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Happy Earth Day!

The theme of 2024 Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. This year, we are called to advocate for widespread awareness of the health risks of plastics and rapidly phase out all single-use plastics. The goal is a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.

Commit to reducing your use of single-use plastics in your daily life. Say no to plastic bags, straws, water bottles, and other disposable items. Seek sustainable alternatives instead.

Click here to read more.

Conservation Districts Represented at PSATS 

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania attended the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show on April 14-16, 2024. Once again, conservation districts had a booth.

Thank you to the following volunteers for staffing the table:

·        Kelly Brestensky, Westmoreland Conservation District

·        Anne Fox, Allegheny Conservation District

·        Danielle Kalp, PACD

·        Tyler Keefer, Lancaster Conservation District

·        Alicia Ramsey, Clarion Conservation District



We could not participate in these types of events without volunteers like you!

Photo caption: PACD Conservation Engineer Danielle Kalp, PE, staffs the conservation district booth at the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Conference in Hershey on April 15, 2024.

Cumberland County Conservation District Completes Stuart Park Project

On April 10, 2024, Cumberland County Conservation District held a tour of Stuart Park in Dickinson Township, showing stream and restoration work. The project was funded through the PACD Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program.

The project also included installing an educational sign that broadcasts the benefits of the stream bank and riparian restoration that took place at Stuart Park. The 2022 restoration project repaired 810 feet of Yellow Breeches Creek. The sign will continue to educate thousands of park visitors for years to come.

Photo caption:  Lori Glace, former Cumberland County Conservation District Watershed Specialist shows the sign to participants during the tour. Photo provided by Cumberland County Conservation District.

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.

Pike County Conservation Districts Wins 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is honoring 22 projects completed by schools, businesses, and community organizations around the state with the 2024 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence.

Applications were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved.

Congratulations to Pike County Conservation District on being honored with the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence! The district was recognized for its Dingman Township Park Pollinator Gardens project.

Click here to read the press release.

Penn State Extension to Host Agricultural Conservation Conference June 4-6

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can take advantage of professional development opportunities by attending the "ACAP Ag Conservation Con," which will be held June 4-6 at Toftrees Golf Resort, located at 1 Country Club Lane in State College.

This professional development conference is tailored for individuals working in agriculture conservation. It is ideal for Conservation District Employees, ag conservation professionals, and anyone associated with the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) or other conservation financial assistance programs. Stay updated on ACAP and other financial assistance programs, refresh your engineering skills, learn about changes to Manure Management Plans, improve resource concern identification, and enhance skills for working with farmers and ag producers.

Click here for more information.

Photo caption: Credit: USDA-NRCS. All Rights Reserved.

Extension Offers ‘Rain to Drain’ and ‘Watershed Decisions’ Facilitator Training  

Penn State Extension will provide free curriculum activity kits and training for 6th to 12th-grade educators (formal and informal) who teach youth about water or would like to add water education to their lessons.

“Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow and Watershed Decisions Facilitator Training” will take place at the following locations:

— Carlisle: 1-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. April 23, Penn State Extension’s Cumberland County office, 310 Allen Road, Suite 601.

— Allentown: 1-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. May 14, Penn State Extension’s Lehigh County office, 4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 104.

— Greensburg: 1-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. May 16, Penn State Extension’s Westmoreland County office, 214 Donohoe Road, Donohoe Center.

Click here for more information and to register.

You are Invited! Penn State Sustainability Forum

With your dedication to the environment and the crucial role that conservation districts play in environmental education and sustainability, conservation district staff are invited to the Penn State Commonwealth Campus Sustainability Forums. This year, the forums will be at Penn State Shenango on May 14, 2024, and at Penn State Schuylkill on May 22, 2024. Forum registration is open.

These forums help bring community members from across the state to discuss sustainability issues. We look forward to continuing that tradition and expanding the network of minds interested in and working on sustainability. You can learn more about the forums and register on the Penn State Sustainability Forum website.