April 28-May 4, 2024, is “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.
PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh poses with Lycoming County Conservation District Chairman Bill Kahler.
Lycoming County Conservation District held a Legislative Breakfast in Williamsport on April 24, 2024.
The district’s state Senator attended, along with two House members, all three Commissioners, and an aide from their congressman. District Manager Matt Long gave a presentation. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh also attended the event and gave a presentation.
Photo provided by Northampton County Conservation District.
During the 2024 Northampton County Envirothon, a prize was presented in honor of Chryss Buchman, the district’s former manager, who passed away in 2016. The award was given to the highest-scoring team at the Current Issue Station. The 2024 winner is the team from Moravian Academy.
Nicole Thompson and John Miller from Penn State Extension lead a session.
Jefferson County Conservation District held a Farmer Workshop on April 18, 2024, in Brookville, PA. Topics included soil and manure management, the importance of setbacks, and weed identification and control.
The PACD Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program funded the project.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Photo provided by Susquehanna County Conservation District.
The Susquehanna County Conservation District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new ¼ mile interpretive trail around the district office to celebrate Earth Day. The trail includes an area for pollinators and a live-stake garden.
Click here to view a local news report about the project.
PACD Conservation Engineer Danielle Kalp, PE, staffs the conservation district booth at the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Conference in Hershey on April 15, 2024.
Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania attended the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show on April 14-16, 2024. Once again, conservation districts had a booth.
Thank you to the following volunteers for staffing the table:
We could not participate in these types of events without volunteers like you!
Lori Glace, former Cumberland County Conservation District Watershed Specialist shows the sign to participants during the tour. Photo provided by Cumberland County Conservation District.
On April 10, 2024, Cumberland County Conservation District held a tour of Stuart Park in Dickinson Township, showing stream and restoration work. The project was funded through the PACD Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program.
The project also included installing an educational sign that broadcasts the benefits of the stream bank and riparian restoration that took place at Stuart Park. The 2022 restoration project repaired 810 feet of Yellow Breeches Creek. The sign will continue to educate thousands of park visitors for years to come.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is honoring 22 projects completed by schools, businesses, and community organizations around the state with the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
Applications were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved.
Congratulations to Pike County Conservation District on being honored with the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence! The district was recognized for its Dingman Township Park Pollinator Gardens project.
Click here to read the press release.
Participants in the Basic Level of Agricultural Conservation Technical Training pose for a group photo on the first training day.
Thirty-seven individuals attended the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level April 8-11, 2024, at the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg, PA. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, PACD, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, the PA State Conservation Commission, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservation Commission, Penn State Extension, and PACD coordinate the event.
Conservation District staff attended a March 27, 2024, Emotional Intelligence workshop at Wanango Country Club, Reno, PA.
The Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program offered two workshop series for directors and staff this spring.
Sixty-eight attendees representing 31 districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection participated in the 2024 Regional Director Workshop Series on Strategic Board Development. Attendees discussed strategic aspects of board culture and performance, the processes of director nomination and nominating organization approval, and the importance of intentional outreach for district boards.
Follow-up webinars for those who missed the workshops are scheduled for Wednesdays, May 29 and June 12. They will focus on the development needs of new directors and associate directors. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.
The 2024 Staff Training Initiative included five regional workshops on Emotional Intelligence facilitated by Sarah Colantonio of Lancaster-based Work Wisdom LLC. Attendees discussed aspects of emotional intelligence in the workplace and methods to reduce stress and improve well-being. A total of 95 staff from 30 districts attended the workshops.
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.