From the Elk County Conservation District Bugle Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2022

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) was awarded a $210,000 Landscape Scale Restoration Grant from the USDA Forest Service for a pilot PRISM program in Northwest PA. PRISM stands for Pennsylvania Regional Invasive Species Management.

The presence of invasive species is becoming more and more prevalent across PA. These invasive species are not native to the area and by having no natural predators, are able to outcompete native species and take over. The presence of invasive species poses a threat to Pennsylvania’s economy, natural resources, and quality of life.

The PRISM program allocates funding for the removal and treatment of invasive species, as well as educational programming to teach the public and businesses about this threat. PRISMs such as this have been implemented in other states for years with great success. We hope that the implementation of this program in Pennsylvania will help us reclaim the wild areas of our state and keep invasive species at bay!

Click here to read more about the invasive species survey in PA. 

 

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) conducted a meeting on February 17, 2023, in Selinsgrove. The meeting was for farmers dedicated to conservation-related issues. Speakers discussed proper soil and manure management, agricultural best management practices, available conservation programs, and newly developed corn nitrogen assessment tools. Farmers came away with methods, techniques, and guidance to manage their farms while improving water quality and farm resources.

Click here to read more about the meeting. 

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 2021, Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partners updated the “Landowner Guide to Buffer Success” that was last published in 2007. Like the previous guide, this one is set up calendar-style with pages for notes. In addition, the guide features key tasks by season, tips to improve outcomes, example photos, summaries of how riparian forest buffers help streams, and links to resources.

PACD has a few hundred calendar-style guides still available for distribution. Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org to request copies and to make arrangements to get them to your district.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office 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.

Thanks again to the over 80 district directors, staff, and partners who participated in the 2023 Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminars. A follow-up webinar to address specific questions from the seminars was presented on March 15 by Adam Long. This session’s video and slides, along with reference material from the February seminar series, are now posted at Building for Tomorrow. 

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.

Five county conservation districts were awarded $12,645 for projects for the 2023 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Mini-Grants. Conservation districts will use these grants to work with landowners to prevent pollution in our streams, lakes, and rivers. Projects will take place over the next six months.

The mini-grants were awarded to:

• Blair, $3,000
• Butler, $2,300
• Lebanon, $1,345
• Luzerne, $3,000
• Sullivan, $3,000

Projects include field days, workshops, and one-on-one visits. Whether participants are new to CREP or are already enrolled, they will learn more about the CREP program and how to make it work for them.

Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org for more information about available funding for the CREP mini-grant program.

On March 1, 2023, Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) hosted a Winter Ag Meeting with guest speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Meeting attendees enjoyed an interactive question-and-answer session with EPA representatives led by Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. Topics ranged from legacy sediment to today’s agricultural regulations. Franklin County’s water quality trends and successful BMP Verification Program were highlighted during discussions about the Chesapeake Bay’s nutrient reduction progress.

In addition to the meeting, FCCD facilitated a focus group with local farmers, a stream tour to spotlight a recent success story, and a focus group with municipal leaders.

The deadline is fast approaching to make nominations for the PACD awards. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2023. Click here for more information and a nomination form.

The awards are:

• Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award
• Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
• Legislator Recognition Award
• Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation

Contact Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org or 717-794-6110 with any questions.

 

April 23-29, 2023, will be “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. During this week, district offices will hold conference calls and meetings with legislators. Resources such as letters, a press release, and social media images are available from PACD to promote Conservation District Week.

Conservation District Week materials are available here. 

On September 27, 2022, Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) hosted an evening crop walk at the Carter Family Farm. Various cover crop strips were planted in August to serve as a demonstration plot for the event. In addition, a soil pit was dug so participants could see how cover crops improve infiltration and break up compaction. The farmer demonstrated how a cover crop roller works and discussed planting green.

WCCD also held two pasture walks and an agricultural winter meeting as part of the grant.

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.

Conservation district staff, CAP coordinators, and staff from state agencies and USDA-NRCS are invited to attend the 2023 Virtual Conservation District and PA Agency Ag Meeting. All conservation district staff are welcome.

This year’s meeting is organized by watershed.

• April 3, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Ohio, Erie, Genesee, and Delaware Watersheds
• April 6, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to Noon – Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The event will take place virtually via Zoom. The draft agenda and other prework materials are available on the PA Clean Water Academy via the link below. Registration is free and required.

Please click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is March 30.