In the 2017-18 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant round, 37 projects were completed by 30 conservation districts, reaching over 5,000 adults. Click here to see the outcomes and here to see a map of projects completed.

Reminder: PACD is currently accepting applications for a second round of the 2018-19 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information: https://pacd.org/?page_id=16996. The deadline to apply is June 28, 2018.

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.

 

Submitted by Jim Garner, District Manager, Susquehanna County Conservation District

Recently the Susquehanna County Conservation District (SCCD) held its 2018 Legislative Breakfast at the Montrose Club. The legislators attending spent time discussing many current topics with directors and staff over breakfast. District Manager Jim Garner gave a presentation highlighting conservation district programs and related funding. Board Chairman Ray Warriner provided closing remarks and thanked our legislators for all of their support.

 

Cumberland County Conservation District Manager Carl Goshorn visited five legislators at their home offices over the last two weeks.

Due to continued support of conservation district projects by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PACD is able to offer a second round of mini-grants in the 2018-19 program year.

Grants up to $2,000 are awarded to conservation districts for adult educational projects that offer strategies for reducing and preventing Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution. Projects should stimulate a local awareness of water quality issues, promote the theme “We All Live Downstream,” and encourage citizen participation in activities to improve water quality in local watersheds.

The deadline for NPS mini-grant applications is June 28, 2018.  Click here for the online application and more information. Please note that a Google Account is required to submit an application. Questions should be directed to Shannon Wehinger. 

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.

 

The early bird discount ends Friday, June 15! Be sure to register this week for the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting and PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference to receive the discounted registration rate.

The meeting location is the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. NACD events will take place July 15-17, 2018, and PACD/SCC events will take place July 17-18, 2018.

Click here for more information and to register. 

 

On Friday, June 1, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh joined staff from the Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) to meet with local legislators, including Representative Ryan, Commissioner Ames, Commissioner Litz, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Costello, Representative Helm, and Representative Diamond.

During the meeting, LCCD staff highlighted conservation efforts in Lebanon County over the past year. Staff discussed agricultural programs, erosion and sedimentation programs, agricultural land preservation, the Lebanon County Envirothon, and the LCCD Annual Tree Sale. The group also discussed legislative matters important to the Lebanon County community, including the current Farm Bill and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Cumberland County Conservation District sponsored a series of one-day events for volunteers to learn about Nonpoint Source Pollution and water quality in the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed. Volunteers collected water samples and analyzed the results. Water quality data included pH, conductivity, temperature, and nitrogen and phosphorus rates.

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.

Click here to read the “Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Snapshot” which includes results of the monitoring.

Pike County Conservation District and Penn State Extension conducted a series of three educational workshops titled “Discovering Your Drinking Water: Learn more about protecting the quality of your drinking water!” on August 23, 2017, October 18, 2017, and March 26, 2018. The workshop content was presented by Penn State Extension Educator Peter Wulfhorst. Approximately 40 people attended the three workshops.

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.

 

On May 18, 2018 PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Tioga County to attend a legislative event. The 2018 Tioga County Conservation District legislative luncheon was held at the Tokishi Building in Wellsboro. The district highlighted upcoming projects for their area and answered questions about programs throughout the county.

 

I would like to introduce myself as PACD’s Leadership Development Coordinator. I am very excited to join the PACD team and to support the vital work of the dedicated district directors and staff throughout the state. Prior to coming to PACD, I worked for a statewide association representing not-for-profit senior service providers where I coordinated educational and leadership development programming as well as corporate sponsorship, conference and event planning, and member outreach.

I look forward to exploring ways that the association can improve education delivery and increase engagement with the districts and the communities they serve. With that in mind, I plan to reach out to many of you in the coming days and weeks as part of an informal needs assessment of the “Building for Tomorrow” program. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the meantime if I can be of any assistance to you or your district.

My contact information is: Matthew Miller, 717-238-7223 x11, mmiller@pacd.org.