• 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.

 

Fall Webinar Series to Focus on Strategic Planning, AI Applications, and Policy

The 2025 Fall Leadership Webinar series begins this Wednesday, October 15, with Right-Sizing Your Strategic Planning Process, a webinar presented by Ryan Szuch, Founder & President of York-based Grow Conservation LLC. This webinar will include an overview of strategic planning for conservation districts, including scope and budgeting, and present a toolkit with simple options for districts to evaluate when considering how to invest their time and money best to address priority challenges.

The 2025 Management Summit included a keynote and table exercise on Artificial Intelligence, and we’ll continue the conversation on Wednesday, November 19, with AI Tools for Conservation Districts: Applications and Considerations. The webinar will start with a brief review of potential environmental and ethical concerns voiced during and after the Summit sessions, followed by an interactive discussion on how AI can support HR and staffing, funding development, administrative and financial management, board and governance functions, and outreach and education at conservation districts.

The Fall Leadership Webinar Series concludes on Wednesday, December 17, with “Updating Your Employee Handbook: Sample Policies and Other HR Resources.”  This webinar will explore best practices and legal compliance for revising your district employee handbook and updating policies. It will also include an overview of sample policies and other HR resources available for conservation districts.

Fall Leadership Webinars are open to all conservation district personnel and partners. To register, visit Building for Tomorrow.

Save the Date: 2026 Management Summit

Thanks again to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Management Summit last month! Due to the number of other conferences and trainings in the works for next September, we’re moving the 2026 Management Summit to late October. Mark your calendars for the 2026 Management Summit, Tuesday, October 27 – Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center, State College.

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.

October Board Development Video: Right to Know Law

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 October 2025 installment provides a brief review of the Right to Know Law.

Where to Start with Strategic Planning?

The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse expenses related to the development of a strategic plan, up to a maximum of $1,500, for the 2025-26 period. The Building for Tomorrow’s Strategic Planning Grants Program supports strategic planning by offering grants and support to districts engaged in strategic planning activities.

“Where do we start?” and “How much does it cost?” are common questions that districts considering strategic planning often ask. Join us on Wednesday, October 15, at Noon for Right-Sizing Your Strategic Planning Process, a webinar presented by Ryan Szuch, Founder & President of York-based Grow Conservation LLC. This webinar will present a toolkit 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.

The 2025 Management Summit was held September 16–18 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center in State College. Over 60 district managers, management staff, and partner staff attended. In addition to keynotes on managing uncertainty, understanding artificial intelligence, and communicating for influence, attendees participated in discussions on change management models, learned about audits and principles of accounting, and were updated on current legislative issues.

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 most common strategic planning questions at districts revolve around budgeting. This webinar will present a toolkit with simple options for districts to evaluate when considering how to best invest their time and money to address priority challenges. “Right-Sizing” Your Strategic Planning Process will be presented by Ryan Szuch, Founder & President of York-based Grow Conservation LLC, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from Noon to 12:45 p.m. 

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 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 September installment, we review the Pennsylvania Public Official & Employee Ethics Act and how it applies to Conservation Districts. Click here to watch the video.

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.