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.

 

The “Ecosystem Engineer” photo was taken by Westmoreland Conservation District’s Chelsea Walker. The photo won the annual photo contest at the Watershed Specialist Meeting in early October. PACD will enter the photo in the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) annual photo contest in the “close-up conservation” category.

The photo was taken in the Kiskiminetas River during a river clean-up event in Avonmore, PA. The close-up shot shows a mussel at work.
Winners will be announced at the NACD Annual Meeting in January 2018. Best of luck Chelsea!

Click here to read more.

Submitted by Sandy Thompson, District Manager for McKean County Conservation District and Vice President of the Northeast Association of Conservation District Employees

It is with great pleasure that the 2017 Northeast Association of Conservation District Employees (NACDE) Employee Conservation Award is presented to Robert Sweitzer, District Manager for the Centre County Conservation District in Pennsylvania.

Sandy Thompson, District Manager for McKean County Conservation District and Vice President forof the NACDE, Deb Wilson, District Manager for Jefferson County Conservation District, and members of the PACD District Employees Committee, presented the award to Bob for his active participation in state association meetings at both the regional and state level, as well as his long-time service as a member of several PACD committees, including the PACD District Employees Committee.

Click here to read the entire article.

Just in time for Back-to-School! The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has announced the 2018 Poster Contest theme: “Watersheds – Our Water, Our Home.” PACD will be accepting photos of your county’s winning posters until June 30, 2018. We can’t wait to see all of the artistic entries for this year’s theme!

Click here for a flyer on the poster contest and here for more information.

Submitted by Jennifer Bratthauar, Ag Conservation Technician, Franklin County Conservation District

The Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) held its second annual Summer Conservation Farm Tour on August 1, 2017, which was made possible through a PACD Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant. In addition to recognizing the FCCD’s Conservation Farmer of the Year, this tour also provides attendees with a first-hand look at best management practices that reduce soil and nutrient runoff leaving the farm.

Click here to read more.