HARRISBURG – During its online Annual Conference July 29, the PA Association of Conservation Districts recognized the conservation work of 11 individuals and districts, including Pennsylvania state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) with its Legislator Leadership Award.
“PACD is honored to announce the recipients of its 2021 awards,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director. “During the past year, Pennsylvania’s 66 conservation districts continued to ensure enough clean water for everyone. Today, we recognize individuals for their efforts going above and beyond.”
“Being honored with this award is pretty special to me,” Sen. Yaw said. “As Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, which is a tri-state legislative assembly representing Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, I have been proud to work with our conservation districts over the years to promote and encourage the responsible use of natural and agricultural resources all across the region. I would like to thank the Sullivan County Conservation District for nominating me for this award and the Association for their support.”
The 2021 Honorees include:
Legislator Leadership Award – Sen. Gene Yaw (PA 23rd Senate District)
This award is presented to legislators recognized for their outstanding efforts to further the activities and accomplishments of the state’s conservation districts or PACD on a statewide basis.
The Sullivan County Conservation District nominated Sen. Yaw. He has played a vital role and participated in the conservation district programs in his region. Sen. Yaw is proactive when it comes to conservation and the agricultural community. In addition, Sen. Yaw is also a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and Environmental Quality Board.
President’s Award – Lisa Jo Suhr
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. PACD President Mike Price selected Lisa Jo Suhr for this award.
Maurice K. Goddard Award for Excellence in Environmental Recreation – DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
The award is intended to recognize and reward individuals or organizations at the administrative level for their efforts in environmental recreation.
Cindy Adams Dunn was nominated by the Adams County Conservation District. Cindy currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award – Bob Robinson (Wyoming County)
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.
Bob Robinson has been with the Wyoming County Conservation District for around 25 years and Board Chairman for many of those. In addition, he served on the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation District Board and as Vice Chairman and North East Regional Director.
Conservation District Employee Excellence Award – Matthew Golden (Washington County)
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.
This year’s award winner, nominated by the Washington County Conservation District, is Matthew Golden. Matthew has been with the Washington County Conservation District for 13 years.
Conservation District Trash Champion – Washington County Conservation District.
New this year, conservation districts were challenged to compete to see who could collect the most trash.
The Washington County Conservation District collected 40 bags of trash and hundreds of tires. As a result, they received the inaugural Trash Champion Award.
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–
— Brian Sneeringer, Adams County Conservation District
— James Coslo, Centre County Conservation District
— Debra Dressler, Juniata County Conservation District
— Donald Williams, Somerset Conservation District
35 Years of Service–
— Anthony Quadro, Westmoreland Conservation District
For more information about the work of the state’s 66 conservation districts, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website.
For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.