For the second year, the Elk County Conservation District is issuing a challenge to other conservation districts to pick up trash during the month of April.

The district that picks up the most trash in their county is the winner. First, track the number of bags and weight of trash (if possible). Then, share your district’s photos and results on Facebook using the hashtags #ConservationCallout #DistrictTrashTalking.

The winning district will be recognized during the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference in July and receive the trash talker award (pictured) for the year. The trophy is currently held by the 2021 winning district in Washington County and will be passed on to the 2022 winner.

Potter County Conservation District (PCCD) held a Legislative luncheon on March 11, 2022, at the beautiful Susquehannock Lodge and Trail Center in Ulysses, PA. Senator Chris Dush, Representative Clint Owlett, and Representative Martin Causer, among many other local leaders, attended.

Dauphin County Conservation District planted a total of 5.7-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffers at four sites in Dauphin County. Together the projects cost $17,651.56 and were paid for through PACD’s multi-functional buffer sub-grant program. https://pacd.org/?page_id=17536

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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 10-16, 2022, will be “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices will hold in-person and virtual meetings with legislators.

Conservation district resources are available here. 

Resources include:

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet (Word) 
• Template Letter to Legislators (Word) 
• Follow-up Thank You Letter (Word) 
• Template Proclamation (Word) 
• Social Media Images 

Please take advantage of these resources PACD created for conservation districts to use.

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

Project examples:

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

Districts are encouraged to work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Pheasants Forever, PA Game Commission, Stroud Water Research Center, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and other CREP partners to set up workshops and other projects!

The extended application deadline is April 8, 2022. Click here for the application and guidelines: https://pacd.org/?page_id=23193

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.

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show, April 24-27, 2022. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, April 24, through Tuesday, April 26.

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts, explain the type of work they do, and reinforce existing relationships with local township officials.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, April 24:  Noon – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25:  Noon – 4:00 p.m. (2nd shift)
• Tuesday, April 26:  7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To volunteer, please contact Diane Young with PACD at dyoung@pacd.org.

The 2022 Director Workshop Series was held at the Westmoreland Conservation District on February 24, at the Clinton County Conservation District on March 3, and virtually on March 9. Forty-seven attendees participated in the workshops on staff retention, the employee lifecycle, and post-Covid policies. In addition, the Building for Tomorrow website posted video and slides from the March 9 virtual workshop. 

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.

Mark your calendars for the 2022 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference July 20-21 in Harrisburg, PA. PACD activities will take place in person with the option to attend the July 21 PACD Executive Council meeting virtually. Conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, and agency partners won’t want to miss this first statewide PACD meeting in over two years. Catch up with old friends and make some new ones in Harrisburg this July! Look for additional information, including facility information, registration, and a draft agenda, in May.

It’s time to RSVP for your spring region meeting! All meetings will be held in person, with the option to attend virtually. Please click on your region meeting below for RSVP information and other details.

Topics will include a potential statewide invasive species program organized by PACD region, a legislative update, and a proposed three-year PACD dues schedule.

 

March 24, 2022 | 9:30-Noon

PACD South East Region Meeting

Montgomery County 4-H Center, Collegeville, PA (virtual option is also available)

 

March 25, 2022 | 10:00 am-Noon

PACD North East Region Meeting

Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville, PA (virtual option is also available)

 

March 31, 2022 | 10:00 am-Noon

PACD North Central Region Meeting

Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA (virtual option is also available)

 

April 8, 2022 | 10:00 am-Noon

PACD South Central Region Meeting

Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA (virtual option is also available)

 

April 21, 2022 | 10:00 am-Noon

PACD South West Region Meeting

Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA (virtual option is also available)

 

April 27, 2022 | 10:00 am-Noon

PACD North West Region Meeting

Tionesta Church of God, Tionesta, PA (Forest County) (virtual option is also available)

The Wayne Conservation District held a workshop through PACD’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. The district educated STEM teachers on soil health and nonpoint source pollution. The event was held at a local farm that utilizes a lot of the practices that were taught. A rainfall simulator was also used to demonstrate how soil reacts to rainfall.

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.