Pike protects the environment with conservation district

By JAMIE FALGIE
Posted 1/15/25

PIKE COUNTY, PA — Conservation districts have a storied history, across the country and right here in Pike County. 

The first conservation district was founded in North Carolina in …

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Pike protects the environment with conservation district

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PIKE COUNTY, PA — Conservation districts have a storied history, across the country and right here in Pike County. 

The first conservation district was founded in North Carolina in 1937. After that, conservation districts began to pop up across the county as local units of government that work to manage and protect natural resources. 

Around a decade later, in 1946, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) was founded to serve as a unified voice for these districts. Today, the NACD oversees nearly 3,000 conservation districts, approximately one for every county throughout the United States. 

In 1956, the Pike County Board of Commissioners established Pike County’s very own conservation district. According to its mission statement, the “Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) is committed to the long-term protection and sustainable use of Pike County’s natural resources. We accomplish this through partnership, education, technical assistance, planning, enforcement, and leadership.”

The River Reporter had the chance to speak with Emily Mansfield, the communications coordinator of the PCCD, to learn a little more about the district’s work.

“Conservation districts were originally founded in response to the dust bowl, so over time things have changed a little bit, but really our focus of preserving natural resources is the same.” Mansfield began. 

“Our mission is to conserve Pike County’s water, soil and other natural resources, which we rely heavily on,” she said. “All of the drinking water in Pike County comes from groundwater sources… our streams, rivers and lakes are used by many community members and visitors for trout fishing, kayaking and swimming, which also supports a large part of our local economy.” 

“Natural resources are an integral part of Pike County and of our community, and all the district programs aim to support the many interconnected pieces of those resources,” she said. 

Next, Mansfield highlighted some projects carried out this past year at the district. These projects include administering the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Programs (which provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers implement the best management practices on agricultural operations), organizing a rain barrel workshop during the summer and running many general education programs throughout the county. 

“We took our wetlands program on the road to different homeowners associations, senior centers, local schools and different community groups.” Mansfield said. 

Aside from the programs, the PCCD water specialist and team members surveyed streams for aquatic macroinvertebrates in the spring and sites for fish in the fall. This allowed the stream health to be determined based on these bioindicators. 

In regard to upcoming projects, Mansfield stated that the PCCD, in conjunction with Penn State Extensions, the Penn State Analytic Services Lab and PA Rural Water will be hosting a series of workshops around the county throughout the spring focusing on groundwater quality. Contractors workshops will also be held in February with the Wayne County Conservation District.

Another important aspect of the PCCD is its five-year strategic plan regarding natural resource issues in the county. The top three issues voted on by community members in 2020 were surface water quality and quantity, safe drinking water and soil health. 

“The district is really lucky to have a supportive and dedicated board of directors, staff, community, governmental and legislative partners who have all worked together for the last few years to strengthen existing programs and implement new programs to address those issues,” Mansfield said. She also mentioned that this plan will be updated in 2025 and published on the district’s website. 

Lastly, Mansfield shared how community members can become involved with the district. “There are opportunities for people of all ages to get involved.” Mansfield started. “We are here as a resource to the community, so be sure to call the district whenever you are planning earth disturbance activities such as excavating or wetland and water source activities like dock installation.”

Additionally, the PCCD has a biannual volunteer road clean up during both the spring and the fall. The district is guided by a volunteer board of directors, so people can get involved in that way as well. 

 “We also have many education programs throughout the year,” she continued. “Those range from kids through adult programs, and those are all advertised on the events calendar on our website and in our monthly email newsletter as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages.”

For more information regarding programs, volunteering information, or upcoming projects at the PCCD, visit its website at www.pikeconservation.org/ or call 570/226-8220.

pike county, board, conservation, district, PCCD, NACD

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