Friday, May 3, 2024
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The Columbia County Conservation District is proud to introduce the establishment of the Conservation Hall of Honor as part of our 75th Anniversary celebration. This award recognizes outstanding conservation champions. It is my honor and pleasure as Chairperson of the Columbia County Conservation District to announce our first inductee to the Conservation Hall of Honor:
Joan McCarty
Promoting conservation principles to protect the environment has always been important to Joan McCarty. Her love of the outdoors started as a child growing up on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. In 1982, Joan moved to Bloomsburg to work at Bloomsburg Mills, Inc. She joined local environmental groups and programs. She has over 25 years of volunteer service with the Columbia County Conservation District and the Fishing Creek Watershed Association. Joan has served as a Conservation District Associate Director and Director, Chair of the Kocher Park Committee, and Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts delegate.
Sharing her appreciation for nature by promoting outdoor recreation at Kocher Park is a true joy for Joan. She and her husband, Keith Kocher, donated 4 acres of land to start the park in 2003. Through grants and donations since 2003, the district-owned, volunteer-maintained park has grown to almost 60 acres. Joan and Keith’s conservation vision has given people the opportunity to enjoy nature through public access to streams, trails and the environment. It is a great way to increase public awareness of the importance of conservation of natural resources and creates positive memories for future generations to serve as good conservation stewards. Joan can often be found at the park weeding, picking up trash, or coordinating volunteer clean ups and park projects. Joan is especially happy to coordinate the annual Fish n Fun Derby for people of all ages with special needs.
Joan’s conservation efforts also extend to supporting students with higher education scholarships. As a board member of the Bloomsburg Mills, Inc. Jacques Weber Foundation, Joan advocated for supporting incoming environmental science major students at Commonwealth University, Bloomsburg, with a four-year scholarship award of $10,000 per year.
The Conservation District is proud to honor Joan McCarty as the first inductee of the Columbia County Conservation District’s Conservation Hall of Honor, 2024.
Joan McCarty
Promoting conservation principles to protect the environment has always been important to Joan McCarty. Her love of the outdoors started as a child growing up on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. In 1982, Joan moved to Bloomsburg to work at Bloomsburg Mills, Inc. She joined local environmental groups and programs. She has over 25 years of volunteer service with the Columbia County Conservation District and the Fishing Creek Watershed Association. Joan has served as a Conservation District Associate Director and Director, Chair of the Kocher Park Committee, and Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts delegate.
Sharing her appreciation for nature by promoting outdoor recreation at Kocher Park is a true joy for Joan. She and her husband, Keith Kocher, donated 4 acres of land to start the park in 2003. Through grants and donations since 2003, the district-owned, volunteer-maintained park has grown to almost 60 acres. Joan and Keith’s conservation vision has given people the opportunity to enjoy nature through public access to streams, trails and the environment. It is a great way to increase public awareness of the importance of conservation of natural resources and creates positive memories for future generations to serve as good conservation stewards. Joan can often be found at the park weeding, picking up trash, or coordinating volunteer clean ups and park projects. Joan is especially happy to coordinate the annual Fish n Fun Derby for people of all ages with special needs.
Joan’s conservation efforts also extend to supporting students with higher education scholarships. As a board member of the Bloomsburg Mills, Inc. Jacques Weber Foundation, Joan advocated for supporting incoming environmental science major students at Commonwealth University, Bloomsburg, with a four-year scholarship award of $10,000 per year.
The Conservation District is proud to honor Joan McCarty as the first inductee of the Columbia County Conservation District’s Conservation Hall of Honor, 2024.
The Columbia County Conservation District would like to announce the
2024 R.J. Campbell Cooperator of the Year is:
The Edwards Family Operation: Springbrook Farm
Springbrook Farm is a Century Farm operated by Don and Bev Edwards. Don’s great-grandfather purchased the farm in 1902 and drove their cattle all the way from Frosty Valley in Hemlock Township, to their new farm in North Centre Township. At the young age of four, Don began working on the farm, driving a hand-clutch tractor and hay wagon while his father and neighbors loaded hay on the wagon. This explains where Don’s intense work ethic came from, and it certainly continues today with his farm and school bus company. Don began working on the farm and bus company full time in 1973 and officially took over Springbrook Farm operations and the bus company in the early 1990’s.
Springbrook Farm started as a 155-acre dairy farm and converted to beef and grain crops in 1973. It is now a 300-acre farm. Over the years, they have had as many as 115 head of cattle at a time. They have grown corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, and green beans. Don takes great pride in Springbrook Farms’ operations and history. He incorporates sustainable farming practices to minimize their footprint on the environment and add value to their farm products. Their conservation and agriculture best management practices include:
This year, as the Conservation District celebrates the district’s 75th anniversary and the conservation efforts completed since 1949, it is quite fitting to commend Don and Bev Edwards’ dedication to agriculture, and present them with the District’s R.J. Campbell Award, 2024 Cooperator of the Year.
