2026-27 New Manager Training will be delivered as a multi-unit initiative starting in August and running through May. The program is designed to provide an overview for new managers on conservation district fundamentals, operations, and leadership topics. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register. 

Strategic Planning Grants Available for 2026-27

The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse up to $2,500 in expenses related to the development of a strategic plan for the 2026-27 program year. To be eligible for these funds, conservation districts must develop and approve a strategic plan that meets process and content requirements. Priority will be given to conservation districts that have not received a Strategic Planning Grant in the past five years. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

QuickBooks User Forum Scheduled for September 9

The next quarterly QuickBooks Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Forum meetings are intended to provide peer-based support and learning for district staff with administrative duties. September discussion items will include electronic vs. paper payments, accepting credit card payments, bonding, and a review of the district quarterly reporting schedule. Click here to register.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The 2026-27 New Manager Training Program begins in August with a webinar series on District Fundamentals, including topics such as the Conservation District Law and other laws, board relations, and district partnerships. The series will run through October. All webinars are scheduled for Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and links to session recordings will be posted. Visit Building for Tomorrow for a detailed agenda and registration link.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

 

The first QuickBooks User Forum was held in March to establish and begin building a peer-based support network for district QuickBooks users. The next quarterly Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Forum agenda is developed by attendee survey. At the June Forum the group will be looking at resources for basic QuickBooks training through PA CareerLink, transitioning from desktop to online, and working with reports. Click here to register for the June 10 Quarterly QuickBooks User Forum. 

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The Board Development Video Series provides information and review on governance, compliance, and programmatic topics. These short-format videos are intended for viewing and follow-up discussion at your district board meetings. For the May installment, we continue our series of training module videos with Act 217, The Conservation District Law. 

Training module videos are integrated into the newly updated online Director Handbook and are being produced as modules for self-guided learning at Clean Water Academy. 

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The 2026 series of regional “Back to Basics” Director Orientation trainings wrapped up last week with a workshop hosted by Berks County Conservation District on April 23. Training content was developed from the newly revised 2026 Director Handbook and featured an overview that included district history, law, governance, and board development. A total of 59 district staff, directors, associate directors, county commissioners, and partner staff participated in the training sessions.

Thank you again to Clinton, Westmoreland, Monroe, Forest, and Berks Conservation Districts for hosting, and to everyone who attended. The regional training series was part of the 2026 Board Development Initiative, which also includes a monthly short-video series and the release of the updated 2026 Director Handbook, which is currently being distributed to district offices.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The 2026 Staff Training Initiative wrapped up on March 31 with a workshop at the Wanango Country Club. A total of 113 district and partner staff attended the Assertive Communications & Empowered Conflict Management training series, presented by Rita Coleman, and over 60 attended the February webinar series sessions on Working with Local Media and Smart Social Media, presented by Piper Strategies.

Stay tuned for a survey and announcements on 2026-27 Leadership Development programming for staff.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The Board Development Video Series provides information and review on governance, compliance, and programmatic topics. These short-format videos are intended for viewing and follow-up discussion at your district board meetings. In the April installment we continue our series of training module videos with Conservation District Partners & Relationships. These short videos will also be included on the new 2026 Director Handbook website and are being produced as modules for self-guided learning at Clean Water Academy.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

2026 Director Handbook Now Available

The newly revised and updated 2026 Handbook for Pennsylvania’s Conservation District Directors has launched and is now available at www.PaConservationDirectors.org. This comprehensive resource includes information on statutory responsibilities, governance best practices, operational guidance, legal requirements, and partner relations to help conservation district directors fulfill their public duties effectively and confidently.

The 2026 Director Handbook online edition incorporates modern accessibility features, simple navigation, and rich content, including streamlined reference materials, embedded orientation videos, and links to external resources for self-guided learning. A simplified print edition will be distributed to all districts beginning in April. Whether you are a newly appointed director or a seasoned board member, the Director Handbook serves as a practical guide for informed decision-making, ethical leadership, and sound administration. All directors are encouraged to review the updated edition and retain it as a core governance manual for district boards.

Update: April 1 NW Regional Director Training Relocated

The Back to Basics Director Orientation training scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, at Lawrence County DPS has been moved to the Forest County Conservation District in Tionesta. Click here to register. 

Last Chance to Register for Assertive Communications Staff Training Workshops

Important reminder for all district staff: registration deadlines for the Assertive Communications & Empowered Conflict Management workshops are approaching quickly! The training is designed to help participants navigate difficult situations—and occasionally encounters with difficult people—with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

The workshop will be beneficial to anyone who works with landowners, contractors, or the public. Facilitator Rita Graham brings deep experience working with conservation districts and their various stakeholders, and her training approach is geared toward addressing real-life scenarios for district staff. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity. Attendance is free and open to all staff and partners.

Tuesday, March 17 – St. Vincent College, Latrobe 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MONDAY 3/9

Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MONDAY 3/9

Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 3/11

Tuesday, March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 3/17

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The Board Development Video Series provides information and review on governance, compliance, and programmatic topics. These short-format videos are intended for viewing and follow-up discussion at your district board meetings. In the March installment, we begin our series of training module videos, starting with the History of the Conservation Movement. These short videos will also be included on the new 2026 Director Handbook website and are being produced as modules for self-guided learning on Clean Water Academy.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The Assertive Communications & Empowered Conflict Management workshop is designed to help participants navigate difficult situations–and occasionally, encounters with difficult people–with confidence, clarity, and purpose. This interactive session empowers attendees to apply assertiveness skills to real-life work and home situations.

Participants are encouraged to come prepared with a current scenario so they can develop and practice delivering an assertive message that clearly communicates their wants or needs without being passive or aggressive. Through a mix of brief lectures, individual reflection, group discussion, and hands-on practice, participants will explore their personal responses to conflict and learn how to choose the most effective approach.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to assess when and how to use assertiveness as a conflict management tool, develop effective assertive messages, and apply techniques for setting boundaries.

All workshops are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and are open to all district personnel and partner staff. Networking with refreshments begins at 9:00 a.m. and lunch is provided.

The workshop will be facilitated by Rita Graham, who brings a wealth of experience working with conservation district staff to deliver training that applies concepts to real-world scenarios. Rita explains why this topic is important and what attendees will take away from the workshop in the short video here. 

• March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson, PA 
• March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA 
• March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA 
• March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas, PA
• March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno, PA 

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.