Front Page Newsletter May 15, 2023

Register for the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference Today!

Registration is open for the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference July 19-20, 2023, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Hershey Area) in Grantville, PA. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with fellow conservation district staff, board members, and agency partners in conservation.

Registration is open to conservation district directors, associate directors, district staff, partner agency staff, and invited guests. Click here to register and for more information.

PACD committees will meet virtually in June and July prior to the conference. Committee registration is free and each committee requires separate registration. Please email the listed contact to request a registration link.

June 27, 2023 | 10-11 AM

PACD Legislative Committee Videoconference

Contact mburns@pacd.org to request a registration link.

June 29, 2023 | 10-11 AM

PACD Conservation Committee Videoconference

Contact mburns@pacd.org to request a registration link.

July 6, 2023 | 10-11

PACD Education and Outreach Committee Videoconference

Contact swehinger@pacd.org to request a registration link.

July 12, 2023 | 1:30-2:30 PM

PACD District Employees Committee Videoconference

Contact hmiller@pacd.org to request a registration link.

July 13, 2023 | 10-11 AM

PACD Ways and Means Committee Videoconference

Contact abrown@pacd.org to request a registration link.

July 14, 2023 | 1:30-2:30 PM

PACD Operations Committee Videoconference

Contact mburns@pacd.org to request a registration link.

CliftonStrengths Initiative Extended through 2024

Due to positive response and continued interest, the CliftonStrengths for Conservation Districts Initiative has been extended through 2024. Visit Building for Tomorrow for details, including information on an upcoming CliftonStrengths webinar, a new CliftonStrengths District Team workshop, and a CliftonStrengths talent domain and frequency report inclusive of all 240 district staff who have participated in the initiative so far.

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.

Photo provided by Clarion Conservation District.

Clarion Conservation District Holds AMD Treatment System Field Tours

The Clarion Conservation District and other partners provided three educational tours of the newly overhauled acid mine drainage (AMD) passive treatment system at the Clarion County Park in Shippenville, PA.

The tours educated agency employees, local educators/teachers, and community members of all ages about acid mine drainage and the work being done in Clarion County to improve water quality and treat this form of nonpoint source pollution.

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.

McKean County Conservation District Holds Rain Barrel Workshop

The McKean County Conservation District partnered with the Bradford Sanitary Authority and Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Stewards to host a rain barrel workshop on April 15, 2023.

The Rain Barrel Workshop reached 29 participants. Topics included learning about rain barrels and rain gardens, watershed basics, stormwater impacts, and steps to take to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Participants of the workshop constructed a rain barrel to take home with them.

The workshop was part of the district’s “Promoting Healthy Watersheds” project, which also included a Winter Farmer's Meeting and a No-Till Demo Day.

McKean County Conservation District Watershed Specialist Adam Causer helps participants construct their Rain Barrels during the Rain Barrel Workshop. Photo provided by McKean County Conservation District.

Elk Completes Multi-Functional Riparian Forest Buffer

Elk County Conservation District planted 0.43 acres of multifunctional riparian forest buffer along Badger Run in the Bennett Branch Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed in Elk County. The project cost $4,448.07 and was paid for through PACD's multifunctional buffer sub-grant program.

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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Regional Forest Landowners Workshop Scheduled

A ten County Conservation District Partnership, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry will offer a Regional Forest Landowners Workshop on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Elk County EMS & 911 Center at 131 Ridgmont Drive in Ridgway, PA from 9:00 AM to Noon.

Click here to view the event flyer with more details.

Registration is free, with refreshments. Please register by June 9, 2023 by clicking here or contact the Elk County Conservation District at 814-776-5369 or kwehler@countyofelkpa.com.

EPA Mid-Atlantic Region 2023 Virtual Summit

On Wednesday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the U.S. EPA Region 3 will convene the second annual virtual Mid-Atlantic Environmental Summit. This year's theme is “Engaging and Investing for a Healthy and Sustainable Future.”

The Summit will be conducted via Zoom, and registration is open now. The robust agenda features a variety of environmental and public health topics, including updates directly from state environmental secretaries and directors and five tracks of concurrent sessions on the Chesapeake Bay, environmental justice, federal grant funding, drinking water infrastructure, and more.

Click here to register.