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 Receives Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award
Photo caption: Screenshot from Sand County Foundation’s website, https://sandcountyfoundation.org/news/2023
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 Presents 2022 Awards
(Right) Bobby Ramsey of Ramsey Excavating LLC receives the J. Roy Houston Conservation Partnership Award from (left to right) Westmoreland Conservation District Board Chairman Ron Rohall, Director Jay Bell, and District Watershed Program Manager Chelsea Walker. Photo provided by Westmoreland Conservation District.
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.
Winners Announced in State Poster Contest on Healthy Soil
PACD is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” statewide poster contest.
The winners and the county conservation district that submitted the posters are:
Category: Kindergarten through First Grade
- William Petrunak, Lehigh County Conservation District
Category: Second through Third Grades
- Rishwita Bhavirisetti, Delaware County Conservation District
Category: Fourth through Sixth Grades
- Grace Petrunak, Lehigh County Conservation District
Category: Seventh through Ninth Grades
- Philip Polstra, Columbia County Conservation District
Category: Tenth through Twelfth Grades
- Eric Chen, Bucks County Conservation District
Each state-level winner will be submitted for judging in the upcoming national competition this winter. The National Association of Conservation Districts sponsors the national contest. Click here for more information. Click here to read the press release and here to view the full sized posters.
Conservationists Recognized in Harrisburg
(Left to right): PACD President Kelly Stagen, Representative James B. Struzzi II, and PACD North Central Region Director Dr. Robert Shannon.
PACD’s annual conference was held in Harrisburg, PA. Several conservationists were recognized during the awards luncheon on July 20, 2022.
The 2022 PACD honorees are as follows:
Legislator Leadership Award
Representative James B. Struzzi II
The Indiana County Conservation District nominated representative Struzzi.
President’s Award
PACD Ad Hoc Budget Committee
Members of the committee include:
- Christopher Thompson (Lancaster County)
- John Dryzal (Cambria County)
- Josh Longmore (Luzerne County)
- Mark Hamilton (Tioga County)
- Emil Bove (Westmoreland County)
- Douglas Beri Jr. (Indiana County)
- Christopher B. Snyder (Juniata County)
Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award
Ted Veresink, Northampton County Conservation District
Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
Scott Metzger, Franklin County Conservation District
Conservation District Trash Champion
The Washington County Conservation District collected 46 bags and 10 tons of trash and tires! As a result, the district won the Trash Champion Award for the second year.
Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards
With 35 Years of Service:
- Sandy Thompson, McKean County
- Susan Moon, Somerset County
With 40 Years of Service:
- Ed Magargee, Delaware County
- Gerald Heistand, Lancaster County
Click here to read the entire press release and here to view more photos.
Luzerne Conservation District Director Emeritus Wins Mayfly Award
(Left to right): Tim Ference receives the Mayfly Award from Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director for the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR).
On June 22, 2022, Timothy Ference, Director Emeritus at Luzerne Conservation District, received the Mayfly Award. The award was presented during the PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference in State College.
The Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference’s coveted “Mayfly Award” recognizes individuals who have dedicated a lifetime of knowledge and expertise to the reclamation of abandoned mines in Pennsylvania. The mayfly was selected as the symbol for this award because its presence in a stream signifies clean water.
Congratulations Tim!
Lancaster County Conservation District Holds Annual Banquet
Lancaster County Conservation District Manager Chris Thompson speaks during the banquet.
On June 9, 2022, the Lancaster County Conservation District held its 69th annual banquet. The event was held at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Lancaster, PA. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event.
Several individuals were recognized during the event, including recipients of the Youth Conservation School Service Award, Educator Award, Outstanding Cooperator Award, scholarship recipients, and more.
Poster Contest Deadline is June 30
There is still time to participate! The submission deadline for the 2022 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2022. The theme this year is “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for more information.
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.
Poster Contest Deadline Fast Approaching
The submission deadline for the 2022 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30. The theme this year is “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to dyoung@pacd.org. Click here for more information.