Eighteen projects in 17 counties were selected for funding, totaling more than $34,000 for the 2018 round of the Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. The program is administered by PACD and funding is provided through the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“PACD is thrilled to work with DEP to fund projects across the Commonwealth. This funding will allow districts to educate citizens about their part in reducing nonpoint source pollution,” said PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh. “The result will be cleaner water and healthier soil for future generations.”

The projects funded are:

Allegheny	Equine Environmental Stewardship Short Course
Beaver	Stormwater Help for Homeowners
Bedford	Homeowner Practices to Minimize Stormwater/NPS Pollution Impacts
Berks	Preventing Nonpoint Source Pollution through Adult Education in Berks County
Bradford	Interseeder and BMP Demonstration Days
Chester	Chester County “Day on the Bay”
Dauphin	Rain Barrel Workshops
Elk	Non-Point Source Pollution Educational Series
Erie	We All Live Downstream: A Residential Stormwater Workshop
Greene	Stormwater Workshops
Lackawanna	Stormwater Management In Your Back Yard
Lawrence	Pilot Teacher’s Watershed and Stormwater Workshop
McKean	McKean County Streamside Stewardship
Perry	SCOPE = Scientific Citizens Observing Pollution (in the) Environment.
Potter	Ag-Stravaganza
Wayne	A Precipitation Education: Rain Barrel Workshop
Wayne	Stream Maintenance and Flood Intervention Workshop
Westmoreland	Green Infrastructure Tour in the Turtle Creek, Sewickley Creek, and Jacobs Creek Watersheds

 

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.

 

 

Environmental programs from throughout Western Pennsylvania will share $25,000 from Dominion Energy and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) for innovation and effectiveness in making a positive impact on the environment.

The 2018 winners are:

• Allegheny County Conservation District (Pittsburgh, Allegheny County)
• Allegheny Outfitters Warren (Warren County)
• Casselman River Watershed Association (Somerset, Somerset County)

With the funds, Allegheny County Conservation District will support their Urban Soils Program.

The winners will be honored at the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

Submitted by Heather Almer, Watershed Specialist, Columbia County Conservation District

The Columbia County Conservation District organized its 3rd annual Women in Agriculture Conference at the Bloomsburg VFW Post 804 on March 21, 2018. Attendees learned about sustainable building, the future of agricultural education, credit scores and lending, and sheep farming.They also learned about yoga for stress relief and participated in a hands-on product making workshop to highlight the benefits of making your own cleaners and personal care products.

Volunteers are still needed at the Conservation Booth at the 2018 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference. The conference runs from Sunday April 22 to Tuesday April 24 at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA.

Help is needed for:

• Sunday, April 22 – 12-5pm
• Monday, April 23 – 12-4pm

This is a great opportunity for district volunteers to be able to talk about district programs and build relationships with township officials from across Pennsylvania. Volunteer now by contacting Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org or call 717-238-7223. 

On March 19th, PACD hosted a breakout session at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Spring Conference titled, “Conservation Districts and You.” The meeting was held in Harrisburg, PA.

The session educated attendees on what conservation districts do at the local level to protect natural resources. Speakers included: Carl Goshorn, District Manager, Cumberland County Conservation District; Cliff Lane, Commissioner, McKean County; Dave Rupert, District Manager, Armstrong County Conservation District; Brenda Shambaugh, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts; and Chris Strohmaier, Managing Director, Chester County Conservation District.

 

 

The 2018 Basic/Refresher 102/105 Technical Training course provided concentrated classroom instruction to over 40 employees of Pennsylvania’s conservation districts and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) who work with the Chapter 102 and 105 programs. The four-day course took place March 19-22, 2018, in State College, PA.

The Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting was held March 12, 2018 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA.

Over 160 staff from conservation districts and partner agencies attended the meeting. Topics included program updates, innovative projects, and positive landowner interaction.

The event is facilitated by PACD with financial support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant, the Clean Water Fund, and the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program (CBRAP).

 

The April 30th deadline to recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award is fast approaching.

• 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. Contact Jann McNamara at jmcnamara@pacd.org with any questions.

PACD is hiring a full-time Program Manager. The Program Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating and administering special programs, meetings, and trainings. The Program Manager will also represent PACD on assigned committees, assist with grant writing, and assist with PACD building issues.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD. Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “Program Manager” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm on March 21, 2018.

Click here to read the full job announcement. 

PACD is hiring a full-time Leadership Development Program Coordinator. The coordinator will facilitate the development and the implementation of Pennsylvania’s “Building for Tomorrow” Leadership Development Program to meet the evolving needs and growth in professional development for Pennsylvania’s conservation districts, developing the appropriate and comprehensive programs and materials to support professional development for directors and staff.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD. Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “LD Coordinator” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm on March 21, 2018.

Click here to read the full job announcement.