Recognize a fellow conservationist by nominating him or her for a PACD Award. Nominations for the following awards are due by April 30.
Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director or Associate Director Excellence Award
Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
Legislator Recognition Award
Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation
Click here for more information and a nomination form. Contact Sandy Austin at saustin@pacd.org with any questions.
Montgomery County Conservation District Improving Stormwater Management on School Grounds
Montgomery County Conservation District (MCCD) recently partnered with Pottsgrove High School and the nonprofit Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to retrofit a failing rain garden on the high school's campus. MCCD provided engineering, construction oversight and other assistance to create a successful BMP and improve the look of the garden, which is near the front entrance to the school.
Northampton County Conservation District Teaches the Teachers
Northampton County Conservation District completed their "Schoolyard and Backyard Conservation" Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Project. Through the project, a workshop was held for educators on how to improve water quality and reduce nonpoint source pollution in their homes and schools. The district offered 7 Act 48 continuing education hours to the teachers in attendance.
Financial and other support for the NPS Mini-grant Program 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.
Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants Available
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that the 2017 application period for the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants is open now until April 12, 2017 at 4 p.m. Applications will be accepted from eligible municipalities and nonprofit organizations. For application instructions and further details, visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants. For assistance with applying online, contact the Grants Customer Service Center at 800-326-7734 orDCNR-Grants@pa.gov.
Coleman Selected to Serve as Acting Regional Conservationist for NRCS
As part of the Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) transition to a new administration, Denise Coleman, Pennsylvania NRCS State Conservationist, is temporarily serving as the Acting Regional Conservationist for the Southeast.
Denise will fill in behind James Tillman as James serves as acting Associate Chief for Conservation. In her new role, Denise will oversee NRCS conservation programs and activities for the 11 southeast states and the Caribbean area.
Hosea Latshaw, State Engineer, will be filling in for Denise during this time. He can be reached at Hosea.Latshaw@pa.usda.gov or 717-237-2100.
NRCS Accepting Applications for Conservation Assistance from North-Central PA Forest Landowners
The Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications from north-central PA forest landowners for financial assistance to apply conservation practices that enhance forest ecosystems. Assistance in the amount of $350,000 is available to improve and protect the health and resiliency of oak ecosystems. Applications are due March 17, 2017.
Dates Set for Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Course
Twelve Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) trainings are currently scheduled for 2017. The course is an intense two-day classroom session focused on providing the knowledge and tools necessary for road owners to maintain roads in a more cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner.
