News Release

PACD Presents Annual Conservation Awards

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) presented its annual awards to individuals and organizations that have helped to promote or continue conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. The award ceremony occurred on July 22 at PACD's Annual Conference in Harrisburg. Mr. Jarrett Miller, PACD First Vice President, served as Master of Ceremonies for the awards luncheon.

Conservation districts across the state sent nominations to judging panels for consideration. Winners were presented with the following awards during the luncheon.

Larry and Roger Dice, Franklin County--Conservation Farmer of the Year, given to a farmer who has furthered conservation through the establishment and maintenance of soil, water and nutrient management practices. Larry and Roger Dice own and operate Para-Dice Farms, encompassing 375 acres in Hamilton Township, Franklin County. The farm has been in the family since the 1930s, and for three generations, family members have employed conservation practices that ensure the agricultural viability of the land and the health of nearby waterways. Para-Dice Farms was featured in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's video, Dennis Creek: A Working Partnership. The Dices are also actively involved with public and private organizations that promote agriculture and conservation.

Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Association, Lebanon County--Watershed Protection Award, given to an organization or individual that has promoted the protection of a particular watershed through a coordinated land and water resource approach. Founded in 1997, the Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Association monitors water quality along the creek and its four major tributaries. The association has worked with various community groups and state, federal, and local agencies on a number of stream restoration and water quality monitoring projects. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the association is helping to restore an existing wetland and to design an educational wetland center. The State Conservation Commission sponsors this award.

Brad Clemenson, Cambria County--Special Conservation Service Award, given to an individual or organization that has made a unique and outstanding contribution to the conservation movement in Pennsylvania. Since 1991, Clemensen has been communications director for U.S. Congressman John Murtha. Throughout his tenure, Clemensen has coordinated the Congressman's district projects and been an advocate for conservation and historic preservation initiatives in his home district and throughout Pennsylvania. His achievements include helping to implement the Stoneycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP) and organizing the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin Initiative. He is also an author and lecturer on natural resources and watershed restoration, including abandoned mine drainage.

Robert Arnold, Lebanon County--Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation Volunteer Award, given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional volunteer commitment to the conservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources. Arnold has been involved in environmental issues for more than two decades, as an employee in the environmental division of Hershey Foods Corporation and as an active member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association. Arnold has been instrumental in numerous stream restoration projects and in the preservation of more than 5,000 acres of land in Lebanon County. He is also an active volunteer in youth conservation education, hunting safety, and timber land improvement projects.

Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), Luzerne County--Conservation Organization of the Year Award, given to an organization that has made a noteworthy contribution to the conservation of Pennsylvania's soil, water, and related natural resources. The mission of EPCAMR is to coordinate the efforts of conservation districts and other organizations in Eastern Pennsylvania involved in abandoned mine lands reclamation, and to improve surface and groundwater quality degraded by past mineral resource extraction. EPCAMR's activities include projects in 16 counties, and its major role is to help organize, support, and rejunvenate watershed associations, coalitions, and community groups in implementing comprehensive mine reclamation and remediation projects.

WHTM-TV, Dauphin County--Media Conservation Award, given to an individual or professional communications organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the public's awareness of conservation districts and to the public's understanding of natural resource conservation. The Cumberland County Conservation District has established a great working relationship with WHTM-TV. WHTM broadcasts have featured county conservation district activities, including its annual seedling sale and youth Envirothon. Their support of the district and toward natural resource issues has led to greater interest and involvement on the part of citizens throughout Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, and Cumberland Counties.

Lynn Aponick, Lebanon County--Conservation Educator of the Year Award, given to a teacher who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to conservation education programs and activities in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Aponick teaches honors and advanced placement biology and environmental studies at Eastern Lebanon County High School. Aponick's students have volunteered in numerous stream bank restoration projects, water quality monitoring, and the Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program. Students also participate in a three-day, two-night program at the Fox Island Environmental Education Center, run by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In 1989, Aponick initiated the Envirothon program, which educates students about the environment, conservation of natural resources, and restoration of impacted areas. Since that time, the program has grown to include teams from several area schools competing on the local and state level. The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education sponsors this award.

