 L to R: Doug Wolfgang, Executive Secretary State Conservation Commission, Richard Negrin, Secretary PA Department of Environmental Protection, Mike Ohler, Venango Conservation District Board of Directors Chairman, Gregory Hostetter, Executive Deputy Secretary PA Department of Agriculture On July 19th, 2023, the Venango Conservation District Board of Directors was honored to receive the State Conservation Commission’s Leadership Excellence Award. The award is presented annually to a conservation district board that provides a well-articulated, relevant and implemented mission addressing natural resource challenges and opportunities within the county, demonstrates exemplary leadership and service to the community, continuously supports and evaluates professional management and leadership and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in effective management, accountability, oversight and stewardship of the conservation district. Doug Wolfgang, Executive Secretary of the State Conservation Commission commended the Venango Conservation District Board of Directors on their hard work through a challenging year, leading the district through the sudden passing of District Manager Lance Bowes, while at the same time managing open positions of more than half of district staff. Accepting the award on behalf of the Venango Conservation District Board of Directors was Mike Ohler, Chairman of the Board. Mike said about leading through this challenging year that he could not say enough about how well the board responds to challenges, how well board committees work together and how active members are at meetings. He added that a good conservation district is also a response created by a good staff.
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Welcome, Abigail Zerbe, our new Administrative Secretary!  Hi, my name is Abigail Zerbe! I am the new Administrative Secretary at the Venango Conservation District. I grew up outside of Emlenton and now live in Knox. I graduated from Clarion University in the spring of 2021 with my bachelor’s degree, double majoring in Geology and Environmental Geoscience with a concentration in Mineral Resource Exploration. During college, I interned with the Jefferson County History Center, installing their award-winning “Stones and Bones” exhibit, and I served as Geoscience Club treasurer for two semesters and president for one semester. I received my Professional Bookkeeper, Professional Tax Preparer, and QuickBooks Specialist certifications from Universal Accounting School in 2022.
I consider myself perpetually curious; thus, I have a lot of hobbies. My favorite indoor pastimes include crocheting, printmaking, quilting, and aquarium keeping. Of course, I love spending time outdoors, from fly fishing or kayaking on the water to hiking in the woods. |
