The York County Conservation District held its annual Conservation Awards Picnic on Thursday August 11th, at Rocky Ridge County Park to present their 2022 Conservation Awards.

Each year a committee selects individuals and businesses in York County to recognize for their stewardship and commitment to conservation efforts. Award recipients were presented with a signed, limited edition framed print by Millicent Neill Decker while guests enjoyed a catered picnic dinner.

The York County Conservation District has been serving York County residents for 74 years.

This year’s recipients were:

-- Outstanding Municipality: Fairview Township: Fairview Township has been highly supportive of the Conservation District. They have been communicative and willing to work towards the fulfillment of conservation initiatives.

Fairview Township has taken on numerous green projects such as a rain garden installed in conjunction with Penn State Master Watershed Stewards and a lawn-to-meadow conversion that is in discussion alongside the Watershed Alliance of York (WAY).

Furthermore, Fairview Township was key in helping the York County Conservation District, PACD, and DEP host a training for new E&S technicians from across the state. Fairview Township provided sites at which we could conduct the training and went above and beyond to ensure the training could occur.

-- Outstanding Partnering Organization: Muddy Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited: The goals of Muddy Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited (MCTU) include increasing the opportunities of recreational fishing on the watershed by improving the water quality, reducing midsummer stream temperatures by creating riparian buffer zones on its headwaters, improving landowner relations for the enhancement and enjoyment of the watershed, reducing downstream sedimentation effects using streambank restoration techniques, and re-introducing wild trout to the watershed where they once existed.

MCTU achieves their mission to conserve, protect, and restore the Muddy Creek watershed for future use by hosting educational events and participating in tree plantings and stream projects.

Several members of MCTU assisted at the York County Conservation District’s first fishing derby at Glenn Hope Agricare. Additionally, a member of MCTU serves as the Fish and Boat Commission alternative on YCCD’s Dirt and Gravel Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Quality Assurance Board (QAB).

-- Outstanding Partnering Organization: Codorus Chapter of Trout Unlimited:  The Codorus Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCTU) engages in a wide variety of activities to promote clean water and healthy trout habitat.

From hands-on stream improvement work to educational and instructional programs to community outreach and partnerships, they’re always ready to roll up their sleeves and help however they can.

The chapter was founded in 1988 by a small but dedicated group of individuals interested in preserving and enhancing the blossoming Codorus Creek trout fishery.

Over the years, the chapter has grown and flourished and now includes more than 260 members. CCTU has established relationships with landowners and then subsequently sponsored several Exelon Habitat Improvement Program projects throughout streams in the Codorus Creek watershed.

-- Outstanding Conservation Volunteer: Karen Ward: Karen Ward has a true conservation ethic and her commitment to conservation persists even in retirement. Karen is a retired York County Conservation District staff member who frequently volunteers her time to support the Conservation District and its mission.

This past year, Karen volunteered several days to design and implement the York County Conservation District’s native plant memorial garden.

Additionally, every year Karen volunteers dozens of hours to fill crucial roles for the York County Envirothon competitions, York County Conservation District Seedling Sale, and Sporting Clays Fundraiser for the York County Envirothon.

Karen is a role model to volunteers, an inspiration to stewards of York County’s natural resources, and a friend to the York County Conservation District.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events, visit the York County Conservation District website.

[Posted: August 18, 2022]

8/22/2022