Front Page Newsletter August 29, 2022

Mark your calendars for the Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II). Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free, week-long training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level

March 27-31, 2023

Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II

April 17-21, 2023

Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)

Please note these dates are tentative pending funding.

The application period will open in early January 2023. Being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is currently required to attend this training. Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org to receive a notification when the application period opens.

The following sponsors make these training opportunities possible: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.

PACD’s new Conservation Technician in the Bloomsburg office is Kyle Pierce. Kyle graduated from Lycoming College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics and a minor in Mathematics. He previously worked as a construction laborer for Don E. Bower Inc. Kyle resides in Berwick, PA, with his fiancé Kiersten and their dog, Ashtyn. 

Management staff can still register for the 2022 Pre-Con and Summit, September 13-15, 2022, at the Wyndham Garden State College. The Pre-Con meeting on Tuesday, September 13, focuses on Leadership Fundamentals. It is perfect for new and first-time managers, assistant managers, team leads, and other aspiring management staff. The Summit program on Wednesday, September 14, includes a workshop on Strengths-Based Management and a combined workshop and panel discussion on Partner Relations, which will feature panelists from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC), the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), and the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). The Summit wraps up on Thursday, September 15, with a TEDx screening, a guided group discussion on Budgeting & Assessing Program Costs, and a Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership presentation.

The deadline for registration for the 2002 Management Summit and Pre-Con is this Friday, September 2. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

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.

On June 15, the Dauphin County Conservation District held a workshop where homeowners learned about stormwater and the effects their actions have on the quantity and quality of stormwater generated on their property. In addition, various best management practices were discussed for attendees to consider implementing on their property.

Thirty-four participants attended the workshop and received one rain barrel per household. In addition, one lucky household received a rain barrel painted by a local high school art student (pictured).

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.

Photo of installed rain barrel provided by Dauphin County Conservation District.

Join Resource Soil Scientist Dr. Kefeni Kejela for the second installment of the Urban Soils webinar series brought to you by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Advancing Food Systems: Managing Urban Soils Ecosystems in the Transformation of Urban Ag and Innovative Production” will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams at noon on September 13, 2022.

The first webinar in this series is available here. 

Click here to register. There is no cost to attend. Questions? Contact Abigail at abigail.appleman@usda.gov

Bradford:

CONSERVATION CORNER: Need Help?

York:

York County Conservation District Announces Annual Conservation Award Recipients

Other News:

DEP Invites Public Comment on Draft 2022 State Water Plan, Identifying Priorities for Management and Protection