News & Notes July 2001

District Director/Staff Profiling Project Underway

The PACD, in cooperation with the Leadership Development Committee, will be conducting a survey of conservation district members in order to gain a better understanding of their interests and needs. The information will be used to create a database profile of district directors and staff.

PACD determined during its strategic planning session last year, that in order to improve its services additional information on district members such as their areas of expertise and interest, leadership development and training needs, and preferred methods of communication is needed.

The survey information will be compiled into a database that will be housed at the PACD office and updated as district personnel change.

Surveys will be mailed to each director and staff person in July. PACD needs the surveys returned by the end of July so that data can be entered during August.

Funds for the project are being provided by a Leadership Development Grant, that expires on September 1, 2001. The survey will be developed by Greenberg Research Associates, a Carlisle-based company specializing in survey research, in conjunction with the Leadership Development Committee and the PACD Executive Board.

Be on the lookout for your districts’ surveys and please, make sure to provide the appropriate information and return the documents as quickly as possible.

The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the PACD) hosted the annual Susquehanna River Celebration on Saturday, June 2, at Harrisburg’s City Island. During the last 10 years, the event has provided exposure and an excellent networking opportunity for the association.

This year’s event attracted a steady crowd who enjoyed a day in the sun while engaging in numerous activities. For instance, back for a second year, Greg Line drew a large, captivated crowd during his live snake program. Greg provided the audience with an up-close encounter with snakes native to the Commonwealth, as he explained background information about the creatures and attempted to dispel many popular misconceptions associated with snakes.

New editions to the Celebration, including kayaking and climbing demonstrations and a tour of Harrisburg urban gardens, kept the crowd entertained as well as involved.

Dozens of children and adults took advantage of the opportunity to try their hand at kayaking and “rock climbing” under the supervision of professionals from the Harrisburg-based Wildware Outfitters. Gardening enthusiasts boarded passenger vans for two scheduled tours of “Bayscapes” gardens.

Ray Owen provided four musical stage performances --“Animal Odyssey,” for the young and the young at heart while the Susquehanna River Man drew the crowd’s attention to the exhibit area where dozens of professionals shared information on topics ranging from water quality to fitness and flexibility.

Elsewhere a steady stream of children lined up for face painting and t-shirt fish printing activities until the close of the event. In addition, hand-made papermaking and flax to linen demonstrations were scheduled.

“We are happy to be able to host the event. The DEP has provided continued financial support over the years,” explained Kathleen Banski, PACD’s Director of Administration and Education. “The celebration is a day for individuals and families to come out and have some fun while becoming more familiar with water quality issues. The We All Live Downstream theme continues to attract support from both the public and private sector. We’re looking forward to another great event next year!” Banski added.

The Celebration was well publicized by local newspapers, television stations and radio station co-sponsor The River, 97.3 WRVV. In addition, River Celebration announcements were woven into TRAFFAX radio conservation tips that aired during the two weeks prior to the event. In conjunction with the Susquehanna River Celebration and to commemorate June Rivers Month, the Bay Education Office also coordinates the Susquehanna River Radio Trivia Contest, which is featured on a number of radio stations throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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