Commissioners honor Franklin County Conservation District on 70th anniversary

Franklin County Commissioners presented a citation recognizing the Franklin County Conservation District’s 70 years of service and thanked district staff and volunteers for conservation work that benefits the county and downstream watersheds.

Commissioner Hurst introduced Dave Sterner (director and board chair) and Red Oak Prater, who described the district’s evolution from a small volunteer board with a modest budget to an organization that now employs 12 staff and manages several million dollars in grants. Sterner recounted milestones—soil surveys, adoption of conservation practices and recent staff recognition by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts—and noted the district’s upcoming 70th-anniversary banquet.

The commissioners moved, seconded and approved the citation, and the group paused for photographs and applause.