Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist
At the Bradford County Conservation District, there are a lot of service that we provide that overlap with some of our partnering agencies. It often leads to the question “Well, what exactly DOES the BCCD do?” In the most basic summarization, we are here to provide informational and technical assistance to Bradford County landowners and farmers with environmental needs and education.
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At the BCCD we have several teams dedicated to specific areas, but we all work closely. The Agriculture Team, Education, Engineering, Forestry, the Stream Team (Watershed Restoration), 102/105 Erosion & Sediment Control (Permitting), Dirt and Gravel Roads, and West Nile Virus Services (in no particular order).

Open AI. 2025. “PA State Tree.” ChatGPT (February 1 version). February 1, 2025. https://openai.com
In the lush, verdant forests of Pennsylvania, one tree stands as a sentinel of the state's rich natural heritage: the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). This majestic tree, designated as the state tree in 1931, has woven its roots deeply into the history, ecology, and culture of Pennsylvania.
The Eastern Hemlock is more than just a tree; it's a keystone species that plays a critical role in maintaining the health and stability of Pennsylvania's forest ecosystems. With its evergreen needles, gracefully drooping branches, and towering height—often reaching up to 100 feet—the Hemlock provides a year-round canopy that shelters countless species of wildlife.

Republished from Penn State Extension- Jennifer Latzgo, Master Watershed Steward, Lehigh Valley

Impacts of Chloride Pollution on Stream Ecosystems
Chloride is problematic for stream organisms because it reduces oxygen levels and creates osmotic stress. "EPT" organisms: Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) are a vital part of the food web and are used as bioindicators of stream health. Research has shown that their numbers decrease significantly as chloride levels increase. Current research indicates that the threshold for long-term toxicity for these creatures for chloride is 50 mg/l.
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Chloride also has an impact on other aquatic life. Studies have shown that chloride affects frogs and salamanders during their larval stages in vernal pools, causing deformities and increased mortality. Fish have been found to have reduced hatching rates and reduced growth overall, and aquatic plants are also affected because chloride affects their ability to absorb water through their roots. In ponds and lakes, salty water is denser and forms a layer of oxygen-deficient water at the bottom, which is harmful to wildlife.

Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Technician, BCCD
Bradford county was built on Agriculture. In the past decade the numbers of farms have steadily been decreasing. However, there is still strong desire to farm in Bradford County with a few new ones popping up now and then. To encourage farmers new and experienced, it is important to showcase the resources we have locally. For the first time, Bradford County Conservation District is hosting a Farmer Resource Expo! The event will be held on January 23, 2026 from 9am-1pm at Alparon Park, Exhibit Hall 2. We will also hear farmer testimonials in our “Ask a Farmer” panel from 12-1pm. 

The following is republished from Penn State Extension- Jennifer Latzgo, Master Watershed Steward, Lehigh Valley

What You Can Do to Reduce Road Salt Pollution at Home

Here are some steps you can take:
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• Shovel frequently so snow does not accumulate and turn to ice.
• Salt works best on a thin layer of ice; always shovel any excess snow/ice before applying it.
• Using more salt does not make snow and ice melt faster; it's not necessary to feel the crunch underfoot for the salt to be effective: one 12-ounce coffee mug of salt is sufficient for a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk paving squares. The grains of salt should be about 3 inches apart.
• Only apply salt in places where it is necessary.
• After the storm, sweep up any excess salt and use it for the next time it snows.
• You can also use alternatives to rock salt, such as sand, kitty litter, or birdseed.
• If bad weather is forecast, cover small areas, such as steps, with a tarp to prevent snow accumulation.
• Remember that it only takes one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water!
• (From other articles on the same issue-)
  • use a brine, like the state does now.  It can cut the amount needed by 70%.  (Environmental Hazards of Road Salt- PSU Extension, Justin Mansberger)
  • Use a ”friendly” deicer- Calcium Chloride (which, by the way, does not include cyanide.  Yea, cyanide.  Rock salt uses it for an anti-caking agent.), Magnesium Chloride, or Calcium Magnesium Acetate.  All are less harmful, but may be more expensive.   (Watershed-friendly Deicing- PSU Extension, Justin Mansberger)
• Did you know that salt is basically ineffective below 15 degrees?  (I did not.)  Calcium Chloride is effective down to -20 degrees, and Magnesium Chloride down to -10 degrees.  (Google search, AI Overview)  Right there is reason enough to switch to a better product. 

