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Front Page: Your Weekly News & Updates
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| Training wrap-up, photos available, and news from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. |
Training for DEP and Conservation District Staff Supports Water Quality
This year's Spring 102/105 Topic-based Training welcomed 75 participants from 43 conservation districts and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The event took place April 5-6, 2017, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA. Participants received in-depth training on Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) and Chapter 105, both of which support clean, accessible, water for Pennsylvania's citizens.
Photo caption: Nathan Crawford, Permits Section Chief for the Waterways and Wetlands Program, DEP South-central Office, presents on PCSM on April 5 in State College, PA.
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Cover Crop and Soil Health Photos Available for Free Use
USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has accumulated over 1,500
images of cover crops and soil health. The images are free to download and disseminate as part of conservation district educational outreach efforts. In addition to SARE's Cover Crop Image Library, the program also offers free, ready-made, PowerPoint presentations on cover crop topics, and soil health illustrations.
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Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Workshop for Technical Service Providers
In March, the PA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) held their annual workshop for private consultants that assist with some NRCS conservation practices, such as Technical Service Providers (TSPs). TSPs are individuals that have completed the required training, have the proper credentials to plan or design and implement various conservation practices, and have been registered on TechReg. Click here to find these individuals.
The workshop covered a diverse set of topics that included the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan/590 Format changes, updates to NRCS program funding, discussion on use of the National Air Quality Site Assessment Tool, Hot Weather Concreting, discussion of the Revised NRCS Conservation Planning Guidance, introduction to the Integrated Erosion Tool, and use of the Engineering Field Tools.
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USDA Offers Renewal Options for Expiring Conservation Stewardship Program Contracts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces that a contract renewal sign-up is underway for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on Dec. 31, 2017 can access the benefits of the recent program changes through an option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by May 3, 2017.
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USDA Accepting Proposals for Grants Supporting Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts in PA
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking proposals for $3 million in grants for projects that stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches that will reduce nutrient loads to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
As part of its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, NRCS is accepting proposals from governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as individuals, for competitive consideration of grant awards up to $500,000 per project, for projects between one and three years in duration.
Those interested in applying for these competitive grants must submit proposals by June 5, 2017.
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Conservation Districts in the News
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Upcoming Events
Agricultural Conservation Technical Training - Level II
(application period is closed)
April 10-14, 2017
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
PACD North West Region Meeting
April 18, 2017
Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center, Kane, PA
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PA Association of Conservation Districts | 717.238.7223 | pacd@pacd.org | www.pacd.org
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