The Centre County Board of Commissioners on April 17 adopted proclamations recognizing April as Conservation District Week and May as Mount Nittany Health Week.

The proclamations were adopted by voice vote after brief presentations from local representatives. The board moved and seconded each proclamation; all commissioners present responded "aye," and the motions passed.

Conservation district representatives described the district’s roots and current work. The conservation district manager said the district formed in 1954 “at the request of local farmers and other interested citizens who had concerns about soil and water conservation,” and noted the office helps bring grant dollars to projects that protect soil and streams. Robert Shannon, chair of the district’s board of directors, thanked the commissioners for support and highlighted local partnerships with groups including Clearwater Conservancy, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and state and federal agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Speaking for Mount Nittany Health, a hospital representative identified in the meeting as Mr. Kissinger thanked the county and residents for support. He said Mount Nittany Health’s roots in Bellefonte go back to 1902 and described the system’s plans to open a new patient tower next summer: “we’ll be opening up our new patient tower, our new 168 bed, private room, tower to improve the care environment,” he said, and added the facility will convert part of the hospital’s licensed capacity into all-private rooms.

Both proclamations were presented and accepted by the organizations; the proclamations will be displayed by the organizations during upcoming staff events.

The board then moved on to other business.