News Release

Awards Given for Soil and Water Conservation

Each year the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) awards Pennsylvania organizations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to the state's natural resources. The recipients, who have gone to great lengths to protect Pennsylvania's soil and water resources, were recognized at PACD's annual awards luncheon on July 27 in Coraopolis, PA.

Why is conserving soil and water so important that awards are given to those who excel at conserving them? Simply stated, soil and water are necessary elements of life. Healthy productive soil is the foundation of a productive economy. Soil is important for clean air and water, fish and wildlife habitat, plant life and beautiful landscapes. Clean water is important too, especially since the human body is comprised mostly of water. Not only do we need clean water for drinking but also for plants, animals and industry.

That's why PACD commends organizations and individuals each year for going above and beyond to protect our soil and water resources for all Pennsylvanians. This year's recipients are:

Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation Award:
Kim Edward Miller - Westmoreland County

Conservation Educator of the Year:
Brian Campbell - Lehigh County

Conservation Farmer of the Year:
Harold and Helen Forrester/Forrester Farms LTD - Franklin County

Conservation Organization of the Year:
Huntingdon Area Middle School Environmental Club - Huntingdon County

Elected Official Recognition Award:
Kate M. Harper - Montgomery County

M.K. Goddard Forest Resource Management Award:
The Manbeck Family - Lebanon County

William Lange Urban Conservation Award:
Berks Urban Greening - Berks County

An award is also given to a county conservation district who best designs an annual report that conveys the important work county conservation districts do to protect soil and water. This year's first place recipient of the award is Cambria County Conservation District. Westmoreland County Conservation District finished second and Lancaster County Conservation District placed third. Berks County Conservation District was awarded an honorable mention.

PACD also hosts a poster contest for Pennsylvania students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. This years themes were, "The Living Soil" and National Wildlife Week's theme, "What's Your Habitat?" The following students were selected as winners in this year's contest.

Zachary Woomer (Clinton County), PACD Poster Contest winner in the grade 10-12 category, accepts his prize from PACD Auxiliary President Luetta Gross.

• Nicholas German (Delaware County) - Kindergarten to First Grade;

• Mark Frederick (Blair County) - Second to Third Grade;

• Emily Rose McKenna (Delaware County) - Fourth to Sixth Grade;

• Greg Motel (Clinton County) - Seventh to Ninth Grade; and

• Zachary Woomer (Clinton County) - Tenth to Twelfth Grade.

The final award is the PACD Auxiliary's annual scholarship for a college student, in support of agricultural and environmental education. This year's recipient is Mary Wiseman of Bellefonte, Centre County. Mary will be a senior at Penn State this fall majoring in horticulture with a minor in plant pathology.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients. Special thanks to this year's award sponsors: Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania, State Conservation Commission and the PACD Auxiliary.

PACD, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization representing Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts. For more information on the PACD Conservation Awards Program or soil and water conservation visit http://www.pacd.org/about/award_progr.htm.

# # #