Before and after photos provided by York County Conservation District.
The York County Conservation District completed a low volume road project in Wrightsville Borough. The cost of the project through the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads Program was $37,280.
The project started as an alley that caused runoff and flooding of nearby homes. The district installed 650 feet of concrete wheel pads, pervious pavers, and subsurface stone storage. Now, the stored rainwater seeps into the subsoil, and excess runoff drains to the storm sewer.
Click here to watch a video titled, “What is a Green Alley?”
Click here to view a local news story on the project.
Northampton County Conservation District’s Act 48 teacher workshop visits Kline Farm’s cheese operation. Photo provided by NCCD.
The Northampton County Conservation District held an Act 48 workshop, Agriculture and You, to educate teachers. The teachers were able to observe agricultural practices that improve water quality. The program introduced local educators to nutrient and manure management, non-point source pollution control, and environmental conservation practices implemented on Lehigh Valley farms.
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.
Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Group Manager Nathan Crawford, P.E., opens the final Chapter 102 Fall Regional Session in Dauphin on October 31, 2019.
On October 31, 2019, the sixth and final Chapter 102 Fall Regional Session was held in Dauphin, PA. The series of regional training was presented by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with administrative support from PACD.
The training included program updates, the Regional Permit Coordination Office, completeness reviews, and the Clean Water Academy.
The next Chapter 102 trainings will be:
March 16-19, 2020 Spring 102/105 Basic Technical Training Wyndham Garden State College, Boalsburg, PA
March 31-April 2, 2020 Spring 102/105 Topic-based Technical Training Wyndham Garden State College, Boalsburg, PA
Photo of the buffer planting provided by Montgomery County Conservation District.
Submitted by Brian Vadino, Watershed Specialist/Envirothon Coordinator, Montgomery County Conservation District
In late September 2019, Montgomery County Conservation District worked alongside Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy staff and 22 volunteers from Scout Pack 17 to plant a “multifunctional riparian buffer” along Macoby Creek (tributary to Perkiomen Creek) in Upper Hanover Township. Funding for the project was provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, through a “Multi-functional Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant.”
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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Lauren Cheran, Snyder CCD Watershed Specialist, (right foreground) speaks to the group at a Snyder County Conservation District stream buffer and fencing site where it is a work in progress. Photo provided by Snyder County Conservation District.
Submitted by Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, Snyder County Conservation District
The Snyder County Conservation District held a CREP and Stream Buffer Field Day event on October 16, 2019. Twenty-five farmers, landowners, a newly elected state representative, a county commissioner, and interested persons attended. Conservation agency and non-government staff members participated in leading the event.
At each site, partners offered their expertise regarding the establishment and maintenance of successful riparian (forested and non-forested) buffers as well as warm and cool season grasses for wildlife habitat.
Click here to read the entire article and to see more photos of the event.
Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.
JUST IN TIME FOR BACK TO SCHOOL!! The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has announced the 2020 Poster Contest theme: “Where would we BEE without Pollinators.” PACD will be accepting photos of your county’s winners until June 30, 2020. We are very excited to see all the artistic entries for this year’s theme!
It’s hard to believe PACD has been in the new building for a year! Our mail forwarding order with USPS is expiring soon. Please make sure you have the PACD address updated in your system: 5925 Stevenson Avenue, Suite A, Harrisburg, PA 17112.
Tim Elder with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service talks about rotational grazing to the group of farmers before heading out to the pasture. Photo provided by PCCD.
Potter County Conservation District (PCCD) brought together local producers this summer to demonstrate how rotational grazing can benefit their farm both financially and environmentally. First, the district selected a farm to use rotational grazing equipment to demonstrate the benefits of rotational grazing management.
PCCD then partnered with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Penn State Extension to develop a grazing plan for the selected farm. They took representative soil samples to test the biological activity of continuously grazed and rotationally grazed pastures with the same soil type. This information was presented during the field day.
Essential supplies for a grazing kit were purchased, including temporary fence, reels, posts, and automatic gate (Batt-Latch). The kit was given to the selected beef farmer in early July to install. On August 28, 2019, a field day was held at the farm to showcase the project and to discuss the benefits and challenges of rotational grazing.
In the future, another farmer that has an interest in this management style will be selected to use the grazing kit.
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.
Mark Stockley, Resource Conservation Supervisor at the Cambria County Conservation District, speaks during the breakfast. Photo taken by Brenda Shambaugh.
On October 4, 2019, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Cambria County for the district’s legislative breakfast. Approximately 50 people attended the event. During the breakfast, the district highlighted stream restoration and flood control projects.
Funding available to offset costs associated with strategic planning activity has been increased to $1,500 per qualifying district for 2020. Districts interested in applying for a Strategic Planning Grant have until November 20 to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program. The LOI should include information on the timeframe and process for plan development, as well as the date of board approval for the grant application.
Detailed information on the Strategic Planning Grants program, including program requirements and a list of recent facilitators, can be found at the Building for Tomorrow website.
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.
