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News & Notes September
2007
Marquart Attends NACD Executive Directors'
Conference
In early August, PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart
traveled to Ithaca, New York to attend the 2007 NACD Executive Directors'
Conference. The conference allowed state conservation leaders from
thirteen states to discuss successes and challenges, changing needs,
learn about funding opportunities, and network.
Perhaps the most relevant session to Pennsylvania's conservation districts
was the funding opportunities for districts and state associations
presented by David Gagner, director of government relations and external
affairs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The NFWF
funds projects to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and native
plants through a variety of grant programs. NFWF raises and distributes
$50 million annually.
The following six Pennsylvania conservation districts received grants
in 2006:
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Dauphin - Restoration Plan for Little Wiconisco
Creek - II
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Fulton - Cove Creek Community Corridor Initiative
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Mifflin - Outreach and Education in the Kishacoquillas
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Perry - Perry County Cover Crop Program
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Tioga - Tioga County Agricultural Project
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Wyoming - Wyoming County Tributary Strategy Implementation
Marquart said, "David Gagner's session was very informative. I
would encourage all of Pennsylvania's conservation districts to explore
NWFW as a potential funding source." For more information, visit
www.nfwf.org.
During the conference, Marquart also attended a tour of the Ecovillage
at Ithaca. This intentional co-housing community is based on conservation
and self-reliance in the production of energy and food. After touring
the village, conference attendees were served a 30-mile meal which means
all of the food was grown within a 30-mile radius.
Eleven PA Representatives Attend NACD Northeast
Region Meeting
Approximately two hundred conservation district officials
and staff from the 12 northeastern states and the District of Columbia
recently gathered at the National Association of Conservation District's
(NACD) Northeast meeting in Mystic, Connecticut. Attendees discussed
issues around the theme, "Conservation on the Urban Fringe."
Attendees, including the eleven representatives from Pennsylvania,
heard from two of NACD's leaders. Olin Sims, NACD president and Wyoming
rancher, attended the meeting and gave remarks. Krysta Harden, NACD
chief executive officer, was a keynote speaker.
Also during the meeting Pennsylvania's own Pat Sueck, National Association
of Conservation Districts Northeast Region chair (also PACD's NACD
director and a York County Conservation District director) was re-elected
for another term.
In addition to the regular sessions, participants enjoyed tours showcasing
projects unique to the Long Island Sound. Attendees learned about
subaqueous soils in the Long Island Sound during a tour with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service. A study is being conducted to understand
submerged soil landscapes in order to protect and restore coastal
habitats. Also, a tour was held on the Jordan Cove Urban Watershed
Project, which studies best management practices in a residential
subdivision.
Next year's NACD Northeast Region Meeting will be hosted by New Hampshire.
Mark your calendar! It will be held August 3-5, 2008 in Portsmouth.
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