The PA Association of Conservation Districts Thursday presented its annual awards to conservation leaders in Pennsylvania and played host to the National Association of Conservation Districts’ Northeast Regional meeting in Lancaster.
"It is exciting to host a meeting that brings our counterparts from other northeastern states together. This week, we were able to showcase some of Pennsylvania's conservation district projects via tours and educational sessions,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director.
“Attendees learned about the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program which helps decrease pollution from unpaved roads and is unique to Pennsylvania. They visited a plain sect farm where they saw the work the Lancaster County Conservation District did to help the farmer control pollution,” she explained.
“They [also] participated in a stormwater tour by LandStudies, Inc. which shows work being done in our communities to reduce flooding. Finally, visitors had the opportunity to visit Stroud Water Research Center [in Chester County] and learn about research they are conducting to ensure we have enough clean water for future generations," she added.
"Our conservation districts work hard every day to make a difference in our communities," Shambaugh said.
PACD Award Winners
The 2018 PACD award winners include--
-- Legislator Leadership Award: Sen. John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair). Sen. Eichelberger has been involved with the Blair County Conservation District while serving as a Blair County Commissioner from 1996 to 2006. His first-hand knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of a conservation district has been beneficial for the collective causes of the District.
Sen. Eichelberger is an active listener when presented with facts related to budgeting on a state level which impact the conservation districts in his Senatorial District. He is also a strong supporter of Blair County agriculture which, in turn, supports the Districts involvement in agricultural activities and programs in his legislative area.
This 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.
-- President's Award: Pat Sueck. Pat was first appointed to the Board of the York County Conservation District in 1990. In 1998 Pat was elected as the PACD President and served in that position for two years. For 18 years, she served as the PACD representative to the NACD, representing Pennsylvania at the National Meetings.
Pat has also served on the PACD Executive Board. Pat has kept busy promoting conservation by attending countless NACD Annual & Regional Conventions, legislative "fly-ins" to D.C., county, state and national Envirothon events.
Pat has chaired the NACD North East Education Committee and served as the NACD North East President. She was also a member of the National Conservation Foundation, which is now the home of the National Envirothon.
Pat has been the recipient of the District Special Service Award in 1998; the NACD President's Award in 2010; and the PACD Distinguished Service Award in 2012.
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.
-- Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award: Jay Snyder, Lancaster County: Since his appointment to the Lancaster County Conservation District Board of Directors in 2007, Jay has faithfully served in various roles of leadership to support the District's overall mission.
He has a combined 50 years of experience managing water and wastewater and his experience is instrumental in serving the many committees and conservation organizations with which the District partners.
Jay is an active volunteer taking time off from his job to volunteer at Youth Conservation School and to provide presentations regarding wastewater and Stormwater. He holds a commercial driver's license and has driven students and teachers on field trip days.
During his tenure with the LCCD Board of Directors, Jay has actively served on 7 of LCCD's 10 Program & Operation Committees. Active in his community, Jay has experience working with the Lancaster Clean Water Consortium, Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County, and the Cocalico Creek Watershed Association.
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: Renee Swineford, Snyder County. Renee began her career with the Snyder County Conservation District in 2006 and in the 12 years since she has held that position, Craig Bingman considers her the model conservation district employee.
Renee is involved in every program at the District in some way, shape or form. Her knowledge of each program allows her to help direct the needs of farmers and landowners.
Renee is a very gregarious and dedicated worker by assisting the staff with planning workshops, farm visits, providing food for events, just to name a few. Her talents do not contain themselves to the boundaries of Snyder County.
She has taken on a busy role as the registration coordinator with the Pennsylvania Envirothon and is also very active in planning of the Canon Envirothon, which is a national competition. Renee also has volunteered to be a part of promoting PACD by taking volunteer time slots at various PACD-sponsored events.
People who participate in Snyder County Conservation District programs know that Renee is the glue that holds the office together.
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.
-- Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Program Awards--
-- 40 Years of Service: Craig Bingman, Manager, Snyder County
-- 30 Years of Service: Carl Goshorn, Manager, Cumberland County
-- James Pillsbury, Hydraulic Engineer, Westmoreland County
-- Tammie Robinson, Administrative Assistant, Indiana County
-- Lorelle Steach, PA Envirothon Coordinator, Bedford County
The Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards recognize conservation district employees for their years of dedication to conserving Pennsylvania's natural resources.
For more information about the work of the state's 66 conservation districts, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website or follow PACD on Facebook.
(Photo: LandStudies, Inc. leading stormwater tour.)
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