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:

• Social Media Images 
• Press Release 
• Fact Sheet (Word) 
• Template Letter to Legislators (Word)
• Template Proclamation (Word) 
• Follow-up Thank You Letter (Word) 

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.

The Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) Watershed Specialist Stephanie Harmon held a virtual workshop on non-point source pollution via a PowerPoint presentation. Participants were introduced to the concepts of water quality, quantity, and how homeowners can help minimize non-point source (NPS) pollution in and around their own homes.

Through this grant, twenty-four rain barrels were purchased and distributed to workshop participants. Rain barrel pick-up was held from April 1-2, 2021, at the Lebanon Valley Agricultural Center. Pick-ups were scheduled in 15-minute intervals to implement proper social distancing due to the Coronavirus and current CDC guidelines.

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.

Elk County Conservation District issued a challenge to other conservation districts to pick up trash during Conservation District Week.

The district that picks up the most trash in their county is the winner. Track the number of bags and weight of trash (if possible). Share your district’s photos and results on Facebook using these hashtags #ConservationCallout #DistrictTrashTalking.

To sweeten the deal, PACD will recognize the winner at our awards program during the Joint Annual Conference in July. The winner will receive the Conservation District Trash Champion award (pictured). If this becomes an annual event, the trophy can be passed from winning district to winning district like the Stanley Cup of trash!

Click here to view the flyer. 

The location of this position is negotiable. The employer of record is the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and day-to-day technical guidance is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The incumbent has primary responsibility for providing assistance and coordination support for the National Conservation Planning Partnership conservation planning efforts. The position is under the technical supervision of the NRCS Natural Resources Specialist located in Benton, PA.

Click here to read the job description. 

A cover letter and resume should be emailed to personnel@pacd.org by April 23, 2021.

The Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting will take place from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on May 19 and 20, 2021. The event is 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.

Click here for more information and to register. 

PACD Software Specialist Nick Yeagy obtained his pilot’s license and is now flying a drone. The drone will take footage for training in the Clean Water Academy. Nick was at a construction site in Lebanon County on March 31, 2021, to capture video for training modules under development.

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.