When Columbia County Conservation District had to cancel their Nature Mini Camp this summer due to COVID-19, Watershed Specialist Brittney Hartzell created a virtual alternative. The district made activity bags for the kids to pick-up then posted videos to go with the activities. Videos include animal tracking, macroinvertebrates, leaf rubbings, and dissecting owl pellets. Click here to view the videos.
September 12, 2020, dawned crisp and sunny, the perfect day for golf, as the Elk County Conservation District (ECCD) hosted their first-ever Conservation Cup golf tournament at the Bavarian Hills Golf Course. The tournament was designed with conservation in mind. All the proceeds from the event will be put toward environmental education and the Elk County Conservation District Scholarship.
“In my opinion the Conservation Cup was a success, even with having to adjust the date multiple times due to COVID-19 concerns. While starting up this new event during a pandemic was challenging, we were still able to raise enough money for an environmental scholarship, as well as funding for our environmental education program. We do plan on hosting the event again next year. With one tournament under our belt we hope next year will be even bigger and better,” said Ryan Grimm, ECCD’s Resource Conservation Technician.
Eight teams participated in the first-ever Conservation Cup.
More photos are available on the ECCD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElkCountyConservationDistrict/.
In September 2020, Montgomery County Conservation District (MCCD), Penn State Extension (Master Watershed Steward and Master Gardener programs), and Ambler Borough Environmental Advisory Council partnered to offer a free, online “Conservation and Water Pollution Prevention Workshop for Homeowners.”
The first session had 121 participants, and the second had 106 participants! Designed for a “novice” audience, the workshop covered topics including stormwater management, using rain gardens and rain barrels, stream corridor management practices, erosion and sediment control, bio-retention, lawn-to-meadow, native landscaping, proper tree planting techniques, and water conservation.
Click here to read the entire article.
Financial and other support for the workshop was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 2020 Environmental Education Grants Program.
On October 1, 2020, the Chester County Conservation District held a Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems training. Participants learned how the recently installed West Grove Borough rain garden was planned, funded, and implemented to help improve the water quality of the White Clay Creek. The design, engineering, and construction processes were discussed first-hand by Rutgers University, West Grove Borough Public Works Department and staff, and the White Clay Creek watershed manager.
The district held the workshop in-person with masks required. They also made the workshop available virtually by broadcasting live and recording it. The first part of the in-person workshop was held in a fire hall with the door open. The second portion was held outside at the site of the new rain garden.
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 Schuylkill Conservation District celebrated its 65th anniversary with festivities at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park on September 27, 2020.
Since its founding in 1955 by Dr. James S. Shadle, the district has evolved from an emphasis on soil conservation to one of all natural resource conservation efforts. District Manager Jenna St. Clair said the district began as an all-volunteer organization but currently has 14 staff members and a host of volunteers.
In celebration of the district’s growth and success, St. Clair said the birthday bash was planned with something for everyone, from young children to adults.
Click here read the entire article and here to view photos from the event.
From PA Environment Digest Blog, September 25, 2020
On September 25, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals recognized Len Lichvar, Manager of the Somerset Conservation District, with the Walter Lyon Award. The Walter Lyon Award honors an organization, project, or program that made a unique, creative, or significant contribution toward maintenance or restoration of Pennsylvania’s environmental quality or to the field of environmental management.
Somerset County Conservation District Manager Len Lichvar is deeply involved in conservation matters in his county, region, and statewide. Over the past 30 years, the Somerset Conservation District has planned and developed large scale projects to ensure that clean water is available for residents and visitors.
Click here to read the entire article.
The Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) held a Summer Conservation Farm Tour and Luncheon on August 8, 2020, with approximately 40 people in attendance. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, FCCD had to cancel the original farm tour as there was no way to maintain social distancing on busses to transport attendees from the lunch venue (an outdoor pavilion this year) to the farm. Instead, the district hired a professional photographer to take pictures of the best management practices (BMPs) so attendees could still “see” them up close and personal. The Conservation Farmer of the Year spoke about his experiences with BMPs, as shown in the photos, and how they improved his farm.
Kudos to FCCD for adapting and finding a creative solution to hold their event and educate local farmers about BMPs.
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.
In March 2020, the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) was awarded a PACD/PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Multi-Functional Riparian Buffer Sub-grant to complete a 1.5-acre riparian forest buffer along Tulpehocken Creek. Two hundred sixty-five native trees and shrubs were planted to create a riparian buffer 35 to 50 feet wide. The native riparian plantings included edible species, like elderberry and highbush blueberry, and seasonal decorates, like winterberry and red osier dogwood.
A video of the project can be viewed on the BCCD Website at https://youtu.be/jys71IcoyNU. Click here to read the press release.
Click here to read more about PACD’s Buffer Sub-grant program or contact Amy Brown at abrown@pacd.org.
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.
Perry County Conservation District Manager Sally Tengeres recently presented Representative Mark Keller (PA 86th District) with the PACD Legislator Leadership Award in person. The award was announced at the PACD Executive Council Meeting in July.
Click here to read the press release.
On August 7, 2020, forty attendees from the Perry County No-till Group and members of the local agricultural community gathered for coffee and doughnuts at the farm of Dennis Weller, an Elliottsburg dairyman. The Perry County Conservation District hosted the event to discuss and evaluate how different types of no-till and vertical-till equipment interact with the soil.
Click here to read the entire article.
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.