Alaina Vecere, Water Pollution Biologist for the Department of Environmental Protection, discusses the Chapter 105 program on March 22, 2017.
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.
Click here for more information and a nomination form.
Photo submitted by Susquehanna County Conservation District.
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.
Rich Batiuk, Associate Director for Science, Analysis and Implementation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office, discusses best management practice verification on March 13, 2017.
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.
(Left to right): Front row: Brenda Shambaugh (PACD), Alexander Veto (Dirt & Gravel Roads Project Specialist), Berty Kurtz (Administrative Assistant), Representative Martin Causer, Susan Kefover (Commissioner), Rob Thompson (Agricultural Technician). Back row: Earl Brown (District Chairman), Representative Matthew Baker, Chuck Dillon (Field Representative for Senator Joe Scarnati’s Office), Jason Childs (District Manager), Jared Dickerson (Watershed Specialist), and Glenn Dunn II (Resource Conservationist).
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.
(Left to right) District Manager Adam Cotchen, Majority Leader Rep. Dave Reed, County Commissioner Sherene Hess, County Commissioner Chair Michael Baker, Rep. Cris Dush, Jordan Ball (Aide for Sen. Bob Casey), and Joe Pittman (Chief of Staff for Sen. Don White). Photo provided by Indiana County Conservation District.
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
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.
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Pennsylvania Highlights 2015-2016 report provides a summary of the work completed through the CREP program in Pennsylvania. Currently, 8,936 contracts are in place for a total of 151,908 acres under contract.
Montgomery County Conservation District recently completed their Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant titled, “Montgomery County Golf Course Environmental Education & Outreach.” As part of the project, Agricultural Conservation Specialist Jessica Moldofsky produced a rack card called “The Green: Golf Course Conservation.” In addition to creating one for her county, she also produced one for PACD which any district may reproduce and use. Email swehinger@pacd.org for the full size document or click here for the online version.
 |
Financial and other support for the NPS Mini-grant Program 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. |