Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

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Columbia County Conservation District Shows Students that Good Water = Good Life

High school students are shown at a drama station during Water Education Day playing “Darth Water.” Photo by Nicole Karr Photography. Used with permission.

High school students are shown at a drama station during Water Education Day playing “Darth Water.” Photo by Nicole Karr Photography. Used with permission.

Middle school students in Columbia County learned all about water at the Columbia County Conservation District’s 2nd annual Water Education Day: how it is cleaned, how it is distributed, how it gets polluted, how streams and development impact each other, how to better understand its movement in landscape, how to value public water systems, how to identify macroinvertebrates and fish and their relationship to water quality, and how objects in nature can make beautiful art. There were 540 students this year at Briar Creek Lake and over 50 presenters and volunteers, in addition to area high school students who gave a dramatic music and dance performance highlighting the importance of good water quality. Other participants included representatives from county watershed groups, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Larson Design, SUEZ, PA American Water, PA Rural Water, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Children’s Museum, and Bloomsburg University. The event was sponsored by the Columbia County Conservation District, PA American Water, and Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association. Check out more pictures from the day here!

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Cover Crop Field Days in McKean and Potter Counties

Submitted by Jody Groshek, McKean County Conservation District  
Tim Elder from NRCS provided farmers information about soil health and warm season grasses for forage. Photo provided by McKean County Conservation District.

Tim Elder from NRCS provided farmers information about soil health and warm season grasses for forage. Photo provided by McKean County Conservation District.

The McKean County Conservation District, in partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Potter County Conservation District, held several cover crop field days this fall. The project was made possible through a PACD mini-grant. Click here to read the entire article.
epa_logo (2) Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts 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.
 

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Shambaugh Attends Blair County Conservation District’s 50th Anniversary

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the 50th anniversary banquet and board meeting of the Blair County Conservation District on October, 20, 2016. Pictured left to right are: Donna Fisher, District Manager; John Morrow, Director; Commissioner Terry Tomassetti; Jim Biddle, Secretary/Treasurer; Blaine Smith, Vice-Chair; Shambaugh; Gary Long, Director; Alan Gearhart, Director; and Chairman Harold Bailey.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the 50th anniversary banquet and board meeting of the Blair County Conservation District on October, 20, 2016. Pictured left to right are: Donna Fisher, District Manager; John Morrow, Director; Commissioner Terry Tomassetti; Jim Biddle, Secretary/Treasurer; Blaine Smith, Vice-Chair; Shambaugh; Gary Long, Director; Alan Gearhart, Director; and Chairman Harold Bailey.

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Clearfield County Conservation District Hosts Bounty from the County

clearfieldbounty On October 14, the Clearfield County Conservation District (CCCD) held a wildly successful event, “Bounty from the County,” in Curwensville, PA. This inaugural event celebrated the benefits of eating locally. “Basically it’s like a Farm to Table meal only we chose a different title and had locally produced goods in addition to food. It was organized by the district and we served food prepared by Shannon’s Catering but the purpose was to highlight our local producers. The entire meal was made up of food grown or raised within the county, right down to dessert,” said Kelly Williams, CCCD Watershed Specialist. Click here to see a list of what was served. Click here for a news article on the event.

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Shambaugh Visits McKean County Conservation District

McKean County Conservation District (MCCD) directors and staff show Shambaugh the native plant and pollinator garden adjacent to their office building. The garden was funded by a Lumber Heritage Region grant. https://www.lumberheritage.org/grants1.htm    Pictured from left to right are: Cliff Lane, County Commissioner and MCCD Board Director; Kerry Fetter, MCCD Board Chairman; Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director; Bob Wright, MCCD Board Director; and Sandy Thompson, MCCD District Manager.

McKean County Conservation District (MCCD) directors and staff show Shambaugh the native plant and pollinator garden adjacent to their office building. The garden was funded by a Lumber Heritage Region grant. https://www.lumberheritage.org/grants1.htm Pictured from left to right are: Cliff Lane, County Commissioner and MCCD Board Director; Kerry Fetter, MCCD Board Chairman; Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director; Bob Wright, MCCD Board Director; and Sandy Thompson, MCCD District Manager.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh visited the McKean County Conservation District (MCCD) office on October 11, 2016. She met with several board members and staff. MCCD manager Sandy Thompson and Director Bob Wright took Brenda on a tour of the property which showcases best management practices and other district projects.

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Susquehanna County Conservation District Completes Phase 2 of the DuBois Creek Stream Restoration Project

Submitted by Jim Garner, Susquehanna County Conservation District
A cross vane and root wads used for stream bank protection are pictured. Photo provided by Susquehanna County Conservation District.

A cross vane and root wads used for stream bank protection are pictured. Photo provided by Susquehanna County Conservation District.

Recently the second phase of the DuBois Creek Stream Restoration project was completed. DuBois creek is a direct tributary to the Susquehanna River. The project is taking place in Great Bend Township near Hallstead, PA. Construction went well, with the entire stream channel graded per design. The channel block has been installed near the downstream limits of the project. This structure will aid in stopping debris from moving further downstream under normal stream conditions. Slightly upstream is a rock deflector. The purpose of the deflector is to protect the stream bank from erosion on a very sharp corner. Several other cross vanes have been installed upstream, which will in turn help with fish habitat as well as stream bank stabilization. This phase of the project has been funded by a Grower Greener grant awarded to the Susquehanna County Conservation District to help minimize erosion, and in turn, reduce flooding downstream. The project is being monitored and administered by the District.  

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Lebanon County Conservation District to Hold Fundraiser for Farmland Preservation

lebanonpaintnightLebanon County Conservation District is inviting the public to a “Moo-velous Night of Painting” on October 4, 2016. The event is a fundraiser for their farmland preservation program. Two classes will be held: 1-4pm and 7-9:30pm. The event is being held at Brushstrokes on Canvas, 720 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA. The cost is $35/person and includes supplies, drinks, and snacks. Proceeds benefit Lebanon County farmland preservation. Click here to read more about the event.

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Beaver County Conservation District Holds Stormwater Workshop

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BCCD Environmental Educator Susan Boser explains how to construct a rain barrel during the June 14 stormwater workshop. Photo provided by Beaver County Conservation District.

The Beaver County Conservation District (BCCD) held a workshop titled, “Managing Stormwater: A plan for your property,” on June 14, 2016. Twenty-six attendees learned about watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, and stormwater best management practices (BMPs). They also saw a demonstration on how to assemble and use a rain barrel and took a tour of BMPs in action at the BCCD Environmental Center in Aliquippa, PA.
epa_logo (2) 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.
 

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