On July 20-21, 2022, PACD and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) held the first in-person, joint conference since 2019. There were over 90 participants. During the meeting, the following business took place:

– The three-year proposed dues schedule passed.

– The following slate of officers was re-elected:

• President – Kelly Stagen, Pike County Conservation District
• 1st Vice President, Dennis Beck, Cambria County Conservation District
• 2nd Vice President, Emil Bove, Westmoreland Conservation District
• Secretary, Charles Duritsa, Westmoreland Conservation District
• Treasurer, Sonia Wasco, Lancaster County Conservation District
• NACD Director, Clifford Lane, McKean County Conservation District

– The budget for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 was approved.

PACD award recipients and PA Poster Contest Winners were announced during the meeting, and board and partner reports were given.

 

Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts thank the Pennsylvania legislature for supporting conservation districts in the state budget.

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

Through the efforts of the PA General Assembly, the “Transfer to the Conservation District” lines in the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture budgets were collectively increased by $6.8 million. 

“The conservation districts play an important role in protecting the Commonwealth’s resources. By including an increase in the state budget for conservation districts, the

Pennsylvania General Assembly is investing in the conservation district mission of clean water and healthy soil for all Pennsylvanians,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director.

As a result of the legislator’s actions, conservation districts will continue to review permits, assist farmers, assist municipalities in preparing to fix low-volume roads and dirt and gravel roads throughout the state and help control mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.  

 

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 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.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. on July 21, 2022.

The first bi-monthly National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northeast Region Lunch & Learn was held on June 21, 2022. The host and presenters were Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director, and Cliff Lane, PACD North West Region Director and NACD Director. Brenda and Cliff presented “What PACD Can Do For You.” The topics included training and development.

Click here to watch the webinar.

Connie Zimmerman is the new Administrative and Program Assistant for our Harrisburg Office. She has worn “many hats” over the years, working in state government and private industry. A Harrisburg native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Penn State (Go Lions!).

In her free time, she enjoys music, dancing, gardening, and doting on her 4-legged sidekick, Petey. Her downtime also includes spending time with her nephews and niece. Connie said, “I look forward to working with the PACD team!”

PACD will hold our summer committee meetings via video conference in July prior to the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. The meetings are open to conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff, as well as partner agency staff and invited guests. Registration for the virtual committee meetings will be free and required. Mark your calendars and look for more information in a future edition of Front Page!

PACD Conservation Committee Video Conference
July 6, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD District Employees Committee Video Conference
July 8, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Education and Outreach Committee Video Conference
July 11, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Legislative Committee Video Conference
July 12, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Ways and Means Committee Video Conference
July 14, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Operations Committee Video Conference
July 15, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 10-16, 2022, will be “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices will hold in-person and virtual meetings with legislators.

Conservation district resources are available here. 

Resources include:

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet (Word) 
• Template Letter to Legislators (Word) 
• Follow-up Thank You Letter (Word) 
• Template Proclamation (Word) 
• Social Media Images 

Please take advantage of these resources PACD created for conservation districts to use.

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, April 24-27, 2022. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, April 24, through Tuesday, April 26.

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

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, April 24:  Noon – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25:  Noon – 4:00 p.m. (2nd shift)
• Tuesday, April 26:  7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To volunteer, please contact Diane Young with PACD at dyoung@pacd.org.

April 10-16, 2022, will be “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. During this week, district offices will hold conference calls and meetings with legislators. In addition, resources such as letters, a press release, and social media messages will be available from PACD to promote Conservation District Week.

The PACD Executive Council Video Conference was held on January 27, 2022. In addition to PACD’s business meeting, several partners provided reports.

“While we were disappointed that we could not meet in person, we were happy to connect with each other over Zoom,” said PACD President Kelly Stagen. “We are grateful to PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn for joining us and for their continued support of conservation districts.”

Other key partners providing reports were PA Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety Greg Hostetter, State Conservation Commission Executive Secretary Karl Brown, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships and RCPP Coordinator Susan Marquart.

The next PACD event will be the regional meetings in March and April. Click here for more information.