Two sessions and tours were held during the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference on July 16, 2025.

The Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) – Oven Run – A Restoration Success Story session was led by

Greg Shustrick, Watershed Specialist/Assistant Manager, Somerset Conservation District; Phil Wilson, Conservation Technician, PACD Engineering Assistance Program; Danielle Kalp, P.E., Conservation Engineer, PACD Engineering Assistance Program; and Lenny Lichvar, Bottomlands Conservancy. Attendees learned how cutting-edge treatment systems have dramatically improved water quality in the Stonycreek River watershed.

The Large-Scale Solar in Pennsylvania session was led by Daniel Brockett, Educator, Penn State Extension. Attendees learned about solar leases, environmental considerations, decommissioning, and how conservation districts can support informed landowner decisions.

Thank you to all the speakers for putting together these fun and educational tours!

Click here to read an article about the AMD Tour. 

The 2025 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference will take place this week from July 15-17 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pennsylvania.

The event features:

• Pre-conference activities include golfing, hiking, and biking
• Conservation district funding session
• Immersive experiences on solar production or acid mine drainage
• Awards Luncheon
• State Conservation Commission 80th Anniversary Celebration
• Networking breakfasts
• State Conservation Commission Meeting
• PACD Executive Council Meeting
• Basket raffle

Look for conference highlights, award recipients, and photos from the event in the next issue of Front Page.

The Berks County Conservation District held its Legislative Breakfast on June 6, 2025, hosted by Giorgi Mushroom Company at their facility in Blandon, PA. The event highlighted the impact of collaboration among agencies and funding sources, specifically the Growing Greener Plus Grant Program. With $64,799 in grant funds and $27,023 in-kind and cash contributions from Giorgi, the project supported environmental management planning for mushroom farms, compliance visits with the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Best Management Practices implementation, and digital mapping of operations.

Following the presentation, attendees toured parts of the mushroom farm. The event welcomed representatives from Giorgi, the Berks County Conservation District, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Penn State Extension, state legislators and staff, the Berks County Commissioners, the DEP, and the State Conservation Commission. Giorgi went above and beyond in their hospitality by assisting with all aspects of the event and offering attendees local mushroom products and branded gifts. The Conservation District extends its sincere thanks to Giorgi Mushroom Company and all who participated in making the event a success.

 

Tuesday, June 24, is the last day to reserve your overnight room at the special conference rate of $169.00 plus tax with no resort fee! This is a significant savings over the hotel’s regular rates, so be sure to make your overnight reservations before the block expires.

Speaking of the conference, did you know Westmoreland Conservation District is hosting a basket raffle to benefit PACD at the event? The district is asking each conservation district to bring a basket valued at $75-$100 showcasing what you can find in your county. Be creative and show us what makes your county a standout in Pennsylvania. Bring cash to the conference to buy tickets and win the basket of your dreams! Email Tammy Marsh at wcd@wcdpa.com by July 1 with the theme and contents of your basket to include in the basket raffle program.

The PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference will take place July 15-17 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pennsylvania. Click here to register and for more information. Questions? Contact Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.

 

This Friday, June 13, is the last day to get in on early-bird rates to save up to $30 on registration for the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference!

The meeting will be held from July 15 to 17, 2025, at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, PA. If you’re arriving early, have some fun in the great outdoors and take in the beauty of the Laurel Highlands with one of our preconference activities on July 15 from 1:00 PM-4:30 PM.

Golf Outing: Highlands Golf Club at Seven Springs

Join Berks County Conservation District Manager Dean Druckenmiller for a scramble-format golf outing at the beautiful Highlands Golf Club at Seven Springs, which offers fun and challenging course featuring picturesque views of the Laurel Highlands. Berks will even throw in a sleeve of three balls for each player! A charge of $44 per person will cover a golf cart and greens fees.

Biking and Hiking at Ohiopyle State Park

Not a golfer? Join Emil Bove with the Westmoreland Conservation District for a scenic bike ride. Get to know the Youghiogheny river with Riverkeeper Eric Harder before riding the scenic Youghiogheny River Trail to Confluence. If you’d rather enjoy a day of hiking, exploring Ohiopyle, or just enjoying nature on your own, the park offers plenty of options, including hiking trails from easy to challenging. These activities are free to participate!

