Convening in Scranton, the PA Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. and the State Conservation Commission hosted their 65th Joint Annual Conference.

Beginning July 9, the three-day event allowed nearly 200 individuals representing the conservation districts, nonprofits, state agencies and the legislative communities an opportunity to discuss issues and challenges facing the state in the conservation arena. The group also covered innovative projects and programs taking place throughout the commonwealth.

“This conference allows us to come together and discuss the work we’ve been doing throughout the year, preserving our pockets of Pennsylvania,” said Robert Maiden, PACD Executive Director. “The number one priority of PACD and its membership is to continue our conservation efforts and protect the state’s natural resources. Together we have discussed steps for the next year and plans we can implement for continued protection of our communities.”

The meeting will conclude with a tour of a Marcellus Shale drilling site in the area on July 11.

Each year, during the annual meeting, PACD also acknowledges multiple individuals for their unwavering dedication and commitment to conservation practices in Pennsylvania. Below is listing of the 2012 honorees: 

Legislator Recognition Award: This 2012 award recipient is Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana). Rep. Reed led the fight in securing dedicated funding for conservation districts in the recently passed Act 5 non-conventional gas impact fee, and his efforts resulted in the state conservation districts receiving $7.5 million, annually.

Locally, Rep. Reed proved to be a valuable mediator when the Indiana Conservation District received Energy Harvest Grant funding to install a manure digester at the Brookside Dairy. Brookside Dairy was served by REA Energy, a regional energy cooperative, and cooperative rules prevented Brookside Dairy from generating their own electricity. Rep. Reed helped to resolve this issue to the benefit of both parties, which has resulted in Brookside Dairy generating three million kilowatt hours of renewable energy to date.

This is award is presented to legislators recognized for their outstanding efforts to further the activities and accomplishments of the state’s conservation districts or PACD on a statewide basis.

Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award: The 2012 Saxman Award recipient is Dr. Fred Brenner (Mercer County). Dr. Brenner has been involved with the Mercer County Conservation District for more than 40 years.

Throughout his life, he has been a steadfast advocate for conservation efforts, locally, regionally and statewide. He has led a life dedicated to protecting and managing natural resources. Dr. Brenner not only works toward implementing strong conservation programs and initiatives, but also takes the time to educate the surrounding community, from his students, to peers and colleagues.

This award is given to a conservation district director or associate director for his or her outstanding volunteer efforts which have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

Conservation District Employee Excellence Award: The 2012 honoree is Christopher Thompson (York County). Thompson joined the York Conservation District in 2007 and has become an invaluable asset to the conservation partnership in York County and across the state.

As part of PACD’s Education and Outreach Committee, he has acted as interim chair, obtained a grant from Covanta Energy to underwrite the cost of seed packets for the Conservation District booth at the 2012 Farm Show, as well as volunteering his time and assistance to help with other aspects of PACD’s participation at the week-long exhibition.

He was instrumental in the movement of marketing efforts which included the development and implementation of a new logo, slogan and collateral materials for the conservation districts’ usage as well as a print ad campaign which was placed in the 2010 edition of Hunting and Trapping Digest.

This award is given to a conservation district employee for his or her outstanding efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

President’s Award: The recipient of the 2012 award is Adams County Conservation District Manager Larry Martick.

Selected by PACD Executive Board President, this award is given, at the discretion of the President, to an individual, organization or agency in recognition of their outstanding efforts that have resulted in furthering the accomplishments of PACD.

Auxiliary Scholarship: Based on a strong pool of applicants, the PACD Auxiliary awarded two $1,000 schoarlships this year instead of one. The recipients are Amy Way (Northumberland County), a student at Bloomsburg University studying Environmental Science and Marissa Keys (Westmoreland County), a Penn State student majoring in agroecology and minoring in agromony and environmental soil science.

Each year the PACD Auxiliary offers a $1,000 scholarship for Pennsylvania college students majoring in an agricultural or environmental field.

Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Program Awards: New this year, the Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards recognize conservation district employees for their years of dedication to conserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

Employees with 30 or more years of service were honored during the awards program. A complete listing of all staff awardees follows:

40 Years of Service: Margaret Angle, District Clerk, Blair; Donna Hays, Secretary-Treasurer/ Environmental Education Coordinator, Franklin; and Jim Mondok, District Manager, Mercer.

35 Years of Service: Craig Bingman, District Manager, Snyder; Jane Carman, District Clerk, Bradford; Andy Patterson, District Manager, Huntingdon; and Barry Travelpiece, Resource Conservationist II, Columbia.

30 Years of Service: Ron Fodor, District Manager, Butler; Gerald Heistand, Business Manager, Lancaster; Mike Lovegreen, Manager, Bradford; Ed Magargee, District Manager, Delaware; Gregory Phillips, District Manager/CEO, Westmoreland; Jacquelyn Rouse, District Manager/ACT Tech, Sullivan; Lynn Sandieson, District Manager, Crawford; Ernest Tarner, Manager, Franklin;  and Craig Todd, District Manager Monroe.

“The individuals we recognized here today are a dedicated team of environmental stewards,” said Drew Gilchrist, PACD President. “Their commitment helps keep Pennsylvania’s communities and natural resources thriving. The association is humbled to work side-by-side with them on a daily basis as we all strive to implement conservation practices in our areas, aiding in the sustainment of the vitality of this Commonwealth.”

For more information about the work of the state’s 66 conservation districts, visit the PACD website.

7/16/2012