News & Notes September 2007

Leadership Development Committee to Present Working with Municipal Governments at Fall Region Meetings

How can conservation districts work closely and effectively with municipal governments? Conservation district staff and directors asked this question and the Conservation Partnership's Leadership Development Committee heard. This fall, they will present how to work closely with municipal governments along with updated information on complying with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law. Plan to attend your region meeting and take away tips and ideas to implement in your county during one of the six PACD region meetings being held throughout the month of October.

In addition to these Leadership Development Committee topics, program updates from PACD, State Conservation Commission, and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be given. Some meetings will also feature region specific topics and/or speakers. Each region's agenda will be posted on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/events/default.htm as it becomes available. See page four for dates and locations. Do not miss this opportunity to gain valuable information and updates from PACD and our conservation partners.

GoodSearch Makes Cents for PACD

With budget cuts and competition from other worthy causes, nonprofits today are being forced to find creative ways to raise much needed non-restricted funds. PACD's latest endeavor to raise funds is its participation in GoodSearch.

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. GoodSearch works like any search engine, and Yahoo powers it. We hope you will start using GoodSearch to support PACD's mission of supporting, enhancing, and promoting Pennsylvania's Conservation Districts and their programs. All funds generated will boost non-restrictive income and therefore used for such activities as increased lobbying efforts, the PACD Capital Fund, the PACD Endowment Fund, etc. Getting involved is easy.

1. Go to www.goodsearch.com
2. In the "who do you goodsearch for" box, type PACD or Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
3. Click "Verify."
4. Use the box at the top of the screen to perform your web search. Your search earns a penny for PACD and GoodSearch automatically adds it to the PACD account.

In less than two months of participation, PACD earned over $10.00 from GoodSearch without any hassle or cost. It may not sound like much, but the earning potential is in the numbers. If PACD can recruit 500 people to use GoodSearch just four times per day, GoodSearch will write PACD a check for $7,300. Please help spread the word!

Watershed Specialist Meeting Taking Shape

Conservation district watershed specialists will convene at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, PA for their annual meeting on October 16-18, 2007. A workgroup comprised of watershed specialists, PACD staff, and PA Department of Environmental Protection staff are putting the final touches on an agenda that is full of training and networking opportunities.

The workgroup is focusing on suggestions from last year's evaluations to guide the development of a program. For example, a special session for "new" watershed specialists is scheduled. Experienced watershed specialists will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice to their newer counterparts. The tentative agenda along with registration materials have been distributed.

PACD continues to play an integral role in the watershed specialist meeting. A portion of PACD's 319 nonpoint source pollution prevention education grant funds are directed to hosting the meeting. In addition, the PACD staff provides registration, facility coordination, and general program support. For more information about the watershed specialist meeting agenda, please contact Steve Lathrop at: slathrop@state.pa.us.

PACD Participates in Ag Progress Days

PACD's exhibit at Ag Progress Days, held August 14-16, featured information on conservation districts and nonpoint source pollution. Staff from Blair, Centre, Clearfield, and Union Counties volunteered at the exhibit.

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