Click here for more information and to register. 

 

PACD will hold its summer committee meetings via videoconference in June and July prior to the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. The meetings are open to conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, partner agency staff, and invited guests. Registration for each meeting is free and required. Please email the listed contact to request a registration link:

PACD Conservation Committee Video Conference
June 18, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m.
Contact mburns@pacd.org for a registration link.

PACD District Employees Committee Video Conference
Contact hmiller@pacd.org for a registration link.
June 20, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

PACD Education & Outreach Committee Video Conference
Contact swehinger@pacd.org for a registration link.
June 24, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

PACD Legislative Committee Video Conference
June 30, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Contact mburns@pacd.org for a registration link.

PACD Ways & Means Committee Video Conference
Contact abrown@pacd.org for a registration link.
July 10, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

PACD Operations Committee Video Conference
July 11, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Contact mburns@pacd.org for a registration link.

July 15–17, 2025 | Seven Springs Mountain Resort 

Step beyond the traditional conference experience and immerse yourself in current conservation work! This summer, the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference is offering two unforgettable immersive experiences designed to inspire and educate you about issues shaping Pennsylvania’s conservation landscape.

• Solar Production Track: Large-Scale Solar in Pennsylvania

Discover the power and potential of solar energy in the Keystone State. Explore key topics like solar leases, environmental considerations, decommissioning, and how conservation districts can support informed landowner decisions. Cap it all off with an exclusive guided tour of an operational solar facility—see solar energy in action!

• Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Track: Oven Run—A Restoration Success Story

Journey through time and transformation as you learn about the five-system Oven Run AMD project, launched in the 1990s and revitalized over two decades later. See how cutting-edge treatment systems have dramatically improved water quality in the Stonycreek River watershed, then venture out for a field tour of one of the restored sites!

These tracks aren’t just sessions—they’re experiences. Roll up your sleeves, ask questions, and get inspired by the conservation projects happening right here in Pennsylvania. 

Don’t miss out! Click here to learn more and register now. 

Register by June 14 to save $30 with Early Bird pricing!

The Westmoreland Conservation District hosted a bike ride along the Great Allegheny Passage as a way to educate participants about water quality issues in the county. During the 7 mile (roundtrip) ride, the 26 participants made multiple stops that showcased water quality improvement initiatives, such as abandoned mine site reclamation, mine drainage treatment, streambank stabilization, stream water quality testing, and illegal tire dumping in the river. Speakers on the trip included staff from the district, Tetra Tech, and the Mountain Watershed Association.

The events were funded by a nonpoint source mini-grant from PACD, Flat Tire Co., and Bove Engineering. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Penn State Ag Progress Days will be held August 12-14, 2025, at the Russell E. Larson Agriculture Research Center at 2710 West Pine Grove Road in Pennsylvania Furnace. Nine miles southwest of State College, PA, this event will feature the latest technology and research exhibits, educational programs, and guided tours.

This event is an excellent opportunity to call attention to the work and programs accomplished by the conservation districts.

We are looking for volunteers for the conservation district booth for this event (2 volunteers are needed per shift). If you’d like to schedule a shift, send your name, contact information, and preferred shift(s) to swehinger@pacd.org.                                                                          

• Tuesday, August 12: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 13: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.   (1 volunteer needed)   
• Wednesday, August 13: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 14: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When available, volunteers will be sent a final volunteer schedule, parking passes, and other show information. For more information on Ag Progress Days, visit their website at https://agsci.psu.edu/apd.

 

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend your fall PACD region meeting!

September 29, 2025
PACD North West Region Meeting
Elk County Visitor Center, Benezette, PA

September 30, 2025
PACD South West Region Meeting
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

October 9, 2025
PACD North East Region Meeting
Pike County Conservation District, Hawley, PA

October 14, 2025
PACD North Central Region Meeting
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

October 16, 2025
PACD South Central Region Meeting
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

October 30, 2025
PACD South East Region Meeting
Henning’s Market, Harleysville, PA