News & Notes August 2004

Award Recipients Honored at Luncheon

Each year the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) awards Pennsylvania organizations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to the state's natural resources. The recipients, who have gone to great lengths to protect Pennsylvania's soil and water resources, were recognized at PACD's annual awards luncheon on July 27 in Coraopolis, PA. The awards luncheon was held jointly with the State Conservation Commission awards program.

During the PACD portion of the awards ceremony, the following received recognition:

Harold and Helen Forrester/Forrester Farms LTD, Franklin County--Conservation Farmer of the Year. This award is given to a farmer who has furthered conservation through the establishment and maintenance of soil, water and nutrient management practices.

Huntingdon Area Middle School Environmental Club, Huntingdon County--Conservation Organization of the Year. This award is given to an organization that has made a noteworthy contribution to the conservation of Pennsylvania's soil, water and related natural resources. This award is sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.

Kim Edward Miller, Westmoreland County--Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation Award. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the conservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources.

Brian Campbell, Lehigh County --Conservation Educator of the Year. This award is presented to a teacher who has demonstrated a strong commitment to conservation education programs and activities in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Berks Urban Greening, Berks County--William Lange Urban Conservation Award. This award is presented to an individual or organization that has made a unique and outstanding contribution to the conservation of natural resources in an urban area of Pennsylvania.

The Manbeck Family, Lebanon County --M.K. Goddard Forest Resource Management Award. This award is presented to a woodland owner who has a written woodland management plan in operation for at least five years, has demonstrated the wise use of their forest resources and is a conservation district cooperator. This award is sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania.

Kate M. Harper, Montgomery County--Elected Official Recognition Award. This award is presented to an elected official who has consistently supported conservation issues and has made outstanding contributions to the conservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources.

Cambria County Conservation District-- Annual Report of the Year. This award is presented to the conservation district that submits the most informative, concise, readable and attractive annual report. Second place went to Westmoreland County and Lancaster County received third place. Berks County Conservation District was awarded an honorable mention.

Also during the awards luncheon, three Pennsylvania farm families, representing three different regions, were recognized as the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award recipients. This award was presented to Todd & Leroy Chestnut of Cumberland County, William and LaVern Jackson of Bradford County and LaMar Troup of Snyder County. The award recognizes farmers who strive to protect local water quality and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay by implementing exemplary farm management practices, such as controlling soil erosion and limiting nutrient and pesticide runoff into surface and ground waters. The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office administers this award.

Each year, PACD hosts a poster contest for school children in grades K-12. The PACD Auxiliary sponsors the contest prizes. This year's winners were presented with their awards at the luncheon. They are:

Zachary Woomer (Clinton County), PACD Poster Contest winner in the grade 10-12 category, accepts his prize from PACD Auxiliary President Luetta Gross.

• Nicholas German (Delaware County) - Kindergarten to First Grade;
• Mark Frederick (Blair County) - Second to Third Grade;
• Emily Rose McKenna (Delaware County) - Fourth to Sixth Grade;
• Greg Motel (Clinton County) - Seventh to Ninth Grade; and
• Zachary Woomer (Clinton County) - Tenth to Twelfth Grade.

The PACD Auxiliary also awards a scholarship to a college student from Pennsylvania for the support of Agricultural and Environmental Education. Mary Wiseman of Centre County was this year's recipient. Mary will be a senior at Penn State this fall majoring in horticulture with a minor in plant pathology.

For next year, the PACD Conservation Awards and Clean Water Farm Award nominations are due February 28, 2005. Submissions for the Annual Report of the Year and the Poster Contest are being accepted until May 30, 2005. For more information and guidelines for the PACD Conservation Awards Program visit http://www.pacd.org/about/award_progr.htm.