There is still time to participate! The submission deadline for the 2021 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2021. The theme this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to dyoung@pacd.org. Click here for more information.
As part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Outreach Program Office, PACD and CREP Program Partners will offer a CREP Partner Training Webinar Series to all partner staff involved in the program. Registration is free and required. Click on the webinars below for more information and to register.
CREP Partner Training Part 1: How the CREP Program Works
May 27, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Audience: Newer employees with little experience working with CREP
CREP Partner Training Part 2: CREP Practices and Technical Guidance
June 3, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Audience: New and experienced CREP partner staff
CREP Partner Training Part 3: Working with Landowners and Building Relationships
June 10, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Audience: New and experienced CREP partner staff
Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org with questions.
Financial and other support for the CREP Partner Training is provided through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.
Potter County Conservation District planned to bring together local producers for an on-farm field day to demonstrate how rotational gazing can benefit their farm financially and environmentally. However, with COVID-19 restrictions, the format was changed from an in-person field day to a series of rotational grazing videos.
The videos include:
The videos are available on the district YouTube channel.
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.
Cumberland County Conservation District held its annual tree sale on April 22-23, 2021. It was the second-largest sale in Cumberland County.
They had 468 customers buying:
Click here to view photos from the sale.
On April 21, 2021, Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Elder Vogel Jr. offered remarks in support of Senate Resolution 50, recognizing Conservation District Week in Pennsylvania. Click the above links to view the videos.
Thank you to conservation districts that reached out to their legislators and the public last week to share the great work you do!
Mark your calendars for the PACD Annual Conference! PACD committees will take place via video conference prior to the virtual PACD Executive Council Meeting. Registration information will go out to conservation districts and agency partners in May. Registration will be free and required.
PACD Conservation Committee Video Conference
July 8, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD District Employees Committee Video Conference
July 9, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD Education and Outreach Committee Video Conference
July 14, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD Legislative Committee Video Conference
July 15, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD Ways and Means Committee Video Conference
July 20, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD Operations Committee Video Conference
July 22, 2021 | 1-2 p.m.
PACD Executive Council Video Conference
July 29, 2021 | 10-Noon
Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts were awarded $2,500 for projects in three counties for the 2021 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 until June 2021 and will be virtual events or mailings.
The following conservation districts were awarded up to $1,000 as part of the 2021 CREP mini-grant round:
Cameron $500
Indiana $1,000
Lycoming $1,000
Projects include postcards, brochures, fact sheets, webinars, and videos. Participants can ask questions about the CREP program and learn how to maintain land already in the program.
The CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by PACD through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Additional support is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Click here for more information on the CREP program: https://www.creppa.org. You can also follow CREP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/creppa.org.
First Lady Frances Wolf and Pennsylvania agencies held the annual Governor’s Residence Earth Day celebration virtually last week! This was a first-of-its-kind virtual celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2021. The event included learning activities and information geared toward middle and high-school students. The event also featured a virtual exhibit hall. PACD participated in the virtual exhibit hall to educate students about conservation districts.
Video for 2021 Board Leadership Series presentations including “Ethics & Conflicts of Interest for Conservation District Boards,” “Conservation Districts and the Pa Ethics Act,” and “Boosting Planning Effectiveness for Boards” is available for viewing at the Building for Tomorrow website. Handouts for each presentation are also available for download. Directors, associate directors, and managers who missed these informative sessions in February are encouraged to view and discuss them with their boards.
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.
Instagram posts now available
Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 18-24, 2021, will be “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices will hold educational events, conference calls and virtual meetings with legislators.
Conservation district resources are available here.
Resources include:
Please take advantage of these resources PACD created for conservation districts to use.
Pennsylvania’s conservation districts thank Governor Tom Wolf and members of the PA House and Senate for supporting the districts through the state budget.