The Washington County Conservation District offered a Buffer Workshop over the summer that focused on riparian forest buffers and other Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) best management practices. CREP materials and resources were provided at the workshop.

The workshop had 15 participants and cost $994. CREP education and outreach events were funded through the CREP Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

The 4^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, from Noon – 1:00 p.m. Deadline for entries is Friday, December 29. Visit Building for Tomorrow for information on submitting your video.

Last week’s Financial Issues webinar included information on grant management, internal controls, and SCC policy on donations and fundraisers. Session video and materials are posted at Building for Tomorrow. There’s still time to register for the remaining two sessions in the 2023 Fall Leadership Series. A Tech Roundtable Meeting on Website Accessibility is scheduled for November 29, and a session on Identifying Gaps in Insurance Coverage is planned for December 13. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Friday, December 22, is the deadline for districts to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2023-24 Strategic Planning Grants program. Interested districts can find more information and review the program requirements at Building for Tomorrow or contact Leadership Development Program Manager Matt Miller.

Stay tuned for big announcements on 2024 Staff Training and Director Training Workshops!

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 Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held a tour this summer that showcased best management practices installed on farms to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCCD cooperated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Middleburg Field Office and other agency staff to offer the tour. Twenty-six participants learned about various conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

This CREP education and outreach event was funded by a $3,000 CREP Mini-grant for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

Elk County Conservation District planted 0.13 acres of multifunctional riparian forest buffer along Bennett’s Branch in Bennezette, Elk County. The project cost $1,751.48 and was paid for through PACD’s riparian buffer sub-grant 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.

The submission deadline for the 2024 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2024. The theme is “May the Forest Be with You Always.” Click here for the poster contest flyer. More information will be shared as NACD makes it available.

The PACD Administrative Assistant is responsible for clerical duties and provides general program support for the office. This part-time position reports to the Executive Director in the Harrisburg, PA office. Salary range: $20-22/hour plus benefits.

Click here for the full announcement. Please apply by email with the subject heading “Administrative Assistant” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. EDT on November 21, 2023.

Please mark your calendar and join us for the PACD spring region meetings! All meetings will be in-person with a virtual option.

PACD South Central Region Meeting
March 7, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

PACD North Central Region Meeting
March 19, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

PACD South East Region Meeting
March 28, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. to Noon
Henning’s Market, Harleysville, PA

PACD North East Region Meeting
April 4, 2024| 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Monroe County Conservation District, Stroudsburg, PA

PACD South West Region Meeting
April 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

PACD North West Region Meeting
April 23, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Armstrong Conservation District, Kittanning, PA

Click here to find your region. 

Mark your calendars for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II). Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free, week-long training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

Basic and Level II training will each be held twice. Applicants may apply for one and only one of the four training sessions. Do not apply for both levels this spring.

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
March 19, March 26, and April 22 (virtual) & April 8-11, 2024 (in-person)
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
March 19, March 26, and April 22 (virtual) & April 15-18, 2024 (in-person)
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
April 19, April 26 (virtual) & April 29-May 3, 2024 (in-person)
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
April 19, April 26 (virtual) & May 13-17, 2024 (in-person)
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The application period will open in early January 2024. Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org to receive a notification when the application period opens.

The following sponsors make these training opportunities possible: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.

 

The Lehigh County Conservation District, in partnership with Lehigh County, installed a rain garden at Cedar View Apartments, which provides low-income housing to 122 residents who are older than 62 years of age or are physically challenged.

Residents learned the importance of minimizing stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollutants from adjacent parking lots and mowed lawns through an educational program at the project site.

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 Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Westmoreland Conservation District received the 2023 Non-profit of the Year award from the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce at their annual business meeting and award celebration. The award recognizes the programs and partnerships the district has made in its nearly 75-year history.

Watch this video spotlight to learn more about the district and how it helps communities.