fast approaching to make nominations for the PACD awards. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2023. Click here for more information and a nomination form.

The awards are:

• Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award
• Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
• Legislator Recognition Award
• Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

Contact Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org or 717-794-6110 with any questions.

For the third year, the Elk County Conservation District is challenging other conservation districts to pick up trash throughout April and May.

The district that picks up the most trash in their county is the winner. First, track the number of bags and weight of trash (if possible). Then, share your district’s photos and results on Facebook using the hashtags #ConservationCallout #DistrictTrashTalking.

The winning district will be recognized during the July PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference and receive the trash talker award (pictured) for the year. The 2022 winning district in Washington County currently holds the trophy, which will be passed on to the 2023 winner.

The deadline is fast approaching to make nominations for the PACD awards. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2023. Click here for more information and a nomination form.

The awards are:

• Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award
• Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
• Legislator Recognition Award
• Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

Contact Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org or 717-794-6110 with any questions.

 

During the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Annual Meeting in New Orleans last week, Brian Sneeringer received the Distinguished Service Award. Sneeringer is the Ag Conservation Supervisor at the Adams County Conservation District.  

For over 30 years, Sneeringer has been a conservation district leader in no-till and implementing conservation practices. His well-established reputation with the farm community allows him to have one-on-one discussions with local farmers, where he challenges them to think outside the box and try new and innovative techniques. He is an innovator, leader, mentor, and outstanding example of a high-performing conservation professional.

Congratulations Brian! Click here to read the press release. 

The submission deadline for the 2023 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2023. The theme this year is “One Water.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for the contest flyer and here for more information from NACD. 

Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm of York County is the 2022 recipient of the Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award®.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat resources in their care.

In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

The Flinchbaugh family was revealed as the award’s recipients at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. They receive $10,000 and a crystal award for being selected. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event.

The Leopold Conservation Award in Pennsylvania is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, EDPR NA Distributed Generation, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to read more. 

Westmoreland Conservation District recently announced its 2022 awards. Ramsey Excavating LLC was named the J. Roy Houston Conservation Partnership Award. The Lash Family Farm was named Conservation Farmer of the Year.

For articles on the awards program, click here and here.