Welcome

The Union County Conservation District was formed on March 6, 1957 under ACT 217 "State Soil and Conservation Law" by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Conservation Districts are a legal subdivision of state government.

We are governed by a board of local citizen volunteers who are aware of the important environmental issues relating to Union County and are capable of making prudent decisions. In 1997, our board expanded from seven to nine members, which includes farm members, urban members and one county commissioner representative.

Board Meetings:
Regular Monthly Board Meeting Date:
Second Wednesday Evening at 7:00 p.m.

Current News

District Launches Streamside Buffer Easement Program

The Union County Conservation District has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Growing Greener program to help mend our waterways.  The funding will pay landowners to convert agricultural land to install and permanently protect, through a conservation easement, riparian buffers of 35 feet to 100 feet along agricultural streams as follows:

                                       

• $3,000 per acre for first tier: allowed to make hay
• $4,000 per acre for second tier: grasses/shrub plantings
• $6,465 for third tier: all tree plantings

A riparian buffer is a vegetated area (a “buffer strip") near a stream, usually forested, which helps shade and protects a stream from the impact of adjacent land uses.  It plays a key role in reducing erosion and providing streambank stabilization.  A riparian buffer is a prime best management practice that can be installed to assist farmers in meeting the new erosion and manure management regulations in Pennsylvania.

For program information please contact Shanon Burkland Stamm.