Don’s contributions over his 46-years of service speak to his good character, exemplary work ethic, and strong agriculture conservation values that have helped to improve Columbia County’s natural resources and water quality.
2024 R.J. Campbell Cooperator of the Year is:
The Edwards Family Operation: Springbrook Farm
Springbrook Farm is a Century Farm operated by Don and Bev Edwards. Don’s great-grandfather purchased the farm in 1902 and drove their cattle all the way from Frosty Valley in Hemlock Township, to their new farm in North Centre Township. At the young age of four, Don began working on the farm, driving a hand-clutch tractor and hay wagon while his father and neighbors loaded hay on the wagon. This explains where Don’s intense work ethic came from, and it certainly continues today with his farm and school bus company. Don began working on the farm and bus company full time in 1973 and officially took over Springbrook Farm operations and the bus company in the early 1990’s.
Springbrook Farm started as a 155-acre dairy farm and converted to beef and grain crops in 1973. It is now a 300-acre farm. Over the years, they have had as many as 115 head of cattle at a time. They have grown corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, and green beans. Don takes great pride in Springbrook Farms’ operations and history. He incorporates sustainable farming practices to minimize their footprint on the environment and add value to their farm products. Their conservation and agriculture best management practices include:
- No-till planting,
- Streambank fencing and stone vane deflectors
- Waterways and terraces
- Don has an incredible 46-year service record with the Conservation District. He volunteered as an associate director in 1978 and became a director in 1979. He is our current board chair, serving for the past 10 years. Don is very supportive of district programs and events. He serves on multiple committees and has represented Columbia County at state and national conservation conventions.
This year, as the Conservation District celebrates the district’s 75th anniversary and the conservation efforts completed since 1949, it is quite fitting to commend Don and Bev Edwards’ dedication to agriculture, and present them with the District’s R.J. Campbell Award, 2024 Cooperator of the Year.
Don’s contributions over his 46-years of service speak to his good character, exemplary work ethic, and strong agriculture conservation values that have helped to improve Columbia County’s natural resources and water quality.
The Columbia County Conservation District would like to announce the 2024 Educator of the Year:
Michele Richards
Michele has dedicated over three decades to fostering natural resource stewardship, and conservation and nature education. For the past 25 years, her impactful work has been centered in Columbia County, where she initially directed outdoor education programs for the regional Girl Scout council and managed Camp Louise. Michele's commitment to local conservation led her to establish programs and organizations promoting nature education and stewardship within the community.
As the President/CEO of Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a nonprofit she founded, Michele continues to engage volunteers in education and conservation activities throughout Columbia County. She also volunteers herself, coordinating Nature Day for first graders at GC Hartman Elementary for the past decade. Prior to this, Michele co-founded the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, where she initiated programs like the Wildlife Leadership Academy, benefiting young people in Columbia County and beyond. Most recently, Michele is partnering with Commonwealth University to develop a service-learning program for students to train as Master Naturalist volunteers and actively participate in local conservation efforts.
Michele's extensive experience has enriched her understanding of local ecosystems and conservation efforts. Within Pennsylvania, she has served in various roles, including working as a Resource Specialist for Dauphin County Conservation District and a naturalist for a PA State Park. Recognized for her expertise, Michele has advised governor councils on conservation and outdoor education initiatives and served in various board leadership roles.
On behalf of the Columbia County Conservation District, I am honored to present Michele Richards with the District’s 2024 Environmental Education Achievement Award. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Columbia County community in the field of environmental education. We look forward to a continued partnership with you to instill important values that support conservation and protect natural resources.
Michele Richards
Michele has dedicated over three decades to fostering natural resource stewardship, and conservation and nature education. For the past 25 years, her impactful work has been centered in Columbia County, where she initially directed outdoor education programs for the regional Girl Scout council and managed Camp Louise. Michele's commitment to local conservation led her to establish programs and organizations promoting nature education and stewardship within the community.
As the President/CEO of Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a nonprofit she founded, Michele continues to engage volunteers in education and conservation activities throughout Columbia County. She also volunteers herself, coordinating Nature Day for first graders at GC Hartman Elementary for the past decade. Prior to this, Michele co-founded the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, where she initiated programs like the Wildlife Leadership Academy, benefiting young people in Columbia County and beyond. Most recently, Michele is partnering with Commonwealth University to develop a service-learning program for students to train as Master Naturalist volunteers and actively participate in local conservation efforts.
Michele's extensive experience has enriched her understanding of local ecosystems and conservation efforts. Within Pennsylvania, she has served in various roles, including working as a Resource Specialist for Dauphin County Conservation District and a naturalist for a PA State Park. Recognized for her expertise, Michele has advised governor councils on conservation and outdoor education initiatives and served in various board leadership roles.
On behalf of the Columbia County Conservation District, I am honored to present Michele Richards with the District’s 2024 Environmental Education Achievement Award. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Columbia County community in the field of environmental education. We look forward to a continued partnership with you to instill important values that support conservation and protect natural resources.
MOnday, April 29, 2024
