PACD is accepting mini-grant applications for up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) work. Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment, and/or CREP maintenance.

Applications are due November 18, 2022.

Project examples:

-Walkabouts/field days
-Farmer and landowner workshops
-Riparian buffer workshops
-Workshop series with several topics
-Develop educational materials like brochures, flyers, fact sheets, or even billboards
-Hire interns to provide CREP outreach

The guidelines and application for the new grant round are posted here. Questions should be directed to Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org.

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.

PACD will again partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to host a Conservation District booth at the 2023 PA Farm Show.

Conservation districts are encouraged to set up a display for a day and educate folks from all over the state. It’s an opportunity to highlight your district, your county, and what’s going on in your area. If your district has an exhibit that travels easily and you would like to spend a few hours enjoying the Farm Show, then this opportunity is for you.

The show runs from Saturday, January 7, to Saturday, January 14. We need volunteers to staff the booth (one or two volunteers per shift). The morning shift is 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The afternoon shift is 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please let us know if you would like to fill one or more of these shifts as soon as possible. Contact Brenda Shambaugh at bshambaugh@pacd.org by November 28 with your contact information and the shifts you’d like to fill.

 

On October 20, 2022, the Lehigh County Conservation District and its partners carried out a Sustainable Backyard Workshop at the Lehigh County Water Authority. The workshop educated 26 homeowners on the importance of reducing stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution through the use of best management practices. Attendees learned about different types of nonpoint source pollution around their homes. They were given recommendations on best management practices they can install and maintain at home to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution.

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.

There’s still time to register for the final session in our 2022 Fall Leadership Webinar Series. River Network’s April Ingle describes the Building Blocks of Trust as a constellation of foundational best practices to help cultivate and strengthen partnerships. Using case studies from several projects and partnerships involving PA’s conservation districts, this presentation will examine what is required to create these partnerships, the circumstances required for them to succeed and flourish, and ways that we can create more effective partnerships to protect our waters.

Register for Building Blocks of Trust, Wednesday, November 16, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

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.

Twenty-four students (including thirteen conservation district staff) completed the Intro to Conservation Planning Course in Grantville, PA, from November 1-3, 2022. The training is an introductory course for employees interested in writing conservation plans and becoming a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Certified Conservation Planner. The event included classroom and field experience.

Participants attended the three-day training free of charge thanks to the generous sponsorship of NRCS and the State Conservation Commission. In addition, PACD provided administrative support for the course.

Registration is still open for the Fall Leadership Webinar Series. All directors, staff, and partners are encouraged to join us for a lunch & learn session on Wednesday, November 16, with River Network’s April Ingle. Continuing in the partner relations theme from Management Summit, the Building Blocks of Trust program will examine best practices for establishing and maintaining the trust-based partnerships critical to protecting our waters. The session will include examples involving partnerships with Pennsylvania’s conservation districts. Participants will learn what is required to create these partnerships, what circumstances are needed for them to succeed and flourish, and how we can use these lessons to catalyze even more vital partnerships for healthier waterways.

Register for Building Block of Trust, Wednesday, November 16, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Strategic Planning Grants are available for 2023. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is December 23, 2022. Click here for program information and requirements or contact Matt Miller, Leadership Development Coordinator mmiller@pacd.org.

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 15, 2022, the Beaver County Conservation District held a stormwater workshop. Forty-one workshop participants learned about the link between water quality and nonpoint source pollution and how their actions affect the watershed. The district provided participants with information, tools, and a rain barrel kit.

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 October 14, 2022, approximately one hundred people gathered at the Wilson Land & Cattle Co. in Tionesta for a grazing field day, focusing on “improving land while lowering costs.” Clarion Conservation District, Venango Conservation District, and Forest County Conservation District were involved in the event. Russ Wilson, the farm owner, stated, “It was the best field day that we have had on our farm.”

Participants heard presentations on how to monitor the soil health in a grazing system, the ability of silvopasture and alley cropping to make pastures more profitable, soil health as a climate change solution, and how grazing systems help producers adapt to weather extremes. A rainfall simulator demonstration showed how different management affects the soil’s health and performance under intense rainfall events.

Click here to read the entire article. 

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 October 28, 2022, the Cambria County Conservation District held a legislative breakfast in Ebensburg, PA. District Chairman Dennis Beck and District Manager John Dryzal spoke at the event.

PACD 2^nd Vice President Emil Bove represented PACD at the event.

On November 1, 2022, the Lancaster County Conservation District honored Gerald Heistand for many years of distinguished public service with the district. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event.

Gerald joined the conservation district in 1976, working in various departments as the district grew. He also initiated the district’s transition of technology and efficiency. His work has been recognized at the national level, along with state and regional cooperation and assistance.

Best of luck to Gerald in his retirement!