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 on May 4-7, 2025. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, May 4, to Tuesday, May 6.

PACD is seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, May 4 – Noon to 6:00 pm
• Monday, May 5 – 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 5 – 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 5 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 6 – 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please consider volunteering for a shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts and explain the type of work they do, as well as reinforce existing relationships with local township officials.

To volunteer, please contact Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org.

PACD is hiring a conservation planner or nutrient management specialist who will work toward conservation planning certification for a two-year period to assist in conservation efforts in Dauphin County. The salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 per year.

Click here to read the entire job description.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD by e-mail with the subject heading “Conservation Planner Dauphin” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on February 5, 2025.

Thanks to the conservation districts for submitting their 2024 highlights pages. The pages were sent to all PA General Assembly members.

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

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!