The Leadership Development program’s 2026 Board Development Initiative will include a regional “Back to Basics” Orientation Workshop designed for newly appointed Directors and Associate Directors. The program will include a condensed overview highlighting crucial information on district form and function, Director roles and responsibilities, legal requirements, partner relationships, and board development.

Regional Orientation Training Sessions are scheduled for March 11 at the Clinton County Conservation District, March 12 at the Cumberland County Conservation District, March 18 at the Westmoreland Conservation District, March 24 at the Monroe County Conservation District, April 1 at the Lawrence County Department of Public Safety, and April 23 at the Berks County Conservation District. Networking starts at 9 a.m., the training will run 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and includes lunch. All Directors and Associate Directors, as well as district and partner staff, are welcome to attend.

Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and 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.

The application period for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II) is now open. Conservation district staff are encouraged to apply. Do not apply for both Basic and Level II. Click the links below for more details on the training and the application.

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
March 19, March 26, April 20 (virtual)
April 13-16, 2026 (in-person)
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
April 17 and April 24 (virtual)
April 27-May 1, 2026 (in-person)
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA, and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The deadline to apply is January 30, 2026. Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with questions.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training, Penn State Extension provides instruction support for the Basic level, and PACD coordinates the training with these partners.

The Board Development video series begins its second year with a January installment that includes a welcome and thank you to all new Directors & Associate Directors, a reminder on the importance of Director engagement, and a preview of upcoming board development programming. 

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.

Registration is open for all 2026 Staff Training webinars and workshops, visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

Webinars:

• 6th Annual Conservation District Video Awards – Thursday, February 12, 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• From Message to Media: Amplifying Impact Through Local Outreach – Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
• Smarter Social Media: Campaigns, Curation, and AI-Driven Content – Wednesday, February 25, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• QuickBooks User Forum – Wednesday, March 4, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Workshop: Assertive Communications and Empowered Conflict Management

• Tuesday, March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson
• Tuesday, March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College, Latrobe
• Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College
• Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas
• Tuesday, March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno

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.

PACD Executive Director Amy Brown attended the annual Adams County Conservation District Planning meeting on December 18, 2025.

During the meeting, the group discussed district accounting, the Erosion & Sedimentation Control Program, Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads, the Countywide Action Plan, the Watershed Program, and the Agricultural Program.

I am incredibly proud of our technical staff. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, staff from the PACD Engineering Assistance Program (also known as TAG), Conservation Planner Program, and Conservation District Umbrella Program delivered outstanding results.

Engineering Assistance Program employees completed 26 Inventories and Evaluations, 21 surveys, 87 practice design layouts, 125.5 construction quality assurance reviews, and 79 practice checkouts. 

Our certified planners completed 21.5 conservation plans, and all planners are nearing full certification—an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations to the entire team.

In addition, conservation districts participating in the Conservation District Umbrella Program completed 24 conservation plans, 9 inventories and evaluations, 44 surveys, 45 practice design layouts, 55 construction quality assurance reviews, and 79 practice checkouts.

Thanks to our program partners, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and the PA State Conservation Commission for funding these valuable programs.

Here’s to continuing this important conservation work into 2026!

Amy Brown
PACD Executive Director

Delaware County Conservation District helped convert one acre of maintained lawn in Rose Tree Park into a native meadow with a mini-grant provided by PACD’s Lawn Conversion Program for Conservation Districts. The project used $2,653 in grant funding.

The Lawn Conversion Program for Conservation Districts is partially financed by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Highlighting PA conservation district employees who go above and beyond. Conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff may highlight outstanding district employees in our weekly e-newsletter by using this form. 

The 2026 Staff Training Initiative includes webinars and a regional workshop series for all district personnel and partner staff. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register for all events, and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Webinars

• 6th Annual Conservation District Video Awards
  Thursday, February 12, Noon–12:45 p.m.
  Join us as we screen district video content from 2025, hear from the producers, and award the coveted CONDIVA trophy for best video.
• From Message to Media: Amplifying Impact Through Local Outreach
  Wednesday, February 18, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This session will present basic media relations concepts, with a tactical focus on working with local broadcast and print outlets to promote and build awareness of your district’s work and mission. Presented by Stephanie Hendricks, Director of Public Relations at Piper Strategies. 
• Smarter Social Media: Campaigns, Curation, and AI-Driven Content
  Wednesday, February 25, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This session will present a concise, practical overview of effective social media campaign strategies, the role of content curation in strengthening credibility, and the responsible use of AI tools to enhance content development. Presented by Line Storgaard-Conley, Director of Digital Marketing & Advertising at Piper Strategies. 
• QuickBooks User Forum
  Wednesday, March 4, Noon–1:00 p.m.
  This meeting will break out QuickBooks users by version to share tips and training resources, followed by a Q&A panel.

Workshop Series: Assertive Communications and Empowered Conflict Management

Avoiding conflict is natural, but increasing self-awareness is key to expanding the ability to manage conflict effectively. Workshop attendees will explore when and how to apply assertiveness skills to improve their interactions with difficult people, build confidence in difficult situations, and get their needs met. Rita Coleman Graham will facilitate this half-day training (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Workshops are open to all district personnel and partner staff. Registration is required, and refreshments and lunch are provided.

Workshop Schedule:

• Tuesday, March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson, PA
• Tuesday, March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent, Latrobe, PA
• Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
• Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas, PA
• Tuesday, March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno, PA

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.