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.
PCCD welcomes our new Communications Coordinator!
PCCD has a new staff member! Emily Granville will be joining the team as our new Communications Coordinator. “In 2018, I graduated from the University of Scranton with a B.S. in Biology. I focused my studies on wildlife and the various ways we could protect both animals and their habitats. As an Education Specialist and later the Docent Coordinator at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, I had the privilege of helping…
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Go with the Flow: How Geology Shapes our Streams
Rachael Marques, Watershed Specialist This year, we’ve delved into how our region’s geology influences various water resources. Previously, we examined groundwater interactions; this month, we turn our focus to surface waters. As the Watershed Specialist here, I talk a lot about watersheds. But what are they? Shown in the image below, they are essentially common drainage areas, or areas where all precipitation and water drains to a common…
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Down the Drain: Where Does the Water Go?
Ever wonder where the water from your faucet goes? According to Penn State Extension, “about 26% of Pennsylvania households use septic systems.” Septic systems, also called on-lot sewage treatment, are very common in the northeast region of Pennsylvania. They are sometimes almost completely underground with only a pipe or two coming to the surface for inspection and venting. Though these are out of sight, they are a very critical resource…
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Water You Know About Source Water Protection?
Picture this: after a long day at work crafting thoughtful answers to those endless emails, you’re excited to make your favorite box of mac n’ cheese to relax when you get home. You bring out the stepstool and rummage around in the cabinet above the stove for that last box of mac n’ cheese and then dig through the avalanche of cookware in your other cabinet to finally find a…
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Dig Deep: The Connection Between Groundwater & Geology
As the Watershed Specialist for Pike County Conservation District (the District), I frequently work with groundwater for educational and scientific purposes. Groundwater is water found under the ground and plays a critical role in Pike County. All residents and visitors rely on groundwater for our everyday use in homes and businesses within the county. This unseen resource is affected largely by another invisible factor: geology. The geologic makeup of the…
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How Water Moves the Land and How You Can Control It
Have you ever been struck by the beauty of a sweeping valley or a dramatic hillside and wondered, “How did this come to be?” Often, a large part of the answer is simply water and time. The flow of water plays a huge role in shaping the landscape and vice versa. Watercourses like the Delaware River are particularly great places to see this process in action. Here we can see…
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Welcome New District Staff!
The District has recently added two new staff members to our team! Both will be working within the Chapter 102 Erosion & Sediment Control and Chapter 105 Waterways & Wetlands programs. They look forward to helping our community with technical assistance and permit applications and have introduced themselves below. Nick grew up in Newton Township and has been exploring the fields and forests of northeast PA since he can…
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Spring into Action Planting Native Species
One way to beat the winter gloom is to start brainstorming your vibrant spring garden plans! There are thousands of plants to choose from, all sorts of colors, flower shapes, heights, etc. How do you choose which ones you’ll plant around your home? Do you consider drought tolerance, sunlight requirements, or scent? In northeast PA, deer resistance is on the mind of many gardeners. Another important factor to consider, though,…
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Linking Nature and Leisure: Outdoor Play Is “In”
With the appeal of warm houses, steaming cups of cocoa, and modern technology, it can be difficult for parents to convince their kids that bundling up and heading out into frigid temperatures will be fun. Honestly, it can even be difficult to convince adults of that! So, what can make me pass up snuggling in my fluffiest blanket with my cuddliest cat for feeling like my nose is going to…
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Sliding Into Winter 2025!
It’s that time of year again! The leaves have fallen, and temperatures are dropping. Soon we will be seeing the first snowflakes of the winter season. Along with the snow comes ice! There are several different ways to approach icy weather in our area. The most used tool has many nicknames: road salt, ice melt, rock salt, etc. These terms actually encompass a few different chemicals. The most common are…
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