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2024-25 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Mini-grant Round Now Open

The 2024-25 round of the Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts is now open. This program will award up to $2,000 in funding to conservation districts to implement water quality and pollution prevention education programs for adult audiences.

This round offers a total of $32,000. Click here for guidance and the online application. The application period closes on April 30, 2024.

Contact PACD Director of Communications & Education Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with questions.

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.

2024 PSATS Conference – Volunteers Needed 

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show, April 14-16. 2024. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show.

We still need volunteers for the dates/times below and would appreciate your assistance!

Trade show dates and times needing coverage are:

Sunday, April 14 

2 people needed: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1^st shift) 

1 person needed: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (2^nd shift)

Monday, April 15

1 person needed: Noon – 4:00 p.m. (2^nd shift)

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts, explain their work, and reinforce existing relationships with local township officials. If you can help, email Roxanne Dohner at rdohner@pacd.org. 

Lancaster County Conservation District Holds Annual Banquet

Recently, the Lancaster County Conservation District celebrated its 71st Annual Banquet, honoring conservation efforts in Lancaster County. Recipients were recognized for their contributions to conserving natural resources. The event also included an auction that directly supports the district's Ann Brown Scholarship for high school seniors. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event.

Award recipients included:

·        Watershed Project Award Recipients: Donegal Trout Unlimited, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Unique Excavating, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

·        Building Industry Resource Conservation Award Recipients: Kinsley Construction, RETTEW, and High Associates

·        Conservation School Service Award: Frank Wasco

Click here to read a press release on the banquet.



Photo caption: Lancaster County Conservation District Manager Chris Thompson speaks during the banquet. Photo taken by Brenda Shambaugh. 

Franklin County Conservation District Holds Contractor Workshop 

On March 18, 2024, the Franklin County Conservation District presented to over 60 local contractors. The presentation was divided into two groups: one in English and one translated into Spanish.

Topics included perimeter E&S controls, temporary/permanent seed mixtures, bonded fiber matrix, soil amendments, and failed Post-Construction Stormwater Management best management practices.

Photo Caption: Franklin County Conservation District Engineer John High presents to the Spanish crowd with the help of a translator.

2024 Watershed Congress includes Keynote on Conservation District Buffer Program

The keynote presentation at the 2024 Watershed Congress was "The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Local Conservation Districts, and You – Helping Achieve Pennsylvania’s Forest and Meadow Goals.” The keynote featured representatives from two Pennsylvania conservation districts discussing a PACD grant program that supports the creation of conventional riparian buffers, multi-functional riparian buffers, and lawn conversions. These programs were developed to help achieve Pennsylvania's goal of planting 5,000 acres of upland forest and 5,000 acres of meadow by 2025.

The event was held on March 23, 2024, at the Montgomery County Community College, Pottstown, PA.

The speakers included Brian Vadino, Watershed Specialist for the Montgomery County Conservation District. Brian spoke about a project in the Perkiomen Creek Watershed that the districts completed through the PACD Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant for Conservation Districts program.

Kent Himelright, Watershed Coordinator for Berks County Conservation District, spoke about a riparian buffer project at Zartman Farm and a lawn-to-meadow conversion project at the Caernarvon Municipal Authority.

Click here to watch the presentation.

Photo caption: (Pictured at top) Brian Vadino, Montgomery County Conservation District, and Kent Himelright, Berks County Conservation District, provide the keynote address during the 2024 Watershed Congress.

Financial and other support for the Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant for Conservation Districts program 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.

Save the Date: Forestry Days 

A forestry training for conservation districts will be held near Elk County July 29-30, 2024. The training will include both classroom and field learning opportunities.

Conservation districts for Elk County, McKean County, Potter County, Cameron County, Tioga County, The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, LandVest, and the PA Sustainable Forest Implementation Committee will host the training.

Stay tuned for more information.