News Release

Grants Awarded to Improve Water Quality

Harrisburg, PA -- The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) announces nineteen conservation district projects funded by an "open round" of the 2005-2006 Educational Mini-Grant Program. PACD awarded grants up to $2,500 to support educational efforts that help demonstrate how Pennsylvanians can improve local water quality by controlling nonpoint source pollution. With funding, conservation districts are able to implement educational programs to increase local awareness of water quality issues. The projects range from educational brochures for homeowners to nutrient management workshops for farmers. All of the projects encourage citizen participation in activities to improve water quality in local watersheds.

Funding for the grants is provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Program and Environmental Protection Agency's Section 319 Program. A description of current and previously funded projects is available on the PACD website, www.pacd.org (click on grant assistance).

2005-2006 PA Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grants:

• Adams County Conservation District: National No-Till Conference
  
• Cambria County Conservation District: 2006 Cambria County Children's Water Festival
  
• Centre County Conservation District: Native Plant/Riparian Buffer Demonstration Gardens at the American Philatelic Society Headquarters
  
• Dauphin County Conservation District: Chlorophyll Test Meter: A Tool for Nutrient Management
  
• Dauphin County Conservation District: Stormwater BMP Demonstration Project
  
• Juniata County Conservation District: 3rd Annual Juniata County Farmer's Winter Meeting
  
• Juniata County Conservation District: Juniata CCD Website -- Phase One
  
• Northumberland County Conservation District: Contractor's Workshop
• Somerset County Conservation District: Somerset County NPS Pollution Educational Display Board
  
• Tioga County Conservation District: Nonpoint Source Pollution Education Program for Tioga County
  
• York County Conservation District: This OLDS House: Managing Your On-Lot Disposal System

2005-2006 Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grants:

• Bucks County Conservation District: Elected Officials Conservation Breakfast - Stormwater Management Issues
  
• Erie County Conservation District: Erie County Farmers' Gathering
  
• Erie County Conservation District: Tri-State Tillage Conference
  
• Indiana County Conservation District: Website Upgrade to Enhance Public Awareness of District NPS Programs
  
• Lancaster County Conservation District: Lancaster County Watershed Publication Update Project
  
• Montgomery County Conservation District: Best Management Practices for Homeowners Demonstration
  
• Northampton County Conservation District: Brochure: Green Lawn and Yard Practices for Homeowners in Northampton County
  
• Wayne County Conservation District: Coping with Your Streamside Property

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