Twenty-nine individuals attended the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training session – Level II April 7-11, 2025. The training was held at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County and at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Harrisburg, PA. Attendees included staff from PACD, conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training, which PACD coordinates with these partners.

PACD Water Resources Trainer Kelly Davidson flew a drone in Cumberland County on March 31, 2025. This was the first site visit with the PA Department of Environmental Protection to prepare for the field portion of the Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training from May 19-23, 2025.

Click here to register for the training (you must be logged in to Clean Water Academy to access the link). 

 

Submitted by Jen Novak, Education Programs Coordinator, Westmoreland Conservation District

The Westmoreland Conservation District recently hosted its annual Engineers’ Workshop at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. More than 350 engineers, landscape architects, and other natural resource professionals attended the workshop to learn about regulatory updates, stormwater management, erosion control, abandoned mine drainage treatment, and engineering for agriculture, among other topics.

The workshop draws participants from throughout western Pennsylvania and as far away as Erie. Information about the presentations can be found on the district’s website. 

Thirty individuals attended the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level March 24-27, 2025, at the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg, PA. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, the PA State Conservation Commission, county planning offices, and a nonprofit organization.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservation Commission, Penn State Extension, and PACD coordinate the event.

Registration is now open for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training, which will take place May 19-23, 2024, at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. Attendance is open only to conservation district and DEP employees working with Chapter 102.

The training is appropriate for individuals who are new or relatively new to their position, have never attended a similar training, would like a refresher, or would like guidance and skill enhancement for field inspections. The course curriculum assumes all participants have completed the prerequisite coursework on Clean Water Academy.

There is no cost to register, most meals are provided, and lodging reimbursement is available. (See registration page for additional details.) There is no virtual attendance option.

Click here for additional information and to register. You must log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to register. Please contact Kelly Davidson at kdavidson@pacd.org if you need help accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.

This training is funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Clean Water Academy is excited to launch our new Lunch & Learn Webinar Series! Our first session will take place on Thursday, March 27, from Noon–1:00 p.m. and will feature David Wise, Watershed Restoration Manager at Stroud Water Research Center.

David will present “The Overlooked Half of Forested Buffers: Stream Ecology and Trees,” exploring the critical connections between stream health and riparian forests. This session will provide valuable insights into how trees influence stream ecology and why they are essential for watershed restoration.

Grab your lunch and join us for this engaging and informative discussion! Click here to learn more and register. Registration is free but required.

Stay tuned for more Lunch & Learn sessions in the coming months!

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” April 1-3, 2025, at Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center at 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg, PA.

This conference is designed for conservation district employees, agricultural conservation professionals, and anyone associated with the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) or other conservation financial assistance programs.

Click here for more information and to register. A discounted early registration fee of $55 is available through March 7, 2025.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension was formed in 2023 along with partners at the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the Pennsylvania State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the center is provided through the state Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). 

The application period for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II) is now open. Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

The Basic level will be held once, and the Level II training will be held twice if needed. You may apply for one training only. Do not apply for both Basic and Level II this spring.

March 11, March 18, and April 4, 2025 (virtual)        
March 24-27, 2025 (in-person)              
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  
April 7-11, 2025 (in-person)                  
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II  
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA                                                               

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  
April 28-May 2, 2025 (in-person)           
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II (IF NEEDED)      
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The deadline to apply is January 29, 2025.

Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with questions.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training, and PACD coordinates with these partners.

 

Mark your calendars for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training May 19-23, 2025, at the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. This training is open to conservation district and DEP staff who work with Chapter 102. The curriculum is designed for new or newer conservation district technicians and incorporates classroom learning and a field component. Registration will open in March. Questions? Contact Molly Burns with PACD at mburns@pacd.org.

This training was funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Twenty-six students attended the Intro to Conservation Planning training in Lebanon, PA, from November 19-21, 2024. The three-day training provided a mix of classroom learning and field experience.

The training was made possible by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission. PACD provided administrative support.