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Front Page: Your Weekly News & Updates
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| 102/105 training, Bay meeting, strategic planning session, PACD/SCC Winter Meeting, buffer summit, conservation stewardship program, and Keystone coldwater conference. |
Spring 102/105 Technical Training - Basic/Refresher Registration Opens Today
Registration is now open for the 2018 102/105 Basic/Refresher Technical Training course. The course is open to conservation district and DEP staff and will take place March 21-24, 2018 at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA. There is little or no cost to attend. (See registration information for details.)
Registration for the Topic-Based session, which will take place at the same location on April 10-12, 2018, will be announced in an upcoming issue of Front Page. Click here to register or for more information about the March session.
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Registration is Now Open for the Chesapeake Bay Program Meeting
The 2018 Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting will be held on March 12, 2018, at the Elaine Langone Center, 2nd Floor, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA (snow date March 15).
Click here to register and for more information.
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PACD Holds Successful Strategic Planning Session
On January 16, 2018, PACD held a strategic planning session at Toftrees in State College prior to the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting. Board members, staff, and one district manager from each region were guided through the process by Michael Kumer
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The group identified seven priorities. They are:
- PACD will promote and advocate for conservation districts to elected officials, partners, and the general public.
- PACD will help districts with the recruitment, training, and development of directors, managers, and staff.
- PACD will help districts attain sustainable, diverse funding.
- Strengthen relationships and agreements with state and federal agencies.
- Growing Greener
- Ensure PACD is adequately staffed and funded.
- Foster communication and communication between districts.
Next, PACD will work to identify specific tasks to focus on these priorities.
Photo caption: PACD President Charles Duritsa speaks to the group during the Strategic Planning Session.
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PACD/SCC Winter Meeting Concludes
From January 17-18, 2018, conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, partners, and friends braved the snowy roads to travel to Toftrees in State College for the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting.
During Executive Council the following were approved:
- Bylaws change to allow associate directors to serve as region directors.
- Bylaws change to allow every board member a vote on the PACD Executive Board.
- Policy opposing an abbreviated permit review period.
- Cliff Lane was elected as National Association of Conservation Districts Director.
Also during the meeting, a 50/50 drawing was held to benefit the PA Envirothon. Because winner Kelly Stagen donated her winnings back to the Envirothon, PACD was able to write a check for $309 to the Envirothon.
Next, PACD is turning its focus toward the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting & PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference which will take place July 15-18, 2018 in Lancaster, PA.
Photo caption: The PACD Executive Board holds the Executive Council meeting on January 18, 2018.
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Save the Date: Riparian Forest Buffer Summit
The 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit will be at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College on February 28 and March 1.
This year's summit will provide attendees with information and skills -- from creating planting plans to working with contractors -- that they can utilize in their day-to-day work.
Invited attendees include conservation professionals and decision-makers that work with riparian forest buffers across Pennsylvania.
The summit provides opportunities to:
- Network with other professionals and develop new partnerships
- Enhance communication skills for working with landowners
- Learn more about new and upcoming research, methods, and data
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Assistance Available to Agricultural Producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program
Through CSP, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018.
While applications for CSP are accepted year round, applications must be received by March 2, 2018 to be considered for this funding period.
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Registration for 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference is Open
The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited will host the 13th Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24, 2018, at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College. The conference is an opportunity for grassroots conservation organizations, environmental professionals, college faculty, staff, and students to share ideas, concepts, and network in order to protect, conserve, and restore Pennsylvania's coldwater resources.
Early-bird registration ends January 31, 2018.
Click here for more information.
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Conservation Districts in the News
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Upcoming Events
January 30, 2018
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Tunkhannock, PA
PACD South West Region Meeting
March 8, 2018
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA
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