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.

Building for Tomorrow is now accepting submissions for the 2^nd 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.

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.

Just in time for back to school! The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has announced the 2022 Poster Contest theme: “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.” PACD will be accepting photos of your county’s winners until June 30, 2022.  We are very excited to see all the artistic entries for this year’s theme!

Click here to read more.

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. 

PACD is pleased to announce the five state-level winners of the National Association of Conservation Districts 2021 “Healthy Forests Healthy Communities” poster contest.

The winners in each age category are:

K – 1^st Grade: Cora Petrunak, Lehigh County

2^nd – 3^rd Grade: Riley Thomas, Cambria County

4^th – 6^th Grade: Brock Wharton, Cambria County

7^th – 9^th Grade: Evelyn Warner, Cambria County

10^th – 12^th Grade: Kathryn Polstra, Columbia County

To promote the importance of trees, students from kindergarten through twelfth grades entered posters conveying their thoughts and ideas through original artwork. Submissions were judged based on the entry’s conservation message, visual effectiveness, originality, and universal appeal.

PACD thanks all of the participants in the contest for their interest and dedication to conservation. Best wishes to the state-level winners in the upcoming national judging competition.

For more information about the NACD poster contest, visit http://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials/contests.

Click here to read the press release. 

 

There is still time to participate! The submission deadline for the 2021 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2021. The theme this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to dyoung@pacd.org. Click here for more information. 

Elk County Conservation District issued a challenge to other conservation districts to pick up trash during Conservation District Week.

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

To sweeten the deal, PACD will recognize the winner at our awards program during the Joint Annual Conference in July. The winner will receive the Conservation District Trash Champion award (pictured). If this becomes an annual event, the trophy can be passed from winning district to winning district like the Stanley Cup of trash!

Click here to view the flyer. 

The submission deadline for the 2021 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2021. The theme this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to dyoung@pacd.org. Click here for more information. 

The deadline of April 30, 2021, is fast approaching to recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award. Click here for more information and a nomination form.

• 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 Diane Young at dyoung@pacd.org or 717-238-7223 with any questions.