Four individuals and one county conservation district were recognized by the State Conservation Commission for their work to improve Pennsylvania's environment through sound and innovative conservation practices.

"Pennsylvanians are committed to protecting and restoring the natural environment by using natural resources wisely," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "Thanks to the people and groups who lead the charge on these conservation efforts, we're securing a sustainable future for Pennsylvania."

Noah Wenger, a former state senator, and Clifford Tinklepaugh earned the State Conservation Commission's Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating consistent service and leadership in conservation.

Wenger's 30 years of service in the General Assembly included a strong commitment to helping farmers to secure the tools needed to improve stewardship of the land. He worked with the Department of Agriculture to establish Pennsylvania's nation-leading farmland preservation program in 1989, and in 2007, introduced the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, which provides tax credits to farmers for implementing best management practices that enhance farm production and protect natural resources.

Wenger formerly was chairman of the Majority Caucus and the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee. He also served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission and is currently a senior consultant for Versant Strategies.

Clifford Tinklepaugh, a pioneer of Pennsylvania's conservation district movement, began his first term as a director with the Susquehanna Conservation District in 1962 and went on to serve as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts in 1971-72. He brought together governmental and other organizations to establish a comprehensive statewide soil and water conservation program.

Tinklepaugh served as a grange officer for 16 years, an officer for Dairylea for 25 years, is a longtime member of the Farm Bureau and Susquehanna County Township Officials Association, and serves as the tax collector for Ararat Township.

Chester County's Dan Greig received one of two individual Leadership Excellence Awards. Since joining the Chester County Conservation District in 1978, he has helped build the county district from three employees to a staff of 19 full-time, three contracted, and one part-time employee with a budget of more than $1 million. Greig works closely with the county's mushroom and compost producers to create a positive environment with local communities relating to odor management and water quality issues.

The second leadership award went to Victor Cappucci of Wyoming County who served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts from 2005-2007, as regional director for 10 northeast counties, and a county director for many years. He is a former Northeast Farm Credit branch manager, beef and dairy producer, and currently raises hay and pasture on his farm.

The Crawford County Conservation District was awarded the board Leadership Excellence Award because its members consistently find innovative ways to serve their constituents by planning and executing conservation objectives and goals. Each year, the board, staff and all cooperating agencies engage in a planning meeting to set projects, goals and outreach opportunities.

The District Director Attendance Awards recognize the local efforts of Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts whose nearly 500 directors volunteer their time to help plan, direct and assist with programs to preserve their county's resources.

First place awards went to the conservation districts in Cameron and Sullivan counties, each with nearly 90 percent attendance. Juniata County Conservation District was second place with nearly 89 percent attendance, and Mifflin County Conservation District was third with 88 percent attendance.

The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection oversee the State Conservation Commission, which is a 14-member panel that provides oversight and supports the state's 66 county conservation districts.