PACD Recognizes Conservationists During Annual Meeting

Written by Shannon Wehinger on August 7, 2026. Posted in Awards

Photo caption: Left Photo (left to right): PACD President Emil Bove, PACD Executive Director Amy Brown, PACD 1st Vice President Barb Peace, PACD North West Region Director Cliff Lane, PA DEP Deputy Secretary Office of Water Programs Jill Whitcomb, and Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding. Photo by Sonia Wasco. 
Right Photo (left to right): PACD Executive Director Amy Brown, PACD North West Region Director Cliff Lane, Washington County Conservation District Agricultural and Erosion and Sedimentation Technician Tom Ulrich, PACD President Emil Bove,  PA DEP Deputy Secretary Office of Water Programs Jill Whitcomb, and Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding. Photo by Sonia Wasco.

The PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference was held at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Several conservationists were recognized during the awards luncheon on August 6, 2026.

The 2026 PACD honorees are as follows: 

President’s Award

• Barbara Peace, PACD 1st Vice President, Director, Indiana County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Excellence Award

• Tom Ulrich, Agricultural and Erosion and Sedimentation Technician, Washington County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards

• Years of Service
• Jim Coslo, Manager, Centre County Conservation District
• Debra Dressler, Administrative & Financial Assistant, Juniata County Conservation District

30 Years of Service

• Beth Futrick, Ombudsman/Grants Coordinator, Blair County Conservation District
• Jackie Ritko, Resource Conservation Supervisor, Cambria County Conservation District
• Tracey Crawford, Manager, Crawford County Conservation District

Click here to read the entire press release.