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Conservation Districts in the News
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| Upcoming Events |
Conservation District Watershed Specialist Meeting
October 10-11, 2013
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
Fall Region Meetings
Annual 102-105 Training
October 29-31, 2013
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
Manure Management "Train the Trainer" Event in Clearfield County
November 12, 2013
Brady Township Community Center, Luthersburg, PA
Manure Management "Train the Trainer" Event in Lancaster County
November 14, 2013
Lancaster Farm and Home Center, Lancaster, PA
PACD/SCC Winter Meeting
January 28-29, 2014
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
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Did You Miss It? Maiden's PCN Appearance Available Online
| |  The September 25 edition of PCN's On the Issues, featuring PACD Executive Director Robert Maiden is available online! Click here to watch Robert talk about conservation districts and their work across the commonwealth and the transportation bill.
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Ecology Field Day Held by Snyder County Conservation District
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 | | Participants collect aquatic animals and fish out of Penns Creek at the Ecology Field Day. Photo courtesy of Lower Penns Creek Watershed Association. |
On August 3, 2013, 86 participants attended two Ecology Field Day events in Penns Creek. The sessions were facilitated by Jason Winey, Snyder County Conservation District Watershed Specialist.
This year, a focus on adult participants allowed more educational opportunities on what can be done to help streams. After collecting a variety of species from the stream, many participants commented about how blind they were to the fact that the aquatic community was so rich beyond just fish. Participants were able to study and identify them under microscopes furnished by Susquehanna University's Biology Department. This proved to be a highlight of the day as the participants were able to observe the various structures of the animals and handle the fish species.
Discussion about nutrients, sediments and the effects these have on the aquatic community made participants understand how nonpoint source pollution affects the stream health. Several participants also toured three rain gardens. Many expressed an interest in installing rain barrels or rain gardens on their property.
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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First Annual "A Bite of Berks" Fundraiser a Success
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 | | The winners in each of three categories were presented with this unique award they can proudly display at their local business. Photo by Tammy Bartsch. |
On September 23, 2013, The Berks County Conservation District held a scholarship fundraiser, A Bite of Berks.
The event brought local restaurants, caterers and bakeries (participant) together with local producers and growers of Berks County. Each participant prepared a one bite dish in one of three categories: Main/Appetizer, Dessert or Side Dish, using at least one locally grown or produced ingredient.
Winners were:
Proceeds from the event totaled over $2,900. These funds will be used exclusively for the Berks County Conservation District Scholarship program.
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Manure Management Workshop Success for Susquehanna
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 | | Photo courtesy of the Susquehanna County Conservation District. |
The Susquehanna County Conservation District recently hosted a manure management workshop at their offices located in Montrose, PA. The evening session primarily focused on Chapter 91 [pollution control rules and regulations] and Section 91.36 [the manure management manual]. Laura Holbrook, the district's Chesapeake Bay Technician, discussed how these regulations pertained to specific owners and their operations.
Landowners attended the meeting with maps, animal numbers and acres of pasture information in hand so that they were prepared to write their own basic plan. Each attendee left with a completed manure management plan. Prior to departure, participants were given the opportunity to become familiar with the plan, fill it out and ask questions about it for usage with their home operations. "We were very happy with the number of attendees and the amount of work accomplished during this session. Overall, the workshop was a great success," Holbrook noted.
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Conservation District Staff are Invited to Stroud Water Research Center
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Conservation District staffs are invited to a Stream Ecological Services and Riparian Forest Buffer Session at Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA (Chester County). You may attend either November 5th or November 7th from 9:30 a.m. - 3p.m. This forest riparian buffer/stream ecology session is primarily for anyone who has never been to the Stroud Water Research Center. Reserve your space by October 25 by emailing c-rshockey@pa.gov.
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Flooding Impacts and How to Create Sustainable Communities Focus of Recent Workshop
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 On September 30, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and Bloomsburg University hosted a day-long workshop with a theme of "Creating Greener, More Flood Resilient Communities." Targeting municipal leaders, conservation districts, conservation groups and residents, the workshop was designed to help participants understand the causes of flooding and what can be done to help minimize future flooding of communities in the flood prone Susquehanna River basin.
"The day began with topics to help participants understand the causes of flooding and stream dynamics," said Terry Fisher, PENNVEST Application Developer. "We heard from field experts regarding successful green infrastructure programs, floodplain ordinances and of stormwater authorities who can assist in measures to control flooding and beautify communities. This was a very worthwhile workshop and a great learning experience for all involved."
Staff from Columbia, Northumberland and Wyoming Conservation Districts also participated in the event, which took place on Bloomsburg's campus in the Kehr Union Building.
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Earth Science Week Observed October 13-19, 2013
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"Mapping our World" is the theme for this year's Earth Science Week. Designated October 13-19, the week will promote the use of mapping tools and new technology that are used daily in the world of geosciences. The use of this technology can help students to understand subjects varying from geology to animal behavior. For more information about the weekly observance, visit www.earthsciweek.org. Toolkits and student activities are available here. If your district is hosting an event or utilizing mapping technology in unique ways, please email brandi-davenport@pacd.org with the details so that your story can be highlighted in an upcoming edition of Front Page.
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October 16, 2013 Observed as World Food Day
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Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1979, World Food Day, was first observed in 1981. With an estimated 870 million hungry people on the planet, the theme of this year's World Food Day is "Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition." Designated October 16, World Food Day is a day to think about the global future and the role we all play in providing a more sustainable food supply. For more information about World Food Day, visit www.worldfooddayusa.org. If your district is participating in any events in recognition of the observance, please send photos with captions to brandi-davenport@pacd.org for inclusion in an upcoming edition of Front Page.
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