Registration is now open for the 72nd PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, to take place July 17-18, 2019, at the historic Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, PA. This year’s attendees will learn about changes to conservation programs under the 2018 Farm Bill, including a special session on updates to the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
Click here to register and for more information. We look forward to seeing you in July!
Travel stipends available
The Grow More training series is specifically designed to help agricultural outreach staff reach beyond the choir of those farmers already using soil health practices. This training consists of two half-days and will explore farmer behavior, messaging strategies, and event planning. Training will focus on hands-on learning and activities specific to YOUR outreach.
Event Timing: Two days. 1st Day Noon–5:00 p.m. and 2nd Day 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Space is limited.
June 11 & 12, 2019
Franklin County
Chambersburg, PA: Wilson College
June 13 & 14, 2019
Lancaster County
Lancaster, PA: Shady Maple
July 9 & 10, 2019
Wyoming County
Tunkhannock, PA: Comfort Inn and Suites
July 11 & 12, 2019
Northumberland County
Sunbury, PA: Northumberland Conservation District Office
July 23 & 24, 2019
Clinton County
Mill Hall, PA: Clinton County Conservation District Office
July 25 & 26, 2019
Blair County
Duncansville, PA: Comfort Inn
Click here for the event flyer and here for the registration link.
Please contact Jessica Espenshade at espenshadej@nwf.org or 734-887-7114 with questions.
By Nick Yeagy, Software Specialist, PACD
I recently graduated from Penn State Harrisburg with a B.S. in General Science. Last summer I interned with PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). As an intern, I worked on creating content for the Clean Water Academy, a web-based program dedicated to providing conservation district and DEP staff with training on Chapters 102 and 105. As the PACD software specialist, I will continue to work on the Clean Water Academy.
In my spare time I enjoy fishing, cooking, and following Penn State and Philadelphia Eagles football. I am excited to join PACD and work with the conservation districts. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Clean Water Academy, please feel free to contact me at nyeagy@pacd.org.
The Jefferson County Conservation District hosted a Wildlife Conservation Workshop on March 28, 2019, at the district office in Brookville. Thirteen individuals learned about the benefits of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), noxious/invasive weed identification and management, riparian buffers, and wildlife in grassland areas. Presenters Mike Kerr, Kimberly Bohn, John Brundege, Tim Hoppe, and Megan Whitlatch provided important information and answered many questions from attendees.
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.
By Erica Tomlinson, Manager, Tioga County Conservation District
The Tioga County Conservation District hosted their annual Legislative Lunch on May 10, 2019. The presentations from staff focused on grant projects that were completed last year and new projects scheduled for this season. The staff also gave updates on conservation planning, permitting, and flooding issues facing the county. The event is a great way for the conservation district to showcase projects and answer questions for our state and local legislators.
PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Tioga County Conservation District for the event.
Nonpointsourcepa.org recently got a makeover. The new site is more dynamic and visually appealing. The site was produced through partnership between PACD and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
The site is a resource for funding opportunities for nonpoint source pollution projects in the following four areas:
Check out www.nonpointsourcepa.org today!
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.
Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts were awarded more than $35,000 for projects in fifteen counties for the 2019-20 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Mini-Grant Program. Conservation districts will use these grants to work with landowners to prevent pollution in our streams, lakes, and rivers. Projects will take place over the next twelve months.
The following districts were awarded up to $2,500 as part of the 2019-20 CREP mini grant round:
Allegheny & Westmoreland, $2,500
Berks, $2,500
Blair, $2,500
Bradford, $2,500
Butler, $2,310
Clearfield, $2,500
Columbia, $2,500
Chester, $1,650
Indiana, $2,500
Jefferson, $2,500
Juniata, $1,230
Lycoming, $2,500
Snyder, $2,500
Sullivan, $2,500
Tioga, $2,500
Click here for more information on the CREP program.
On May 8, 2019, six conservation districts (Allegheny, Cambria, Fulton, Indiana, Luzerne, and McKean) visited their legislators in Harrisburg. The conservation district representatives spoke to legislators about the 2019-20 state budget, shared the success of the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program, and expressed opposition to HB 509 (third party reviewer) legislation.
While visiting the Capitol, conservation district staff and directors joined PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh to meet with the House Appropriations Committee staff and the Governor’s Deputy Secretary of Policy.
Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts were awarded over $72,000 for thirty-five pollution reduction projects in thirty-one counties. These projects educate adults on water pollution prevention. Projects are funded through the Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant Program. The projects will take place over the next year.
Click here to read the entire press release including the list of funded projects.
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.
On May 7, 2019, nine members of the PACD Executive Board traveled to PACD’s new office in Harrisburg for an in-person meeting. In addition to seeing the new office, board members conducted their monthly business meeting, viewed a presentation on PACD programs from the PACD staff, and discussed the status of the PACD strategic plan.