News & Notes October 2006

PACD Legislative Program: Suggested Activities for Improving Relations with Legislators

The Pennsylvania General Assembly has returned to Harrisburg which means it's time to get to work! The PACD annual legislative program suggests that conservation districts write to their Senators and Representatives with fall priorities. A template letter and press release are available for your use on the PACD website.

Letter Template: http://www.pacd.org/about/legupdate/septprioritiesltr.06.doc

Press Release Template: http://www.pacd.org/about/legupdate/SeptprioritiesPR.06.doc

The PACD annual legislative program also suggests that conservation districts consider hosting a fall legislative event at the local level. Many conservation districts already hold legislative breakfasts or other events to discuss conservation district programs and activities, bringing federal, state, and local legislative leaders together. Suggestions on planning an event, a sample agenda, a sample invitation, a sample press release, and a sample legislative handout are all available on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/about/legupdate/fallevent.doc.

By following the PACD legislative program, your conservation district will communicate regularly with legislators. This is important to do year round for creating and maintaining good relations with legislators. Write letters and start planning a legislative event today! Questions should be directed to PACD Government Relations/Policy Specialist Brenda Shambaugh. Brenda can be reached at (717) 238-7223 x19 or
brenda-shambaugh@pacd.org.

PACD Accepting Nominations for Legislator Recognition Award

Does your conservation district work with an outstanding legislator who deserves recognition? If so, nominate him or her for statewide recognition during PACD's Capital Day. PACD is currently accepting nominations for the PACD Legislator Recognition Award. This award is presented to a legislator whose outstanding efforts have helped further the activities and accomplishments of the PACD or Pennsylvania's sixty-six county conservation districts. Nominations for this award may be submitted by PACD members. Award recipients will be selected by PACD Executive Board members. Nominations must be received at the PACD office no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 15, 2006. The nomination form can be found on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/about/nomination/Legislator.htm. Please direct questions to Shannon Wehinger, PACD communication specialist, at 717-238-7223 x18 or shannon-wehinger@pacd.org.

Annual Poster Contest Theme Announced

The NACD Annual Poster Contest will accept posters based on the theme from NACD Stewardship Week, "Conservation's Power." Each conservation district will be responsible for judging at the county level and for recognizing their local winners. The district may send the county's first place winning posters, one per division, to the PACD office. PACD will facilitate the state level judging and send those winners on to the national competition. Entries must be received by the PACD office no later than June 30, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. For more information visit http://www.pacd.org/about/poster_contest_rules.htm.

Funding Available for NPS Technical Training

Do you need training but your conservation district can't afford it? PACD may be able to help. Through its nonpoint source pollution prevention (NPS) education grant (EPA Section 319 Program), funding is available from PACD for conservation districts to host technical training on NPS solutions/best management practices. Funding can be provided for training that helps build the technical capacity of the conservation district staff when addressing NPS pollution issues. The 319 program funds cannot be used for permitted activities, such as Erosion & Sedimentation.

The NPS training must include at least ten staff and directors from several conservation districts. Staff from cooperating agencies may attend, if space is available. Resources can include but are not limited to: nametags, printed materials, refreshments, and lunch (with adequate justification).

Visit http://www.pacd.org/resources/mini-grants/training.htm for examples of past training grants. Contact Kathleen Banski to request funding for training. Email her at kathleen-banski@pacd.org or call 717-238-PACD (7223).

Page 3>