Click here to play a holiday edition of Two Truths and a Lie with the PACD staff.

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is calling on passionate individuals to make a difference by stepping into leadership roles within our organization. We are currently seeking a volunteer to join our Executive Board as Treasurer—a vital position to help guide the financial stewardship of PACD.

In addition, we are seeking dedicated conservation district directors or associate directors volunteers to serve in the following Committee roles:

• Conservation District Director/Associate Director for the Conservation Committee
• Conservation District Director/Associate Director for the District Employees Committee
• Conservation District Director/Associate Director for the Operations Committee

Your time and expertise can be crucial in advancing our mission and supporting the vital work of conservation districts across the state.

Are you interested in Serving? Contact Brenda Shambaugh at 717-794-6103 or bshambaugh@pacd.org to express your interest or learn more about these opportunities.

The PACD water resource trainer or instructional designer works under a technical training grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This grant provides technical training on 25 PA Code Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) and 25 PA Code Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management). The position may also support other conservation, water resource, and water quality-related training. This is a full-time, salaried position based out of Harrisburg, PA. The position reports to the Executive Director. The salary range is $56,000-64,000/year.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to the PACD via email with the subject heading “Water Resource Trainer” to jobs@pacd.org. The deadline to apply is June 5, 2024.

Click here for the full announcement. 

Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts thank Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for supporting conservation districts in his proposed state budget. 

Pennsylvania’s conservation districts assist landowners through technical assistance, permit reviews, site inspections, and education in a safe, efficient, and effective manner. Conservation districts aim to protect our natural resources, keep food on tables, and ensure public safety.

The Governor’s budget was released last week. The “Transfer to the Conservation District” lines in the 2024-2025 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture budgets were kept at the same funding level as last year. 

Click here to read the entire press release. 

Thanks to funding and support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, PACD now has six conservation planners on staff. These new staff members will work toward conservation planning certification to assist in conservation efforts across the Commonwealth.

PACD conservation planners work out of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field offices to provide services as cost-effectively as possible.

• Bucks County – Grace Rhodes, 215-453-9527
• Dauphin County – Arek Moczulski, 717-559-4020 x3
• Erie County – Joshua Ferraro, 814-796-5031
• Franklin County – Daniel Hausman, 717-446-8566
• Indiana County – Nathan Edwards, 724-427-3333
• Susquehanna County – Kelsey Quinones, 570-278-1197

Click here to read more about the program.

Financial and other support for the Certified Conservation Planner Program is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.

PACD wrapped up its Winter Meeting with the PACD Executive Council Meeting via Zoom on January 25, 2024. Eighty-seven people attended. In addition to regular business, the meeting attendees heard from partners, including Jill Whitcomb, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Doug Wolfgang, State Conservation Commission, and Denise Coleman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  

Photo caption: Screenshots from the PACD Winter Meeting.

Thanks to the conservation districts for submitting their 2023 highlights pages. The pages were sent to all PA General Assembly members.

Click here to see what other districts have accomplished this year! 

Hi everyone! It is exciting to be a part of this organization. I am a wife, mother of 3, and Nana to 6 beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy reading and kayaking in my downtime and am a fair-weather newbie to fly fishing. If my husband has his way, I will become an avid fly-fisherman!

Working in the manufacturing industry for most of my life, I look forward to participating in this new adventure.

The Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) provides technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The area covered includes 17 counties in the South Central and South East Region.

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; Prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and Provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Salary Range: $40,000 to $42,000. Benefits include health insurance, a 401k retirement plan, and accrued PTO leave.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. The deadline to apply is January 26, 2024.

 

Click on the calendar to find out which PACD person is the most likely to…?