2026 Staff Training Focuses on Media & Personal Communications

Written by Shannon Wehinger on January 30, 2026. Posted in Leadership Development

The 2026 Staff Training Initiative explores elevating communications for all district roles. Sessions will focus on video content production and promotion, local media outreach, social media engagement, peer-based training and support networks, and the role of communications in conflict management.

Every year we celebrate the hard work of district staff who produce video content to build awareness and further conservation efforts, and we take the opportunity to learn about how this content was produced and how it serves the mission of districts. The eleven entries for 2025 are some of the best yet – join us on February 12 for the 6^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards and find out which district will bring home the coveted CONDIVA trophy!

We’ll follow up the video awards with a pair of webinars offering practical, skills-focused guidance to help staff communicate more effectively without needing to be communications professionals. On February 18, From Message to Media: Amplifying Impact through Local Outreach demystifies how to work with local print, broadcast, and digital media. Participants will learn how to identify and build relationships with reporters, develop genuinely newsworthy messaging, and create effective press releases, advisories, PSAs, and pitch emails. The session also addresses timing outreach for maximum impact, navigating challenging news moments, and integrating media engagement into a broader district outreach strategy.

On February 25, Smarter Social Media: Campaigns, Curation, and AI Content focuses on building a more consistent, credible, and efficient social media presence. This webinar provides streamlined approaches to campaign planning, content curation, and performance measurement, along with practical guidance on using AI tools for ideation, drafting, graphics, scheduling, and reporting—all while maintaining authenticity. Together, these sessions equip participants with actionable tools to strengthen outreach, boost engagement, and amplify their impact across both traditional and digital channels.

TheMarch 4 QuickBooks User Forum will break out participants by the version in use at their district. Guided discussion prompts for sharing tips, tricks, and resources will be followed by steps to encourage peer-based learning and support among district QuickBooks users.

A regional training workshop on Assertive Communications and Empowered Conflict Management is scheduled at five locations across the state in March. This interactive training will empower attendees to apply assertiveness skills to improve their encounters with difficult people, increase their confidence in difficult situations, and get their wants or needs met. Attendees are encouraged to come with a home or work scenario in mind so they can craft and practice delivering an assertive message. Participants will leave with the ability to compare and analyze their conflict response choices, assess when and how to apply the assertiveness tool in conflict management, and develop and practice assertive messaging. Workshops are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (networking with refreshments begins at 9 a.m.), and lunch is provided. Registration is free and required.

• Tuesday, March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson 
• Tuesday, March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College, Latrobe 
• Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College 
• Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas 
• Tuesday, March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno 

Leadership Development programming is open to all district personnel and partner staff.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.