News & Notes November 2000

PACD Honors Annual Winners During
53rd Joint Annual Conference

By Ellen Hoffmeister

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. presented its annual awards to individuals and organizations who have helped to promote or continue conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. The awards were presented on October 30, 2000, at PACD’s Annual Conference in Valley Forge. Drew Gilchrist, Chairman of the Montgomery County Conservation District, served as Master of Ceremonies for the awards luncheon.

Conservation districts across the state sent nominations to judging panels for consideration. Winners were presented their awards during a luncheon and slide show highlighting their efforts. The following awards were presented:

Lancaster Conservation District--1999 Goodyear Conservation Grand Award for Pennsylvania, given to conservation districts within each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin Islands. Lancaster Conservation District employs 19 people, and is overseen by a board of nine members and 12 associate members. The District coordinated numerous projects in 1999 related to agriculture and nutrient best management practices, non-point source pollution prevention, conservation education and environmental stewardship of the soil, water, forest and wildlife resources within Lancaster County.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company sponsors the awards program, in cooperation with the National Association of Conservation Districts. Program criteria stipulates that districts are eligible to win the Grand Award only once in a five year period. Therefore, a category called Honor Districts was created to recognize districts that scored high in the judging, but were ineligible for the Grand Award. Bradford, Cambria and Westmoreland Conservation Districts were all named Goodyear Honor Districts for Pennsylvania.

The Leonard and Bonnie Jo Greek Family, York 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. The Greeks own and operate Ridge Hill Farm, a dairy and crop farm of more than 400 acres. The Greeks employ numerous conservation practices that ensure the agricultural viability of the land and the health of nearby waterways. Ridge Hill Farm, which is near the Susquehanna River, also has a voluntary nutrient management plan via a continuing Chesapeake Bay contract. This award is sponsored by the PennAg Industries.

Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association, Cumberland County--Watershed Protection Award, given to an organization or individual who has promoted the protection of a particular watershed through a coordinated land and water resource approach. The Association monitors water quality along the Conodoguinet and Mount Rock Spring Creeks, and has worked with various state, federal and local agencies on stream and wetlands restoration. In addition, the Association has worked with officials in developing storm water management and rivers conservation plans for the watershed. The State Conservation Commission sponsored this award.

Albert J. Housenecht, Lancaster 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. Mr. Housenecht’s involvement with conservation began in 1933 as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. His career included 37 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service and eight years with the Lancaster County Conservation District. In his lifetime, he has worked tirelessly with Lancaster County farmers and other citizens in promoting conservation of farmland and the natural resources of the region. Mr. Housenecht remains active with his church, community groups and environmental associations.

Mr. Robert Kready Mowrer, Lancaster 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. Mr. Mowrer was a life-long advocate of sound land use and was active with the county conservation district. As both an educator and dedicated public servant, he was a leader in launching conservation education programs for youth and in preserving Lancaster County green space. Mr. Mowrer was instrumental in establishing Susquehannock State Park and Chickies Rock Park, where a drive is named in his honor.

Northern Allegheny Conservation Association, Warren 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 Association has purchased land throughout Warren County to preserve natural habitat, and has worked with other organizations in wetlands restoration and timber preservation. NACA is active in environmental education for students and teachers, and provides grants to fund local programs. This award is sponsored by Allfirst Bank.

Mr. Steve Walker, Cambria 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. Mr. Walker, Operations Manager at WMTZ radio, is co-host of a morning talk show, and has provided numerous opportunities for the county conservation district and other environmental organizations to share their information with the public. He has volunteered for live broadcasts that promote conservation activities, and has made Arbor Day an annual event on the station, raising the public’s consciousness about the importance of trees and environmental stewardship.

