Celebrating 70 Years of Conservation
Guest speaker Richard Fritsky spoke on owls, farming, and the PA Game Commission.
Submitted by Susquehanna County Conservation District
The Susquehanna County Conservation District (SCCD) held its 70th Anniversary Banquet with over 100 people from the community attending. The SCCD was created by County Commissioner proclamation on May 12, 1947. Since that day the SCCD has endeavored to conserve the soil and water of Susquehanna County.
During a delicious meal prepared by the staff of the VFW, a slide show of past pictures of district directors, district staff, cooperators, and projects reminded attendees of the the district’s past successes in conservation. In a short presentation, Dairy Princess Michayla Stahl and Alternate Princess Victoria Clark extolled the virtues of dairy products for good health. After the crowd moved to the upper level of the VFW banquet facility, District Manager Jim Garner narrated a PowerPoint timeline of the district’s 70 years. The banquet also featured two special guest speakers. Richard Fritsky, Wildlife Diversity Biologist with the PA Game Commission, spoke on owls, farming, and the PA Game Commission. Denise Coleman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist, gave a presentation on Conserving Pennsylvania’s Private Lands. Each was well received by the audience.
After the speakers, the district honored several awardees for their contribution to conservation in Susquehanna County. Awards presented were:
- Envirothon Donors – Forest Lake Township, Bob Warriner (In Memory), Chief Oil & Gas, Repsol, and Bluestone Gathering
- Dirt and Gravel Road Cooperator – Apolacon Township
- No-Till Cooperator – Edward Chianese
At the close of the meeting, Emcee Jim Kessler disbursed the beautiful centerpieces and presented the speakers with a gift of maple syrup.