Two sessions and tours were held during the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference on July 16, 2025.

The Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) – Oven Run – A Restoration Success Story session was led by

Greg Shustrick, Watershed Specialist/Assistant Manager, Somerset Conservation District; Phil Wilson, Conservation Technician, PACD Engineering Assistance Program; Danielle Kalp, P.E., Conservation Engineer, PACD Engineering Assistance Program; and Lenny Lichvar, Bottomlands Conservancy. Attendees learned how cutting-edge treatment systems have dramatically improved water quality in the Stonycreek River watershed.

The Large-Scale Solar in Pennsylvania session was led by Daniel Brockett, Educator, Penn State Extension. Attendees learned about solar leases, environmental considerations, decommissioning, and how conservation districts can support informed landowner decisions.

Thank you to all the speakers for putting together these fun and educational tours!

Click here to read an article about the AMD Tour. 

During the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, PACD released its 2024-25 Annual Report. The report features program highlights, sub-grants awarded to conservation districts, advocacy efforts, and a financial overview.

Click here to view the report. 

The 2025 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference will take place this week from July 15-17 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pennsylvania.

The event features:

• Pre-conference activities include golfing, hiking, and biking
• Conservation district funding session
• Immersive experiences on solar production or acid mine drainage
• Awards Luncheon
• State Conservation Commission 80th Anniversary Celebration
• Networking breakfasts
• State Conservation Commission Meeting
• PACD Executive Council Meeting
• Basket raffle

Look for conference highlights, award recipients, and photos from the event in the next issue of Front Page.

Registration is open for the 2025 Management Summit, September 16–18, at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center in State College. The year’s program features sessions on transition and change management, artificial intelligence, financial planning, and influencing decision-makers. All district management staff and partner staff are welcome to attend. Visit Building for Tomorrow for the agenda and registration links.

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.

Leadership Development is posting a monthly series of short videos in 2025 to share information, promote programming, and encourage discussion on board development topics. The July installment of the series includes information on the district director nominating process.

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 the 2025 Management Summit & PreCon, scheduled for September 16–18 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center in State College.

This year’s program includes:

A PreCon day dedicated to helping emerging leaders navigate transition, uncertainty, and change
A Day 1 Keynote and Manager Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence
A Day 2 workshop on Communicating to Influence

Management Summit is open to all district managers, management staff, and partner staff. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Visit Building for Tomorrow for the Summit agenda, registration link, and room block information.

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.

This summer, PACD welcomes two new unpaid interns, Vanessa and Alexis. Throughout the summer, they will assist the office with tasks such as office organization, social media messaging, and supporting the upcoming PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. Welcome to the team!

Submitted by Ryan Harr, Watershed Resource Specialist, Butler County Conservation District

The Butler County Conservation District has partnered with local parks and schools to enhance biodiversity by increasing native plant species and phasing out traditional turf grass lawns. One of the latest projects took place at a park in Forward Township, where the district installed a 1000-square-foot meadow.

To prepare the site for planting, the district installed a 10-by-100-foot sheet of clear plastic over the area to be converted to meadow. This method, solarization, uses the sun’s heat and smothering to kill existing vegetation, and can also help reduce the seed bank in the soil. Once the solarization process was complete, the ground was lightly tilled to remove thatch and increase seed-to-soil contact. Danielle Rihel, Watershed Forestry Specialist through DCNR’s DIY Meadow Kit program, provided seed that was then broadcast on to the area. With spring rains and warm temperatures, the meadow should germinate in no time. 

Join us for the next Clean Water Academy Lunch & Learn session on June 26, 2025, from Noon–1:00 p.m. with Ryan Davis, Senior Forests Projects Manager for Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

Ryan will present “Riparian Forest Buffer Success through Outreach.” The session includes a discussion on riparian forest buffer success stories with a focus on communication and outreach.

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

Stay tuned for more Lunch & Learn sessions in the coming months!

On June 10, 2025, Secretary Russell Redding joined the PA Department of Environmental Protection and other stakeholders to tour Charvin Organic Farms in Mifflin, PA, to show how investments through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program are improving Chesapeake Bay and local waterways.

PACD’s Acting Executive Director Amy Brown, attended the event.

Click here to view photos from the event.