Welcome to our "Here's the Dirt" page, featuring monthly staff-written newsletter articles alongside District news, including staff announcements, program highlights, and other updates from the Pike County Conservation District. Explore the latest stories and information to stay connected with our work and community efforts throughout the county.
From Paper to Practice: How Our District Manages Erosion and Stormwater
Jason Pollits, Resource Conservationist The Dirty Beginnings After the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, a movement of soil conservation practices began spreading through the government and through the country. In 1945, Pennsylvania legislators passed the “Conservation District Law” to create an organized system to protect the soil and water of the Commonwealth. On June 18, 1956 Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) was established by the Pike County Commissioners. In 1981, PCCD entered a delegation agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (now PA…
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From Seedlings to Scholars: A Legacy of Learning at the District
Emily Granville, Communications Coordinator Ever since the establishment of PCCD back in 1956, PCCD’s Board of Directors and staff have put a major emphasis on educating the public. But it isn’t enough to simply tell the community that conservation is important, we must also strive to help them understand why it is important and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to make more sustainable choices. That’s where…
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Currents of Change: Tracing the Evolution of Our Surface Water Monitoring
Madelyn Garcia, Watershed Specialist When you live in a county with over 1,800 miles of streams, water is part of everyday life. From fishing and kayaking to the simple act of turning on the tap, Pike County’s clean water is one of its most valuable resources. Protecting this legacy takes dedication. Since the early 1990s, the Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) has been keeping tabs on our streams through…
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Beneath Our Feet: Tracing the Evolution of Our Groundwater Monitoring Program
Madelyn Garcia, Watershed Specialist When most people think about water in Pike County, they picture the Delaware River, mountain streams, or scenic waterfalls. But another critical water source lies beneath the surface: groundwater. Groundwater fills private wells, sustains wetlands, and keeps streams flowing during dry periods. In Pike County, it is especially important because it serves as the sole source of drinking water for residents and businesses. Beneath the ground,…
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Sprouts of Stewardship: Meet Our Board
Emily Granville, Communications Coordinator If you have been reading this year’s monthly newsletter articles, you may already know what a Board of Directors is and why they are important. PCCD’s Board is the hidden force behind the District. Not only do our Directors provide leadership, they also provide community insight, which is essential to the District as it allows us to better understand the community and its needs. The…
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Rooted in Service: The Board’s Role Then & Now
Lisa Dolci, Administrative Manager Big things often start small—like a tiny seed that grows into a big tree. Back in 1956, Pike County planted its own seed of conservation by creating the Pike County Soil Conservation District. What started as a handful of dedicated individuals has grown into a dedicated team working to protect the County’s natural resources. From safeguarding streams to educating neighbors, the District has grown deep roots…
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Building History: The District’s Story
Madelyn Garcia, Watershed Specialist A Place Shaped by Land, Water, and Community Long before the Pike County Conservation District existed, Pike County itself was shaped by natural resources. Blooming Grove Township, founded in 1850 from parts of Lackawaxen and Palmyra Townships, was built on forests, logging, and sawmills. Well into the 20th century, the land sustained livelihoods, guided settlement patterns, and quietly bore the impacts of human use. As communities…
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Flow Forms & Rock Realms: A Year of Hydrogeomorphic Discovery
While we don’t want to throw rocks, we certainly have enjoyed learning this year about how they interact with water and how that relationship helps shape our landscape. Let’s take a stroll through our 2025 newsletter themes and then lace up our boots for action to keep the environmental momentum going in 2026! Springtime & Planting Power In early 2025, we focused on landscaping with purpose. Native species don’t just…
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Shake, Melt, Repeat: How Salt Shapes Our Winters
Madelyn Garcia, Watershed Specialist As autumn fades and winter approaches, road crews across Pennsylvania start gearing up with plows and salt spreaders. While road salt keeps our roads safe in icy conditions, it can have lasting consequences for the health of our local streams, lakes, and groundwater. But did you know that the type of winter weather we get — rain or snow — actually changes how road salt moves through…
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PCCD Welcomes Our New Watershed Specialist and Resource Conservationist!
The District is excited to welcome two new faces to team! Madelyn Garcia – Watershed Specialist Madelyn grew up in New York with limited access to green spaces, but it was during her college field courses that she discovered her passion for making nature more accessible and inclusive. She earned both her B.S. in Environmental Science and M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Pace University, where she explored…
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