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.
Cumberland County Conservation District Holds Rain Garden Workshop
Photos provided by Cumberland County Conservation District.
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.
Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting a Success
Screen capture of Michael Morris presenting on Stroud Water Research Center’s Model My Watershed tool on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
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.
June Deep Dives for Directors to Focus on SCC, DEP Programs
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.
Beaver County Conservation District Holds Stormwater Help for Homeowners Workshop
Photo from BCCD.
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.
Montgomery County Conservation District Assists with “Trout in the Classroom” Program
Students releasing trout fingerlings into East Branch of Perkiomen Creek (Credit: B. Vadino). Photo provided by Montgomery County Conservation District.
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.
Indiana County Conservation District Receives Agriculture Grant
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.
Save the Dates for PACD Summer Committee Meetings
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.
Tioga County Conservation District Holds Legislative Luncheon
(Left to right): Earle Robbins, Lee Hoar, Scott Moore, Andrea Boyce, Tyler Upham, Erica Tomlinson, Carolyn Kilburn, Commissioner Bunn, Representative Owlett, Commissioner Hamilton, Chuck Dillon (Senator Dush Representative). Photo provided by Tioga County Conservation District.
On May 6, 2022, the Tioga County Conservation District held a legislative luncheon at the Tokishi Building in Wellsboro. While PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh, could not attend in person, she did attend via Zoom.
Lehigh County Conservation District Holds Rain Garden Open House
(Left to right): A partner from the Environmental Advisory Council, Caitlin Mercier, and Laura Hopek at the Rain Garden Open House. The rain garden is visible in the background. Photo provided by Lehigh County Conservation District.
In February, the Lehigh County Conservation District and project partners carried out a Virtual Rain Garden Workshop for thirty-three Upper Saucon Township residents. In addition, the workshop participants were invited to an open house rain garden tour in April.
Residents were educated on the importance of reducing stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution through the installation of native plants and rain gardens. The open house included a tour of an existing rain garden at the Upper Saucon Township municipal building.
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.