The Potter County Conservation District recently partnered with Summit Trail Rides and the Dungster LLC to implement a composting system for sustainable manure management at their operation. The many remote trails adjacent to a state forest made the Summit Trail Rides equine boarding site desirable. It also made manure disposal challenging, as little land is available for pasturing horses and spreading manure generated onsite. The operation is also located in close proximity to the South Woods Branch, a High-Quality trout stream. The district prioritized the project due to its location in the upper reaches of the Susquehanna River Watershed.

The district used Community Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Block Grant funds administered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to complete the work. In addition to the composting Dungster System, underground outlets were installed in conjunction with roof gutters. A stabilized animal walkway was also installed between the barn and the small pasture area. The total project investment was $50,635.00.

Click here to read the entire article. 

Submitted by Lisa Haas, Conservation Education Specialist, Blair County Conservation District.

In late November, the Tyrone High School campus hosted an educational Bioblitz event, made possible through generous funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PA DEP) Environmental Education grant. The event, which brought together students, teachers, and environmental experts, aimed to foster an appreciation for biodiversity and environmental stewardship among the participants.

Throughout the day, students used field guides and mobile apps to identify species, gaining hands-on experience in data collection and verification. The event featured interactive sessions with volunteers from the John Kennedy Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards, a biologist and educator, Jessie Kester, and representatives from the Blair County Conservation District, who provided expert insights and enhanced the learning with activities.

Click here to read the entire article. 

There’s still time to register for a 2025 Employment Law Seminar, presented by Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. Seminars will take place on Tuesday, February 18, in Cranberry Township; Wednesday, February 19, in State College; and Thursday, February 20, in Allentown. This year’s seminar will review the basics of legally compliant employee policy, cover important updates on wage rules and leave policies, and look ahead to changes we might see in the near future. All interested district personnel and partners are welcome to attend. Seminar registration is $35 per attendee. Lunch and refreshments are provided, and all attendees will receive a bound reference document summarizing the presentation and policy recommendations. 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 2025 Winter Staff Training Initiative kicks off this week with a Wednesday webinar presenting an overview of the PA Agricultural Ombudsman Program on January 29. Other upcoming programming includes a PACD webinar on Understanding the Legislative Process, the 5th Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation, and a pair of virtual roundtable meetings focusing on administration and budgeting resources.

This year’s initiative also includes the Inspiring Action with Public Speaking workshop on March 12 in State College, PA. The workshop will provide attendees with an audience-driven approach to crafting and delivering compelling messages, and an opportunity for practice and feedback to help overcome speaking anxiety and build confidence as a presenter. Programs are open to all interested district personnel and partners. Visit Building for Tomorrow for registration 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.

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show on May 4-7, 2025. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, May 4, to Tuesday, May 6.

PACD is seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, May 4 – Noon to 6:00 pm
• Monday, May 5 – 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 5 – 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 5 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 6 – 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please consider volunteering for a shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts and explain the type of work they do, as well as reinforce existing relationships with local township officials.

To volunteer, please contact Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org.

PACD is hiring a conservation planner or nutrient management specialist who will work toward conservation planning certification for a two-year period to assist in conservation efforts in Dauphin County. The salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 per year.

Click here to read the entire job description.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD by e-mail with the subject heading “Conservation Planner Dauphin” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on February 5, 2025.

Thanks to the conservation districts for submitting their 2024 highlights pages. The pages were sent to all PA General Assembly members.

Click here to see what other districts have accomplished this year!

Thank you to all the volunteers who made the conservation district booth at the PA Farm Show a success!

Thank you to the following conservation districts who sent volunteers:

• Berks
• Carbon
• Centre
• Chester
• Franklin
• Fulton
• Lebanon
• Mifflin
• Schuylkill
• Snyder
• Westmoreland
• And the PA Envirothon

The Indiana County Conservation District has launched a new tool for the submission of permits to their office for review.

Entities conducting earthwork in Indiana County who need to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or need a review of an erosion and sedimentation control plan (E&S Plan) are now required to use the district’s online Permit Submittal Tool.

This launch comes after the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) discontinued the use of its Chapter 102 E-Permitting system. The district’s new permit submittal tool guides permit applicants through applying for a General or Individual NPDES permit or E&S Plan review.

According to Executive Director Douglas Beri Jr., the district’s goal with this new tool is to help enhance the permit submission process in Indiana County to improve the completeness of submitted permits and reduce cost, review times, and paper waste.

Click here to read the entire press release. 

Discover how the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) transforms farming in Southwest Pennsylvania. Meet two Westmoreland and Washington County farmers who implemented agricultural best management practices with the support of ACAP funding. Partnering with the Westmoreland and Washington Conservation Districts and USDA-NRCS, these farmers are improving water quality, enhancing their farms, and paving the way for sustainable agriculture. Watch their inspiring journey of collaboration, innovation, and agricultural conservation in action.

Click here to watch the video produced by Westmoreland and Washington Conservation Districts along with the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension was formed in 2023 along with partners at the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the Pennsylvania State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the center is provided through the state Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).