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.
Staff from 23 Conservation Districts Receive Technical Training

Alaina Vecere, Water Pollution Biologist for the Department of Environmental Protection, discusses the Chapter 105 program on March 22, 2017.
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.
Last Week to Register for Spring 102/105 Topic-based Training
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.
Building for Tomorrow – Upcoming Leadership Development Training
- 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.
Intro to Conservation Planning Application Deadline Extended
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.
Registration Opens for Spring 102/105 Technical Training
Registration is open for two technical training sessions on Chapters 102 and 105 for conservation district technicians and DEP employees. The 2017 training sessions will take place at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA.
Basic/Refresher – March 20-23
Topic-based – April 5-6
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training Application Period Opens
Applications are now being accepted for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training.
Basic Level – March 20-24, 2017
Level II – April 10-14, 2017
If you do not receive confirmation from PACD, you will not be admitted. No walk-ins will be accepted. Both courses are held at the Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County). Questions? Contact Shannon Wehinger.
Applications Period is Open for Free Intro to Conservation Planning Course
PACD is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to deliver a three day Introduction to Conservation Planning course. This free training will take place March 14-16, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Hershey area) in Grantville, PA.
The event is for entry-level employees of all organizations in Pennsylvania delivering conservation planning technical assistance, including but not limited to, NRCS, conservation districts, SCC, farmland preservation entities, non-profits, and private consultants. Lunch will be provided.
The application link will be emailed to those who are interested in taking the course after they have submitted their pre-requisite certificate of completion to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for information on the pre-requisite. The deadline to apply is February 3, 2017.
PACD Facilitates Training with Department of Environmental Protection

PACD assisted the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s South Central region in facilitating the Chapter 102 NPDES & PCSM Training for the Regulated Community on November 9, 2016 in Harrisburg, PA. Pictured is DEP’s Permit Section Chief Nathan Crawford, P.E., leading a session for the 114 attendees. Photo by Shannon Wehinger.
DEP and PACD Hold Chapter 102-105 Annual Training

Ramez Ziadeh, Director, DEP Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, presents opening remarks and a welcome to a packed house on the second day of the Chapter 102-105 Annual Training. Photo by Terry Fisher.
More than 350 PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and conservation district staff participated in the Annual Fall 102-105 Meeting on October 25-27, 2016 in State College, PA. The training this year focused on agriculture on day 1, Chapter 102 on day 2 and Chapter 105 on day 3.
In addition to the topic-focused sessions, each day began with a New Technician Orientation Session designed to give technicians with less than two years’ experience an overview of the program that would be covered that day.
DEP and PACD work together to coordinate and plan this event.






