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Intro to Conservation Planning Course Application Period Opens

PACD is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to deliver a three-day Introduction to Conservation Planning course. This free training is scheduled for October 28-30, 2025, at the Iron Valley Golf Club, 201 Iron Valley Dr., Lebanon, PA.

The event is for entry-level employees of all organizations in Pennsylvania delivering conservation planning technical assistance, including, but not limited to, NRCS, conservation districts, SCC, farmland preservation entities, and non-profits. This training is only for those interested in writing conservation plans and becoming NRCS Certified Conservation Planners or apprentices.

The training is free, and lunch will be provided.

The application period is now open. Click here for the application and more information.

The deadline to apply is September 12, 2025.

Thank You, Ag Progress Days Volunteers!

Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition, was held August 12-14, 2025, at Pennsylvania State University’s Research Farms in Rock Springs. During the three-day event, conservation districts from Centre, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Schuylkill, and Westmoreland counties met hundreds of landowners and farmers to discuss local conservation.

Thank you so much to all who volunteered to share conservation districts' excellent work with the public. A special thank you to Westmoreland Conservation District for setting up the booth and Mifflin County Conservation District for taking it down.

Photo caption: Allie Shreffler (left) and Chelsea Gross pose at the conservation district booth at Ag Progress Days on August 12, 2025. Photo provided by Westmoreland Conservation District. 

RSVP for Your PACD Fall Region Meeting Today

It's time to RSVP for your fall region meeting! All meetings will be held in person, with the option to attend virtually. PACD will provide updates on PACD projects, strategic planning, and legislative activities.

Please note that in-person attendance for the North West Region Meeting is recommended due to high visitor volume and Wi-Fi demand.

Please click on your region meeting below for RSVP information and other details.

PACD North West Region Meeting

September 29, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette, PA

PACD South West Region Meeting

September 30, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

PACD North East Region Meeting

October 9, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Pike County Conservation District, Hawley, PA

PACD North Central Region Meeting

October 14, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

PACD South Central Region Meeting

October 16, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

PACD South East Region Meeting

October 30, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Henning’s Market, Harleysville, PA

2025 Management Summit: Focused on the Future

There’s still time to register for the 2025 Management Summit, September 16-18 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center in State College.

PreCon Tuesday features an in-depth look at Leading through Transition & Uncertainty, followed by an interactive mini-workshop on Change Management & District Strategic Challenges. The Wednesday Summit program starts with a keynote presentation on Artificial Intelligence, followed by a manager-led discussion on AI at districts. Wednesday afternoon includes presentations on DEP Modernization and Financial Planning for Districts and wraps up with an informal manager panel. Summit concludes on Thursday with a training workshop on Communicating to Influence Decision Makers, followed by a working lunch featuring a PACD legislative update and discussion for managers.

All district management staff and partner agency staff are welcome to attend at no charge, but registration is required. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

PACD Represented at PACS Announcement and Government Relations Reception

PACD First Vice President Barb Peace and PACD Acting Executive Director Amy Brown attended the announcement for the relaunch of the Pennsylvania Agriculture Conservation Stewardship (PACS) program on August 12, 2025, at Ag Progress Days.

Read more about PACS in the “Ag Certification Program Relaunches” article below.

Also during Ag Progress Days, Barb and Amy attended an evening legislative reception hosted by Penn State at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Barb and Amy met legislators and spoke with PA Department of Agriculture Secretary Redding and Deputy Secretary Hostetter. PACD thanks Versant Strategies for sponsoring the event and inviting us to attend.

Photo caption: Amy Brown (left) and Barb Peace at the PACS announcement. 

Clean Water Academy Releases New Courses

Check out these two new courses on the Clean Water Academy that may be of interest to conservation district staff!

Course: MS4 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)

Municipalities and other entities with separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit coverage are required by their MS4 permits to implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their MS4, protect water quality, and satisfy the water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act and Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. This course will provide an overview of the six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) that must be included in a permittee's SWMP. Completion of this course is recommended for municipal staff and their consultants, local environmental groups, and any other interested members of the public.

Course: Legacy Sediment Removal, Floodplain Restoration, and Permitting

This webinar provided a historical background on legacy sediments within Pennsylvania. It also included a discussion on principles of floodplain restoration as well as permitting considerations for legacy sediment removal and floodplain restoration projects.

Please email Jay Braund with questions at jbraund@pa.gov.

DEP Now Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Environmental Education Grants through November 14, 2025. Projects must address one or more program priorities: Land Use, Air Quality, Water, Climate Change, and/or Environmental Justice.

The three levels of funding are:

1.    Seed Grant (up to $5,000) may be awarded for local (school, county, partnering municipality, or other defined area) environmental education projects.

2.    Grow Grant ($5,001 - $30,000) may be awarded for implementation of large-scale environmental education projects, such as school district-wide projects, multiple community or county collaborations, countywide, regional, or statewide projects.

3.    Impact Grant ($30,001 - $65,000) may be awarded as a first-time project or for previously awarded DEP EE Grants project(s) for capacity and sustainability development. These projects should allow for broad-scale audience engagement at three (3) different levels: county, regional, and state.

Click here to read more. Email RA-epEEgrants@pa.gov with questions.

PACD Acting Executive Director Attends Franklin County Farm Tour

PACD Acting Executive Director Amy Brown attended the Franklin County Conservation District’s (FCCD) Summer Conservation Farm Tour. The tour featured the Craig Alleman LLC beef operation in Shippensburg, PA, on August 5, 2025. The district selected the Alleman Farm as the 2025 Conservation Farmer of the Year.

The tour included the beef cattle facilities and manure handling systems. Attendees saw how Craig, utilizing FCCD grant funds, was able to convert an overused open area into an improved animal heavy use area (AHUA) that includes a bedded pack structure. Both actions led to enhanced cattle health and manure management.

The tour also stopped at the farm’s tree planting to demonstrate how planting trees has improved the farm. FCCD staff demonstrated how to measure soil health and the benefits of no-till field management. Lastly, staff answered questions on Conservation Excellence Grants and Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program grants.

Photo caption: PACD Acting Executive Director Amy Brown and FCCD Manager Dave Stoner during the tour.

Ag Certification Program Relaunches

The state departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection have announced the relaunch of the Pennsylvania Agriculture Conservation Stewardship (PACS) program.

The PACS program is a certification for farms that go beyond basic environmental requirements. This certification was created to recognize and reward farmers who are the best stewards of their land. PACS has been revitalized and relaunched following a pilot version of the program in 2019.

The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission administers PACS with support from county conservation districts and private technical service providers that serve as verifiers for applicants.

Click here to read more.

2026 Stewardship Week Theme Announced

The 2026 NACD Stewardship Week theme is "Soil. Where It All Begins!" The theme celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its forms. Soil is not just the ground we walk on. It is the starting point for healthy food, clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. From backyard gardens to forests and city parks, everything begins with what is beneath our feet.

Stay tuned for activity guides, district promotional materials, and more - all available for free download on the NACD Marketplace.