Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

We support Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts who work for clean water and healthy soil every day.

Early Bird Rate Ends Friday for the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting and PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference

The early bird discount ends Friday, June 15! Be sure to register this week for the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting and PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference to receive the discounted registration rate.

The meeting location is the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. NACD events will take place July 15-17, 2018, and PACD/SCC events will take place July 17-18, 2018.

Click here for more information and to register. 

 

Continue Reading

Don’t Miss Out on All the Goodies! Register for the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting and PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference Today!

Conservation districts and their partners are invited to register for the Combined 2018 National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Northeast Regional Meeting and 71st PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. The combined conference will take place at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. NACD events will take place July 15-17, 2018, and PACD/SCC events will take place July 17-18, 2018.

PACD is still collecting items for goodie bags that all attendees will receive. Pictured are the messenger bags sponsored by WorldView Solutions, a rain gauge from Berks County Conservation District, and maple syrup from McKean, Potter, and Tioga County Conservation Districts. Not pictured are pens from Snyder County Conservation District. Thanks to Sandy Thompson for taking the lead on coordinating the giveaways! She can be reached at sdthompson@mckeancountypa.org if you would like to contribute.

Be sure to register by Friday, June 15, to take advantage of the early-bird discount! Click here for more information or to register for the meeting. 

Continue Reading

Conservation Districts Host Booth at PSATS Convention

PACD North East Region Director and Pike County Conservation District Director Kelly Stagen staffs the conservation district booth.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) held their 96th Educational Conference and Trade Show April 22-25, 2018, in Hershey, PA. PACD sponsored a booth at the show.

Thank you to Jefferson County Conservation District Manager Deb Wilson, and Bedford County Conservation District staff Mike Felix and Rylan Schnably, for meeting with attendees and promoting the good work of conservation districts across the state!

Continue Reading

Training for DEP and Conservation District Staff Supports Water Quality

Nathan Crawford, P.E., reviews PCSM on April 11, 2018. Mr. Crawford is Environmental Group Manager for the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water, NPDES Permitting Division, Stormwater Construction Section.

This year’s 102/105 Topic-based Technical Training took place April 10-12, 2018, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA. A record 125 participants from 47 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection received in-depth training on Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM), Chapter 105, and other topics that support clean, accessible, water for Pennsylvania’s citizens.

This annual training is 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.

Continue Reading

Sally Corrigan Retires

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh (left), retiring Pike County Conservation District Manager Sally Corrigan, and State Conservation Commission Executive Secretary Karl Brown pose for a photo at Sally’s retirement party.

On April 6, 2018, a retirement party was held for Pike County Conservation District Manager Sally Corrigan in Lake Ariel, PA. The event was attended by both the conservation community and elected officials. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Pike County for the event. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Sally!

 

Continue Reading

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Basic Level Training Concludes

Participants in the Basic Level of Agricultural Conservation Technical Training pose for a group photo on the first day of training.

Thirty individuals attended Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level April 2-6, 2018, at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

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

 

Continue Reading

2018 PSATS Conference – Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are still needed at the Conservation Booth at the 2018 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference. The conference runs from Sunday April 22 to Tuesday April 24 at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA.

Help is needed for:

  • Sunday, April 22 – 12-5pm
  • Monday, April 23 – 12-4pm

This is a great opportunity for district volunteers to be able to talk about district programs and build relationships with township officials from across Pennsylvania. Volunteer now by contacting Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org or call 717-238-7223

Continue Reading

Annual Bay Staff Meeting Held at Bucknell University

Over 160 attendees traveled to Lewisburg for the annual Bay staff meeting. Photo by Brenda Shambaugh.

The Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting was held March 12, 2018 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA.

Over 160 staff from conservation districts and partner agencies attended the meeting. Topics included program updates, innovative projects, and positive landowner interaction.

The event is facilitated by PACD with financial support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant, the Clean Water Fund, and the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program (CBRAP).

 

Continue Reading

2018 PSATS Conference – Volunteers Needed

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show. Once again there will be a conservation district booth at the show, which runs from Sunday, April 22, through Tuesday, April 24.

Trade Show dates and times are:

  • Sunday 4/22 Noon­­–5:00 pm
  • Monday 4/23 7:30 am–4:00 pm (this can be broken into two shifts 7:30–12:00 and 12:00–4:00)
  • Tuesday 4/24 7:30 am–1:30 pm

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. It’s a great way for district staff to reinforce existing relationships and start building new ones with local township officials. It’s also an opportunity to promote the districts and explain the type of programs and work they do. Contact Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org to volunteer.

Continue Reading

Spring 102/105 Technical Training – Basic/Refresher Registration Opens

Registration is now open for the 2018 102/105 Basic/Refresher Technical Training course. The course is open to conservation district and DEP staff and will take place March 21-24, 2018 at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA. There is little or no cost to attend. (See registration information for details.)

Registration for the Topic-Based session, which will take place at the same location on April 10-12, 2018, will be announced in an upcoming issue of Front Page. Click here to register or for more information about the March session.

Continue Reading