The Venango Conservation District recently received grant funding to help us pay for the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Venango County.  The funding was awarded to the district through the Northwest Commission’s Greenways Block Grant program which includes funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  The goal of the grant is to install agricultural BMPs at an operation in Venango County that will help control storm water runoff that carry potential contaminants to the nearest stream.
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Agricultural BMPs that will be installed as a result of the grant award will include a stabilized Animal Heavy Use Area (AHUA) and roof runoff controls & diversion.  

Pictured here is the AHUA before construction at the barn entrance.
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A stabilized Animal Heavy Use Area (AHUA) is a practice that addresses areas where animals often travel or stand.  These areas tend to be near barn entrances or feeding areas.  These areas most often consist of torn-up sod that is muddy and erosive.  Vegetation often cannot take hold.  

​Pictured here the AHUA has been excavated to remove soils that were to heavily broken down to be of use.  The area was shaped for a slope that will encourage storm water into a controlled drainage system.

​This is a shot of an excavated trench where a pipe and clean stone will be installed.  This controlled drainage system will carry storm water to a Vegetated Treatment Area (VTA) where vegetation will collect pollutant particles and will allow storm water to infiltrate.

​Once the site was excavated to the desired shape, geo-fabric was installed and larger rock was placed.  The materials in this step encourage drainage.

This photo shows that a layer of smaller stone was then placed and rolled in to create the stabilized pad.  The pad is designed to withstand heavier animal traffic.

Construction work on this project will be on-going this summer.  We look forward to bringing you an update to this post including photos of the finished BMPs.

(Harrisburg, PA) – Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 18-24, 2021 has been declared “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices across the state will hold events and meet with legislators in their home county.

Each county has a conservation district office except Philadelphia. These volunteer directors and staff address conservation concerns in their community. These are your neighbors who are working to prevent pollution in your backyard. That deserves to be celebrated! “Conservation district staff work every day to make a difference for Pennsylvanians,” said Brenda J. Shambaugh, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. “Conservation District Week is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase conservation district projects across the state.”

Conservation districts thank Governor Tom Wolf and members of the PA House and Senate for supporting the districts through the state budget. PACD is requesting level state funding, which has not been increased for over fifteen years, but will offset conservation district costs associated with protecting the Commonwealth’s natural resources.


​ # # # The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) is a non-profit organization whose guiding values include: Sustainable Resource Conservation; Integrity, Local; Education and Outreach; and Partnerships. PACD primarily serves as the collective voice for Pennsylvania’s 66 county conservation districts. For more information about PACD, visit www.pacd.org.