Mr. Richard McLaughlin, Bucks County--Conservation Educator of the Year Award, given to a teacher who has demonstrated strong commitment to conservation education programs and activities in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Mr. McLaughlin is a special education teacher at Pennridge High School, and has been the advisor for the school’s environmental club for seven years. The club is involved with restoration and cleanup activities along nearby waterways. Under McLaughlin’s guidance, two members wrote and produced a play, “Hope for the Trees,” which is performed by the club for students throughout the school district. Mr. McLaughlin also uses his talent as a singer/songwriter to perform as Eco-Man, teaching children throughout the community about the environment. Sponsorship of this award is provided by the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education.

Twin Cedars Gun Club--M.K.Goddard Forest Resource Management Award, given to forest landowners in Pennsylvania that have done an outstanding job managing their woodlots. Twin Cedars has implemented a woodlot management plan on its property, and is certified by the US Forest Service as a Stewardship Property. The club is also recognized by the forest industry as a registered tree farm. Club members have enhanced habitat on their site through plantings that create feeding, cover and nesting sites for wildlife. The club is a regulated hunting preserve, and members release ring-necked pheasants and bobwhite quail each year. This award is sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Stephen Rituper Jr., Northampton 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. Mr. Rituper is a retired teacher and school administrator who has used his talents to promote environmental education and urban conservation throughout the region and the state. He has served the Northampton Conservation District as a director for more than 25 years, and was instrumental in developing the Jacobsburg Environmental Center, one of four DCNR environmental education sites within the Commonwealth. Mr. Rituper has authored many books on conservation and environmental subjects, assisted in the development of environmental education curriculum and training for teachers, and has written and produced acclaimed videos used to educate students and businesses all over the world. The award is sponsored by Robert and Ethel Jones.

Representative Jim Lynch, Warren 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. Representative Lynch has been an invaluable advocate for the Warren Conservation District. He assisted the District in acquiring property for the development of a conservation demonstration area, has introduced legislation that will aid in the construction of an agricultural and natural resource center, and is attempting to secure funding for water quality monitoring along the Conewago Creek. Representative Lynch has also sponsored legislation that will increase funding for conservation districts statewide.

Commissioner Fred Soisson, MD, Cambria County--County Commissioner District Director of the Year Award, 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. Dr. Soisson is President of the Cambria County Board of Commissioners and is a strong advocate of environmental protection and preservation throughout the Southern Alleghenies region. He has worked with local, regional and state officials in areas such as farmland preservation, acid mine abatement, and urban sprawl. Dr. Soisson was also influential in securing five major water impoundments and preserving acres of contiguous forest, safeguarding these ecosystems for future generations.

Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., Centre 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. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. was hired as a contractor by PennDOT to reconstruct a portion of Route 286. In the course of the reconstruction, they worked voluntarily with the Centre County Conservation District to stabilize a stream bank adjacent to the project site and provided erosion control measures on a nearby abandoned mine refuse pile. Their work resulted in completion of the highway project, a reduction in the erosion of abandoned mine areas, and improvement of aquatic habitat, thus serving as a model of public/private cooperation for the benefit of the environment. This award is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

Snyder Conservation District, Snyder County--Annual Report of the Year Award, presented to the conservation district which 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. Second place was awarded to the Bucks Conservation District, while the Erie Conservation District captured third place.

During the luncheon ceremony, three Pennsylvania farm families were recognized as Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award recipients. They are: Ron, Gary and Glenn Kline and their families, owners/operators of Y-Run Farms in Bradford County; Robert Haid, owner/operator of a dairy farm in Cambria County; and Jack and Donna Coleman, owners/operators of Cherry Crest Dairy Farm in Lancaster County.

The Clean Water Farm Awards are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office. Awards recognize 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.

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:
Raymond Heromin, Northumberland County, Kindergarten to First Grade Division;
Jennifer Evanisky, Mifflin County, Second to Third Grade Division; Robert Heinrich, Sullivan County, Fourth to Sixth Grade Division; Roxanne Barton, Clinton County, Seventh to Ninth Grade Division; and Michael Kensinger, Blair County, Tenth to Twelfth Grade Division.

The PACD Auxiliary also presented its annual scholarship award to Amy Jones of Kingsly, Pennsylvania.