Northeast Association of Conservation District Employees announced award recipients at the Northeast National Association of Conservation District meeting in Syracuse, NY.

Tammie Robinson, Office Administrator & Envirothon Coordinator at Indiana County Conservation District, received the 2025 Employee Award (Local). The award was presented in recognition of Tammie’s leadership in conservation.

Tammie Robinson has served the Indiana County Conservation District with unwavering dedication for over 41 years. As Office Administrator, she has been the steady hand behind the district’s finances, operations, and institutional continuity, ensuring excellence across every program and initiative. Tammie’s depth of knowledge and mentorship have supported generations of employees and board members, shaping a culture of professionalism and service.

She is perhaps best known for her leadership in conservation education. Tammie established both the Junior and Senior Envirothon competitions in Indiana County. She created the David S. Frick Envirothon Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $46,500 to local students pursuing environmental studies. Her passion for engaging youth, strengthening partnerships, and supporting future conservationists has left an indelible mark on the district and the broader community.

Tammie’s career reflects the highest ideals of public service: humble leadership, tireless commitment, and a quiet strength that has impacted countless lives. This award honors her extraordinary contributions and the lasting legacy she continues to build.

Congratulations Tammie!

 

Submitted by Doug Beri, Jr., Executive Director, Indiana County Conservation District.

The Indiana County Conservation District’s annual Apple Festival once again drew thousands of visitors to celebrate Indiana County’s agricultural heritage, local artisans, and conservation programs.

The festival grounds came alive with the sights and scents of autumn as visitors enjoyed fresh-pressed apple cider, with more than 180 gallons produced on-site, alongside local foods, handmade crafts, and nature-inspired goods. Vendors offered a wide range of fall favorites, from caramel apples to handcrafted soaps, jewelry, and artwork.

In addition to local shopping and food, the festival featured hands-on learning experiences that brought conservation to life. Attendees explored educational booths on stormwater management, watershed protection, native plants, and pollinator habitats. At the same time, families enjoyed children’s crafts, a petting zoo, and live music by Mountains Meet the Moon Band, whose blend of Appalachian and Celtic tunes kept the crowd entertained throughout the day.

“The Apple Festival continues to grow as a celebration of everything that makes Indiana County unique; our farms, our forests, our creativity, and our sense of community,” said Douglas Beri Jr., Executive Director of the Indiana County Conservation District. “It’s an event that blends fun and education, helping residents connect directly with conservation in action.”

With a record turnout, strong community support, and participation from dozens of local vendors and organizations, the festival has solidified its place as one of the region’s signature fall traditions.

For more information about upcoming events and conservation programs, visit www.iccdpa.org.

 

PACD seeks a detail-oriented, organized, and reliable Part-Time Bookkeeper

to manage day-to-day financial transactions, maintain accurate accounting records, and support compliance with nonprofit financial requirements. This position is ideal for an individual with strong bookkeeping experience and skills. This part-time (30 hours/week) position reports to the Executive Director.

This is a hybrid position with 2-3 days in the office in Harrisburg, PA, and 1-2 days working remotely. Hourly wage commensurate with experience ($20–$25/hour). Paid PTO and holidays (prorated for part-time).

Click here for the full announcement. Please apply by e-mail with the subject heading “Bookkeeper” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2025.

October Board Development Video: Right to Know Law

The monthly Board Development Video Series provides information and review on governance, compliance, and programmatic topics. These short-format videos are intended for viewing and follow-up discussion at your district board meetings. The October 2025 installment provides a brief review of the Right to Know Law.

Where to Start with Strategic Planning?

The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse expenses related to the development of a strategic plan, up to a maximum of $1,500, for the 2025-26 period. The Building for Tomorrow’s Strategic Planning Grants Program supports strategic planning by offering grants and support to districts engaged in strategic planning activities.

“Where do we start?” and “How much does it cost?” are common questions that districts considering strategic planning often ask. Join us on Wednesday, October 15, at Noon for Right-Sizing Your Strategic Planning Process, a webinar presented by Ryan Szuch, Founder & President of York-based Grow Conservation LLC. This webinar will present a toolkit with simple options for districts to evaluate when considering how to best invest their time and money to address priority challenges.

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.

Lancaster County Conservation District held a Gala on September 25, 2025, at Moonstone Manor in Elizabethtown, PA. Over 160 people attended the Gala to celebrate the district’s 75th year. PACD Executive Director Amy Brown attended the celebration.

Click here to read the event press release. 

 

Warren County Conservation District planted 3 acres of conventional riparian forest buffer this summer in the Conewango Creek Watershed. The project cost $5,454.95 and was paid for through PACD’s multi-functional buffer sub-grant program. Click here to learn more about the program. 

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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Join us for the next Clean Water Academy Lunch & Learn session on October 23, 2025, from Noon to 1:00 p.m.          

Katie Brooks from Penn State Extension will present on “Enhancing Wildlife Habitat.” The webinar will cover habitat improvements, management practices, and species selection that will enhance forest stands and make them more desirable for a wide variety of Pennsylvania species.

Grab your lunch and join us for this engaging and informative discussion! Click here to register. Registration is free but required. 

Missed it? Join a webinar on October 9.

PACD partnered with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to offer a riparian buffer boot camp in Snyder County. Nine conservation district staff attended the field day to learn how to complete new site visits, develop a planting plan, use flags to mark the site, and conduct maintenance. Participants planted and sheltered trees as part of the hands-on learning experience.

If you were unable to attend the in-person training, please join us for a virtual riparian buffer training for conservation districts by registering using the link below. 

Riparian Forest Buffer Training for Conservation Districts
October 9, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. to Noon

This training is partially financed by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

 

Molly Bengs is the Water Resource Trainer at PACD, where she plays a key role in advancing water resource training efforts and expanding the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s comprehensive training library, Clean Water Academy.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University.

Prior to her current role, Molly worked with the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP), where she contributed to the development and implementation of communication strategies supporting locally led conservation initiatives through partner activities. She also has a background in higher education, having worked on curriculum development, and gained valuable experience through an internship with her local conservation district. Molly is looking forward to continuing her work in conservation by supporting water quality efforts across Pennsylvania in this role.

Outside of work, Molly enjoys hiking, photography, crafting, as well as spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Vader.

Two new lessons can be found under the “Hydric Soils” section of the “Introduction to Wetland Determination – 2025” course.  The lessons feature numerous videos from the field.

The lessons include:

PA Hydric Soil Indicators, Part 2  (must be logged in to view)
This lesson continues the discussion of common hydric soil indicators in Pennsylvania. By the end, you will be able to accurately describe and identify several key indicators using industry best practices. The lesson also introduces a step-by-step procedure for determining organic matter content and classifying types of organic matter.

Hydric Soil Indicators Exercise (must be logged in to view)
This final lesson serves as a practical wrap-up for the basic hydric soils module. Through interactive exercises, you will apply your knowledge to four site scenarios, practicing the identification of hydric soil indicators and reinforcing key concepts learned throughout the course.

Contact Molly Bengs for additional information or to create a Clean Water Academy account. mbengs@pacd.org.