Cumberland County, PA - Conservation District

05/01/2026

To wrap up , we’re highlighting one of our most impactful efforts: the Cover Crop Incentive Program!

🌱 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - A total of 9,535 acres of cover crops were enrolled this season. Through available funding, 5,402 acres were incentivized, with $150,670 invested in soil health practices across the county.

🌾 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Farmers planted barley, rye, speltz, triticale, wheat, and multi-species mixes to protect soil and improve water quality. Of the acres incentivized, 3,371 will be harvested and 2,031 will be terminated to build organic matter.

💧 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 - Cover crops reduce erosion, improve soil health, suppress weeds, and keep nutrients out of waterways. This year’s plantings are estimated to reduce about 127,600 pounds of nitrogen, 4,200 pounds of phosphorus, and 2,100 tons of sediment.

Cover crops are a win for soil, water, and the future of local agriculture!

04/30/2026

During , we’re proud to congratulate Carlisle High School’s Global Warmers for taking 1st place at our 41st Annual Cumberland County Envirothon! 🌎 🏆

The team will represent Cumberland County at the 2026 PA Envirothon in Mifflinburg on May 20.
🥈 Shippensburg’s Aerosol Avengers - 2nd place
🥉 Big Spring’s Terrific Tree Huggers - 3rd place

This year’s competition brought together 100 students from 21 teams across six schools to test their knowledge in wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues.

A big thank you to our partner agencies and Pine Grove Furnace State Park for hosting another successful Envirothon and helping inspire the next generation of environmental leaders!

04/29/2026

Today's spotlight we’re highlighting how we help protect our waterways during and after construction projects. 💧

The Conservation District administers PA Code 25 Chapter 102 – Erosion and Sediment Control and provides local oversight for NPDES construction stormwater permits.

Before any earth disturbance begins, staff conducts detailed Chapter 102 reviews to ensure projects include proper erosion, sediment, and stormwater controls from the start.

Together, these practices support responsible development, protect water quality, and help ensure long-term stormwater management works as intended.

04/28/2026

Today’s Conservation District Week highlight is a real moo-ve in the right direction for cleaner water and healthier farms 🐄💧

Through our grant programs, we provide technical guidance and financial support for on-farm best management practices that tackle key issues like manure and nutrient runoff and soil erosion.

In 2025, we completed 8 projects across 6 townships, investing more than $1.66 million in cost-share funding. Looking ahead, we expect to invest another $2.1 million this year to support 10 additional projects across Cumberland County.

Most recently, we wrapped up a roofed heavy use area and manure stack project in Dickinson Township. This improvement stops runoff from an outdated barnyard and provides a covered space for manure storage and livestock management.

Take a look at the before and after photos below to see the difference!

04/27/2026

To kick off , we’re highlighting our Ridge Road Dirt & Gravel Road Project in Mt. Holly Springs Borough, completed in Summer 2024!

🚧 Road Improvements
A 3,775-ft section of Ridge Road was upgraded with 11 new cross pipes and 14 replacements to improve drainage and prevent roadway damage. The road was also rebuilt with more than 6,000 tons of millings, shale, and 2A stone for a durable driving surface

💧 Benefits
These improvements enhance road safety, improve emergency access, reduce flooding in the borough, and help protect Mountain Creek by limiting sediment and runoff.

💰 Project Funding
• $100,000 Dirt & Gravel Roads Grant (Conservation District)
• $99,573.25 DCNR contribution
• $33,671.43 Mt. Holly Springs Borough in-kind contribution

A strong investment in a safer, longer-lasting Ridge Road.

04/26/2026

Happy Conservation District Week! 🌱

This week, we’re highlighting some of our projects and programs working to protect Cumberland County’s natural resources for generations to come.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎 🌳

Mother Nature won big at our Annual Tree Seedling Sale, with more than 7,000 seedlings sold this year and a 48-year total topping 824,000!

This year’s sale also raised around $6,000 to support environmental education and programs that protect Cumberland County’s natural resources.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and happy planting this !

04/20/2026

UPDATE: All extra seedlings have been sold!

Extra Tree Seedlings For Sale! 🌳 🍐

We have River Birch & Pear Tree Packs available for purchase from our Annual Tree Seedling Sale.

𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗵: Recognizable by its peeling salmon-pink to cinnamon-brown bark. Grows 40–70 feet tall. Leaves are ovate with double serrations. Produces small winged fruits and thrives in wet areas with full sun. Seedlings are 15–20 inches, 10 per pack.

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸: Includes one of each (4+ ft):

Sunrise: Disease-resistant pear with strong fire blight resistance. Yellow fruit with light blush, little russeting. Ripens about 2 weeks before Bartlett and stores 2–3 months.

Shenandoah: Ripens about 3 weeks after Bartlett. Large fruit with classic sub-acid flavor. Good fire blight resistance and excellent storage life—up to 5 months.

Note: For proper pollination, plant varieties within 50 ft of each other. All are semi-dwarf.

If interested, give us a call at 717-240-7812

03/25/2026

02/24/2026

The Conservation District has a great opportunity for two interns beginning in late May. The intern position (offered to 2 students) is a minimum 120-hour position which requires the intern(s) to administer the District's Pre-Sidedress Nitrogen Testing program to farmers in Cumberland County. The intern(s) will collect soil samples from local corn fields and test the samples to determine the nitrogen content. Test results will be provided to the farmer to aid in their determination of how much nitrogen to apply to their corn to minimize over-application while still meeting yield goals. Interns will also work with other department staff to explore other programs as time allows. Please follow the link below to see details regarding the intern opportunity.