News & Notes March 2001

PACD Region Meetings Spark Discussion

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., has recently completed region meetings in each of the seven PACD regions. In all, PACD Executive Director Susan Fox, who attended each of the meetings, said that the meetings not only provided updates to district representatives, but also provided an opportunity for interaction between members.

Fox provided an overview on the PACD Strategic Plan, which was developed in September 2000. This was followed by a discussion on the details of the plan, largely focused on the structure of the PACD meetings. A major concern addressed was the level of participation in PACD functions and regular business and how to get more people involved. Additional points of concern were the locations for the PACD meetings, the number of meetings held in a given year, the content of these meetings and the role of the region meetings.

More so than simply bolstering meeting attendance, concerns often addressed involvement in all aspects of PACD business.

"The meetings generated a lot of good input," said Fox. "The discussions were very helpful as far as the overall planning process is concerned. They help us to prepare for the future and to keep everyone involved."

Agenda items at each of the meetings included a report on general activities in the State Conservation Commission and United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service, presented by representatives of their respective organizations.

In addition, representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Division of Watershed support conducted a presentation on watershed management initiatives in relation to the Growing Greener program and projects, and the roles of DEP watershed coordinators and conservation district watershed specialists. The presentations demonstrated the authority of conservation districts, under Act 217 - The Conservation District Law, to assist and advise in the development of watershed management plans and to create watershed organizations.

Pennsylvania Leaders attend NACD Annual Meeting

Conservation officials from Pennsylvania joined more than l,600 leaders from across the nation to discuss natural resource conservation issues on private land in America. The 55th Annual Meeting of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) met from February 4 - 7 in Fort Worth, TX, to set policy, elect officers and discuss key national conservation issues.

Keynote speaker Bruce Vincent challenged the nation's conservation leaders to lead local discussions conservation issues in order to keep economic and ecological choices in harmony. He reminded them that 50 million rural citizens in America can have a strong voice and should be actively offering policy makers a reasonable, practical approach to land management decisions.

Hosted in Fort Worth, "America's Cow Town," much of the focus of the annual meeting was placed on the economic and environmental challenges associated with livestock grazing. Many of the conservationists in attendance echoed the belief that sustained yields and multiple-use of renewable resources should be basic principles of public and private grazing land management.

In addition, the meeting featured a special forum on carbon sequestration and bioenergy. The process, which involves the use of plants to trap carbon from the air, is believed to have substantial environmental benefit, while financially rewarding America's farmers and ranchers.

Former NACD President Rudy Rice, who was succeeded by Read Smith of Washington State, stressed perseverance and local leadership while addressing the group of conservationists.

Rice said that conservation districts have been providing even more leadership in their local communities to help solve natural resource concerns. He added that districts are assuming a greater role in developing conservation programs and initiatives, largely by working with state conservation agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service.

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