Fall 2026 webinars are designed to provide overviews for new district managers, but are a great training and review opportunity for all management personnel and interested board members.

November series: Financial Management Fundamentals & Best Practices

Designed for new conservation district managers and open to all conservation district personnel, this two-part webinar series will build practical knowledge and skills for managing district finances, understanding financial reports, strengthening internal controls, and meeting audit and grant management requirements. The series will be presented by Kevin Stouffer and Will Laubach of SEK.

District Financial Management Fundamentals : Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 10:00–11:30am

The presentation will include basics for understanding cash versus accrual accounting, financial reports, budget-to-actual comparisons and key indicators, and additional fundamentals of district financial management.

District Financial Management Best Practices : Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10:00–11:30am

The presentation will include an overview of best practices will focus on audit preparation and processes, internal controls and segregation of duties, cybersecurity, and grant management.

Register for the November Webinar Series

December series: Managing Employment Practice Risk for New Managers

Designed for new conservation district managers and open to all conservation district leadership, this two-part webinar series will provide practical guidance on employment law compliance, workplace risk prevention, and effective employee management.  The series will be presented by Jonna M. Contacos-Sawyer, President of HR Consultants, Inc., a Johnstown-based management and human resources consulting and training firm.

Part 1: Employment Law Fundamentals and Risk Prevention : Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.

Explore key federal and Pennsylvania employment laws, common workplace liability risks, legally compliant hiring and employee management practices, and strategies for reducing legal risk.

Part 2: Managing Employee Relations and High-Risk Employment Actions : Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.

Learn practical approaches to employee relations, leave management, workplace complaints, accommodations, investigations, performance management, corrective action, and termination decisions, with an emphasis on consistent documentation and effective partnership with Human Resources.

Register for the December Webinar Series

 

PACD Executive Director Amy Brown participated in a state partner panel discussion at the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) 2026 Annual Conference, held October 4–7 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Brown joined Denise Coleman, State Conservationist, at the PA USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Marty Qually, Executive Secretary of the State Conservation Commission (SCC) for the panel, which brought together conservation leaders to share perspectives, experiences, and insights on conservation efforts across the country.

PACD was pleased to be represented at this national gathering and to help highlight Pennsylvania’s conservation partnership and the important work being carried out by conservation districts across the Commonwealth.

PACD submitted an article, “Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts: Local Partners Protecting Natural Resources and Supporting Communities,” to the County Commissioners Association of PA (CCAP). It was published in the fall issue of the Pennsylvania County News.

Click here to read the article (pages 14-15).

Please note that the last sentence in the article was not part of the article PACD submitted and appears to be an editorial error.

Bradford County Conservation District and Lancaster County Conservation District will receive funding through The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2026 Chesapeake Small Watersheds Grants Program.

Bradford County Conservation District: Accelerated Design and Planning for Stream Restoration and Reforestation in Bradford County

Grant Amount: $97,400

Lancaster County Conservation District: Building Capacity for Conservation for Grassroots Watershed Groups in Lancaster County

Grant Amount: $48,300

PACD will receive funding through the 2026 Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants Program.

Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts: Building Capacity and Efficiency for Agricultural Conservation Technical Assistance

Grant Amount: $1,000,000

The project will expand technical assistance capacity for agricultural conservation practice implementation in Pennsylvania through increased training and certification for technical assistance professionals, improved systems and processes for deploying technical assistance capacity, and additional engineering and planning positions.

Click here to read the press release.

 

The PACD Ag Plan Reimbursement Program concluded in September. In just under two years, the program funded 437 grants totaling approximately $900,000. These grants provided cost-share reimbursement for 782 plans covering just over 99,000 acres across the state—639 in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 94 in the Delaware River Basin, and 49 in the Ohio River Basin.

Of these, 179 plans covering just over 23,847 acres were on a preserved farm or being considered for easement sale through the Farmland Preservation Program.

PACD is seeking funding to continue the program in the future.

The Ag Plan Reimbursement Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.

Leaders communicate to inform, influence, persuade, and inspire. Why do some messages motivate people while others are ignored? The 2026 Management Summit keynote, presented by Dr. Stephany Santos, Ph.D., will explore the answers to this question and discuss how to intentionally frame messaging and presentations that connect emotionally, communicate purpose, and inspire action.

Drawing on a unique background that spans biomedical engineering, education, and leadership development, Dr. Santos integrates insights from cognitive science, psychology, engineering education research, and storytelling to help individuals and organizations communicate with greater authenticity, influence, and purpose. A nationally recognized educator, researcher, and speaker, Dr. Santos helps audiences understand how beliefs, biases, identity, and motivation shape decision-making, empowering communicators to craft messages that inspire meaningful engagement and lasting impact. The workshop will be paired with a facilitated district manager panel discussion on individual and collective voices, focusing on ways for managers to be more effective and engaged as advocates, partners, and leaders in advancing conservation priorities, strengthening relationships, and increasing public understanding of conservation district work.

Management Summit is open to all district management and partner staff and is free to attend. The registration deadline is October 16. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more 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.

On September 23-24, 2026, PACD Director of Operations Holly Miller attended the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Forest and Water Forum in Williamsport, PA. Holly facilitated a breakout session with forestry groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and partners aimed at enhancing coordinated, science-based restoration of vital forest landscapes and watersheds across 13 states.

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 district board meetings. The October installment presents important information for directors on the Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act. This video is part of a series of orientation modules available in the 2026 Conservation District Directors Handbook.

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.

Letters of Intent are now being accepted for the 2026-27 Strategic Planning Grants Program, which will reimburse up to $2,500 in expenses related to the development of a district strategic plan. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is December 31, 2026.

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.

Over 270 conservation professionals, agricultural partners, and agency representatives from across Pennsylvania came to Indiana County for the 2026 Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) Ag Conservation Con September 15 to 17, 2026.

Attendees toured local farms and conservation projects, heard presentations, and gained firsthand insight into the agriculture, partnerships, and conservation efforts underway in Indiana County.

PACD Director of Operations Holly Miller attended the event.