PACD awarded seven scholarships for conservation district environmental educators to attend the PA Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) Conference March 13-14, 2017, at the McKeever Environmental Learning Center in Sandy Lake, PA.

“It was terrific to participate in a program that included so much diversity in terms of ages of participants/ideas/activities. The conference was well rounded, creative and comprehensive” said Jolie Chylack, the Lehigh County Conservation District’s Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator.

The annual two-day conference featured respected speakers, seminars, workshops, and learning experiences covering a wide range of environmental topics. The scholarships gave district educators the opportunity to learn new techniques, discover the latest tools and materials available to them, and to network with other environmental educators from across the state.

The scholarships were made possible through an Environmental Education Grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

There were 28 attendees of the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level held March 20-24, 2017 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, Farmland Preservation, Department of Environmental Protection, and PACD’s engineering assistance program.

The Spring 102/105 Technical Training – Basic/Refresher session provided concentrated classroom instruction to 42 employees from 23 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The training session took place March 20-23, 2017, in State College, Centre County.

The April 30th deadline to recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award is fast approaching. Contact Sandy Austin at saustin@pacd.org or 717-238-7223 with any questions.

• Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award
• Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
• Legislator Recognition Award
• Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

Click here for more information and a nomination form. 

Approximately 40 municipal officials attended the Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Road Municipality Workshop on February 28, 2017 held by the Susquehanna County Conservation District. The workshop focused on the proper way to fill out Dirt and Gravel project applications. Attendees also learned about stream crossing permitsand the district was able to provide large wallmaps to each municipality. The maps showed potential and completed worksites. At the end of the agenda, participants had time to review specific project application questions from their municipality.

The 2017 Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting was held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Over one-hundred, seventy-five people attended the meeting to hear about current topics related to the Bay and to network with colleagues.

Presenters from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and various conservation districts, discussed topics such as best management practice (BMP) verification, the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan, and PracticeKeeper software. A lot of discussion focused on the current farm inspections with an open forum session that encouraged questions on the topic. Three conservation districts also shared their experiences and lessons learned about the farm inspection. Maybe the most popular session, however, was one that provided a completely different perspective on some of the topics. During this session, three farmers from Bradford County talked about how they view the inspections and what district and DEP support would be helpful to them.

On March 3, 2017, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Potter County for the Potter County Conservation District’s Legislative Luncheon. In addition to featuring several local dirt and gravel road, educational, farmland preservation, and erosion projects, other topics of discussion included the 2017-2018 state budget projections, the importance of partnerships, and the district’s role in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

This Friday, March 17, is the last day to register for the Spring 102/105 Technical Training – Topic-based session. For more information, click here. Questions? Contact Molly Burns. 

On February 23, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Indiana County Conservation District for a legislative breakfast. During the event, each district staff person highlighted a project they were working on. They emphasized what the district has done with funding they received.

 

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show. Once again there will be a Conservation District Booth at the show.

Trade Show dates and times are

• Sunday 4/23 Noon – 5:00 pm
• Monday 4/24 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Tuesday 4/25 7:30 am – 1:30 pm

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. It’s a great way for district staff to reinforce existing relationships and start building new ones with local township officials. It’s also an opportunity to promote the districts and explain the type of programs and work they do. Contact Sandy Austin at saustin@pacd.org or 717-238-7223 to volunteer.