The PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference was held at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Several conservationists were recognized during the awards luncheon on August 6, 2026.

The 2026 PACD honorees are as follows: 

President’s Award

• Barbara Peace, PACD 1st Vice President, Director, Indiana County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Excellence Award

• Tom Ulrich, Agricultural and Erosion and Sedimentation Technician, Washington County Conservation District

Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards

• Years of Service
• Jim Coslo, Manager, Centre County Conservation District
• Debra Dressler, Administrative & Financial Assistant, Juniata County Conservation District

30 Years of Service

• Beth Futrick, Ombudsman/Grants Coordinator, Blair County Conservation District
• Jackie Ritko, Resource Conservation Supervisor, Cambria County Conservation District
• Tracey Crawford, Manager, Crawford County Conservation District

Click here to read the entire press release.  

The Conservation District Trash Challenge pits districts against each other to compete to see who can collect the most trash in the months of April and May. The award is sponsored by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. 

As the first prize winner, the Washington County Conservation District collected 1,168 tires and 800 trash bags for a total of 30,000 pounds of trash.

This year, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful also awarded a runner-up prize for volunteer hours. Westmoreland Conservation District won a runner-up prize for most volunteer hours, putting in 200 hours of hard work!

Pounds of trash and tires collected from all districts for the 2026 challenge:

Washington       30,000

Westmoreland    20,084

Pike              440

Mifflin            360

Clarion           240

Venango          240

Juniata           180

Jefferson         120  

The total pounds of trash and tires reported was 51,664!

 

 

PACD is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 “Soil. Where it all Begins” statewide poster contest.

The winners and the county conservation district that submitted the posters are:

Category: Kindergarten through First Grade

• Maelyn Spiece, Columbia County Conservation District

Category: Second through Third Grades

• Kaelyn Duncan, Greene County Conservation District

Category: Fourth through Sixth Grades

• Cora Petrunak, Lehigh County Conservation District

Category: Seventh through Ninth Grades

• Emma Rickabaugh, Blair County Conservation District

Category: Tenth through Twelfth Grades

• Ella Shultz, Columbia County Conservation District

Each state-level winner will be submitted for judging in the upcoming national competition this winter. The national contest is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts. Visit https://www.nacdnet.org/contests for more information.

Click here to view the individual posters.

 

During the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, PACD released its 2025-26 Annual Report. The report features program highlights and a financial overview.

Click here to view the report.

On August 4, 2026, State Conservation Commission’s Director of Financial and Technical Assistance Programs Justin Challenger hosted a Conservation Cookout. Conservation district staff, directors, and partners enjoyed the opportunity to socialize in an informal setting. Many thanks to Justin and his family for their generosity and hospitality!

 

Twenty-nine participants toured the Dickinson College Farm, an 80-acre, USDA-certified organic farm and a living laboratory where students are involved in all aspects of both farming and research. The farm serves as an outdoor classroom where the next generation of conservationists learn about renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. The highlight of the farm is the Waste-to-Energy Biodigester that converts local food waste and manure from a neighboring dairy into methane-rich biogas.

Twenty-two attendees toured the Pennsylvania State Capitol as part of the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference on August 4, 2026. The guided tour shared architectural and artistic highlights. State Representative Joe Kerwin treated attendees with a visit to the House floor and answered questions about being a representative.

 

Registration is now open for the 2026 Management Summit & PreCon October 27 to 29 at the Wyndham Garden State College Conference Center in Boalsburg. This year’s program features a dedicated New Manager Training on Tuesday, a Wednesday keynote and panel on individual and collective voices, and a staff retention focus on Thursday. All district management staff and partner staff are invited to attend. Visit Building for Tomorrow for the agenda, registration, and room block information.

August Board Development Video: Strategic Planning

The 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. In the August installment we review the basics of strategic planning and share an update on the 2026-27 Strategic Planning Grants Program.

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.

Northampton County Conservation District planted three acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer in Bath, PA. The project cost $21,915 and was paid for through PACD’s buffer sub-grant program.

The Lawn Conversion & Riparian Buffer Mini-Grant Program for Conservation Districts is financed in part 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.

  

2026-27 New Manager Training will be delivered as a multi-unit initiative starting in August and running through May. The program is designed to provide an overview for new managers on conservation district fundamentals, operations, and leadership topics. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register. 

Strategic Planning Grants Available for 2026-27

The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse up to $2,500 in expenses related to the development of a strategic plan for the 2026-27 program year. To be eligible for these funds, conservation districts must develop and approve a strategic plan that meets process and content requirements. Priority will be given to conservation districts that have not received a Strategic Planning Grant in the past five years. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

QuickBooks User Forum Scheduled for September 9

The next quarterly QuickBooks Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Forum meetings are intended to provide peer-based support and learning for district staff with administrative duties. September discussion items will include electronic vs. paper payments, accepting credit card payments, bonding, and a review of the district quarterly reporting schedule. Click here 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.