The application deadline for PACD’s multi-functional riparian forest buffer program has been extended until June 30, 2023. About $100,000 is still available for projects statewide. Pennsylvania’s conservation districts are encouraged to apply for funding to install multi-functional buffers with landowners. The sub-grant program is first-come, first-served. No matching funds are required!

Since 2018, over $590,000 has been allocated to multi-functional riparian buffer projects covering more than 125 acres.

To learn more about this program and apply, please visit PACD’s website at https://pacd.org/?page_id=17536.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and PACD are partnering to offer a free iMapInvasives Overview and Training for Conservation Districts!

When: The training will be offered via Zoom on June 28, 2022, beginning at 10 am.

Webinar Description: iMapInvasives is a comprehensive tool for online invasive species data management. It includes many aspects that appeal to natural resource managers, community scientists, and other interested members of the public. By providing a tool that advances knowledge and understanding of invasive species distributions across Pennsylvania, iMapInvasives promotes strategic decisions for conducting future survey and management work in priority locations across the Commonwealth.

Amy Jewitt, Invasive Species Coordinator at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Lead Administrator of the Pennsylvania iMapInvasives Program, will provide an overview of the iMapInvasives Program for PACD and Conservation District staff. Amy will show a variety of visual elements from the database and explain tools offered in the platform that are of value for PACD and conservation district staff regarding understanding species distributions, prioritizing management efforts, and using the platform as a data clearinghouse for conservation districts across the state.

Registration: Please click here to register for the event. 

There is still time to participate! The submission deadline for the 2022 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2022. The theme this year is “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for more information. 

Submitted by Lori Glace, Cumberland County Conservation District Watershed Specialist

Fifteen participants joined Upper Allen Township’s Rain Garden Workshop on May 19, 2022, where they learned about “Local Watersheds and Nonpoint Source Pollution,” presented by Lori Glace of the Cumberland County Conservation District, and “How to Build a Rain Garden,” presented by Andy Yencha of Penn State Extension.

Participants helped to plant native plant species in the rain gardens in the parking lot of Upper Allen Township’s Municipal Building. Thank you to Upper Allen Township for their help and preparation to administer the workshop.

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.

 

Eighty-seven individuals attended the Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting May 18-19, 2022. In addition to 319 Program updates, participants learned about stream restoration work in Northcentral PA, funding sources for restoration projects, green infrastructure and stormwater management, how to work with tree nurseries for buffer projects, and Model My Watershed.

The event was open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, DEP and EPA staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments: 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities.

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.

All Conservation District Directors and Associate Directors are encouraged to register for the Deep Dives for Director’s webinars on Thursday, June 2, and Wednesday, June 15. These sessions will pick up where the 2020 New Director Orientation program left off in discussing the roles and responsibilities of boards in relation to partner programs and delegation agreements and are intended to provide in-depth background for newly-appointed directors or as a review for all board members. Both sessions will be recorded and posted online, and district managers are also encouraged to host watch parties for their board members. 

Register for Deep Dives for Directors: SCC & DGLVR Programs – Thursday, June 2, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM 

Register for Deep Dives for Directors: DEP Programs – Wednesday, June 15, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 

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.

 

From BCCD’s Fall 2021 Newsletter

The Beaver County Conservation District (BCCD) held an in-person rain barrel workshop in September 2021. Susan Boser from Penn State Extension presented on watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, and stormwater best management practices. Hannah Ward, BCCD’s watershed specialist, showed a video on how to build a rain barrel and explained the tools needed.

Participants received a rain barrel, rain barrel kit, and informational flyers. After the workshop, participants commented that they would make changes to their property to reduce stormwater run-off. For example, they will install the rain barrel using the materials and knowledge they received at the workshop, implement a rain garden or buffer on their property, or implement some of the best management practices discussed.

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.

In May 2022, Montgomery County Conservation District partnered with volunteers from Perkiomen Valley Trout Unlimited (PVTU), staff from Aqua Pennsylvania, and staff from Stroud Water Research Center to provide interactive environmental education programming to students from Christopher Dock High School and Upper Perkiomen High School.

This programming included two “Trout in the Classroom” (TIC) field trips on May 4, 2022, and May 12, 2022. Jim Coffey, who serves as a Board Member, TIC Coordinator, and Youth Education Coordinator with PVTU, brought project partners together to deliver these unique educational experiences.

Click here to read the entire article and see more photos. 

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced more than $2.45 million in federal grants awarded to 23 projects that will grow markets and increase the quality, safety, and sustainability of the state’s vegetable, fruit, nut, and nursery specialty crops.

Indiana County Conservation District received $100,491. The district will demonstrate how to grow specialty crops by creating demonstration test plots at three locations to expand community knowledge of specialty crops and decrease food deserts.

Click here to read the press release. 

PACD will hold our summer committee meetings via video conference in July prior to the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. The meetings are open to conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff, as well as partner agency staff and invited guests. Registration for the virtual committee meetings will be free and required. Mark your calendars and look for more information in a future edition of Front Page!

PACD Conservation Committee Video Conference
July 6, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD District Employees Committee Video Conference
July 8, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Education and Outreach Committee Video Conference
July 11, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Legislative Committee Video Conference
July 12, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Ways and Means Committee Video Conference
July 14, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Operations Committee Video Conference
July 15, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.