Potter County Conservation District planted 5 acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Oswayo Creek on a farm in Potter County. The project cost $7,878 and was funded through PACD’s Riparian Buffer Sub-grant Program. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

On October 17, 2023, Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) held a Swatara Creek Water Quality Field Day. The event was held at Boathouse Park in Hershey, PA. PACD’s Leadership Development Manager, Matt Miller, attended the event.

In addition to LCCD, the United States Geological Survey and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service presented during the event. The main topic of discussion was the real-time, 24-hour super gage water quality monitor recently installed along the Swatara Creek. The experts discussed sampling techniques and monitoring using the new installation.

 

Over 85 attendees, including 61 watershed specialists, participated in the 23^rd Annual Conservation District Watershed Specialist Meeting at Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center in State College, PA, October 3-5, 2023.

October 3 was a special training day for newer watershed specialists. The training began with an orientation and went on to cover resources, an overview of the watershed specialist position, reporting requirements, and training opportunities. October 4 and 5 provided the full group with sessions on a variety of topics, including partnership opportunities with the DCNR regional watershed forestry specialists, study design for a strong stream monitoring program, PracticeKeeper, and trees and urban forests in stormwater management.

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.

Piper Sherburne, PACD South East Region Director and Chair of the Berks County Conservation District, was nominated and selected to receive the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Advocacy Award!

“It is NAISMA’s honor to recognize Piper for her demonstrated local, regional, and national influence and leadership in natural resource protection and invasive species management. Piper is known to work closely with partners at all levels to advance policy, funding, and efforts to create a regional Pennsylvania Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) to better address invasive species threats and impacts, which, if successful, will benefit the entire state of Pennsylvania,” said Kate Wilson, NAISMA President.

About the award: “This award recognizes outstanding leadership and advocacy in the policy/program realm at state, tribal, and/or federal levels. Special attention is given to advocacy for congressional bills, support, outreach, and/or policies that directly advance invasive species prevention and management.”

The award will be presented at the NAISMA conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, on October 18, 2023.

Pennsylvania Outdoor Life recently featured John Levitsky, Watershed Specialist with the Luzerne Conservation District. John is the 2023 Thomas P. Shelburne Award winner. 

According to www.pecpa.org, “John has led numerous efforts that have had direct results in conserving natural resources in Northeastern PA. He has helped foster a conservation ethic for countless people and cultivated lasting partnerships with many organizations throughout the area by making environmental stewardship understandable through his sincere and accessible way of working with people, all qualities that align well with the ideals embodied by the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award.”

Click here to view the 8 1/2 minute video. 

Tioga County Conservation District held a Soil Health Meeting where participants learned about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), water quality, riparian buffers, soil health, and livestock health. About 19 people were in attendance. The project cost $1,363.

This CREP education and outreach event was funded through the CREP Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

Delaware County Conservation District planted 2.27 acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer and live stake nursery at Smedley Park in Delaware County. The project cost $6,548 and was funded through PACD’s riparian buffer sub-grant program. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

This year’s series features include sessions on financial issues, website accessibility, and insurance gaps. All sessions are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., and all district managers, staff, directors, and partners are welcome to participate.

Financial Issues in Conservation District Management – Wednesday, November 15. 

Following up on the 2023 Management Summit breakout, Kevin Stouffer of SEK will present and answer questions on audits, grant management, and internal controls. DEP, SCC, and PACD staff will also discuss topics such as fundraisers and donations, ACAP requirements, and more.

Tech Roundtable: Website Accessibility – Wednesday, November 29

This session will provide an overview of website accessibility standards, ADA requirements, and potential issues for districts. Group discussion will follow a demonstration of accessibility evaluation tools.

Identifying Gaps in Insurance Coverage – Wednesday December 13

Are there gaps in your district’s property or liability coverage? This session will include insights from insurance professionals, district board members, and management on the process of determining whether all of your district activities are covered under your current policies.

Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

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.

PACD is currently running a campaign to raise awareness about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to enroll more farmers and landowners, and we ask that you share the message with your network to amplify the campaign. We have compiled a guide with some suggested posts to share on your social media channels. You can also use the recommended posts as a guide and create your variations.

Click here for the CREP Social Media Guide. 

It’s time to talk about the PACD booth at the 2024 Farm Show! PACD offers complimentary space at our 2024 Farm Show booth to conservation districts who would like to set up a display for a day and educate folks from all over the state. It’s an opportunity to highlight your district, your county, and what’s happening in your neck of Penn’s Woods. Districts can display their exhibit if they are available to run the booth for both AM and PM shifts. If your staff is available for a half day only (AM or PM shift), PACD will provide the exhibit display.

The PA Farm Show runs from Saturday, January 6, to Saturday, January 13. We need volunteers (preferably two volunteers per shift) to staff the conservation district booth.

Available shifts:

Thursday, January 11: 12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 12: 12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 13: 8:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Please get in touch with Gloria James at gjames@pacd.org by November 22, 2023, with your contact information and the shift(s) you’d like to fill.