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Lycoming County proclaims National Volunteer Week and Conservation District Week
Summary
The Lycoming County Commissioners presented proclamations recognizing AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for National Volunteer Week and declaring Conservation District Week for April 20–26, 2025, and heard remarks on local volunteer and conservation programs.
The Lycoming County Commissioners on April 23, 2025, issued proclamations recognizing National Volunteer Week and Conservation District Week and heard presentations about local volunteer programs and conservation education.
The commissioners designated April 2025 as National Volunteer Week in Lycoming County in a proclamation that highlighted AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers who serve in five counties, including Lycoming, and the network of nonprofit partner sites. Chris Barton, program director for Diakon Community Services, which sponsors the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program in the region, told the commissioners his program partners with 27 nonprofit agencies in the five-county territory and that about 70 members serve locally. Barton said those volunteers have contributed roughly 3,542 hours to date and noted volunteers saved participating nonprofits an estimated $48,000 over the prior year by providing services that otherwise would have required paid staff.
"AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers are active adults, 55 years and better, focused on environmental stewardship and other projects that positively impact our communities," Barton said.
The board also proclaimed April 20–26, 2025, as Conservation District Week and heard from a conservation district representative about local programs. The speaker described watershed education in schools, including the "Trout in the Classroom" project and the Envirothon scholastic competition, and said the district uses ARPA funds to buy 30 virtual-reality headsets to bring farm and watershed demonstrations into classrooms.
Commissioners thanked volunteers and conservation partners and encouraged residents to participate in local events such as the district's seedling sale.
The presentations were ceremonial; no separate binding vote or ordinance was introduced during the proclamations beyond the board's formal adoption of the proclamations as read.
