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!
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.
Several conservation districts asked PACD to
develop a one-page fact sheet on conservation districts for distribution to
local agencies. The fact sheet is completed and available for use.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The early-bird discount for the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference expires this Friday, June 21. That’s only five more days to take advantage of the early-bird discount! The conference will take place July 17-18, 2019, at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, PA. Click here to register and find out more.
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.
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.