In 1964, the Luzerne County Commissioners established the Luzerne Conservation District out of concern for the conservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic resources of the county.
The district is a local agency that conducts regulatory/voluntary compliance, technical assistance, and education/outreach activities. We accomplish our mission through cooperation with landowners and land users, by working with other public and private organizations, and by increasing citizens’ awareness of their responsibility to be good stewards of natural resources.
As one of the sixty-six conservation districts in Pennsylvania, we are involved in developing local programs and implementing on-the-ground practices to protect the soil and water resources in Luzerne County. The district is led by a seven-member board of directors consisting of local volunteers and a county council member. Currently, twelve staff members implement district programs that are developed and carried out to best serve the specific needs of the natural resources and people of the county.
DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Chairman – John (Jay) Wilkes, Public Director
Vice Chairman – John (Jack) Hanish, Public Director
Secretary/Treasurer – Tracey Chonko, Farmer Director
Leonard Burger, Farmer Director
Thomas Herbert, Public Director
Gary Moyer, Farmer Director
Greg Wolovich, County Council Member Director
ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS:
Timothy Ference, Director Emeritus
DISTRICT STAFF:
Hunter Bednarczyk, Conservation Specialist (E&S Program)
Keith George, Program Coordinator (Special Projects & MDC Program)
Heather Graham, Program Coordinator (E&S Program)
Debbie Josuweit, Office Administrator
Charlie Kelshaw, Program Technician (E&S Program)
Jennifer Lauri, Conservation Specialist (Ag Program)
John Levitsky, Watershed Specialist
Josh Longmore, Executive Director
Frank Semanski, Building & Grounds Maintenance Technician (part time)
Mike Schlauch, Conservation Specialist (Ag & Roads Programs)
Program Technician (MDC Program – seasonal)
Program Technician (MDC Program – seasonal)