Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) hosted a Lunch and Learn workshop for municipalities this spring at the Pike County Training Center. Staff highlighted district services that benefit local townships and boroughs.

Representatives from nine of Pike County’s 13 municipalities attended. PCCD Executive Director Michele Long provided an overview of the district’s mission and core programs such as erosion control, waterways permitting, and the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program that funds repairs on local roads to improve stormwater management. Senior Resource Conservationist Ellen Enslin outlined the types of permit-related correspondence that is shared with municipalities, and Administrative Manager Chris Ingulli discussed inspection reports.

As the Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the South Central Region, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design and construction of engineering practices; Prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and Provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to the PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm EDT on June 26, 2019. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold Chapter 102 Fall Regional Sessions for conservation districts and DEP staff in October. Registration will be required, but attendance is free and lunch will be provided. Please save the date for the meeting closest to you! Registration will open in July.

Northwest: October 1, 2019, DEP Northwest Regional Office, Meadville, PA

Southwest: October 2, 2019, Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

Northcentral: October 15, 2019, DEP Northcentral Regional Office, Williamsport, PA

Northeast: October 22, 2019, Back Mountain Regional Emergency Services, Dallas, PA

Southeast: October 29, 2019, DEP Southeast Regional Office, Norristown, PA

Southcentral: October 31, 2019, Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Center, Dauphin, PA

Staff from the Lebanon County Conservation District met with local legislators on May 31, 2019. The meeting included staff discussion on conservation programs in Lebanon County. These include agricultural land preservation, erosion and sedimentation, Envirothon, mosquito-borne disease control, and agricultural programs.

PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell was on hand to discuss the ongoing Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. The group also discussed MS4 and the state budget as it relates to conservation efforts.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh also attended the event.

Erie County Conservation District held an Enviro-lab week where mobile educational labs were brought to the county for students and legislators to tour. Armstrong Conservation District’s H2Oh! on the GO! mobile lab was part of the event.

Click here to read more and to watch a video.

Registration is now open for the 72^nd PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, to take place July 17-18, 2019, at the historic Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, PA. This year’s attendees will learn about changes to conservation programs under the 2018 Farm Bill, including a special session on updates to the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Click here to register and for more information. We look forward to seeing you in July!

Travel stipends available

The Grow More training series is specifically designed to help agricultural outreach staff reach beyond the choir of those farmers already using soil health practices. This training consists of two half-days and will explore farmer behavior, messaging strategies, and event planning. Training will focus on hands-on learning and activities specific to YOUR outreach.

Event Timing: Two days. 1st Day Noon–5:00 p.m. and 2nd Day 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Space is limited.

June 11 & 12, 2019
Franklin County
Chambersburg, PA: Wilson College

June 13 & 14, 2019
Lancaster County
Lancaster, PA: Shady Maple

July 9 & 10, 2019
Wyoming County
Tunkhannock, PA: Comfort Inn and Suites

July 11 & 12, 2019
Northumberland County
Sunbury, PA: Northumberland Conservation District Office

July 23 & 24, 2019
Clinton County
Mill Hall, PA: Clinton County Conservation District Office

July 25 & 26, 2019
Blair County
Duncansville, PA: Comfort Inn

Click here for the event flyer and here for the registration link.

Please contact Jessica Espenshade at espenshadej@nwf.org or 734-887-7114 with questions.

By Nick Yeagy, Software Specialist, PACD

I recently graduated from Penn State Harrisburg with a B.S. in General Science. Last summer I interned with PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). As an intern, I worked on creating content for the Clean Water Academy, a web-based program dedicated to providing conservation district and DEP staff with training on Chapters 102 and 105. As the PACD software specialist, I will continue to work on the Clean Water Academy.

In my spare time I enjoy fishing, cooking, and following Penn State and Philadelphia Eagles football. I am excited to join PACD and work with the conservation districts. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Clean Water Academy, please feel free to contact me at nyeagy@pacd.org.

The Jefferson County Conservation District hosted a Wildlife Conservation Workshop on March 28, 2019, at the district office in Brookville. Thirteen individuals learned about the benefits of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), noxious/invasive weed identification and management, riparian buffers, and wildlife in grassland areas. Presenters Mike Kerr, Kimberly Bohn, John Brundege, Tim Hoppe, and Megan Whitlatch provided important information and answered many questions from attendees.

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.

By Erica Tomlinson, Manager, Tioga County Conservation District

The Tioga County Conservation District hosted their annual Legislative Lunch on May 10, 2019. The presentations from staff focused on grant projects that were completed last year and new projects scheduled for this season. The staff also gave updates on conservation planning, permitting, and flooding issues facing the county. The event is a great way for the conservation district to showcase projects and answer questions for our state and local legislators.

PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Tioga County Conservation District for the event.