The Venango Conservation District was established in 1961 to focus on conserving natural resources in Venango County. The VCD's office is located at 4871 US 322, Franklin PA 16323. Monthly meetings of the Board of Directors, which are open to the public, are held at 7:00pm on the second Thursday of every month at our office or virtually via Zoom. Please visit our Upcoming Events page for more info.
Our Mission
The mission of the Venango Conservation District is to promote the wise use, enhancement and understanding of natural resources and improve the environmental quality for the citizens of the county and state.
We do this by:
We do this by:
- Organizing, coordinating, conducting and obtaining funds for environmental education programs
- Implementing delegated responsibilities of the Erosion & Sedimentation Pollution Control Program, Dam Safety and Waterways Management, Nutrient Management and the land application of bio-solids
- Providing technical assistance and multi-media information by request to those engaged in activities affecting natural resource.
- Cooperating with other agencies and organizations to achieve a healthy living environment.
- Seeking voluntary compliance with environmental laws and regulations
- Providing educational programs to educators, students and the public so they are are knowledgeable of our environment and its natural resources.
Who We Are |
What We Do |
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Pennsylvania's conservation districts were established in 1945 when the General Assembly passed the Soil Conservation District Act, commonly known as the Conservation District Law. For 80 years the state's 66 conservation districts have served as leaders, addressing local natural resource concerns at the county level. Conservation districts were initially established to promote the value of conserving soil and water to farmers. Today's districts have evolved; their areas of interest and expertise involve almost every area of natural resource conservation imaginable.
A volunteer Board of Directors that is made up of local citizens representing all walks of life leads the conservation district. These volunteers study the county's natural resource issues and help guide wise-use decisions to maintain or enhance our community. Conservation Districts are local governmental subdivisions established under state law to carry out programs for the conservation, use and development of soil, water and related resources. Districts are resource management agencies, coordinating and implementing resource and environmental programs at the local level in cooperation with federal, state and other local agencies. Districts are organized, operated, and funded on a county level. Any individual or group may request assistance whether they are a land owner or operator, public or private, urban or rural. Farmers and other land owners may obtain conservation planning which addresses soil, water and woodland resources. Developers, engineers and others may receive assistance with erosion and sedimentation control plan reviews and stream encroachment permit application assistance. Environmental questions and complaints are assessed then referred to the proper agency. Erosion and sedimentation complaints are handled by the district to educate and assist violators to correct the problem and comply with state regulations. The district carries out an extensive environmental education program. |
County conservation districts work to help people and communities take care of the natural resources in their area including soil, water, wildlife, trees and other plants. Using natural resources wisely helps to insure their availability well into the future. County conservation districts operate under the belief that conservation works best when local people, those who live and work in the area, play an active role in managing their natural resources. Because conservation districts are familiar with local issues they are able to identify and prioritize actions needed to manage the resources of a particular area.
Conservation districts stand ready to offer technical assistance and educational guidance to land owners and managers, local governments, teachers, students and people from every walk of life. They can provide information and help on matters such as reducing soil erosion, protecting water quality, acid mine drainage, or preventing hazardous situations such as floods. Conservation districts work to better the community as a whole. They help citizens identify available natural resources and establish plans for their wise use. Because conservation districts have established a solid network of available human resources, they frequently work cooperatively across county and state lines. County conservation districts are efficient and effective. They work with private citizens, partner with state and federal government agencies, and facilitate the work of many private organizations and other conservation districts. The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. provides the collective voice for conservation districts at the state and national level. |
2023 Annual Report
