In October 2023, the Bucks County Conservation District (BCCD) hosted two adult workshops on non-point source (NPS) pollution principles, reaching 40+ participants. Both workshops were held in the more populus and urbanized southern third of Bucks County, where municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) programs are in varying stages of development. Each workshop targeted audiences of either municipal representatives or residential property owners. One workshop presented the utility and efficiency of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to local municipal engineers and public works teams. While the other workshop introduced residents to the community benefits and DIY options associated with SLOW –SOAK –STORE stormwater best management practices. 

These workshops represented a joint effort by Bucks County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards, Friends of Poquessing Watershed, Bensalem Township, and Lower Southampton Township.

To see other upcoming events with BCCD, please visit https://bucksccd.org.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection under section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Lawrence County Conservation District held two rain barrel workshops. Forty-eight participants received education regarding watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, water quality, stormwater management, and best management practices to help reduce stormwater runoff.

The presentations were followed by a tour of a rain garden and cistern used in the local community garden. Thirty rain barrels with adapter kits were distributed during the workshops.

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.

The Columbia County Conservation District (CCCD) has partnered with the Berwick Borough to install downspout planters throughout high-trafficked areas. The CCCD received a DEP Environmental Education Mini-Grant to complete this project. Berwick Borough is subject to an MS4 permit, so the CCCD and the Borough partnered to receive MS4 credits for the Borough and work towards meeting the County’s Countywide Action Plan goals.

Click here to read the entire article. 

 

This holiday season, the Carbon County Environmental Education Center (operated by full-time staff from the Carbon County Conservation District) invited children of all ages to help decorate a science-themed Christmas tree with ornaments depicting famous scientists, both past and present.

“It was just an idea, and our staff sort of ran with it,” said Susan Gallagher, the center’s Chief Naturalist. “We were talking about how kids should know the stories of all the people who’ve changed the world, and the next thing I knew, our part-time staff were making ornaments out of Petri dishes.”

Each ornament featured a picture of a famous–or not so famous–scientist on one side, with their contribution to scientific discovery written on the other.

The display included a reading area with age-appropriate books about scientists from all over the world and a sign-in sheet where children added their suggestions for more ornaments.

 

BCTV.org recently released a video on urban agriculture programs. The video features Briana Johanson, Agriculture Resource Conservationist, and host Ryan Bradley, Clean City Coordinator for the City of Reading, discussing urban agriculture programs offered by the Berks County Conservation District.

Click here to watch the video. 

On October 20, 2023, ninety-eight farmers and agency employees attended an educational grazing field day titled “Harvesting Abundance: Sustainability in our Grazing Havens,” held at the Wilson Land & Cattle Co. in Tionesta, PA.

Most attendees plan to implement the conservation practices they learned, including soil health improvement, rotational grazing, biodiversity, and non-point source pollution reduction via cover crop planting with a no-till planter.

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.

The Beaver County Conservation District has been certified as a Stewardship Forest. Jessica Pierce, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Service forester, recently presented the district with a sign noting this achievement. The Forest Stewardship Program is designed to promote the wise use and sustained benefits of forest resources.

To obtain this certification, the district developed a Forest Management Plan to guide the management of the forest resources on the Environmental Center grounds.

The plan has four key goals, which include:

1. Restoration of Native Ecosystems-Forest Health
2. Increase Opportunities for Outdoor Environmental Education
3. Improve Wildlife Habitat
4. Encourage Passive Recreation

This plan details the major forest habitat types and how they will be managed over the next ten years. This plan complements the existing land management and integrated pest management plans previously developed for the environmental center grounds.

The forests and wetlands at the district environmental center grounds are open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Come visit the grounds and enjoy the forest!

From: “Conservation Assistance to Farmers” article from WCD Landmarks High Points November 2023 Newsletter.

John Kitz, who recently received the 2023 Conservation Farmer of the Year award from the Westmoreland Conservation District, is now the first farmer in the county to receive funding from the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, or ACAP. Conservation improvements on John Kitz’s Mount Pleasant farm include fencing along streambanks, a stabilized cattle crossing, streambank stabilization, a water trough, a stabilized animal heavy-use area, subsurface drainage, a livestock watering ramp, subdivision fencing, and a riparian buffer with approximately 385 trees and shrubs. Upon completion, approximately 3,500 feet of stream will be improved.

ACAP was created through the Clean Streams Fund to reduce nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania’s waterways. It provides funding and technical assistance to implement best management practices on agricultural lands. Funding for the program is provided through local conservation districts. 

Click here to read more and to see before and after photos.

Submitted by Barry Spangler, Ag Conservation Technician, Snyder County Conservation District

The Snyder County Conservation District held a Farming for the Future Day event at the Middlecreek Valley Antique Association Grounds in Selinsgrove on November 1, 2023. Eighteen farmers, landowners, consultants, and conservationists attended the event.

Click here to read more and see more photos. 

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.

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held a tour this summer that showcased best management practices installed on farms to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCCD cooperated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Middleburg Field Office and other agency staff to offer the tour. Twenty-six participants learned about various conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

This CREP education and outreach event was funded by a $3,000 CREP Mini-grant for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

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.