Before and after photos provided by York County Conservation District.
The York County Conservation District completed a low volume road project in Wrightsville Borough. The cost of the project through the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads Program was $37,280.
The project started as an alley that caused runoff and flooding of nearby homes. The district installed 650 feet of concrete wheel pads, pervious pavers, and subsurface stone storage. Now, the stored rainwater seeps into the subsoil, and excess runoff drains to the storm sewer.
Click here to watch a video titled, “What is a Green Alley?”
Click here to view a local news story on the project.
Northampton County Conservation District’s Act 48 teacher workshop visits Kline Farm’s cheese operation. Photo provided by NCCD.
The Northampton County Conservation District held an Act 48 workshop, Agriculture and You, to educate teachers. The teachers were able to observe agricultural practices that improve water quality. The program introduced local educators to nutrient and manure management, non-point source pollution control, and environmental conservation practices implemented on Lehigh Valley farms.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Photo of the buffer planting provided by Montgomery County Conservation District.
Submitted by Brian Vadino, Watershed Specialist/Envirothon Coordinator, Montgomery County Conservation District
In late September 2019, Montgomery County Conservation District worked alongside Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy staff and 22 volunteers from Scout Pack 17 to plant a “multifunctional riparian buffer” along Macoby Creek (tributary to Perkiomen Creek) in Upper Hanover Township. Funding for the project was provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, through a “Multi-functional Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant.”
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Lauren Cheran, Snyder CCD Watershed Specialist, (right foreground) speaks to the group at a Snyder County Conservation District stream buffer and fencing site where it is a work in progress. Photo provided by Snyder County Conservation District.
Submitted by Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, Snyder County Conservation District
The Snyder County Conservation District held a CREP and Stream Buffer Field Day event on October 16, 2019. Twenty-five farmers, landowners, a newly elected state representative, a county commissioner, and interested persons attended. Conservation agency and non-government staff members participated in leading the event.
At each site, partners offered their expertise regarding the establishment and maintenance of successful riparian (forested and non-forested) buffers as well as warm and cool season grasses for wildlife habitat.
Click here to read the entire article and to see more photos of the event.
Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.
Tim Elder with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service talks about rotational grazing to the group of farmers before heading out to the pasture. Photo provided by PCCD.
Potter County Conservation District (PCCD) brought together local producers this summer to demonstrate how rotational grazing can benefit their farm both financially and environmentally. First, the district selected a farm to use rotational grazing equipment to demonstrate the benefits of rotational grazing management.
PCCD then partnered with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Penn State Extension to develop a grazing plan for the selected farm. They took representative soil samples to test the biological activity of continuously grazed and rotationally grazed pastures with the same soil type. This information was presented during the field day.
Essential supplies for a grazing kit were purchased, including temporary fence, reels, posts, and automatic gate (Batt-Latch). The kit was given to the selected beef farmer in early July to install. On August 28, 2019, a field day was held at the farm to showcase the project and to discuss the benefits and challenges of rotational grazing.
In the future, another farmer that has an interest in this management style will be selected to use the grazing kit.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
On Monday, September 23, 2019, the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) hosted the annual “A Bite of Berks Scholarship Fundraiser.”
Here are a few of the highlights from the evening:
Deputy Greg Hostetter joined the event and said a few words.
The district awarded $20,500 in scholarships; partners gave an additional $2,500 in scholarships; there was a special award for the Berks Science Fair winner.
Several award recipients were recognized, including Farmer of the Year, Conservation Individual of the Year, and others.
After the scholarship and awards portion of the evening was complete, guests enjoyed food samples made by local restaurants, caterers, bakeries, food trucks, and others who used an ingredient that was grown or produced in Berks County. Guests tasted and then voted for their favorite. Awards were given to the top 3 in each of 4 categories.
There was a Silent Auction with proceeds benefiting the BCCD Scholarship fund.
Dave Kline’s Mountain folk Trio provided music.
Click here view the winners. Click here to read about the scholarship winners.
Pictured are: (front left) Kaden Robinson, (top left to right) Sante DeMichiel, Rachael Filip, and Bryce Danko. Photo provided by Perry County Conservation District.
Submitted by Kristie Smith, Watershed Specialist, Perry County Conservation District
Thank you to the Loysville Community Club and Tyrone Township for hosting this year’s Keep Perry County Beautiful Tire War. We are pleased to announce that Perry County residents successfully dropped off 702 tires that were removed from the landscape that are destined for proper recycling through Mahantango Enterprises of Liverpool, Perry County. (The breakdown: 670 car tires, 20 large truck tires, and 12 tractor tires).
Many thanks to our group of dedicated volunteers who used a lot of muscle to throw all of those tires up into the truck! Thank you to everyone who participated, together we are keeping Perry County a beautiful place to live & work! Since 2009, the Tire War program in Perry County has recycled over 11,000 tires!
PACD Program Manager Amy Brown and Software Specialist Nick Yeagy pose for a photo at the Raub Farm in Duncannon for a Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership event on September 19.
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is a collaborative effort of national, regional, state and local agencies, conservation organizations, outdoors enthusiasts, businesses, and citizens committed to improving Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and ecology by planting 10 million trees throughout the Commonwealth.
PACD Program Manager Amy Brown and Software Specialist Nick Yeagy joined the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other Keystone 10 Million Tree Partners on Thursday, September 19, 2019. The group met at the Raub Farm in Duncannon to plant 50 trees and shrubs next to a pasture.
Photo provided by Beaver County Conservation District.
Twenty-one workshop participants learned about the link between water quality and nonpoint source pollution at the Beaver County Conservation District “Managing Stormwater at Your Home” workshop. Participants mapped their property and decided where to place the best management practices. After a program on watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, and stormwater best management practices, the district demonstrated how to build a rain barrel. Those attending received a rain barrel kit and Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Homeowners Guide to Stormwater.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Logan Stenger, Huntingdon County Conservation District Watershed Specialist and Affiliate Coordinator for KHCB, unloads tires during the 2019 Tire War Challenge. Photo provided by HCCD.
On September 14, 2019, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful (KHCB) volunteers collected 1,962 tires as part of the 14th Annual Tire War Challenge! The collection includes 1,852 car/truck tires, 74 tractor-trailer tires, and 36 tractor tires. To put this in perspective, they filled two 53′ long tractor-trailers from top to bottom! We await the results from the other participating counties to determine if KHCB retains the Gold Rim Award for most tires collected.
Instead of polluting our land and streams, these tires go to Mahantango Enterprises in Liverpool, PA. The tires are then reclaimed and recycled into usable products such as rubber mulch for playgrounds or athletic tracks. This event was made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Household/Small Business Hazardous Waste Collection Program.
