Over a year ago, the PACD Education & Outreach Committee began the process of creating a shared photo library for conservation districts to use. The library is now up and running! Conservation districts are able to upload photos to share with PACD and other districts, as well as download photos to use.

A photo release is available and must be used for photos with people who are “recognizable by a reasonable person.” The release must be uploaded along with the photos. PACD staff will then review the release and add photos to the library, which is organized by category.

Jessie Albright, Allegheny County Conservation District Marketing and Operations Director created a “how-to” video for the library. Click here to view it. 

Click here for more information and to request access to the library. A usage agreement form is required prior to receiving access to the library. PACD asks that only one or two people per district request access–or better yet, use your district’s general email address, which doesn’t change as staff does.

Thank you to the Education & Outreach Committee for their assistance with the project, especially Jessie Albright for spearheading the effort and providing the photos to start the library.

During the PACD Executive Council meeting on July 18, three officers were re-elected and two new officers were elected.

The 2018-19 slate of officers includes:

• President: Charles Duritsa, Westmoreland Conservation District
• 1st Vice President: Mike Price, Beaver County Conservation District
• 2nd Vice President: Donald Koontz, Mercer County Conservation District
• Secretary & NE Region Director: Kelly Stagen, Pike County Conservation District
• Treasurer: Sonia Wasco, Lancaster County Conservation District

Also during the Executive Council meeting, delegates voted to give the Executive Board the authority to sell the existing PACD office building and purchase a condo.

 

Conservation districts and their partners are invited to register for the Combined 2018 National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Northeast Regional Meeting and 71^st 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.

Anyone is welcome to attend the entire event or only the NACD or Pennsylvania portion. All four days will offer sessions and activities of interest to our members and partners and, as the host state, we hope that Pennsylvania will be well represented.

Click here for more information or to register. 

On May 1, PACD board members and staff traveled to the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in State College for an in-person board meeting.

In addition to their regular meeting, the board discussed PACD presence at trade shows, the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting, and the PACD building.

Introducing PACD’s New Conservation Engineer in the Somerset Office Danielle Kalp!

Danielle is the PACD Conservation Engineer for the Southwest Region. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering Technology in 2008. She is a licensed Professional Engineer, certified Sewage Enforcement Officer, and certified Bridge Safety Inspector. Her prior experience includes wastewater treatment, water treatment, geotechnical, and structural engineering.

In her spare time, Danielle enjoys spending time in nature, including fishing, hunting, backpacking, and gardening. She also raises chickens and brain tans animal pelts.

Danielle can be reached at dkalp@pacd.org.

Introducing PACD’S New Program Manager Amy Salansky!
By Amy Salansky, PACD Program Manager, asalansky@pacd.org

Before coming to PACD, I worked for ten years with the Luzerne Conservation District as a Conservation Agricultural Specialist. Coordinating the yearly envirothon, writing and implementing growing greener grants, working with PA Department of Environmental Protection special projects, PACD mini-grants, REAP, and Farmland Preservation, and assisting with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Conservation Planning are some of the highlights of my position at the district.

I was raised on a dairy farm in Maryland, where I learned about conservation and conservation districts, and for the past 20 years have raised horses, hogs, sheep, and dairy heifers for my daughters’ 4H projects. I have three beautiful daughters, one grandson (whom I spoil to death) and two more grandsons on the way in June and July. I couldn’t be more excited.

In April 2018, I moved from my Luzerne County home to a home in Lebanon County.

I am super excited to be able to work here at PACD in Harrisburg and continue to work with all my conservation district counterparts.

PACD is hiring a full-time Program Manager. The Program Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating and administering special programs, meetings, and trainings. The Program Manager will also represent PACD on assigned committees, assist with grant writing, and assist with PACD building issues.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD. Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “Program Manager” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm on March 21, 2018.

Click here to read the full job announcement. 

PACD is hiring a full-time Leadership Development Program Coordinator. The coordinator will facilitate the development and the implementation of Pennsylvania’s “Building for Tomorrow” Leadership Development Program to meet the evolving needs and growth in professional development for Pennsylvania’s conservation districts, developing the appropriate and comprehensive programs and materials to support professional development for directors and staff.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD. Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “LD Coordinator” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm on March 21, 2018.

Click here to read the full job announcement. 

See the dates and locations for your upcoming region meeting below.

PACD South West Region Meeting
March 8, 2018
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

PACD South Central Region Meeting
March 20, 2018
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

PACD South East Region Meeting
March 22, 2018
Franconia Heritage Restaurant, Telford, PA

PACD North West Region Meeting
March 27, 2018
Forest County Conservation District, Tionesta, PA

PACD North Central Region Meeting
April 12, 2018
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

PACD North East Region Meeting
April 13, 2018
DEP Northeast Regional Office, Wilkes-Barre, PA

From January 17-18, 2018, conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, partners, and friends braved the snowy roads to travel to Toftrees in State College for the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting.

During Executive Council the following were approved:

• Bylaws change to allow associate directors to serve as region directors.
• Bylaws change to allow every board member a vote on the PACD Executive Board.
• Policy opposing an abbreviated permit review period.
• Cliff Lane was elected as National Association of Conservation Districts Director.

Also during the meeting, a 50/50 drawing was held to benefit the PA Envirothon. Because winner Kelly Stagen donated her winnings back to the Envirothon, PACD was able to write a check for $309 to the Envirothon.

Next, PACD is turning its focus toward the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting & PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference which will take place July 15-18, 2018 in Lancaster, PA.

On January 16, 2018, PACD held a strategic planning session at Toftrees in State College prior to the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting. Board members, staff, and one district manager from each region were guided through the process by Michael Kumer.

The group identified seven priorities. They are:

1. PACD will promote and advocate for conservation districts to elected officials, partners, and the general public.
2. PACD will help districts with the recruitment, training, and development of directors, managers, and staff.
3. PACD will help districts attain sustainable, diverse funding.
4. Strengthen relationships and agreements with state and federal agencies.
5. Growing Greener
6. Ensure PACD is adequately staffed and funded.
7. Foster communication and communication between districts.

Next, PACD will work to identify specific tasks to focus on these priorities.