In August, the Pike County Conservation District refurbished a bioswale on the district’s property as part of their Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Project. The bioswale filters and slows down the movement of stormwater runoff. (What is the difference between the bioswale and a rain garden? Click here to find out.)

An educational sign was installed to teach the public how the bioswale functions and the positive effect this type of installment can have on local water resources. The district plans to use the site as a demonstration area for future educational programs.

The sign is available on the Educational Events Sample Materials page on the PACD website. Click here to view the sample materials from previously funded mini-grant projects. Districts are encouraged to use these materials for their own activities rather than starting from scratch.

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.

Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) completed its first multi-functional riparian buffer planting in the headwaters of Aultman’s Run watershed this year. ICCD staff partnered with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and volunteers from Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps to plant 1.2 acres of riparian trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

ICCD developed a site-specific planting plan for the property that accounted for property use, hydrology, soil, and utility rights-of-way. With approval from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, ICCD was able to utilize $2,502 in PACD Multi-functional Riparian Buffer funds to make it happen.

Click here to learn more about the Multi-functional Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant Program.

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.

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.

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.

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.” 

Click here to read the entire press release.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.