All district management staff and partners – mark your calendars for the 2023 Management Summit and Pre-Con, scheduled for September 12-14 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center State College. The draft agenda will be announced in June. Visit Building for Tomorrow for updates.

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.

Over 80 district personnel and partners attended the Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminar series on February 21 in Cranberry Township, February 22 in State College, and February 23 in Lehighton. The program was presented by Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and included an overview of policies and best practices for effectively and lawfully managing staff. A webinar to follow up on some of the questions discussed in these seminars is scheduled for March 15. Click here to register for the webinar. 

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.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) held its annual meeting in New Orleans from February 11-15, 2023. Attending from Pennsylvania were PACD President Kelly Stagen, NACD North East Region Representative Cliff Lane, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh, State Conservation Commission Member Ron Rohall, McKean County Conservation District Manager Sandy Thompson, Adams County Conservation District Manager Adam McClain, Adams County Conservation District Ag Conservation Supervisor Brian Sneeringer, Indiana County Conservation District Executive Director Doug Beri, Jr., Allegheny County Conservation District Program Team Director Erin Copeland, and NRCS State Conservationist Denise Coleman.

During the meeting, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of Inflation Reduction Act funding to support oversubscribed voluntary conservation programs. NACD applauds this investment in voluntary and locally-led conservation efforts. It is critical for conservation districts to have the tools needed to face the challenges of the future. Click here to read the press release. 

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “The reality is, we can’t get it done without you. There needs to be a strong partnership between USDA and conservation districts. You’re the trusted source in your communities.”

On February 14, 2023, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) administered oaths of office to its new Officers and Executive Board members. Cliff Lane took the oath of office as the North East Region Representative. Cliff is also McKean County Conservation District Commissioner Director, Secretary/Treasurer, and PACD North West Region Director.

Click here to read the press release. 

During the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Annual Meeting in New Orleans last week, Brian Sneeringer received the Distinguished Service Award. Sneeringer is the Ag Conservation Supervisor at the Adams County Conservation District.  

For over 30 years, Sneeringer has been a conservation district leader in no-till and implementing conservation practices. His well-established reputation with the farm community allows him to have one-on-one discussions with local farmers, where he challenges them to think outside the box and try new and innovative techniques. He is an innovator, leader, mentor, and outstanding example of a high-performing conservation professional.

Congratulations Brian! Click here to read the press release. 

The Association of Conservation Executive Directors met on February 13, 2023, during the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in New Orleans. The group began building its first Plan of Work, discussed upcoming funding opportunities, and held elections.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on May 22-23, 2023. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, PA Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments, 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities. Registration will open in March.

The 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation was held on Thursday, February 16.

Clips from eight 2022 video submissions were screened, district staff discussed the production of their content, and awards were presented based on overall production, presentation, and messaging scoring.

The First Prize, and the coveted CONDIVA trophy, went to “Improving Driveways and Access Lanes,” submitted by Kylie Schultz of Westmoreland Conservation District.

Runners-up trophies were awarded to Berks, Chester, and Pike County Conservation District entries.

Video of the 3rd Annual CDVA presentation and links to the 2022 entries can be found on the Building for Tomorrow website. 

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.

Juniata County Conservation District held two soil health workshops. The first workshop was held at Chip Spatz’s Farm in Richfield on October 13, 2022.  Twenty-eight people attended the workshop. The highlight of this workshop was the opportunity to view an actively growing multi-species cover crop mix.

The second workshop was held on February 1, 2023, in Mifflintown. Thirty-two people attended. Attendees discussed the cost-effectiveness and benefits of soil health to production and water quality and the importance of soil health best management practices.

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.

The submission deadline for the 2023 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2023. The theme this year is “One Water.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for the contest flyer and here for more information from NACD.