Fifty learners from 28 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection convened for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training at the Red Lion Harrisburg-Hershey in Harrisburg, PA, May 23-26, 2023.

Classroom training covered Chapter 102 basics, including permits and applications, field safety, and key components of both technical and completeness reviews. The field day incorporated learning stations at key points in an active construction site, as well as review of a completed site. Special thanks to the York County Conservation District, particularly Program Manager and E&S Resource Conservationist Eric Jordan and Resource Conservationist Tiffany Crum, for making the field day a huge success.

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.

Thirty-one individuals attended the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level May 1-4, 2023, at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, PACD, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, Penn State Extension, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training. PACD works with these partners to coordinate the event.

Thirty-four individuals attended Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Level II from April 17-21, 2023. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and affiliates.

The Level II annual training consists of two learning tracks: agronomy and engineering. The two tracks allow participants to focus more deeply on their area of study. The event features a balance of classroom work and fieldwork to give participants hands-on experience.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training. PACD works with these partners to coordinate the training.

 

Twenty-eight individuals attended Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level March 27-30, 2023, at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, PACD, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, Penn State Extension, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training. PACD works with these partners to coordinate the event.

Conservation district technicians are encouraged to attend this year’s Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training as a refresher course. The event will take place May 23-26, 2023, at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA.

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

Attendance is open to conservation district technicians and DEP employees working with Chapter 102 who are new or relatively new to their position, have never taken 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 the Clean Water Academy.

Click here for additional information and to register. You will need to log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to access this link. Please contact Christopher Grimsley at cgrimsley@pacd.org if you need assistance accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns 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.

The Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting will take place from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on May 22 and 23, 2023. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, DEP and EPA staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments; 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities.

Click here for more information and to register. 

Conservation district staff, CAP coordinators, and staff from state agencies and USDA-NRCS are invited to attend the 2023 Virtual Conservation District and PA Agency Ag Meeting. All conservation district staff are welcome.

This year’s meeting is organized by watershed.

• April 3, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Ohio, Erie, Genesee, and Delaware Watersheds
• April 6, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to Noon – Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The event will take place virtually via Zoom. The draft agenda and other prework materials are available on the PA Clean Water Academy via the link below. Registration is free and required.

Please click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is March 30.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on May 22-23, 2023. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, PA Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments, 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities. Registration will open in March.

The application period is open for the Agricultural Conservation Technical Training “Boot Camp”- Basic and Level II.

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
March 27-30, 2023 (in-person) & March 21 and March 23 (virtual)    
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
April 17-21, 2023 (in-person) & April 11 (virtual)       
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
May 1-4, 2023 (in-person) & March 21 and March 23 (virtual)
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
May 15-19, 2023 (in-person) & April 11 (virtual)       
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

For 2023, the Basic and Level II training will be held twice (if needed). The content is the same, and attendees will only attend for one week. There are two virtual training days and four in-person days for Basic and one virtual training, and five days in-person for Level II.

Please note: Boot Camp is not a two-week course. The instructors prefer that you use the information you learned in Basic for a year and take Level II the year following Basic. Do not apply for Basic and Level II in the same year.

The deadline to apply is January 27, 2023. Notifications of those accepted or not accepted into the course will be made by February 3, 2023.

Questions? Contact Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org.

The following sponsors make these training opportunities possible: Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.

 

Twenty-four students (including thirteen conservation district staff) completed the Intro to Conservation Planning Course in Grantville, PA, from November 1-3, 2022. The training is an introductory course for employees interested in writing conservation plans and becoming a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planner. The event included classroom and field experience.

Participants attended the three-day training free of charge thanks to the generous sponsorship of NRCS and the State Conservation Commission. In addition, PACD provided administrative support for the course.