Tips and Tricks to Assist with Marketing/PR Outreach
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The Communications, Public Relations & Marketing Tips Series
In speaking with various individuals over the last few months, the one piece that keeps coming up is ensuring that the districts' identities are known. In other words, making sure residents, businesses and communities know of our existence and know the importance of the work we do. One way to create that sense of identity is to leverage the media to be a vehicle to get information out to surrounding areas. Whether we're sharing information about an upcoming nature walk, a nutrient management workshop or an erosion and sediment training, the media is a great way to help spread the word and increase participation. Please see a few tips and tricks, provided by Suasion Marketing and Communications www.Suasion.us, which can be asset as you move forward with your media outreach.
Shannon & Brandi
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PENNVEST Workshop Offered Guidance
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 | PACD's PENNVEST NPS Application Developer, Terry Fisher, is available to help guide applicants through the PENNVEST application process. |
PACD hosted a half-day educational workshop at the Dauphin County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center, Dauphin, PA on April 30. The focus of the workshop was the PENNVEST NPS Program requirements and application procedures.
During the session PACD, DEP and PENNVEST staff offered guidance on NPS Program eligibility, technical requirements, accessing and using the online application and other topics. A variety of organizations were represented at the workshop, including attendees from Conservation Districts, the U.S. EPA, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, engineering firms and conservation groups. One participant wrapped up the day by commenting, "Good information presented!"
Look for similar workshops in the coming months in other areas of the state. Contact the PENNVEST NPS Program Application Developer Terry Fisher terry-fisher@pacd.org for more information.
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Schuylkill Conservation District Completes Silver Creek AMD Trail Project
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 | Stephen Silber of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps plants a rain garden. Photo by SCD. |
The Schuylkill Conservation District (SCD) and the Schuylkill Headwaters Association constructed a walking trail to educate locals on abandoned mine drainage and stormwater issues. The trail surrounds the Silver Creek Acid Mine Drainage treatment system.
As part of the project, three rain gardens were installed along with eight educational signs. 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.
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Conservation Districts Receive Environmental Education and Stewardship Grants
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More than 90 environmental education grants have been awarded to local schools, non-profits and conservation districts. Announced on Earth Day, the funds total $334,074 and will go toward programs such as summer camps, soil testing, professional development and watershed education. Several conservation districts were among this year's awardees: Allegheny, Armstrong, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Erie, Fulton, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Mercer, Pike, Snyder, Tioga and Westmoreland. Individual grants for the districts range from $1,700 to $5,600.
"The districts will be able to use this funding to conduct education and outreach efforts on topics ranging from stormwater management to the Chesapeake Bay," said Robert Maiden, PACD Executive Director. "We are grateful to the administration for these grants and for their continued support of environmental education."
For more information, including a full listing of grantees, click here.
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PACD Intern Accepts Position at University of Vermont
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For the past six months, Jess Espenshade has been interning with PACD. Recently, she has accepted a graduate position at the University of Vermont, which will begin in August.
After two years of study, Jess will receive a Master's Degree in Natural Resources with a concentration in Wildlife Science. As a part of her studies, Jess will also work as both a teaching and research assistant at the university.
"My internship with PACD supplemented my knowledge of legislation, policy and conservation networks," said Espenshade. "The skills that I obtained through this experience will undoubtedly increase my success in graduate school and my future career. I am so grateful to everyone at PACD and the conservation districts for their support during my internship."
Jess's thesis will focus on public acceptability levels of commercial development in areas with known populations of carnivores, specifically bobcats, bears and fishers. Depending on the outcome of this research, the end result could mean the decision-making process about landscape development needs to incorporate more than just economics. Partners in this project include the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Nature Conservancy and Wildlands Network.
"Jess has been a wonderful asset to us and we're definitely going to miss her," said Brandi Hunter-Davenport, PACD Director of Education. "We have no doubt that she will excel in Vermont and we wish her much success in this next stage of her life."
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USDA Unveils New Web-Based Tool for Collaboration | |
USDA Connect is a new web-based tool that will allow NRCS employees and qualifying affiliates* to be more collaborative. You will be able to ask questions in an open forum, write blog stories, create and share bookmark lists, plan activities, post photos and much more.
In the NRCS Community, there are shortcuts to the most commonly used Field Tools, such as Toolkit, ProTracts, Field Office Technical Guide and other useful links.
Click here to read how to get started and here for frequently asked questions.
*To request access, you must have both a usda.gov email and level 2 -auth AND submit this on-line form.
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Comment Period Open for Habitat Designation for Freshwater Mussels
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The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comment on the estimated cost and economic impacts and draft environmental assessment of the proposed critical habitat designation of two freshwater mussels. All comments must be received by June 10, 2013. Read more here.
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Cultural Resources Training Held
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 | Gary Shaffer, NRCS-Maine showing attendees an artifact found in the crop field during the training session. |
On May 1st and 2nd, NRCS sponsored cultural resources training in Bloomsburg for its employees, conservation district staff, and Technical Service Providers (TSPs). Eleven conservation district employees attended the two-day training session which was designed to provide attendees with sound background to recognize the range of Pennsylvania cultural resources, an understanding of NRCS operating procedures and documentation requirements, resource identification, and a problem-solving exercise. The training included both classroom and a hands-on field exercise.
Presentations were made by the Maine NRCS Cultural Resource Specialist, Pennsylvania NRCS Cultural Resources Coordinator and representatives from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Completion of the eight cultural resources training modules qualifies individuals to independently perform cultural resources reviews and field inspections on farms. Completion of the training is also a requirement to become a Pennsylvania NRCS Certified Conservation Planner.
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New Resource: Pennsylvania's Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
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Pennsylvania Sea Grant developed Pennsylvania's Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) to help agency field biologists, water conservation officers and others working in Pennsylvania's waters to quickly and accurately identify potential new AIS infestations. The guide is available online. Click here for information about upcoming AIS identification workshops.
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Soil Science Field Seminar being Held in Western PA
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The Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists is holding a seminar on hydric soil indicators and special topics in wetland soil science at the Powdermill Nature Reserve in Westmoreland County on May 31. Click here for more information.
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Watershed Awareness Month
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May is Watershed Awareness Month, which was established in 2001. The purpose of this month is to promote watersheds through volunteer activities and education events. It is important to educate the next generation about watershed importance, so that students learn to work with nature and not fight against it. If there are any watershed awareness events in your area, please email a picture and details to jessica-espenshade@pacd.org.
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