What Pike County Conservation District does

Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) is a legal subdivision of Pennsylvania state government, established June 18, 1956 by resolution of the Pike County Board of Commissioners under the State Conservation District Law (Act 217). Operated as a government conservation entity serving Pike County, Pennsylvania from its headquarters at 556 Route 402 in Hawley, PCCD delivers delegated regulatory oversight, technical assistance, education, and partnership-based conservation services. The District holds exclusive delegations from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control (Level III enforcement since 1981), NPDES permitting (since 1993), Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway Management (since 1994), and Post Construction Stormwater Management (since February 2023, temporarily suspended in February 2026). It also administers the state-funded Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program and the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), and since 1987 has operated one of Pennsylvania's earliest surface water monitoring programs covering 1,800+ miles of Pike County streams with macroinvertebrate and fish community assessments.

PCCD's core service portfolio spans three programmatic pillars: Conserve (soil and water conservation, community recognition via the Conservation Achievement Awards launched in 2024), Restore (watersheds, agriculture, DGLVR), and Educate (eight named curricula including Enviroscape, Aquifers Uncovered, and The Ripple Effect, plus the co-hosted Pike/Wayne Envirothon competition). A nine-person staff — including a District Manager, District Engineer, Watershed Specialist (M.S. Environmental Science and Policy, Pace University), a CPESC-certified Program Specialist, Resource Conservationists, and a Communications Coordinator — delivers these programs alongside a volunteer Board of Directors comprising public, farmer, and associate directors nominated by regional conservancies and sportsmen's clubs. The District operates one of the few local sources of regulatory and technical conservation capacity in a county containing High-Quality and Exceptional-Value waterways in the Upper Delaware River watershed.

The District's funding model relies on state appropriations, federal and state grants, delegation-agreement pass-throughs from PA DEP, and unit-priced permit and plan review fees (e.g., $500 general permit filings, $1,500 individual permit filings) plus DEP-disturbed-acre fees. No commercial revenue, no venture or equity capital, and no disclosed annual budget figures are reported. Outreach extends through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, a monthly 'Here's the Dirt' newsletter via Constant Contact, Season 4 of 'The Conservation Podcast,' public board meetings, and community events including the Semiquincentennial Parade, Zane Grey Festival, CCC Day, and seasonal 'Hikes in Pike' educational hikes. The District participates in two long-standing regional coalitions: the Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership (20+ organizations since 2004) and the Pocono Source Water Protection Collaborative (formed 2013, spanning Pike, Wayne, and Monroe Counties).

Name

Pike County Conservation District

Legal name

Pike County Conservation District

Website

https://pikeconservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pike County Conservation District is a Pennsylvania government subdivision that delivers delegated regulatory oversight (Chapters 102 and 105, NPDES, PCSM), technical assistance, environmental education, and grant administration to Pike County residents, contractors, farmers, schools, and municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hawley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a legal subdivision of state government, PCCD receives funding through Pennsylvania state appropriations, delegation agreements with PA DEP, and grants from federal and state agencies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) is a legal subdivision of Pennsylvania state government that provides soil and water conservation services to Pike County residents, landowners, contractors, farmers, schools, and municipalities. Its core offerings include delegated regulatory administration of Chapter 102 erosion and sediment control permits and Chapter 105 dam safety and waterway management permits, grant administration (ACAP, DGLVR, Environmental Education Grant), surface and groundwater monitoring programs, hands-on environmental education programs, and the Pike/Wayne Envirothon competition.

