The Leadership Development program’s 2026 Board Development Initiative will include a regional “Back to Basics” Orientation Workshop designed for newly appointed Directors and Associate Directors. The program will include a condensed overview highlighting crucial information on district form and function, Director roles and responsibilities, legal requirements, partner relationships, and board development.

Regional Orientation Training Sessions are scheduled for March 11 at the Clinton County Conservation District, March 12 at the Cumberland County Conservation District, March 18 at the Westmoreland Conservation District, March 24 at the Monroe County Conservation District, April 1 at the Lawrence County Department of Public Safety, and April 23 at the Berks County Conservation District. Networking starts at 9 a.m., the training will run 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and includes lunch. All Directors and Associate Directors, as well as district and partner staff, are welcome to attend.

Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and 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 Board Development video series begins its second year with a January installment that includes a welcome and thank you to all new Directors & Associate Directors, a reminder on the importance of Director engagement, and a preview of upcoming board development programming. 

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.

Registration is open for all 2026 Staff Training webinars and workshops, visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

Webinars:

• 6th Annual Conservation District Video Awards – Thursday, February 12, 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• From Message to Media: Amplifying Impact Through Local Outreach – Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
• Smarter Social Media: Campaigns, Curation, and AI-Driven Content – Wednesday, February 25, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• QuickBooks User Forum – Wednesday, March 4, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Workshop: Assertive Communications and Empowered Conflict Management

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

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 includes webinars and a regional workshop series for all district personnel and partner staff. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register for all events, and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Webinars

• 6th Annual Conservation District Video Awards
  Thursday, February 12, Noon–12:45 p.m.
  Join us as we screen district video content from 2025, hear from the producers, and award the coveted CONDIVA trophy for best video.
• From Message to Media: Amplifying Impact Through Local Outreach
  Wednesday, February 18, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This session will present basic media relations concepts, with a tactical focus on working with local broadcast and print outlets to promote and build awareness of your district’s work and mission. Presented by Stephanie Hendricks, Director of Public Relations at Piper Strategies. 
• Smarter Social Media: Campaigns, Curation, and AI-Driven Content
  Wednesday, February 25, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This session will present a concise, practical overview of effective social media campaign strategies, the role of content curation in strengthening credibility, and the responsible use of AI tools to enhance content development. Presented by Line Storgaard-Conley, Director of Digital Marketing & Advertising at Piper Strategies. 
• QuickBooks User Forum
  Wednesday, March 4, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This meeting will break out QuickBooks users by version to share tips and training resources, followed by a Q&A panel.

Workshop Series: Assertive Communications and Empowered Conflict Management

Avoiding conflict is natural, but increasing self-awareness is key to expanding the ability to manage conflict effectively. Workshop attendees will explore when and how to apply assertiveness skills to improve their interactions with difficult people, build confidence in difficult situations, and get their needs met. Rita Coleman Graham will facilitate this half-day training (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Workshops are open to all district personnel and partner staff. Registration is required, and refreshments and lunch are provided.

Workshop Schedule:

• Tuesday, March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson, PA
• Tuesday, March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent, Latrobe, PA
• Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
• Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas, PA
• Tuesday, 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.

 

Submit Your Videos for 2025

Did your district produce any videos this year? Please share with us by submitting an entry form for the 6^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards, scheduled for February 12, 2026. Every year, we screen a diverse range of video content from districts, showcasing some amazing work. We celebrate the effort staff put into producing this content and take the opportunity to learn more about their process. The district can send up to two videos. The deadline to submit your entries is Friday, January 2.

December Board Development Video: Associate Directors and Committees

The monthly 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. The December installment focuses on the importance of Associate Directors and effective committee structure at districts.

Fall Leadership Webinar Series

There’s still time to register for the upcoming December webinars, Employee Handbook & HR Resources on December 17, and Foundations of Project Management on December 18. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and videos of previous webinars.

Important Reminder: Strategic Planning Grants Deadline

The Strategic Planning Grants program reimburses up to $1,500 in expenses for districts undertaking strategic planning activities. Interested districts can review the program requirements here, and contact Matt Miller with questions. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent for 2026 is December 23, 2025.

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.

• Videos and other resources from the October (Strategic Planning) and November (AI) sessions of the Fall Leadership Webinar Series are now posted on the Building for Tomorrow website. Registration is open for two upcoming webinars: HR & Policy Resources on Wednesday, December 17, from Noon–1:00 p.m., and Foundations of Project Management on Thursday, December 18, from 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. Visit Building for Tomorrow https://www.paleadership.org/fall-webinar-series-to-focus-on-strategic-planning-ai-applications-and-policy/ for more information.
• All districts that produced video content this year are encouraged to submit to the Conservation District Video Awards, which will be presented on Thursday, February 12. The deadline to submit your entries is Friday, January 2, 2026.
• Districts interested in Strategic Planning Grants for 2026 should submit a Letter of Intent by December 23, 2025.

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 monthly 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. The November 2025 installment focuses on Executive Sessions.

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.

You are invited to the Foundations of Project Management webinar on December 18, 2025, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. District staff often find themselves serving as a default project manager. With planning and proactive management, projects can succeed even in the face of adversity. This session will discuss three project management foundations (cost, time, and quality) and review management strategies. The webinar will be presented by Sarah Xenophon, Director of the Farm Viability & Natural Resource Division at the PA State Conservation Commission, and is open to all district personnel.

Visit Building for Tomorrow to register for Fall Leadership Series webinars.

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.

Mark your calendars for the 6^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards on February 12, 2026, at noon. Over the last five years, we’ve seen almost 70 video entries and presented over a dozen awards to district staff in recognition of the hard work and creativity that go into producing content that showcases the many ways districts work to accomplish their missions and serve their communities. We can’t wait to see what you’ve produced in 2025! All districts that produced and posted video content this year are encouraged to send us their entries.

Strategic planning is an essential activity for conservation districts. Building for Tomorrow encourages districts to regularly re-evaluate and update their plans, and supports districts by offering grants to offset costs associated with strategic planning activities. The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse up to a maximum of $1,500 in expenses related to the development of a strategic plan for the 2025-26 program year. Districts should submit a Letter of Intent by December 23, 2025. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

On October 15, Ryan Szuch of Grow Conservation LLC presented a webinar that provides a good starting point for districts thinking about creating or updating a strategic plan. Right-Sizing Your Strategic Planning Process includes an overview of strategic planning for conservation districts, including scope and budgeting, with simple options for districts to evaluate when considering how to best invest their time and money to address priority challenges.

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.