The Conservation District Managers “Boot Camp” was held June 19-21 at Lake Raystown Resort and Conference Center in Entriken, PA.

This three-day training was specifically developed for district managers with less than five years of experience. The event focused on providing participants with a knowledge base that includes the history and structure of a conservation district, an overview of conservation district programs and activities, the responsibilities managing a district office, district finances and personnel, and working with a conservation district board.

The training was provided by Pennsylvania’s “Building for Tomorrow” Leadership Development Program.

 

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is sponsoring a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Review Course on September 26, 2017 at the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg Hershey, Harrisburg, PA.

The CPESC certification is a professional designation for erosion and sedimentation technicians, engineers, and other specialists involved in design, construction, inspection or other aspects of erosion and sedimentation control. If you have not yet started the CPESC certification process, we recommend you go to the Envirocert International, Inc. website and review the requirements and process now.

The review course is designed to ensure CPESC applicants understand what concepts will be covered by the exam and acts as a review for most of those concepts. See the flier for more information on the review course and a link to information on the complete certification and exam process. Note that there is special pricing for PA conservation district staff. Before registering, contact Terry Fisher at tfisher@pacd.org for a district staff discount code or with any questions.

Twenty-two students attended the Intro to Conservation Planning training in Grantville, PA. The training was held May 16-18, 2017. The three days consisted of a mix of classroom learning and field experience.

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

 

During the week of April 10, thirty conservation professionals gathered at the Keystone Conference Center in Lebanon County, PA for the Agricultural Conservation Technical Training – Level 2. This week-long training was attended by staff from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and affiliates, conservation districts, PACD, and farmland preservation agencies.

This annual training balances field experience and classroom instruction. It is sponsored by NRCS, the PA State Conservation Commission, and PACD.

This year’s Spring 102/105 Topic-based Training welcomed 75 participants from 43 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The event took place April 5-6, 2017, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA. Participants received in-depth training on Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) and Chapter 105, both of which support clean, accessible, water for Pennsylvania’s citizens.

There were 28 attendees of the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level held March 20-24, 2017 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, Farmland Preservation, Department of Environmental Protection, and PACD’s engineering assistance program.

The Spring 102/105 Technical Training – Basic/Refresher session provided concentrated classroom instruction to 42 employees from 23 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The training session took place March 20-23, 2017, in State College, Centre County.

This Friday, March 17, is the last day to register for the Spring 102/105 Technical Training – Topic-based session. For more information, click here. Questions? Contact Molly Burns. 

• Conservation District Staff Conference – March 8-9, 2017 | Draft Agenda | Registration Form
• Leadership Development Board Training – March 3, 20, 28, & 31, 2017
• Conservation District Management Summit – June 6-7, 2017
• Conservation District Managers ‘Boot Camp’ – June 19-21, 2017

These training opportunities are coordinated by the PA Leadership Development Program. Click here to read more. Contact: Leadership Development Coordinator Mike Lovegreen.

The three day Introduction to Conservation Planning course will take place March 14-16, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Hershey area) in Grantville, PA. Click here for information on the pre-requisite. The deadline to apply for this free training has been extended to February 17, 2017.