|
Conservation Districts in the News
| |
|
| Upcoming Events |
Agricultural Conservation Technical Training - Level II
April 28-May 2, 2014
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Course and Exam
June 25-26, 2014
Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference
July 9-10, 2014
Blair County Convention Center, Altoona, PA
Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Course and Exam
August 27-28, 2014
Holiday Inn, Williamsport, PA
Conservation District Watershed Specialist Meeting
October 9-10, 2014
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
|
| Previous Issues of Front Page | |
|
| Join Our List |  |
|
|
Retirement Celebrations for McNutt Begin
| |
 | |
Pictured Left: Lancaster County Conservation District Board Chair, Frank Burkhart and Don McNutt during March 20 festivities. Pictured right: PACD Executive Director Robert Maiden and McNutt. Photos used with permission of Grant Heilman Photography, Copyright 2014.
|
Don "Mac" McNutt was recently celebrated during a March 20 evening banquet in his honor. The Administrator for the Lancaster County Conservation District will officially retire this summer, but tributes noting his commitment to Lancaster County and conservation are underway.
"Mac has been a joy to work with and a real asset to conservation," said Ken Meck, PACD Executive Board Secretary and Lancaster County Conservation District Board Member. "Mac is a progressive, forward-thinker. These attributes allowed him to create and see through an outstanding vision for the Lancaster District. While we'll certainly miss his leadership, it is that foundation he created that will leave us a very strong, a very solid district as we move forward in the future. Our hats are off to Mac for a job well done."
|
Luzerne Conservation District Holds 50th Anniversary Celebration
| |
 | |
Luzerne Conservation District's 2014 Conservationist of the Year Award went to WNEP TV's PA Outdoor Life (POL) Team. (Left to right) Brian Hollingshead, POL Producer; Rick Koval, POL Field Staff; Don Jacobs, POL Host; Dale Butler, POL Field Staff; Josh Longmore LCD District Manager; Jay Wilkes, LCD Board Vice-Chairman; and Tim Ference, LCD Board Chairman. Photo provided by LCD.
|
On March 29, the Luzerne Conservation District (LCD) hosted a celebration for their 50th anniversary in Wilkes-Barre. More than 150 people attended and over $5,000 was raised for the Luzerne Conservation District's Education & Outreach Fund.
The evening included cocktails, dinner, auctions and presentations. PA Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jay Howes presented LCD with a proclamation from Secretary of Agriculture George Greig recognizing the 50th anniversary. Senators Yudichak and Baker sent a proclamation from the Senate, and Representative Boback sent a House of Representatives proclamation as well. Click here for a list of award recipients. Click here to watch a video of WNEP (Channel 16 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) Pennsylvania Outdoor Life Team receiving the 2014 Stanley M. Sowa, Jr. Conservationist of the Year award.
|
|
| |
Envirothon Moves to National Conservation Foundation
Plans are underway for the 2014 Pennsylvania Envirothon Competition. This year's state event is taking place May 20-21 at Susquehanna University and PPL Montour Preserve. Organizers are still in need of volunteers to assist with the two-day experience. To learn more about volunteer opportunities for the 2014 state competition, click here.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Envirothon, visit www.envirothonpa.org.
Envirothon Moves to National Conservation Foundation
On Monday, March 31, the North American Envirothon closed its doors and transferred the Envirothon enterprise to the National Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Since 1979, this outstanding program for high school students has grown to become a leading natural resources competition for students in Canada and the U.S. As of April 1, NCF will provide leadership for a new vision for the Envirothon, including aiming for a global program by 2030.
Initially, the Foundation will be focusing on a new fundraising approach, as well as encouraging the current 57 state and provincial participants to continue building their respective local and state/provincial programs. A short activity is being planned this summer for all 57 participants.
Plans are also moving forward for international competitions in 2015 (Missouri), 2016 (Ontario), and 2017 (Maryland). For information on the Envirothon, visit www.envirothon.org or call 1-800-825-5547 extension 2, 3, or 5.
|
|
| | |
 NACD April U&C Webinar
This month's NACD Urban and Community Conservation webinar is scheduled for 12-1 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 17. The April webinar will feature two resource management handbooks.
NACD North Central Representative Beth Mason will present the New Landowner's Manual, a web-based template for a handbook that can be tailored to each state and district and provided to non-traditional customers through district and NRCS field offices.
Wayne Stautz of North Dakota's Cass County Soil Conservation District (SCD) will present the Living on a River Handbook. The handbook describes the state's river ecosystems. The photos, illustrations and commentary help create an understanding of how rivers function and the powerful forces behind them so that we can all live better with them.
There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, email Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org with your name, title, district or business name and email address. Information to access the webinar will be sent by email.
Held on the third Thursday of each month, these webinars cover topics that include district and other speakers. The webinars are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group.
NACD to Host EAB Webinar
The NACD Forest RPG and Urban and Community RPG will co-host a webinar on emerald ash borer (EAB) and the challenges the forest pest creates for civic leaders and conservation professionals.
The April 24 webinar will include presentations from a U.S. Forest Service expert and conservation districts engaged in EAB planning and cleanup efforts. The webinar is limited to the first 100 attendees.
EAB is an exotic beetle that was discovered near Detroit in 2002. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Last year, it was detected in Colorado, and more than 20 states now have EAB quarantines.
To reserve a spot for this webinar, email NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom at mike-beacom@nacdnet.org. To learn more about EAB, visit emeraldashborer.info.
|
|
| |
 On April 22, the world will celebrate the 44th anniversary of Earth Day. This year, the global theme is Green Cities. By investing in sustainable technology and implementing forward-thinking public policy, cities around this country can become "green." Earth day is used as a tool to inform the public and highlight the collective will of people to make the necessary environmental changes for the future. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion people will again take part in Earth Day activities this year. If you have not already, please let us know what earth day events you have taking place in your area by sending details to brandi-davenport@pacd.org. For more information about this year's designation, including access to a few tools and resources, visit www.earthday.org/greencities/earth-day-2014.
|
|
Penn State Extension Offering Water Quality Workshop June 2014
| |
 On Thursday, June 12, the Penn State Extension is offering an "Ensuring Water Quality in Your Watershed" workshop in Erie. The day-long event will take place at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
The workshop will address high quality watershed issues affecting water quality and quantity across the commonwealth. Workshop topics include green infrastructure, riparian buffers and maintenance, conservation easements, invasive species and management and control.
This workshop is intended for watershed and environment groups, environmental advisory councils, master gardeners, municipalities, engineers, landscape architects, parks and recreation departments, citizens, and others.
There is a $25 charge to attend the workshop. For more information, including registration details, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
