Twenty-seven individuals attended Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Level II, April 25-29, 2022. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and affiliates.

The Level II annual training consists of two learning tracks: agronomy and engineering. The two tracks allow participants to focus more deeply on their area of study. The event features a balance of classroom work and fieldwork to give participants hands-on experience.

The training is sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission. PACD works with these partners to coordinate the training.

The Monroe County Conservation District recently held a workshop on streamside buffers. Nineteen Monroe County landowners learned about nonpoint source pollution and actions they can take at home to reduce and prevent it. After the classroom portion of the workshop, the participants planted 53 trees and 160 live stakes on the banks of Cherry Creek. The newly planted forested riparian buffer replaces grass along approximately 750 feet of streambank that frequently floods. Once the buffer becomes established, it will significantly reduce the risk of sediment pollution from runoff and streambank failure.

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.

 

On April 1, 2022, Chester County Conservation District gathered with Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery County Conservation Districts to host a regional Stormwater Management Maintenance Workshop for Landscaping Professionals in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, PA. Recognizing that maintenance is one of the most critical and often neglected aspects of post-construction stormwater management, the workshop focused on how to maintain stormwater management practices and landscapes. The workshop targeted businesses contracted by homeowner’s associations (HOAs) and property management companies.

Although many registrants were design professionals and HOA board members, the workshop was well attended. Participants learned about the importance of routine stormwater management maintenance and beneficial and attractive native plants that work well in stormwater basins. They also toured a bioswale and rain garden at the Perkiomen Township Park, while the designers and public works director discussed design, construction, and maintenance. Registrants also left with some maintenance-related educational materials, including a new bilingual rain garden maintenance brochure.

The Building for Tomorrow 2022 Spring Leadership Webinar Series is scheduled for early June and includes lunch & learn opportunities for all district personnel. 

The first meeting in our Quarterly Tech Roundtable series for staff to share, discuss, and learn about technology-related topics relevant to conservation district work is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1. This session will focus on video production for conservation districts. It will feature a panel discussion with 2021 Video Awards finalists to examine how production technique and messaging contribute to effective video content.

Deep Dives for Directors presentations provide an in-depth orientation for newly appointed directors and an opportunity for all directors to review and learn more about their districts’ partner programs. Part 1 on Thursday, June 2, will focus on SCC and DGLVR programs, presented by Johan Berger and Roy Richardson. Part 2 on Wednesday, June 15, will focus on DEP programs, presented by Karen Books, Jaci Kerstetter, and Linda Mackey.

On Wednesday, June 8, all district managers and management staff are encouraged to attend an Introduction to Clifton Strengths for Managers, including an overview of the Clifton Strengths for Managers assessment tool, associated resources for managers, and Summit activities that will utilize these reports.

Visit Building for Tomorrow to register for Spring Leadership Series webinars.

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.

 

Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding was joined on April 13, 2022, by conservation partners at Welsh Vista Farms in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, to highlight Wolf Administration investments facilitating on-farm and community conservation management. The Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) program has invested more than $4 million in 68 conservation projects since 2019, strengthening community-based conservation efforts across six counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Click here to read the entire article. 

First Lady Frances Wolf and Pennsylvania agencies held the annual Governor’s Residence Earth Day celebration virtually again this year.

Conservation District Video Award finalists were featured in the Virtual Exhibit Hall! 

For more information, click here.

Governor Tom Wolf announced the investment of $199 million for 13 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across 11 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Two conservation districts received funding for Non-Point Source Projects.

• Luzerne Conservation District – received a $630,000 grant to construct a concrete manure storage tank and associated transfer system and storm drainage components on the Kevin Drasher farm, a beef and dairy operation. The project will implement agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and reduce 4,163 pounds of sediment and 4,937 pounds of nitrogen from the Chesapeake Bay watershed annually.
• Somerset Conservation District – received a $682,638 grant to construct a circular manure storage structure and a roofed, heavy-use manure stacking area at the Joe Walker farm, a dairy operation in Summit Township. The project will eliminate 5,794 pounds of nitrogen annually and associated runoff into a tributary of the Blue Lick Creek and, ultimately, the Ohio River.

Click here to read the entire press release. 

On April 12, 2022, Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Elder Vogel offered remarks in recognition of Conservation District Week in Pennsylvania. Click here to watch the video of Senator Yaw and here for the video of Senator Vogel.  

Thank you to conservation districts that reached out to their legislators and the public last week to share the great work you do!

 

April 30 is the last day to submit a nomination for a PACD Award. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a deserving district director, associate director, or employee, or to honor administrative excellence in environmental recreation!

• 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

Click here for more information and a nomination form. Contact Diane Young at dyoung@pacd.org with any questions.

Video and materials from the 2022 Hybrid Staff Conference have been uploaded and posted at Building for Tomorrow.

District managers and other management staff should mark their calendars for the 2022 Management Summit Conference, scheduled September 13–15 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center in State College. This year’s expanded event includes a dedicated pre-conference meeting on September 13 to focus on leadership fundamentals for new managers and management staff, in addition to the traditional two-day Summit, which will include topics for all managers and management staff on identifying and leveraging management strengths, staff retention, assessing true program costs, and partner relations. Stay tuned for a registration announcement and draft agenda in June.

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.