Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

We support Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts who work for clean water and healthy soil every day.

PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference Updates

If you haven’t visited the conference website lately, stop by and check out the newest information. Updates include changes to the afternoon sessions on Wednesday, July 17, and a list of nearby after-dinner options within walking distance of the hotel. Haven’t registered yet? Make sure to register before the July 4 holiday. The preregistration deadline is Monday, July 8. Walk-in registrations are welcome and will be taken on a space-available basis at the conference. Click here for updated information and register today!

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Conservation Districts Educate Landowners through CREP Mini-grant Program

Columbia County CREP field day.

The 2018-19 round of Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) mini-grants for conservation districts concluded in June.

Some of the outcomes include:

•      14 projects conducted
•      1,472 farmers and landowners reached
•      19 field days/walkabouts held
•      11 workshops held
•      167 one-on-one visits held
•      27 participants indicated they plan to enroll in CREP in the future

Earlier this year, PACD opened the 2019-20 round and awarded 16 mini-grants. Questions about the mini-grant program should be directed to abrown@pacd.org.

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New Manager’s Boot Camp Held in State College

Shane Kleiner, PA Department of Environmental Protection, speaks at the New Manager’s boot camp on June 18, 2019.

Fifteen conservation district managers, as well as representatives from the conservation partnership, attended the New Manager Boot Camp Training in State College, PA, June 18-20, 2019. Topics included the Conservation District Law, partner programs, finances, building board relationships, and managing staff.

Leadership Development Coordinator Matt Miller said, “This training was a great opportunity to bring new conservation district managers together and build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for their position. Perhaps the most valuable part was the networking and sharing that took place among the attendees.”

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.

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Ribbon Cutting Held in Luzerne County for $325,000 Growing Greener Grant Project

Submitted by Jennifer Lauri, Conservation Specialist, Luzerne Conservation District

Photo provided by Luzerne Conservation District.

On Saturday June 8, 2019, The Lands at Hillside Farms held an official unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Dr. Doug Ayers Dairy Barn, a two-year project. Amy Brown, formerly with the Luzerne Conservation District (now Program Manager at PACD) originally approached the farm with an idea for a Growing Greener Grant.

The community, donors, conservation district staff, staff from The Lands at Hillside Farms, and members of the press gathered on June 8. Attendees toured the new 15,000 square foot facility.

The Lands at Hillside Farms has worked with the Luzerne Conservation District in the past to plant hundreds of trees along the stream on the farm. The farm has also installed a rain garden, a green parking lot to reduce the amount of impervious surface, and bird boxes all around the property to control the pests.

The total contribution from the Luzerne Conservation District, through a DEP Growing Greener Grant, was $325,000.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Franklin County Conservation District Holds Sixth Annual First Grade Field Trip

Submitted by Jennifer Bratthauar, Ag Conservation Technician, Franklin County Conservation District

Identifying macroinvertebrates. Photo provided by Franklin County Conservation District.

For the sixth year, the Franklin County Conservation District hosted the First Grade Field Trip at Caledonia State Park on April 30, May 1, May 14 and May 15. This year’s field trip included a variety of educational stations including agriculture, wildlife, water quality (macroinvertebrates and runoff), dairy, forestry and a nature trail scavenger hunt. Approximately 712 first graders from 32 classes across 13 different elementary schools attended.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Chester County Conservation District Holds New Director and Employee Tour

Submitted by Chester County Conservation District

Mushroom photo provided by Chester County Conservation District. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Sprenkle.

On the morning of June 5, 2019, Chester County Conservation District board members, employees, and representatives from the American Farmland Trust, Chester County Commissioners’ Office, National Fish and Wildlife Federation, and William Penn Foundation had the opportunity to visit two sites where BMPs have been installed with the assistance of the conservation district.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Pike County Conservation District Holds Municipal Lunch and Learn

Bob Myers, Shohola Township; Penney Luhrs, Milford Township; Cheryl Schmitt, Porter Township; JoAnn Rose, Palmyra Township and PCCD Associate Director; Krista Predmore, Delaware Township; Joanna Donahue, Blooming Grove Township; Ken Coutts, Palmyra Township and PCCD Director; Michele Long, PCCD Executive Director; Ellen Enslin, PCCD Senior Resource Conservationist; Chris Ingulli, PCCD Administrative Manager; Stanley Whittaker, Lehman Township; Jerry Dotey, Westfall Township; George Schmitt, Porter Township; Nick Mazza, Blooming Grove Township; Tim Rohner, Lehman Township; Bill Schneider, Westfall Township; Mike Mrozinski, Pike County Planning Director.

Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) hosted a Lunch and Learn workshop for municipalities this spring at the Pike County Training Center. Staff highlighted district services that benefit local townships and boroughs.

Representatives from nine of Pike County’s 13 municipalities attended. PCCD Executive Director Michele Long provided an overview of the district’s mission and core programs such as erosion control, waterways permitting, and the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program that funds repairs on local roads to improve stormwater management. Senior Resource Conservationist Ellen Enslin outlined the types of permit-related correspondence that is shared with municipalities, and Administrative Manager Chris Ingulli discussed inspection reports.

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PACD Hiring Agricultural Conservation Technician in Lebanon Office

As the Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the South Central Region, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design and construction of engineering practices; Prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and Provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to the PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm EDT on June 26, 2019. 

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