PACD will randomly spotlight one social media post from a conservation district each week. Don’t forget to share or tag other districts to share good news or something others could learn about.
This week’s feature is the Elk County Conservation District’s Facebook post on water. Follow the district at https://www.facebook.com/ElkCountyConservationDistrict/.
Highlighting PA conservation district employees who go above and beyond. Conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff may highlight outstanding district employees in our weekly e-newsletter by using this form.
PACD will randomly spotlight one social media post from a conservation district each week. Don’t forget to share or tag other districts to share good news or something others could learn about.
This week’s feature is the Bradford County Conservation District’s Facebook post on “leaving the leaves” for spring. Follow the district at https://www.facebook.com/BradfordCountyConservationDistrict/.
Registration is now open for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training, which will take place June 1-5, 2026, at the Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill, PA. Attendance is open to conservation district and DEP employees working with Chapter 102.
The training is appropriate for individuals who are new or relatively new to their position, have never attended a similar training, would like a refresher, or would like guidance and skill enhancement for field inspections. The course curriculum assumes all participants have completed the prerequisite coursework on Clean Water Academy.
There is no cost to register, most meals are provided, and lodging reimbursement is available. (See registration page for additional details.) There is no virtual attendance option.
Click here for additional information and to register. You must log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to register. Please contact Molly Bengs at mbengs@pacd.org if you need help accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.
This training is funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.
PACD Executive Director Amy Brown attended the Potter County Conservation District’s legislative luncheon on March 27, 2026, in Coudersport, PA.
During the luncheon, district staff presented accomplishments and future initiatives. They also held an open roundtable discussion with partners.
April 26-May 2, 2026, will be “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. During this week, conservation districts will hold meetings and events with legislators. PACD has posted resources here to help promote Conservation District Week, including fact sheets, a press release, and social media images.
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 April installment we continue our series of training module videos with Conservation District Partners & Relationships. These short videos will also be included on the new 2026 Director Handbook website and are being produced as modules for self-guided learning at Clean Water Academy.
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.
Staff from Lancaster County Conservation District and Lebanon County Conservation District attended the event. Photo taken by Shannon Wehinger.
On March 26, at Deer Country Farm and Lawn in Manheim, PA, stakeholders gathered for the announcement of $5.5 million to improve soil and water quality in the Susquehanna River Basin. Included in the announcement were grants for Lancaster County Conservation District and Lebanon County Conservation District.
PACD Director of Communications and Education Shannon Wehinger attended the event.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture awarded $392,119 in Sustainable Agriculture Grants to 16 farms, and$5.1 million in Public Private Partnership Grants to six conservation organizations.
Grants are funded through the Pennsylvania Most Effective Basins program, a partnership among federal and state government and the private sector to support Pennsylvania in achieving its water quality goals for the agricultural sector under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Pennsylvania’s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP).
Click here for the event recap, including photos and the full press release.
PACD is now accepting nominations for the PACD Conservation Awards. The award nominations have been simplified and streamlined with an online nomination form. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2026.
The awards are:
Contact Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with any questions.
Highlighting PA conservation district employees who go above and beyond. Conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff may highlight outstanding district employees in our weekly e-newsletter by using this form.
