News & Notes September 2007

Spend a Moment with PACD Executive Board Members

In order for PACD members to get acquainted with the 2007/2008 PACD Executive Board members, we asked each of them to answer the following questions:
1. How did you become involved in the conservation movement? How long have you been involved?
2. What are your goals in your role as a PACD Officer?
3. What is the biggest challenge facing conservation districts, PACD, and the conservation movement?

Below is a condensed version of their answers:

Larry Kehl, President

• Farms 1,000 acres of grass hay.
  
• Raises beef livestock.
  
• Lives on same farm he grew up on.

  1. Began as a member of Berks County Conservation District in 1990. For past 17 years, served in various positions on the Berks County Board as well as on PACD Executive Board.
  2. Main goal is to keep PACD and the districts running smoothly.
  3. Biggest challenge is making sure districts move along with the times. As environmental issues change, so must the districts.

Dr. Irvil Kear, 1st Vice President

• Graduate of Wilson College, University of Maine and Idaho State University.
  
• Adjunct English Professor at Lehigh Carbon Community College.
  
• Married; 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
  
• Involved with Pocono Northeast RC&D Council, Schuylkill Headwaters Watershed Association, Delaware Water Resources Committee, etc!

  1. Hired as funding project director by the Idaho Association of Conservation Districts in August 1980.
  2. Primary goal is to look at a long-term strategy for PACD and for PA's conservation districts viability for the next 50 to 70 years.
  3. Biggest challenge facing districts is their very existence. Districts have to broaden appeal and direction so other environmental issues can be addressed at the local level. Districts also must become as diversified as the communities we serve.

MaryAnn Warren, 2nd Vice President

• Married; 2 sons and 4 cocker spaniels.
  
• Serves on the Board or as liaison for all the agricultural related committees in the County, the County Library Board, the Red Cross and as liaison for County emergency services in addition to all the mandatory Boards as a County Commissioner.
  
• Spends spare time working in her perennial flower gardens or enjoying photography.

  1. Became involved with Susquehanna County Conservation District long before becoming a County elected official. As a local Cubmaster, introduced Scouts to the environment and volunteering during the District's Annual Seedling Sales.
  2. My goal is to see that things are followed through on a bigger, statewide scale. Greater things are accomplished when the Districts work together.
  3. Money is always a big issue. Districts spend a lot of energy and effort on State budget issues. The state is always eager to delegate new district programs but doesn't provide the same eagerness in funding these programs.

Andrew Gilchrist, Secretary

• BS in Geography with an emphasis in Natural Resource Management from Penn State.
  
• Married; 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.
  
• Likes to garden, work on house, and practice martial arts.
  
• Region Director for Land Protection for Natural Lands Trust, a non-profit open space preservation organization serving eastern PA and southern NJ.

  1. Montgomery County Conservation District director since 1993 and chairman since 1994.
  2. Look forward to working with PACD Executive Board, PACD staff, and representing all the conservation districts across the Commonwealth.
  3. Biggest challenge is sustainability. Although in full support of dedicated funding source, we may have to increasingly rely on relationships with non-traditional partners to address increasing complex environmental issues and growing funding requirements.

Patricia Powley, Treasurer

• BS & MEd in Home Economics Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
  
• Employed for 34 years with Penn State Cooperative Extension before retiring in January 2004.
  
• Married; 3 grandsons.
  
• Active in church, garden club, local, national, and international mission work.

  1. Became involved when retired in 2004; Completing fourth year as a director.
  2. My goal is to assist in any way to further the mission of PACD and to perform the duties of treasurer to the best of my ability.
  3. The biggest challenge is to acquire adequate funding for conservation district programming and its efforts to meet the demands and current issues of the community it serves with the funding received.
  
  

Page 4>