Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

We support Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts who work for clean water and healthy soil every day.

April 30 Deadline for PACD Conservation Award Nominations

April 30 is the last day to submit a nomination for a PACD Award. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a deserving district director, associate director, or employee, or to honor administrative excellence in environmental recreation!

  • 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

Click here for more information and a nomination form. Contact Diane Young at dyoung@pacd.org with any questions.

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Elk County Conservation District Issues Trash Challenge

For the second year, the Elk County Conservation District is issuing a challenge to other conservation districts to pick up trash during the month of April.

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 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference in July and receive the trash talker award (pictured) for the year. The trophy is currently held by the 2021 winning district in Washington County and will be passed on to the 2022 winner.

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Deadline for Nominations for PACD Conservation Awards is April 30

Do you know a staff person or director who has gone above and beyond the call of duty?

A legislator who champions conservation legislation? A Pennsylvania resident or Pennsylvania-based organization you would like to recognize for their contributions in support of environmental recreation? Consider nominating them for a PACD award!

The categories are:

•      Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award

•      Conservation District Employee Excellence Award

•      Legislator Leadership Award

•      Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

Click here for more information. Contact Diane Young at dyoung@pacd.org or 717-794-6109 with any questions.

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Secretary McDonnell Recognizes Conservation District Staff with High Achievement in Clean Water Academy

PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell speaks during the Clean Water Academy recognitions on February 16, 2022.

During the 2022 Building for Tomorrow Staff Conference, PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell recognized conservation district staff with exceptionally high achievement in the Clean Water Academy

The following individuals were recognized for the most courses completed:

  1. Jake Kennedy – PACD (previously interned at Armstrong Conservation District)
  2. Brianna Osborne – Warren
  3. Taylor Lawrence – Berks
  4. Brady Byers – Franklin
  5. Adam Seitz – Lancaster
  6. Steve Beach – Blair
  7. Hank Bradish – Westmoreland
  8. Christina Anders – Adams
  9. Keith Stetsko – Allegheny
  10. Dave Taylor – Wyoming

The Secretary also recognized the following districts for having the highest number of completed courses:

  1. Lancaster
  2. Washington
  3. Wyoming
  4. Allegheny
  5. Berks
  6. Beaver
  7. Armstrong
  8. Blair
  9. York
  10. Chester

Conservation district staff with the most courses completed will receive a signed certificate from Secretary McDonnell.

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Submit Your Entries for the 2021 Conservation District Video Awards

Building for Tomorrow is now accepting submissions for the 2nd Annual Conservation District Video Awards, to be presented on Wednesday, February 16, at the 2022 Hybrid Staff Conference. Districts can submit videos produced this year to compete for the coveted CONDIVA trophy, which will be awarded to winners in three categories.

Click here for contest rules and the submission form. 

The deadline for entries is December 31, 2021.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

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Secretary Dunn Attends Adams County Conservation District Buffer Planting

(Left to right) Adams County Conservation District Manager Adam McClain, Secretary Dunn, and PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh.

On October 21, 2021, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn traveled to Adams County. A ceremonial tree was planted at Knouse Foods by the Secretary and a representative from Knouse.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh also attended the event and presented the 2021 Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation to Secretary Dunn.

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PACD Honors Award Recipients during Annual Meeting

Senator Gene Yaw was awarded the Legislative Leadership Award.

Conservation district staff and partners attended the PACD Executive Council Meeting on July 29. During the meeting, several individuals were recognized.

The 2021 honorees are:

Legislator Leadership Award

  • Senator Gene Yaw (PA 23rd District)

President’s Award

  • Lisa Jo Suhr

Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

  • Cindy Adams Dunn

Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award

  • Bob Robinson (Wyoming County)

Conservation District Employee Excellence Award

  • Matthew Golden (Washington County)

Conservation District Trash Champion

  • Washington County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards

30 Years of Service

  • Brian Sneeringer, Adams County Conservation District
  • James Coslo, Centre County Conservation District
  • Debra Dressler, Juniata County Conservation District
  • Donald Williams, Somerset Conservation District

35 Years of Service

  • Anthony Quadro, Westmoreland Conservation District

Click here to read the entire press release. 

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