Wyoming County Conservation District

Since its foundation in 1949, the Wyoming County Conservation District endeavors, "To be the local contact for meeting the needs of the public pertaining to the conservation of soil, water and related resources by providing the best service we can in partnership with communities, agencies, organizations and individuals." The District operates under the supervision of the State Conservation Commission (SCC), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Wyoming County Commissioners.

The District's Board of Directors, which sets policies and provides direction for the District, is composed of six appointed, volunteer directors and one county commissioner director. The District also has
four volunteer, non-voting associate directors, and seven full time employees.

MISSION STATEMENT
"The Wyoming County Conservation District strives to maintain, improve and sustain the natural resources of Wyoming County while promoting conservation based on education, planning, cooperation and involvement of all citizens of the County."

AWARDS BANQUET
This annual occasion is held in appreciation of the support shown for conservation.
The public is invited to attend. The night's festivities generally include dinner,
a presentation by a guest speaker and the presentation of several conservation awards.

Click HERE to read about the 2004 banquet.

ANNUAL FUNDRAISERS
The District has two fundraisers-seedling sale and fish sale.
Proceeds benefit programs the District provides.

THE SEEDLING SALE is held every April. Many varieties of seedlings are sold including
   evergreens, hardwoods, fruit trees, berry bushes and several wildlife enhancement species.
   Orders are accepted until mid-March. Call the District for an order form.

FISH SALES are conducted throughout the year. Several different species of fish
   are sold for pond stocking. Call the District for more information.

BARLEY STRAW is another sale item the District features. The straw can be purchased at the
   office or during the seedling and fish sales.

For more information on our fundraisers, contact the District Office at (570) 836-2589 ext. 3

CONTRACTORS/ENGINEERS WORKSHOP
The District, along with Luzerne, Sullivan and Lackawanna Counties, hosts this workshop.
It consists of several presenters with topics of discussion specifically designed for contractors, engineers, excavators, timber harvesters, public works departments, erosion and sediment control plan preparers, surveyors, land developers and anyone else who moves soil.
Also on display are the newest techniques and products from a wide variety of
manufacturers of construction equipment and related products and services.
This workshop is held in March at Keystone College. Click HERE for a registration form, or contact Carol Owens at 570-836-2589 ext. 102 for more information.

RESOURCE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT TOUR
The District, in cooperation with the NRCS and FSA, conducts this tour every fall.
It is open to the public and gives the community and students from the Tunkhannock Area High School the opportunity to see firsthand how government and private sector can work together to improve the region's quality of life. Click HERE for pictures of the 2004 tour

WYOMING COUNTY FAIR
The District, along with the PA Bureau of Forestry, manages a booth at the
Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair. The District staff is available to answer questions.
Information on the many services provided by the District and NRCS and free
educational pamphlets are on hand.

For more information on any of the above, contact the District at 570-836-2589 ext. 3.

ANNUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Environmental Education Coordinator conducts a variety of programs.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF SEVERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

ARBOR DAY
Each student in Wyoming County's elementary and middle schools and
several day-care centers receive seedlings. The high schools receive a flowering tree to plant.
This program is supported by local businesses.

PACD POSTER CONTEST
The contest is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and administered by the District. It is open to students in grades K-12, offering young people an opportunity to express their views on natural resource issues through the medium of art. Each student's submission is judged in five categories according to creativity, simplicity, clarity of message and quality of relation to grade level. The contest is divided into five divisions; grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. There are monetary prizes for the top three placings in each division. For further information, contact the Environmental Education Coordinator at the District office.

PA ENVIROTHON
Wyoming, Sullivan and Lackawanna counties and Keystone College sponsor this annual event
at Keystone College. High school students grades 10-12 compete for the day on a variety of environmental topics. The winning teams from each county receive a $5,000 scholarship from
Keystone College and are eligible to compete at the State Envirothon..
The overall winners receive $200 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third place.

JIM RICE MEMORIAL CONSERVATION FIELD DAYS
This event is held for all 5th graders at Lackawanna Trail and Tunkhannock schools.
Eight presenters provide information on topics such as watersheds, PA animals, reptiles
and amphibians, beekeeping, forestry, soil conservation, among others.
It is held each May at Rice's Tree Farm on Mile Road in Tunkhannock.

WOODLAND RESOURCES ADVENTURE
This 4-day camp for kids 12-15 years of age, sponsored by the District and Endless Mountains RC&D, is held each July at Keystone College. Campers learn about natural resource management. To register for this event, contact the office or the Endless Mountains Resource Conservation & Development.