George C. Bowman Jr., Lebanon County--M.K. Goddard Forest Resource Management Award, given to forest landowners in Pennsylvania that have done an outstanding job managing their woodlots. Bowman has operated a state-registered tree farm since 1964, and today his 170 acre tract comprises both a tree farm and agricultural land. The state has used Bowman's tree farm to conduct tree species testing, and his forestry management and conservation practices have been used by service foresters as an example for other tree farmers. In recognition of his efforts, George has been the recipient of the Area Tree farm Award in 1980, 1985, and 1991, and was a regional Goddard Award winner in 1984. This award is sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania.

William Krupa, Cambria County--William Lange Urban Conservation Award, given to an individual who has made a unique and outstanding contribution to the conservation of natural resources in an urban area of Pennsylvania. As councilman and chairman of the Shade Tree Commission in Southmont, Krupa has been instrumental in maintaining and improving the borough's urban forestry program. In these efforts, Krupa has been active with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, as well as community residents and elected officials. As testament to Krupa's involvement, Southmont has held the title of "Tree City USA," an award presented by the National Arbor Day Foundation, for 11 years.

Representative Edward Staback, Lackawanna County--Legislator Recognition Award, given to a state legislator who has consistently supported conservation issues and has made outstanding contributions to the preservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources. Staback represents the 115th Legislative District in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and is a vocal advocate for conservation projects in the region. In partnership with public and private conservation organizations, Representative Staback helped to develop the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), the goal of which is to protect 100,000 acres of highly eroded cropland and streambanks in a 20-county region over the next 15 years. Staback also initiated the Habitat Improvement Advisory Committee to improve habitat for wildlife on both state game lands and privately owned lots, and has worked to strengthen mine reclamation projects throughout the region.

New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, Inc., Bedford County--Erosion and Sedimentation Pollution Control Award, given to an individual, agency or organization in the construction industry that demonstrates outstanding erosion and sedimentation control measures. New Enterprise Stone and Lime (NES&L) provides highway and bridge construction, quarrying, and concrete products. NES&L recently participated in a substantial improvement project at the Route 64 and Interstate 80 interchange in Clinton County. The job included replacing two bridges in the Fishing Creek Watershed, which is designated as a high quality watershed. This designation requires stringent erosion and sedimentation pollution control. Working closely with the Clinton County Conservation District, NES&L's proactive and thoughtful resolution of design dilemmas saved time, labor, and material costs, resulting in exceptional compliance with regulations.

Berks County Conservation District--Annual Report of the Year Award, presented to the conservation district that submits the most informative, concise, readable, and attractive annual report. Each district's annual report is judged by representatives of the State Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Resource Conservation Service and PACD. The Warren County Conservation District was awarded second place, while the Cambria County Conservation District captured third place.

During the luncheon ceremony, a Pennsylvania farm family was recognized as the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award recipient. This award was presented to siblings Dan, Dave, Stephen, and Susan Wolf, owners and operators of Wolf Farms, Inc. of York County. The award recognizes farmers who strive to protect local water quality and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay by implementing exemplary farm management practices, such as controlling soil erosion and limiting nutrient and pesticide runoff into surface and ground waters. The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office administers this award.

Each year, PACD hosts a poster contest for school children in grades K-12. The PACD Auxiliary sponsors contest prizes. The winning entries are sent to the National Association of Conservation Districts' poster contest for judging on a national level. This year's winners were presented with their awards at the luncheon. They are:

• Leah Kuhn, York County, Kindergarten to First Grade Division;
  
• Julie Ivicic, Centre County, Second to Third Grade Division;
  
• Alisha Webb, Bedford County, Fourth to Sixth Grade Division;
  
• Molly Lower, York County, Seventh to Ninth Grade Division; and
  
• Melissa Hullihan, Northumberland County, Tenth to Twelfth Grade Division.

The PACD Auxiliary presented its annual scholarship award to Amy Zadravec of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Amy is currently studying Environmental Resources and Biology at the University of Pittsburgh, at Johnstown. She recently completed her junior year of college and plans to pursue a career with the Department of Environmental Protection after graduation.

Commissioner John H. Eichelberger, Jr. of Blair County was the recipient of PACD's County Commissioner District Director of the Year Award. This award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, is given to a county commissioner member of a conservation district board who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of conservation districts at the local, state, and national levels.