On July 17, the PA Association of Conservation Districts recognized county conservationists during its annual conference at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, PA

“Across Pennsylvania, our 66 conservation districts and their partners work tirelessly to protect clean water and healthy soil for the future,” said Amy Brown, PACD Acting Executive Director. “Today, we proudly recognize a few of the outstanding individuals who are making a real difference. Congratulations to all!”

The 2025 PACD honorees are--

-- President’s Award: Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension

Selected by PACD Executive Board President, this award is given, at the discretion of the President, to an individual, organization, or agency in recognition of their outstanding efforts that have resulted in furthering the accomplishments of PACD.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension was chosen for this recognition due to its outstanding support and partnership with Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

The Center has made significant contributions to the visibility and capacity of conservation districts across the Commonwealth. This includes promoting conservation district job openings to a broader audience.

-- Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award: Earl Brown, Chairman/Public Director, Potter County Conservation District

This award is given to a conservation district director or associate director for their outstanding volunteer efforts, which have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

Current board chairman and retired Coudersport High School Ag Teacher, Earl Brown, first became active with the Potter County Conservation District back in 1968 (57 years ago) and has witnessed the evolution of the District first hand.

Mr. Brown has been involved with the daily operations and many functions of the District demonstrated by his weekly visits to the office and by participating in workshops and other District functions.

He has shown dedication to conservation both through his mentoring as a teacher and on his own property demonstrating good forestry practices and a commitment to bettering the natural resources of the area.

-- Conservation District Employee Excellence Award: David Stoner, Manager, Franklin County Conservation District

This award is given to a conservation district employee for their outstanding efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

Dave Stoner celebrated 35 years of service with Franklin County Conservation District this past November. After working in other positions, Dave was hired as District Manager in 2012. He now manages 11 employees and a multi-million dollar annual budget.

At the regional and state levels, Dave has been involved in various workgroups including Act 6/38 program, the Conservation Excellence Grant Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program.

-- Conservation District Trash Champion: Westmoreland Conservation District

The conservation district trash challenge pits districts against each other to compete to see who could collect the most trash in the months of April and May. New for this year, the winning district will receive $500 from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Westmoreland Conservation District collected 132 bags of trash, 521 tires, with a total of 15,665 pounds of trash collected!

-- Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards

The Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards recognize conservation district employees for their years of dedication to conserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

-- 30 Years of Service

     -- James Saltsman, Agriculture Engineering Technical Specialist Level II, Lancaster

-- 35 Years of Service

     -- Susan Gallagher, Chief Naturalist, Carbon

     -- Martie Hetherington, Agricultural Project Coordinator, Schuylkill

     -- Patrick McKinney, Environmental Educator, Schuylkill

     -- Sylvia Thompson, Assistant District Manager, Wayne

-- 40 Years of Service

     -- Donna Fisher, District Manager, Blair

Click Here for the PACD announcement and photos.

For more information about the work of the state’s 66 conservation districts, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website. You can also follow PACD on Facebook.

(Photo: DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Programs Jill Whitcomb, Dept. of Agriculture Executive Deputy Secretary Gregory Hostetter, award recipient Jenn Fetter, PACD President Emil A. Bove, PACD Acting Executive Director Amy Brown, and PACD North Central Region Director Dr. Robert Shannon. (left to right, front row): Erin Trouba and Genny Christ.  Bottom Left Photo: Dave Stoner; Bottom Right Photo: Jason Childs accepts the award for Earl Brown.)

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-- PA Association Of Conservation Districts Recognizes County Conservationists  [PaEN]

-- Echo-Pilot: Franklin Conservation District Manager Dave Stoner Wins PACD Employee Excellence Award

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[Posted: July 22, 2025]

7/28/2025