Product overview

Pike County Conservation District operates primarily as a government conservation agency rather than a technology product company. Its primary offering is the District website (pikeconservation.org), which serves as a comprehensive information portal for the District's conservation programs. The District's programs include three main pillars: Conserve (soil conservation, water conservation, community recognition), Restore (watersheds, agriculture, DGLVR), and Educate (education programs, Envirothon). Key programs include the Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control Program and Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway Management Program, both administered under delegation agreements with PA DEP. The District also offers The Conservation Podcast, the Pike/Wayne Envirothon competition, the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), the Dirt/Gravel/Low Volume Road (DGLVR) program, Conservation Achievement Awards, Environmental Education Grants, and the Surface Water Monitoring Program. All services are delivered through the website, staff consultations, educational programs, and community events rather than through a software product or API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control Program Delegated authority from PA DEP to administer the Erosion and Sediment Control Program, including NPDES permits for construction stormwater, E&S Plan reviews, site inspections, and compliance enforcement for earth-disturbing activities in Pike County.
• Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway Management Program Delegated authority from PA DEP to review general permit applications and provide technical assistance for work near streams, wetlands, and other water resources, including bridges, culverts, dams, and floodway encroachments in Pike County.
• Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program A program administered through the State Conservation Commission to help municipalities reduce sediment pollution from road maintenance, with a Quality Assurance Board (QAB) that reviews and prioritizes grant applications for environmentally sensitive road improvements.
• Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) A grant reimbursement program providing financial and technical assistance to farmers and agricultural landowners for installing best management practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution, with a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) reviewing applications.
• PCCD Environmental Education Grant A $500 grant program for Pike County teachers and youth organizations to fund hands-on conservation education projects, with $13,000 distributed since 2005 supporting native plant gardens, composting programs, and other stewardship initiatives.
• Education Programs Interactive educational offerings including Aquifers Uncovered (groundwater education), Bee-yond the Garden (pollinator conservation), Enviroscape Explorers (watershed education), Rain Check (stormwater conservation), Stewards of the Land, The Ripple Effect (stream ecology), The Underground Truth (groundwater flow), and Swampy Science (wetlands education), delivered to schools and community groups in Pike County.
• Pike/Wayne Envirothon A co-hosted environmental and natural resources competition for high school students testing knowledge in forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatics, and current environmental issues, with winning teams advancing to the state Envirothon.
• PCCD Conservation Achievement Awards Annual awards established in 2024 recognizing individuals, groups, organizations, or educators who demonstrate leadership in conservation in Pike County, with categories including Conservation Achievement Award, Educator Conservation Achievement Award, and Youth Conservation Achievement Award.
• Surface Water Monitoring Program County-wide water quality monitoring using biological and physical data from stream sites across Pike County, tracking trends in stream health and water quality, with annual reports published documenting findings across over 1,800 miles of streams.
• Hikes in Pike Program Seasonal guided hikes led by PCCD staff to explore Pike County's natural resources, with participants who complete all four seasonal hikes receiving a Stoni Stonefly patch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,800 miles of streams monitored for water quality
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pocono Source Water Protection Collaborative (PSWPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Regional network committed to protecting drinking water sources across Pike, Wayne, and Monroe Counties. Formed in 2013 through a League of Women Voters initiative. Coordinates protection efforts and shares guidance on keeping drinking water clean with water operators, conservation districts, planners, and community organizations.
• Pike/Wayne Conservation PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Alliance of over twenty government, non-government, non-profit and grass roots organizations working toward common goals for natural resource conservation, sustainable communities and citizen involvement in Pike and Wayne Counties since 2004. Coordinates projects, shares resources, and reduces duplication of services. Key initiatives include Science on Tap monthly programs and Homeowner's Resource Fair.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency with delegation agreements for Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control (Level III) and Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway Management programs
• Delaware Highlands ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal land trust protecting natural areas in the Delaware River watershed. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board of Directors.
• Pennsylvania State Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState body that administers the Dirt and Gravel Road Program and provides oversight for conservation district operations
• US Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing technical and financial assistance for conservation programs
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency for state parks, forests, and conservation programs
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal environmental protection agency providing funding and regulatory oversight
• US Army Corps of EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency for water resource development and wetland regulation
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency supporting aquatic resources and fishing programs
• Pennsylvania Game CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency for wildlife management and Game Lands
• Penn State ExtensionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity extension service providing agricultural and natural resources education
• Wayne Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent county conservation district for co-hosted Envirothon and collaborative conservation initiatives
• National Park ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency managing Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pike County
• Hemlock Farms ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation organization at Hemlock Farms community. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Lacawac SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education and research facility. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Gifford Pinchot Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of national Audubon Society focused on bird conservation. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation organization supporting natural resource projects
• Aqua PAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater utility company serving Pennsylvania communities, member of PSWPC
• Milford Water AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal water utility authority, member of PSWPC source water protection efforts
• PA American WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor water utility company, member of PSWPC for drinking water protection
• PA Rural Water AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association supporting rural water systems, collaborated on groundwater education podcast
• Pike County CommissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty governing body that established PCCD in 1956 and provides ongoing support and oversight
• Pike County Planning CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty planning body. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Pike County Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness advocacy organization supporting economic development and community initiatives
• The Nature ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal conservation organization protecting lands and waters in Pike County region
• Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education center providing programs for all ages. 2025 Conservation Achievement Award recipient.
• SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization focused on sustainable energy and environmental education
• Pike/Wayne Chapter of Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of national coldwater conservation organization. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Pike County Federation of Sportsmen's ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation representing sportsmen's clubs in Pike County. Also serves as nominating organization for PCCD Board.
• Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatershed management organization for Lake Wallenpaupack, collaborated on podcast about lake challenges

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): National nonprofit that represents the 3,000+ conservation districts across the United States. Provides policy, funding and programmatic support that flows down to entities like PCCD, making it the closest federal-level counterpart.
• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD): Statewide umbrella organization representing all 66 Pennsylvania county conservation districts including PCCD. Provides training, legislative advocacy and program coordination, and serves as a natural channel through which PCCD engages with PA DEP and the State Conservation Commission.

Regional players

• Cacapon Institute: West Virginia-based watershed science and citizen-monitoring organization with a similar focus on long-term surface water monitoring data and volunteer engagement. Comparable in scientific mission but operates in a different state, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Others

• Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Local land trust operating in the Upper Delaware River region served by PCCD. Serves as a nominating organization for PCCD's Board of Directors and collaborates on land and water conservation priorities, functioning as a peer ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.
• Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC): Regional environmental education facility in the Poconos that co-delivers programming with PCCD and was a 2025 Conservation Achievement Award recipient. Operates as a peer education provider with overlapping audiences rather than a regulatory competitor.
• Stroud Water Research Center: Pennsylvania-based freshwater research and education center focused on watershed science. Engages with PCCD's audience on stream health and water quality monitoring, positioning it as an adjacent enabling organization rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Lancaster County Conservation District: One of Pennsylvania's largest and most established county conservation districts, operating under the same Act 217 framework with comparable Chapter 102/105 delegations. Provides a useful benchmark for how a mature conservation district scales education, permitting and grant programs.
• Wayne Conservation District: Adjacent Pennsylvania county conservation district operating under identical Act 217 framework with similar Chapter 102/105 delegations from PA DEP. PCCD co-hosts the annual Pike/Wayne Envirothon with this district and shares the Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Monroe County Conservation District: Neighboring Pennsylvania conservation district that participates alongside PCCD in the Pocono Source Water Protection Collaborative. Operates the same Chapter 102/105 delegated regulatory model and shares Pike/Wayne regional conservation priorities.
• Chester County Conservation District: Suburban Philadelphia-area conservation district with extensive delegated regulatory authority from PA DEP and a comparable mix of permit, agricultural assistance and education programs. Useful peer for benchmarking program structure in a higher-population Pennsylvania county.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pikecountyconservation
• Facebookfacebook.com/pikeconservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/pikeconservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pike-county-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pike County Conservation District