It was a beautiful day for a ride along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) at the Westmoreland Conservation District’s first Pedaling for Conservation Bike Ride.

Participants brought their own bikes and enjoyed an easy, 8-mile (round trip) ride on one of the area’s most popular recreation spots. The participants stopped at multiple sites along the trail to hear from speakers about stormwater management, streambank stabilization, and invasive plants and learn about local history.

The event was the idea of Emil Bove, Westmoreland Conservation District Board Member, PACD 1st Vice President, and avid cyclist. Sponsors for the event included Westmoreland Heritage Trail, Turtle Creek Watershed Association, Bove Engineering, and Flat Tire Co. Bike Shop.

Adams County Conservation District hosted Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) field days, farmer and landowner workshops, and one-on-one site visits as part of their CREP education and outreach project. Riparian buffer installation and maintenance demos were provided at the Adams County Planting Partnership tree distribution, where over 400 partners picked up tree seedlings.

The district received $2,993 for the project through the CREP Mini-grant Program 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.

Potter County Conservation District planted 5 acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Oswayo Creek on a farm in Potter County. The project cost $7,878 and was funded through PACD’s 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 Infrastructure Investment Authority under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

On October 17, 2023, Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) held a Swatara Creek Water Quality Field Day. The event was held at Boathouse Park in Hershey, PA. PACD’s Leadership Development Manager, Matt Miller, attended the event.

In addition to LCCD, the United States Geological Survey and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service presented during the event. The main topic of discussion was the real-time, 24-hour super gage water quality monitor recently installed along the Swatara Creek. The experts discussed sampling techniques and monitoring using the new installation.

 

The Cumberland County Conservation District held its 21st Annual Conservation District Golf Tournament. One hundred and twenty-two golfers participated and raised $8,400 for educational scholarships! The district has raised over $66,500 over the last 21 years. Money raised goes to scholarships for college and high school students.

Click here to read a news article on the event. 

 

Blair County Conservation District held four multi-functional riparian buffer workshops highlighting buffers and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). A total of 54 people registered for the four events.

The district received $3,000 for the project through the CREP Mini-grant Program 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.

Clarion Conservation District planted 2.5 acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Pigeon Creek in Clarion County. The project cost $14,000 and was paid for through PACD’s 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 Infrastructure Investment Authority under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Franklin County Conservation District held a Summer Conservation Tour on August 3, 2023. Eighty-three participants attended the tour. The host farm provided first-hand accounts of best management practices, including construction and maintenance. Attendees also learned about dribble bar manure application and how it may reduce odor and manure nutrient runoff.

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 US Environmental Protection Agency.

Union County Conservation District held a field day in partnership with the riparian ranger program. Participants learned about plant identification, riparian buffers, farm etiquette, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), funding opportunities, and more. The Union County Conservation District created a CREP brochure specific to their county with county resources and contacts that they distributed at this event and others.

CREP education and outreach events were funded through a $994 grant through the CREP Mini-grant Program 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.

The Sullivan County Conservation District offered a workshop about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), ponds, permits, and other programs that apply to farmers and landowners. Forty-three people attended the workshop and were provided with CREP resources.

This CREP education and outreach event was funded through a $1,444.00 CREP mini-grant from PACD. 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.