Submitted by Holly Laird, District Manager, Armstrong Conservation District

Armstrong Conservation District (ACD) hosted its annual Legislative Breakfast at its Kittanning, PA office on March 10, 2025. This event allows ACD to update our legislators about our projects for the previous year and our future plans.

Those in attendance included Congressman “GT” Thompson, a representative from Senator McCormick’s office, PA State Representatives Abby Major and Josh Bashline, a representative from Senator Pittman’s office, and the Armstrong County Commissioners.

Join PACD’s Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh for a free webinar on “Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s Legislative Process.” Brenda will share her more than three decades of experience building relationships with legislators during the webinar. Attendees will learn how conservation districts can engage legislators, the best time for engagement, and ideas and resources for making your efforts as effective as possible.

The event will occur via Zoom on February 5, 2025, from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Click here to register. 

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held a tour on November 15, 2024, where they visited and viewed best management practices installed on Snyder County farms to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCCD cooperated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Middleburg Field Office on the tour.

Sixteen invitees from the Snyder County Commissioners office, state legislator offices, Snyder County Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program committee, and SCCD Board of Directors and staff met at the SCCD office to start the tour. They visited three recently completed projects receiving financial assistance for BMP installation.

Click here to read the entire article and see more photos. 

The Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) recently held a tour for local legislators to showcase key projects and conservation efforts. The tour included a warehouse facility, a large solar farm, a floodplain restoration site, and a farming operation with newly constructed improvements.

Franklin County was the recipient of over $3 million in grant funding for 2023 for stream restoration work and ag-related improvements for area farmers. In addition, the Franklin County Erosion & Sedimentation Control staff is kept very busy with permitting for warehouses and solar farms, along with residential and commercial construction.

Legislators were granted an in-person glimpse of the tireless efforts FCCD staff has put forth in maximizing the recent substantial increases in funding.

The Franklin County Conservation District is dedicated to promoting and educating about the wise stewardship of our natural resources.

On June 14, 2024, the Berks County Conservation District held an event and tour of a new best management practice installation at a family farm in Lenhartsville, PA.

Speakers included Senator Judith Schwank; Representative Jamie Barton; Representative David Maloney; Berks County Commissioners Christian Y. Leinbach, Michael S. Rivera, and Dante Santoni, Jr.; Berks County Department of Ag Deputy Director Kim Fies; NRCS District Conservationist Nick Ramsey; State Conservation Commission Director of Financial & Technical Assistance Programs Justin Challenger; and PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh.

The day ended with a tour of a barn built through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).

 

To cap off Conservation District Week, the McKean County Conservation District (MCCD) directors and staff held a legislative tour to promote dedicated funding for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program. The district welcomed Senator Dush, Representative Causer, Commissioner Tom Kreiner, Ann Kaufman from Congressman Glenn Thompson’s office, State Conservation Commission Executive Director Doug Wolfgang, and representatives from the State Conservation Commission, Penn State Extension, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to the event.

Click here to read the entire press release. Visit the district’s Facebook page to see photos from the event. 

On April 29, 2024, Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Elder Vogel offered remarks regarding Conservation District Week in Pennsylvania. Click here to watch the video of Senator Yaw and here for the video of Senator Vogel. 

Thank you to conservation districts that reached out to their legislators and the public last week to share your great work!

Lycoming County Conservation District held a Legislative Breakfast in Williamsport on April 24, 2024.

The district’s state Senator attended, along with two House members, all three Commissioners, and an aide from their congressman. District Manager Matt Long gave a presentation. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh also attended the event and gave a presentation.

 

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. 

On Friday, August 25, 2023, the Cambria County Conservation District held a legislative boat tour of Glendale Lake. The lake is located at Prince Gallitzin State Park.

PACD 1^st Vice President Emil Bove represented PACD at the event, which highlighted improvements made to the lake over the last thirteen years.

Click here to read a news article on the event.