News & Notes May 2002

PACD/SCC Announce Conference Agenda

The 55th Joint Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) will be held at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, July 21 - 24, 2002. Conservation partners from across Pennsylvania are cordially invited to attend this important Association event, hosted by the South Central Pennsylvania conservation districts.
Conference activities begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 and conclude at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. Each day boasts a full agenda of business sessions, along with several recreational activities mixed in. Listed below is a sample of scheduled activities.

• A welcome session featuring Susan Stranahan, author of the book Susquehanna, River of Dreams. Stranahan will provide a presentation on the captivating tale of the Susquehanna River, ranging from its geographic origins to the modern threats to its ecosystem. Her presentation will be preceded by a book signing.
  
  
• The PACD Conservation Issues Forum, which will feature reports from various PACD committees, and other issues of concern to conservation districts.
  
  
• The annual PACD Awards Luncheon - where PACD pays honor to conservationists from across the state for their commitment to the conservation of natural resources.
  
  
• Entertainment activities, including a Harrisburg Senators baseball game, a visit to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts for a viewing of the IMAX movie The Greatest Places, and a guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield with a picnic lunch held at the new Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center, are optional for all conference attendees.
  
  
• Dr. Doug Beegle, of Penn State University, will moderate a session designed to help conference attendees understand how Phosphorous Indexing will be used as part of Pennsylvania's Act 6 Nutrient Management Planning.
  
  
• A Leadership Development Session entitled "Director Recruitment" will include ideas on how to strengthen the working relationship with County Nominating Organizations.
  
  
• Several general sessions have been slated as well. These sessions will be focused on topics like Water Resources, GIS Applications, and Stream Design and Riparian Areas.
  
  
• Representatives of the Westmoreland Conservation District will moderate a public relations discussion, which will touch on subjects such as using computers as public relations tools and webpage development and the internet.
  
  
• In addition, the conference will host business meetings of the PACD and the State Conservation Commission.
  
  
• The PACD Auxiliary will enjoy a daytrip to Hershey, with stops at Hershey Gardens, the Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Shopping Outlets, in addition to hosting a business meeting and the Memorial Breakfast.
  

Opening remarks will be presented by PACD President Ronald Rohall and DEP Secretary David Hess, while Paul Swartz, Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission will deliver a message regarding the quantity and quality of water resources.

Meanwhile, a Conservation Expo hosting an assortment of public organizations and private industries will be open Monday through Tuesday at noon. PACD will also host its annual Silent Auction to raise funds for the Association's Building Fund.

Conservation district personnel and other conservation partners can expect to receive copies of the complete conference program along with registration information in the mail sometime in mid-May. Information and registration forms are also available on the PACD website, www.pacd.org.

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