The Pennsylvania State Senate and the House of Representatives declared May 3-9 as “Conservation District Week.” The McKean County Commissioners issued a proclamation for “Conservation District Week” locally at their meeting on April 28, too.
Each county has a conservation district office except Philadelphia. These volunteer directors and staff live and work in the community. They address local conservation problems. These are neighbors who are working to prevent pollution.
“Conservation District Week is an opportunity to showcase conservation district projects,” said Brenda J. Shambaugh, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. “District staff work every day to improve the lives of our Commonwealth’s citizens.”
The McKean County Conservation District was declared a district by the board of county commissioners on Aug. 19, 1959, under the provision of the Soil Conservation Law, Act 217. This law enacted in 1945 gives districts broad powers to provide services, employ and manage staff, charge fees for services and own and manage property, and it authorizes Commonwealth agencies (including counties) to cooperate with districts in carrying out programs.
For over 60 years, the primary goal of the district is the development, improvement and conservation of the county’s soil, water and related resources as well as educating the community in various conservation and environmental practices and methods.
The McKean County Conservation District is administered by a board of seven directors: Kerry Fetter, chairman; Steve Sherk, vice chairman; Cliff Lane, commissioner director; Blaine Puller; Ken Kane; Chase Miles; and Jeff Larson.
District directors are appointed by the county commissioners from a list of names submitted by countywide nominating organizations. The commissioners also designate one of their members to serve as a director.
“The board identifies local conservation needs, decides which programs and services to offer, and develops a strategic plan,” said Fetter.
The current strategic plan focuses on three objectives to achieve goals: protect, maintain and improve McKean County’s natural resources (water resources, agriculture, and erosion & sedimentation control); market and increase awareness of conservation district programs and functions, and provide educational outreach (marketing & outreach); and develop resources to sustain and enhance the conservation district and the natural resources.
Staff members include Sandy Thompson, district manager; Sherry Dumire, resource conservationist; Lindsay Shine, resource conservationist; Adam Causer, watershed specialist; Jody Groshek, communications & outreach director; and Maddie Stanisch, resource specialist. The McKean County Conservation District provides services in conservation education, nutrient management, dirt, gravel and low volume roads, erosion and sediment control, water obstruction and encroachment permitting, streambank stabilization/stream habitat improvement, invasive plant management and water quality monitoring.
For more information on the district, visit its website at www.mckeanconservation.com.
Conservation districts appreciate Governor Tom Wolf and members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate for supporting the districts through the state budget.
