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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

The Venango Conservation District held a “Stormwater Awareness in Your Own Backyard: Rain Barrel Workshop” on April 22, 2022. They held a morning and an evening session.

With this project, the district educated 27 people on the importance of water quality and nonpoint source pollution in our local watersheds. The district provided participants with resources and solutions to prevent NPS pollution on their property, including a rain barrel, and explained how to reuse that water in other ways on their property.

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.

Sixty-five participants gathered at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg for 102/105 Basic Technical Training May 3-6, 2022. A total of 52 employees from 31 conservation districts and 13 employees from the PA Department of Environmental Protection participated.

Classroom training topics included an overview and history of Chapter 102, applications and permits, safety considerations for the field, Chapter 105 updates, and key components of both technical and completeness reviews. The event’s highlight was the field training, which incorporated a site under active construction and a completed site. Special thanks to the York County Conservation District, particularly Program Manager/E&S Resource Conservationist Eric Jordan and Resource Conservationist Tiffany Crum, for making this year’s field experience a success.

This training was funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.