The Lancaster County Conservation District recently recognized efforts in natural resource conservation in Lancaster County at its 68th awards banquet.
Sara Xenophon, Kristen Kyler, and Jennifer Fetter, staff members of the Penn State Ag and the Environment Center, were honored as valuable partners in countless conservation and watershed projects throughout Lancaster County. Project highlights include the Conewago Watershed Initiative, the Little Conestoga Watershed Partnership, and the Chiques Creek Watershed Reenvisioned Project. Their work to establish a group of volunteers for tree plantings and their ability to work hand in hand with the Conservation District has improved water quality throughout the county.
Lisa Hochreiter, agriculture educator at Warwick High School, received the Conservation Educator Award for her dedicated teaching, her commitment as an Envirothon adviser, and her support of student projects helping the local community in watershed cleanup events, trout stocking, and tree planting in riparian buffers.
Mark Layton, wildlife center manager at Refreshing Mountain Retreat Center, was recognized with the Lancaster County Youth Conservation School Service Award. For several years, Layton has given his time to instruct teenagers enrolled in the field school about the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Hands-on experience with local native species has helped to instill an appreciation and respect for the habitat needs of a variety of species.
John Haldeman, roadmaster for Rapho Township, accepted the Outstanding Low Volume Road Project Award for the township's innovation that involved reusing a culvert pipe in the redesign of a low-volume road and in the end improved water quality.
Benton Webber, professional engineer for Lancaster Township, was awarded the Building Industry Resource Conservation Award. Through his research, review, and design, Webber partnered with an elementary school and an apartment complex to rebuild a new basin that has successfully managed stormwater and reduced runoff of 357,000 pounds of sediment that had at one time left a failing retention basin.
The Conservation District honored Paula Harnish with the Conservation Service Award for her 20 years of service and her integrity in providing program support.
The Outstanding Cooperator Award was presented to a dairy farmer in Caernarvon Township. The farmer has worked with the Conservation District and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to install a wide variety of conservation practices including a roofed manure storage, barnyard and vegetated treatment area, streambank fencing, stream cattle crossings, an improved animal trail, field contouring, and a gradient field terrace. The family milks 40 cows on a 78-acre farm.
Leave a Review