The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the recipients of the Growing Greener Plus grant program. These projects work to protect waterways and watersheds, reclaim abandoned mine sites, and work to reclaim and plug abandoned oil and gas wells. This year’s awards exceed $15 million statewide.

Thirty-two conservation district projects were funded:

• Allegheny County Conservation District – $58,000 for the Mamone BMP Implementation Project
• Allegheny County Conservation District – $50,000 for Plum Stormwater Project: Phase 1 Design/Permit
• Beaver County Conservation District – $439,679 for Brush Creek Ag BMP #2
• Beaver County Conservation District – $33,882 for Dilworth Run-North Fork Little Beaver Creek Streambank Stabilization Design and Construction
• Butler County Conservation District – $256,500 for Tomjack Creek Watershed Rehabilitation II
• Butler County Conservation District – $349,167 for the Altman Heavy Use Area
• Butler County Conservation District – $358,320 for Bauldoff Farm
• Cambria County Conservation District – $222,938 for Bay Watershed Projects Phase II
• Cambria County Conservation District – $260,932 for Ohio River Watershed Projects Phase II
• Carbon County Conservation District – $142,000 for the Hunter Creek Restoration Project
• Chester County Conservation District – $218,400 for the Mushroom Farm Resource Conservationist
• Clearfield County Conservation District – $200,000 for Clearfield County Agricultural and Stream Restoration BMP Implementation
• Clinton County Conservation District – $117,000 for Long Spring Run Stream Restoration and Stream Stabilization
• Columbia County Conservation District – $395,000 for the Multi-County Soil Health Project
• Elk County Conservation District – $87,002 for the Stream Improvement and Rain Garden Project–Upper Clarion River Watershed
• Huntingdon County Conservation District – $124.000 for bridging a funding gap for Agricultural BMPs
• Indiana County Conservation District – $114,600 for the Indiana County Agricultural BMP Design Project
• Indiana County Conservation District – $175,336 for Little Mahoning Streambank Stabilization Phase I
• Juniata County Conservation District – $288,427 for Juniata County Agricultural BMP Implementation
• Juniata County Conservation District – $182,223 for East Licking Creek Stream Restoration Projects
• Lehigh County Conservation District – $127,250 for Lehigh County Stream Restoration Projects
• McKean County Conservation District – $263,259 for the McKean County Stream Crossing Restoration Initiative
• Mercer County Conservation District – $143,140 for the Neshannock Creek Fish Habitat Project
• Montour County Conservation District – $258,080 for the Mahoning Creek Manure Storage Project
• Potter County Conservation District – $36,835 for Streambank Stabilization Projects
• Schuylkill Conservation District – $74,151 for the Little Mahanoy Creek Headwaters Restoration Project
• Schuylkill Conservation District – $236,375 for Upper Mahantango Creek Agricultural BMP Projects
• Somerset County Conservation District – $266,986 for the Laurel Hill Creek Fish Habitat Enhancement Project
• Tioga County Conservation District – $130,000 for Lycoming Creek Erosion Mitigation Project Phase I
• Union County Conservation District – $317,832 for Winfield Creek Stream Improvements
• Venango Conservation District – $18,096 for the East Branch Sugar Creek Protection Project
• Washington County Conservation District – $121,705 for the 2024 Route 519 Stream Restoration Project

For more information on the Growing Greener Plus grant program, application guidance, and to sign up for notifications when grant programs reopen, visit DEP’s webpage, Growing Greener Plus Grants Program. 

 

April 20-26, 2025, will be “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. During this week, district offices will hold conference calls and meetings with legislators. Resources such as letters, a press release, and social media images will be available from PACD to promote Conservation District Week. Stay tuned for more information.

NEW for 2025: Bragging rights, a trophy, AND money!

Click here for a sneak preview. 

More information and official details to come.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) theme for the 2025 Stewardship Week is “Home is Where the Habitat is.” This theme highlights the essential role of natural and managed habitats in our conservation efforts. The Stewardship Week theme is also the poster contest theme. Stewardship Week materials are available on the NACD Marketplace. 

The deadline to submit posters to PACD for the 2025 NACD Poster Contest state-level judging is June 30, 2025. Click here for the contest flyer and here for more information.  Questions may be directed to Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org.

 

As we kick off the new year, we’re looking back at 2024 to celebrate Clean Water Academy’s Top 10 Course Completion Champions across all conservation districts. These individuals completed the most courses throughout the year, demonstrating an incredible dedication to expanding their knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to our Top 10 learners!

1. Rebecca Smith, Mercer CD –145 course completions
2. Morgan Lee, Beaver CD – 87 course completions
3. Maria Rickenbaugh, Juniata CD – 75 course completions
4. Jonathan Wall, Huntingdon CD – 67 course completions
5. Christian DeSimone, Bucks CD – 65 course completions
6. Jason Branning, Susquehanna CD – 64 course completions
7. Katelynn Decker, McKean CD – 64 course completions
8. Charles Kelshaw, Monroe CD – 61 course completions
9. Robert McDonald, Mercer CD – 61 course completions
10. Carli McConnell, Clinton CD – 57 course completions

With new courses and training opportunities ahead in 2025, now is the perfect time to dive in. Click here to visit Clean Water Academy.

Please contact PACD Water Resource Trainer Kelly Davidson at kdavidson@pacd.org with any questions or to create an account.

The Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy is an online training library administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and supported by PACD. It provides training for DEP staff, Conservation District staff, Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEOs), and the public.

WVIA Public Media Studios produced a video, “Saving Turtle Creek – A Conservation Success Story.” The video features Savannah Rhoads, Watershed & Program Specialist at the Union County Conservation District, who shares the science and strategy behind stream restoration efforts. It also features Greg Brown, owner of Turtle Creek Farms, whose commitment to sustainable farming has led to innovative practices like streambank fencing and managed cattle crossings.

Click here to watch the video. 

Governor Josh Shapiro announced recipients of $10 million in grants through the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. This funding will help Pennsylvania agricultural businesses adopt innovative technologies and practices to enhance conservation and implement clean energy solutions — to boost profits, protect soil and water resources, and generate more clean, renewable energy.

Indiana County Conservation District will receive $10,000 for planning initiatives to enhance local food systems and agricultural capacity. Click here to read more. 

Nominations are being accepted for the PACD Conservation Awards. The award nominations have been simplified and streamlined with an online nomination form. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2025.

The awards are:

• 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 

Contact Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with any questions.

Mastering public speaking is a critical skill in today’s world and can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and influence others. Communicating the impact of district programs to different stakeholders is a critical skill to boost participation among landowners, collaboration with partners, and decision-maker influence among local or state representatives.

In this half-day in-person training workshop, participants will learn essential principles and techniques for planning and delivering confident and compelling speeches, presentations, and pitches. The workshop will be held at the Ramada Conference Center State College on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Registration is required. The cost is $30 per attendee, and includes lunch, refreshments, and workshop materials.

The workshop will be facilitated by Stacey Piper & Cindi Johnson of Piper Strategies. All district staff are encouraged to attend, but space is limited, so don’t miss out on this valuable training. Click here 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.

Brianna (Bri) Woods graduated from Juniata College with a major in environmental sciences/studies and a minor in politics. She worked with the PA Outdoor Corps and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before accepting the Conservation Technician position with PACD. Promoting economic conservation practices that help the community and the environment has been Brianna’s career goal since graduating. She also enjoys hiking, camping, collecting cool rocks, playing guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Bri can be reached at bwoods@pacd.org.