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. 

 

At the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in July the Association elected a new slate of officers. Among them was Pike County Conservation District Director Kelly Stagen who was elected as President.

Previously, Stagen served as the First Vice President and Secretary of the Association. In addition to being President, she remains the alternate representative to the National Association of Conservation Districts.

“I am thankful for Pennsylvania’s conservation districts for electing me to represent their interests as their President,” said Kelly Stagen. “I look forward to moving the association forward and to supporting the important work of environmental education that districts provide across the state.”

The 2021 PACD officers are as follows: 

1^st Vice President: Dennis Beck, Cambria County Conservation District
2^nd Vice President: Emil Bove, Westmoreland Conservation District
Secretary: Charles Duritsa, Westmoreland Conservation District
Treasurer: Sonia Wasco, Lancaster County Conservation District

 

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Franklin County Conservation District on June 14, 2021, to celebrate Associate Director Sam Worley’s 100th birthday!