With sadness, we report the passing of former PACD President MaryAnn Warren on March 15, 2023.

MaryAnn served on the PACD Executive board for five years, serving as 2nd Vice President in 2007, then 1st Vice President in 2009, before leading the Association as President from 2010 to 2012.

MaryAnn was the Commissioner Director on the Susquehanna County Conservation District board starting in 2004. She served as an officer of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts from 2007 to 2012 and as a member of the State Conservation Commission from 2008 to 2014.

She also served as director/treasurer for the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention program to address the issue of suicide, director/secretary for NEPA Community Health Care, a director/vice-chair for Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development, and a director for the Pratt Memorial Library.

MaryAnn was a dedicated public servant and leader. She will be missed.

Click here to read her obituary. 

April 23-29, 2023, will be “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. During this week, district offices will hold conference calls and meetings with legislators. Resources such as letters, a press release, and social media images are available from PACD to promote Conservation District Week.

Conservation District Week materials are available here. 

Thanks to the conservation districts for submitting their 2022 highlights pages. The pages will be sent to all PA General Assembly members in early January.  

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

Cliff Lane was recently elected as the North East Region Representative to the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Executive Board. He will take office in early 2023.

“I look forward to representing Pennsylvania and the entire North East in my new role with the national association,” said Lane.

Cliff also serves as the PACD North West Region Director, as well as  Commissioner Director and Secretary/Treasurer for the McKean County Conservation District. He has been a director for McKean County Conservation District since 2004.

Congratulations Cliff!

On November 1, 2022, the Lancaster County Conservation District honored Gerald Heistand for many years of distinguished public service with the district. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event.

Gerald joined the conservation district in 1976, working in various departments as the district grew. He also initiated the district’s transition of technology and efficiency. His work has been recognized at the national level, along with state and regional cooperation and assistance.

Best of luck to Gerald in his retirement!

Why is the Pennsylvania Envirothon so successful? It’s because of our commitment to conserve and sustain our natural resources for future generations. To keep the program thriving, we need dedicated individuals with fresh ideas, a commitment to conservation, and a willingness to collaborate with like-minded individuals to help us.

The Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors currently has openings for director and associate memberships. With that in mind, we invite district directors and staff members to serve as Directors on the Envirothon Board.

Click here to read the entire letter. 

First Lady Frances Wolf and Pennsylvania agencies held the annual Governor’s Residence Earth Day celebration virtually again this year.

Conservation District Video Award finalists were featured in the Virtual Exhibit Hall! 

For more information, click here.

Secretary Russell Redding held a press conference at the Indiana Conservation District office on April 7, 2022, to discuss spotted lanternfly prevention in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. Emil Bove (Westmoreland), PACD Second Vice President, represented PACD at the event.

Secretary Redding recognized the work conservation districts are contributing to the control efforts.

Click here to read the press release and here to watch the video. 

 

PACD created a public service announcement (PSA) to encourage citizens to maintain their car to prevent pollution. Please share!

Materials include:

• 80-second Video 
• 60-second Script 
• 30-second Script 
• 15-second Script 

Click here to view the webpage of materials. Please share the PSA scripts with your local radio stations. Conservation districts and partners are encouraged to share the video on their social media channels.

 

On August 25, 2021, two Fayette County Conservation District representatives spoke to the local radio station WMBS. Dave Lohr, Commissioner Director, and Pierce Willson, Agricultural Coordinator, participated in a 45-minute segment called “What’s Working in Fayette County.”

Dave and Pierce spoke about the history of conservation districts, soil conservation, and how the district helps farmers in the county.

Click here to watch the video.