CLEARFIELD – During its 2011 Joint Annual Conference in State College, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the State Conservation Commission highlighted the top environmental issues and challenges facing the commonwealth, including the exploration for oil and natural gas.
The two-day conference included panel discussions relating to the development of Marcellus Shale, the state’s 2011-2012 fiscal year budget and transportation issues.
In addition to the educational aspect of the conference, each year, the PACD presents awards to deserving individuals to acknowledge their unyielding efforts and dedication to furthering the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis. The Clearfield County Conservation District’s own Carl Undercofler was awarded the Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award for his thousands of hours of volunteerism with the Clearfield County Conservation District. In addition to his work as the Associate Director of the District, Undercofler has volunteered his time to cleaning up abandoned mine drainage throughout the county, helped to complete many watershed assessments, walked miles of streambanks to install weirs, collected monthly and quarterly water samples, as well as collecting macroinvertabrates. In addition, Undercofler also helps the district with many educational, fundraising, and outreach events. He builds trophies, advertises events statewide, helps maintain trails, and stays all day helping wherever needed.
 The Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award is awarded to a conservation district director or associate director for his or her outstanding volunteer efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.
