Berks County Conservation District

08/31/2026

🍎 Save the date! We're excited to share that the Berks County Department of Agriculture is hosting a second Pop-Up Farm Market at the Berks County Heritage Center, in partnership with Berks County Parks and Recreation Department

📅 September 12, 2026
🕘 9am to 2pm
🎟️ Free entry!

More details to come. Questions in the meantime? Call (610) 378-1844 or email [email protected].

08/27/2026

💚 We're proud of how far we've come!

08/25/2026

Save the date! We're gearing up for our 8th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser at Wing Pointe Sporting Clays on Friday, October 2nd, and we're looking for sponsors to help make it a success!

Every dollar raised supports the Berks County Envirothon, giving local high school students hands-on environmental and agricultural learning experiences in wildlife, aquatics, soils, forestry, and more.

🥇 Event Sponsor – $1,000
🍽️ Dinner Sponsor – $500
🎪 Station Sponsor – $200
🎁 General Sponsor – any amount welcome!

Download the sponsorship paperwork here: https://f.mtr.cool/n4qngjlav5

Registration is due by September 25th. Questions? Reach out to Jennifer Brooks at [email protected] or 610.372.4657 ext. 212.

08/20/2026

Come join us on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Berks County Heritage Center, from 9AM to 2PM!

Come meet the people who grow and make your food, like Laissa’s Baked Goods and Griesemer Beekeeping LLC!

Berks County Parks and Recreation Department will have free tours and other fun activities!

We can't wait to see you!

08/20/2026

🦟 Spotted Lanternflies Are Back in the News!

WFMZ talked with our very own District Executive, Dean Druckenmiller, about spotted lanternfly control as we head into mating and egg laying season. Here's what you need to know 👇

🪤 Circle traps are one of the most effective options. Wrap one around a tree and the insects climb up into the netting, where they get caught in a small bag attached to the trap.

⚠️ Sticky bands work too, but use caution. They're very effective against spotted lanternflies, but they have been reported to also catch birds and other wildlife by mistake. If you use them, check them often. Rip or cut the band in half after installing reducing the width and ability to catch beneficial insects and other wildlife

🥾 Every insect counts. Squishing one spotted lanternfly now can prevent 30 to 40 more from hatching next season.

The good news? Control efforts here in Berks County are working, our local population isn't nearly as high as it was a few years ago. But other parts of the state are just now seeing spotted lanternflies for the first time, so the fight isn't over yet.

Read the full story here: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/spotted-lanternflies-popping-back-up-again-how-experts-say-you-can-help-keep-population-down/article_974594e0-f615-4e2f-a8ef-112f5a25819e.html -source=Homepage-Top-Stories

🐞

69 News Reporter Sydney Kay was in Berks County with what experts are saying about these invasive insects.

08/20/2026

🚨 Spotted Lanternfly Alert! 🚨

These invasive bugs are out in full force this time of year, and here's what you need to know!

🔴 Adults (July - December): Look for gray, spotted wings that reveal bright red underwings when open. They're about an inch long and hard to miss once you know what you're looking for!

🟤 Egg Masses (October - May): Don't forget about the eggs! SLF eggs are laid on trees, rocks, and outdoor items like furniture or equipment. Each mass holds 30-50 eggs and is covered in a waxy coating that starts light gray and dries to look like mud, so they can blend right in.

❌ Why they're a problem: Spotted lanternflies feed on over 70 types of plants, including grapevines, hardwoods, and fruit trees right here in Berks County. They leave behind sticky honeydew that can damage the plants they feed on.

👟 What to do:
🔸 See an adult? Squish it!
🔸 See an egg mass? Scrape it off with a credit card or similar object, then smash the eggs. If you're not worried about surface damage, smashing them in place works too.

🪤 Need help managing them? We offer free SLF traps to Berks County residents! Just contact us with how many you need (within reason) and stop by the District office to pick them up.

📞 See a lot of them? Report sightings to the PA Department of Agriculture at 1-888-4BADFLY.

Let's work together to protect Berks County's plants and agriculture! 💚

08/17/2026

📜 Celebrating 80 Years! 📜

Since day one, the Berks County Conservation District has been dedicated to protecting our community's land, water, and natural resources. Now, we're celebrating 80 years of that mission!

Over the next few months, we'll be sharing stories, news, and history from our journey, giving you a look at who we are and how we got here. This is a celebration of everyone who has been part of our story.

Stick around, there's so much history to share! 💚

08/14/2026

Here’s this week’s market info! Be sure to stop by our double community tent! 🪴☺️

📍409 Constitution Ave
⏰8/16: 9-1PM

08/13/2026

🎉 Big News! Today marks 80 years of the Berks County Conservation District!

Since 1946, we've been proud to serve Berks County through conservation education, land stewardship, and community outreach. Eight decades of protecting our soil, water, and natural resources wouldn't have been possible without this incredible community.

🗓️ Follow along as we celebrate our 80th year, sharing throwback photos and stories from our history along the way!

Thank you for 80 wonderful years, Berks County. Here's to many more! 💚

08/11/2026

🌱 A small gift, a big message!

We were proud to present Representative PA State Rep. Eric Weaknecht with one of our Berks County Conservation District watering cans, already hard at work sprouting a new seedling on his windowsill! From his years of service to Berks County to his role today in Harrisburg, we're grateful for his continued support of our mission.

Since 1946, we've been proud to serve our community, and it's moments like these that remind us conservation grows best when it's shared.

🌿