News & Notes March 2006

PA Delegation Brings Two Awards Home from Texas

Eighteen Pennsylvania representatives attended the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) annual meeting from January 29-February 2, 2006 in Houston, Texas. The conservationists met to discuss key conservation issues, recognize national award winners, and celebrate 60 years of conservation.

During the opening session, NACD President Bill Wilson set the tone for the meeting. "Much has changed over these 60 years, but the core components that constitute the drive to achieve the right policies for America are alive and well here today. They exist in each of you, and no task is too great when your heart is in it."

The general sessions spotlighted how to achieve the tasks ahead. Representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service, Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service reinforced the idea of cooperative conservation as a means of accomplishing tasks. Speakers focused on a commitment to work more closely with landowners and associations such as NACD.

Speakers from each agency stressed that just as agriculture is changing, the approach to dealing with agricultural producers is also evolving. "We want to seek cooperative ways to work with agriculture producers to get the desired results," said Jon Scholl, EPA counselor to the administrator. "We see agriculture as a solution, not the problem."

The meeting wasn't all work and no play. Well-known conservationist and Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell thrilled the crowd with stories and music at the NACD's Leadership Luncheon. "The land is in our charge for a time," Leavell said. "It is up to us to manage it and hopefully improve it." Leavell left the NACD annual meeting for another important engagement - the halftime show of Super Bowl XL.

During the final evening's awards banquet, NACD announced the Excellence in Communication Award recipients. The Communication Awards are jointly sponsored by NACD and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers to recognize two conservation districts for their outstanding overall communications efforts. The judges evaluated entries on their effective use of newsletters, special publications, media, and campaigns. The Westmoreland Conservation District was the top winner for this award and will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Westmoreland Conservation District Vice Chairman Ron Rohall accepts the Excellence in Communications Award at the NACD annual meeting.

"Our board of directors recognizes the importance of communications and has made a solid commitment to these endeavors," said Greg Phillips, district manager and CEO. "At the board's direction, we did a lot of work in 2005 to evaluate all of our communications efforts, and we enlisted the help of a variety of professionals - including a newly formed volunteer committee of communications experts - to help us make some subtle but important changes that increased their effectiveness. This award is a strong validation that we are on the right track."

Some of the specific communication products Westmoreland Conservation District was recognized for were its newsletter, the annual report which featured a driving tour of conservation sites in the County (pictured here), and the variety of communications that promote its conservation-education program.

It was also announced in Houston that Pennsylvania had a winner in the NACD Poster Contest. Jolan Strickland of Glen Mills Schools in Concordville won the second place prize for the 10-12th grade category. Jolan's poster was submitted by the Delaware County Conservation District. The contest provides kindergarten through 12th grade students an opportunity to share their thoughts about natural resources and related issues through art. Jolan will receive $75 from the NACD Auxiliary.

Congratulations to Westmoreland Conservation District and Jolan Strickland. The Pennsylvania representatives were thrilled to have the honor of bringing home two national awards from Houston.

Governor's Budget Cuts District Programs
PACD working to restore and increase funding

The Governor gave his annual budget address on February 8, 2006. It seems the big winners this year are public welfare programs and education. Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture (PDA) and Environmental Protection (DEP) were not highlighted in his address.

Over the next few months we have our work cut out for us. Within the PDA budget, the Governor proposes to cut the Local Soil and Water District Assistance line item $450,000 from $1.66 million to $1.21 million. If you remember that is the same scenario as last year and we were able to get the funding restored. We will be working with the legislature to restore and increase this line.

The transfer to the Nutrient Management Fund remained the same as previous years at $3.28 million. We anticipate that this will be the last year that this same level of transfer will sustain the program because the carry-overs from past years will be expended. For the 2007-2008 fiscal year about $5 million will be required to sustain the program.

On the DEP side, the Local Soil and Water District Assistance line item was cut $450,000 from last year to $3.1 million. Again, this is the same scenario as last year and we were able to get the funds restored through the General Assembly. Funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program in the DEP budget remained the same at $3.271 million.

As for Growing Greener in the DEP budget, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener I) has $21.751 million budgeted next year for Watershed Protection and Restoration grants. The anticipated spending for the Growing Greener Bond Fund (Growing Greener II) is $20 million for Environmental Improvement Projects, $15 million for Acid Mine Abatement and Mine Cleanup and $15 million for County Environmental Initiative Program Grants. Also remember that under the amended Growing Greener legislation funding for both Growing Greener I and Growing Greener II will continue to decrease over time.

PACD has begun to work with the legislature to restore and increase funds for our programs. Additionally, we are discussing our policy on the establishment of a non-lapsing Conservation District Fund with dedicated funding for conservation districts.

If you would like to examine the budget it can be found online at http://www.budget.state.pa.us.