Kevin Brown, BCCD, Ag Resource Specialist
(Spoiler Alert- I just had to get this in here, just in case I lose you before you get to the end of the next article.  Do you know that rock salt is almost completely ineffective below 15 degrees?  And it uses cyanide as an anti-caking agent.  Yee-ha) 
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I know as human beings, we want instant gratification on everything.  When shopping for something, most people would like to have it in their hands immediately.  If they can’t find it in a store, they may have to get it online, but it darn sure better be there in 2 days or we are not happy.  Snowfall.  It snows at 9:00 AM today, and the roads better be clear by the time we leave work or we are all kinds of ticked off.  “What are those state guys doing?!!”  We often do this even to the detriment of anything else.  What do I care?  I want what I want, NOW. Be damned everything else.  Salting roads is the perfect example.  We forget how to drive on snow-covered roads, and we are extremely angry when the roads/parking lots are not completely bare right after the storm.  

Glenn Bell, Ag Resource Specialist BCCD
Did you know that our state leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production?  The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program was created to add resilience to Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy by protecting prime farmland. Through this program, state and county governments (sometimes federal) can purchase conservation easements on farmland which prevents the land from ever being developed. Since its start in 1988, Pennsylvania has preserved roughly 6,500 farms totaling 650,000 acres. 

Dan Rhodes, Education Coordinator, BCCD
In the last couple articles I’ve written about eels, much detail has gone into explaining the importance of American Eels in the Susquehanna River as a species necessary to keep the ecosystem functioning and the water clean. Along these lines, the crucial importance of eels can’t be overstated, but there are also other qualities of eels that must not be overlooked while teaching people about their overall value. As a conservationist, the mantra of the Conservation District in general is the promotion of a ‘wise use’ approach to natural resources. Wise use, especially when dealing with scarce and valuable resources such as the American eel, can be a difficult problem to solve but not an impossible one. As fisheries biologists and conservationists work toward helping the American eel make a full comeback in our waterways, I thought it might be important to highlight for the general public why American eels were a crucially important food and income source for people and wildlife in the past, and how/why it would be incredibly beneficial for everyone if American eels were allowed to reclaim this importance in the present and future.

Kevin Brown, BCCD, Ag Resource Specialist 
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.  This particular one is for giving thanks, and we should do so, for so many things.  I know it is easy to get all wrapped up in the negativity that goes on in the world today.  When we turn on the news we hear about all the things that are “coming at us” in the future and they are all negative- global warming, winter storms, prices of everything, world events, and the list goes on.  I think it is good to also reflect on what we have, and what we have gained in the last couple hundred years.  We have really come a long way, but we get so entangled in the negativity coming at us that we forget.  Or, maybe some readers aren’t even old enough to remember.
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We got through The Great Depression; a couple of world wars (We thank ALL Vets for their service.  Without them we would not have all that we have.  THANK YOU!); some smaller, but no less important, wars; the Industrial Revolution, and the list goes on.

Dan Rhodes, Education Coordinator, BCCD
Over the past year, while doing educational programming around Bradford County and even up into southern NY for a special assignment, I’ve been running into Susquehanna River fishing enthusiasts all over the place asking me the same question; ‘‘I’ve been fishing this river for 40 years and never seen or caught an American eel…until now! Why eels…why now?”. Multiple anglers would go on to explain that while fishing usually at night for catfish or other sportfish over the past few months, they would very surprisingly reel in large 2’-3’ American eels. “Where are they coming from and what has changed?” they would always ask.