Columbia County Conservation District led an outreach campaign to promote local take-back centers for unused medications. The campaign reached, the specific target audience of those over 50, who are more likely to be in possession of unused medications in the home, as well as the general public. The campaign included making two large signs at local parks (pictured), informational fliers, posters for pharmacies, and radio public service announcements.
Franklin County Conservation District Turns First Grade Field Trip Into a Full-Day Event
The fourth annual Franklin County Conservation District’s First Grade Field Trip saw a big change this year—it went from a half-day event for the students to an all-day event! The conservation district worked with the Chambersburg Area School District to make this field trip a full-day event in response to feedback from teachers. Once again, the event was held at Caledonia State Park over the course of four days, with approximately 700 first graders (from 31 classes across 13 different elementary schools) and 100 adults (teachers and parent chaperones) in attendance.
Lehigh County Conservation District Holds Poster Contest
In mid-May, the Lehigh County Conservation District (LCCD) was pleasantly surprised to receive more than 150 poster submissions related to this year’s Conservation District Poster theme: “Healthy Soils are Full of Life”. These many works of art, some depicting curvy worms spelling out “SOIL” and magnified microbes extolling merits of healthy soil, are evidence that conservation and creativity is alive and well-understood among art and science students in the Lehigh Valley!
Tioga County Conservation District Holds Legislative Day on May 19
On May 19, 2017 the Tioga County Conservation District held a Legislative Day. Several legislators and their staff were in attendance.
Elk County Conservation District Holds “Erosion Control in Our Forests Workshop”
On April 20, 2017, the Elk County Conservation District (ECCD) held a forestry workshop. The event was one of three workshops, which ECCD held as part of their “Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention Workshop Series” mini-grant project through the Non-point Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program.
Thirty people attended the workshop in Byrnedale, PA, which included a field session in Force, PA. The workshop was a cooperative effort between Elk, Cameron, McKean, Warren, Potter, and Tioga County Conservation Districts.
The event covered forestry principals, best management practice options, and erosion and sediment control plans.
Another Great Year for the PA Envirothon
The 34th Pennsylvania Envirothon state competition was held at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown on May 23 and 24, 2017. High school students from 64 Pennsylvania counties participated in this year’s event.
Congratulations to the 5-member team from Penncrest High School, Delaware County, which took top honors. The 2017 Pennsylvania Envirothon champions will represent the Commonwealth at the 29th North American competition planned for July 23-29 at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. More than 46 states, eight Canadian provinces, and one Canadian territory have initiated Envirothon contests based on the program that was originally developed by Pennsylvania’s conservation districts. Best of luck to the Delaware County team this summer.
Congratulations to the Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors and volunteers for another great year!
Crawford County Conservation District Holds Successful Lake Initiative
For their 2016-17 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant project, Crawford County Conservation District reached out to residents of Canadohta Lake. Through the project, the district provided 21 technical assistance meetings, authorized 14 permits, and saw an increase in interest in best management practice installation.
The district will use this project as a prototype to implement at other lakes in the county.
Franklin County Conservation District Holds Legislative Breakfast
During Conservation District Week, Franklin County Conservation District held a legislative breakfast. The event was held April 28, 2017, at the district office in Chambersburg. Numerous elected officials attended the event and learned about district programs such as the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program, PA’s Nutrient Management Program, and the Erosion and Sediment Control Program.
PALTA Honors Union County for Leadership in Conservation
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association honored Union County with the 2017 Government Conservation Leadership Award for demonstrated leadership in the conservation of our special landscapes and critical natural resources.
Union County has provided leadership, support, and guidance for numerous conservation and restoration projects and has served as a true partner to the conservation organizations working within the county.
The award was presented on May 6, 2017, in conjunction with the 2017 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference in Lancaster. County commissioner John Showers and conservation district manager Bill Deitrick accepted the award on behalf of the county.
Mifflin County Holds Watershed Meeting
Through the 2016-17 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant program, the Mifflin County Conservation District held a public watershed meeting on March 28, 2017. The meeting raised public awareness about watershed issues and received public comments on an update to the Watershed Implementation Plan for the impaired Upper Kish Watershed. Collaborating organizations, local residents, municipalities, farmers, and agricultural industry professionals attended this meeting.