From left: Scott Savini, PCCD Board Chairman with PA Fish and Boat Commissions Waterways Conservation Officers, Curt Tereschak, Bob Plumb and Jeremy Allen

The Pike County Conservation District board and staff held their annual dinner on October 30 at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center in Hawley with a presentation on the bald eagle and an awards ceremony honoring distinguished guests. Each year the District hosts this annual dinner to celebrate conservation milestones and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the protection of Pike County’s natural resources.

The evening began with Lori McKean of the Eagle Institute briefing the audience on a recently completed Bald Eagle habitat study that was conducted through joint efforts of the Eagle Institute, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.  The information that was gathered from this three-year habitat study has helped determine the essential habitats and behaviors of the eagles and will help guide management and development of the Upper Delaware corridor to ensure its continued importance to this threatened species. The Upper Delaware River is one of the most important bald eagle wintering areas in the United States with almost 200 eagles estimated to use the area in the winter. The study used field observations, satellite telemetry and live capture to identify critical habitats used by breeding and wintering eagles. Although they are found in the Upper Delaware Region in January and February, eagles have been tracked to travel to the most northern portions of Canada. Some of these amazing birds are equipped with backpack satellite receivers and can be tracked by visiting www.journeynorth.org.

After the Eagle Institute presentation, the District took time to present a certificate of appreciation to Shane Kleiner, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Northeast Region Conservation District Field Representative. Mr. Kleiner has been an invaluable resource to the District Board and staff in communicating Pike County’s resource needs to agency partners.  As a former Conservation District manager, Shane is intimately aware of how DEP policy and procedural changes affect District programs and services.  Armed with this knowledge he has been a strong advocate for Conservation District’s across the northeast region – supporting district funding, programs and services and promoting board and staff educational opportunities.

The District also presented certificates of appreciation to Pike County’s three Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) for their valuable contributions in the protection of Pike County’s natural resources.  Curt Tereschak, Bob Plumb and Jeremy Allen assist Conservation District staff in investigating water pollution and stream encroachment cases and conducting educational programs.  The District can always count on these Fish and Boat Commission WCOs to weigh in on resolving situations that threaten the County’s waterways and to accompany District staff when they are inspecting sites.

Pike County Conservation District is committed to natural resources conservation through leadership, education, technical assistance, planning and enforcement to ensure the long term protection and sustainable use of Pike County’s natural resources. The District serves as a community clearinghouse for conservation information and educational resources, as well as state and federal environmental regulatory and permit information. Much of the work of the Conservation District, whether educational, technical or administrative, is accomplished through collaborative efforts with local, state and federal agencies, community groups and nonprofit organizations. To learn more about PCCD, call 570-226-8220 or visit the District website at www.pikeconservation.org.