PACD, in conjunction with the award sponsor, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), presented the operators of four farms with the Clean Water Farm Award during its annual conference on July 18, 2018 in Lancaster, PA. The honor is awarded annually to farmers who manage their daily farm operations in an environmentally conscious manner that helps to protect Pennsylvania’s water quality.

DEP has sponsored this award for the past thirty-two years. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the DEP Secretary and a large Clean Water Farm Award sign to erect on their property.

The 2018 Clean Water Farm Award Recipients are:

• Ed Chianese (Susquehanna County)
• Justin and Doreen Geisinger Air Hill Acres Farm (Franklin County)
• Will & Kelly Smith, Deep Roots Valley Farm (Berks County)
• Dave Pounds (Indiana County)

The Clean Water Farm award was initiated in 1986. Recipients of the award are nominated by their local county conservation districts. Financial support for this award is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program and the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.).

Click here to read the entire press release. 

Representatives from the northeastern United States traveled to the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster for the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Northeast Regional Meeting. Conservation leaders from these states met for educational programs, tours, and networking.

“It is exiting to host a meeting that brings our counterparts from other northeastern states together. This week, we were able to showcase some of Pennsylvania’s conservation district projects via tours and educational sessions. Attendees learned about the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program which helps decrease pollution from unpaved roads and is unique to Pennsylvania. They visited a plain sect farm where they saw how the Lancaster County Conservation District helped the farmer control pollution. They participated in a stormwater tour by LandStudies, Inc. which shows work being done in our communities to reduce flooding. Finally, visitors had the opportunity to visit Stroud Water Research Center and learn about research they are conducting to ensure we have enough clean water for future generations,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director. “Our conservation districts work hard every day to make a difference in our communities.”

After saying goodbye to our collegues from other states, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) and the State Conservation Commission held their 71^th Joint Annual Conference. Several Pennsylvania conservationists were recognized at an awards luncheon on July 18.

The 2018 PACD honorees are as follows: 

• Legislator Leadership Award – Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (PA 30th District)
• President’s Award – Pat Sueck
• Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award – Jay Snyder (Lancaster County)
• Conservation District Employee Excellence Award – Renee Swineford (Snyder County)
• Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Program Awards

40 Years of Service

• Craig Bingman, Manager, Snyder County
• Years of Service
• Carl Goshorn, Manager, Cumberland County
• James Pillsbury, Hydraulic Engineer, Westmoreland County
• Tammie Robinson, Administrative Assistant, Indiana County
• Lorelle Steach, PA Envirothon Coordinator, Bedford County

Click here to read the entire press release and here to see photos from the event.

The NACD Stewardship and Education Committee is pleased to announce the 2019 Poster Contest and Stewardship Week theme: “Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper.”

Soil is a dirty topic, but everyone needs to learn more about it! Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes, and more. Healthy soil equals healthy food, which equals a healthy you.

Rules, entry forms, and other resources for the 2019 NACD Poster Contest will be available for download on the 2019 Stewardship Week page later this summer. The 64th Annual Stewardship Week will take place April 28–May 5, 2019.

For more information, visit our Stewardship Program webpage. 

Twenty-three innovative and impassioned initiatives in Pennsylvania were chosen by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to receive the prestigious 2018 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

“DEP received more than 60 applications, which we evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership efforts, economic impact, consideration of climate change and sustainability, and results achieved,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “It’s an honor to recognize the tremendous impact many Pennsylvanians have in protecting our air, land, and water.”

Potter County Conservation District’s “Water Quality Protection and Education Initiative at Ludington Run and Beyond” was selected to receive the award. The conservation district developed a comprehensive plan to improve water quality and habitat restoration to Ludington Run. Stream bedding materials are enhancing successful fish spawning, runoff carrying sediment and pollutants is discharging in a safe manner, and stream plantings are stabilizing the soil and reversing the trend of thermal pollution.

Click here to read the entire press release. 

Environmental programs from throughout Western Pennsylvania will share $25,000 from Dominion Energy and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) for innovation and effectiveness in making a positive impact on the environment.

The 2018 winners are:

• Allegheny County Conservation District (Pittsburgh, Allegheny County)
• Allegheny Outfitters Warren (Warren County)
• Casselman River Watershed Association (Somerset, Somerset County)

With the funds, Allegheny County Conservation District will support their Urban Soils Program.

The winners will be honored at the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

The April 30th deadline to recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award is fast approaching.

• 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 Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org with any questions.

Recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award:

• 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

Nominations are due by April 30. Click here for more information and a nomination form. Contact Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org with any questions.

PACD is pleased to announce that two Pennsylvania entries won third place in the National Association of Conservation Districts 2017 “Healthy Soils are Full of Life!” poster contest. Both posters were submitted by Delaware County Conservation District.

They are:

• Kindergarten–First Grade: Elijah Ritter 
• Second-Third Grade: Shreaya Ilayanambi 

 Congratulations to these two young artists!

 

The Clean Water Farm Award Program recognizes Pennsylvania farmers whose exemplary farm management practices result in improved local and downstream water quality. Pennsylvania’s conservation districts may submit a nomination for a farm in their county. One award will be given in each of PACD’s six regions.

Each district that submits a complete nomination will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 pizza party for their office! Deadline: April 30, 2018.

Award recipients receive a large Clean Water Farm Award sign to hang at their farm, a signed certificate, and an invitation to the PACD/SCC Awards Luncheon in July.

Financial support for this award is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program and the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.).

Click here to read more. 

On December 8, 2017, legislators, conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, and friends honored Patricia Sueck for her dedication to conservation districts.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event and presented Pat with a certificate of appreciation. Pat served as director for the York County Conservation District and represented Pennsylvania with the National Association of Conservation Districts as a member of PACD’s board.

Pat was the first female president in PACD’s history. She served from 1997-1999.

We wish Pat well in her retirement. We will miss her enthusiasm, her passion for politics, and her involvement in our national association.