Sullivan County Conservation District

What Sullivan County Conservation District does

The Sullivan County Conservation District is a legal subdivision of the Pennsylvania state government, established in 1961 to coordinate conservation activities within Sullivan County. Operating from a single office at 9219 Route 487, Suite B in Dushore, Pennsylvania, the district administers regulatory, technical assistance, agricultural, environmental, and educational programs under the direction of a seven-member board of directors (four farmer directors, two public directors, and one county commissioner) supported by a five-person staff including a District Manager, E&S Technician, Watershed Specialist, and Administrative Assistant.

The district's service portfolio encompasses regulatory permitting delegated from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation Control, NPDES stormwater permits, and Chapter 105 Waterways permits), agricultural conservation programs (Nutrient Management under Act 38, Manure Management Plans, Farmland Preservation, the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, and Soil Testing through Penn State Soil Lab), environmental programs (DGLVR road funding, Chesapeake Bay Program, Watershed restoration, stream restoration including the Elk Creek project, and mine reclamation through RAMP and the Bond Forfeiture Program), and public-facing programs (annual Seedling Sale, Education including Envirothon and 5th Grade Environmental Day, and West Nile Virus mosquito monitoring). It serves as a coordinating body linking federal, state, and county resources to local needs, with established partnerships spanning PA DEP, DCNR, USDA NRCS, Penn State Extension, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, and local municipalities and schools.

The district's revenue model is hybrid and small-scale. Direct fee revenue comes from permit applications (NPDES General $500, Individual $1,500, plus $100 per disturbed acre), Farmland Preservation applications ($100 plus $23 program copy), soil testing fees, and an annual seedling sale that processes approximately 100 orders for 5,000–6,000 plants. The bulk of program activity is funded through state-administered grants such as the DGLVR Program (financed by the PA Gas Tax), Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grants, and ACAP, which the district administers and distributes to municipalities and agricultural operations rather than retaining as revenue. Sullivan County contains over 90% of streams classified as Exceptional Value or High Quality Cold Water, with nearly 30,000 acres of farmland, framing the scale of the conservation challenge the district addresses. The district is not a commercial entity and does not disclose financials in the manner of a private company.

Name

Sullivan County Conservation District

Legal name

Sullivan County Conservation District

Website

https://sullcon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sullivan County Conservation District is a Pennsylvania state-government subdivision providing conservation permitting, agricultural assistance, watershed restoration, mine reclamation, and environmental education to residents and municipalities of Sullivan County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Wetlands & Waters of the U.S. Delineation / Riparian Assessments (EUAHAHAC)

Keywords

• Conservation district services
• Erosion sediment control
• Watershed management
• Agricultural conservation programs
• Environmental permitting assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Dushore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Seedling Sale Fundraiser: Annual seedling sale generates revenue for district activities and educational programs. Customers purchase trees, shrubs, berry bushes, wildflower seeds and planting supplies.
2. DGLVR Grant Administration: Administer state-funded grants from the PA Gas Tax for road improvement projects on dirt, gravel, and low-volume paved roads. Funding is distributed to eligible municipalities for ESM projects.
3. Soil Testing Fees: Fee-based soil testing services where test kits are analyzed at Penn State Soil Lab

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Sullivan County Conservation District is a legal subdivision of Pennsylvania state government that delivers conservation services in Sullivan County, including regulatory permitting (Chapter 102 E&S, NPDES, Chapter 105), agricultural conservation planning (Nutrient Management, Manure Management, Farmland Preservation, ACAP, Chesapeake Bay Program), environmental programs (DGLVR roads, watershed restoration, stream restoration, mine land reclamation, forestry/riparian buffers, West Nile Virus surveillance), soil and water testing, an annual seedling sale, and conservation education. It coordinates federal, state, and local assistance to address water quality and soil erosion, holding delegated authority from PA DEP for permitting functions within the county.

Product overview

The Sullivan County Conservation District operates as a coordinated suite of regulatory, technical, and educational services focused on natural resource conservation in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. The portfolio includes regulatory permitting programs (Chapter 102 E&S Control, NPDES Stormwater, Chapter 105 Waterways permits), agricultural assistance (Nutrient Management, Manure Management, Farmland Preservation, ACAP, Soil Testing), environmental programs (DGLVR Roads, Chesapeake Bay, Watersheds, Stream Restoration, Mine Reclamation, Forestry/Buffers), and public programs (Seedling Sale, Education, West Nile Virus monitoring). The organization functions as a local government subdivision coordinating federal, state, and local resources rather than offering a commercial product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation Control) Regulatory program that reviews Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Plans and inspects sites for Chapter 102 compliance under delegation from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, handling earth disturbance activities over 5,000 square feet. Services are provided to construction operators, developers, and landowners in Sullivan County.
• NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permitting Manages NPDES permits for earth disturbance activities between 1 and 5 acres with point source discharge to surface waters, administering PAG-2 general permits and individual permits for construction operators and developers in Sullivan County.
• Chapter 105 (Waterways & Wetlands General Permits) Waterway and wetlands management program administering Chapter 105 general permits (GP-1 through GP-15) covering fish habitat structures, docks, bank stabilization, utility crossings, agricultural activities, and dam/pond permits for property owners and operators.
• Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Roads (DGLVR) Program Provides grant funding, technical assistance, ESM training, and equipment leasing (Carbide Tipped Grader Blade, Buffalo Turbine) to local road-owning entities (municipalities) for environmentally sound maintenance of dirt, gravel, and low-volume paved roads to reduce stream pollution.
• Nutrient Management Program Administers Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act (Act 38), providing guidance and plan development for manure management plans, Act 38 Nutrient Management Plans, and compliance with state nutrient regulations for agricultural operations.
• Manure Management Plans Required planning service for all Pennsylvania farms producing manure, addressing manure production, use, pasture management, winter application, storage, and animal concentration areas for farm operators.
• Farmland Preservation Program Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program enabling the purchase of development rights easements from farmland owners to preserve agricultural land; has preserved 7 farms covering 649 acres in Sullivan County.
• Chesapeake Bay Program Technical and financial assistance program for farmers in the Susquehanna or Potomac River Basin, providing free technical assistance for planning, design, and installation of structural best management practices (BMPs) and access to funding for agricultural regulations compliance.
• Soil Testing Service Provides soil testing kits, probes, and assistance to farmers and homeowners; all soil tests are submitted to and analyzed at the Penn State Soil Lab for nutrient analysis and crop recommendations, with a fee per test kit.
• ACAP (Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program) Provides financial and technical assistance for implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations, including concrete barnyards, animal walkways, buffer plantings, stream crossings, manure storage, streambank fencing, and grass waterways.
• Watershed Program Watershed protection and management services including stream bank stabilization, riparian buffer restoration, invasive species control, fisheries restoration, water quality monitoring, and community education on environmental protection for residents and stakeholders.
• Seedling Sale Annual fundraising event offering over 30 varieties of trees, shrubs, berry bushes, wildflower seeds, and planting supplies to homeowners, gardeners, and landowners; typically processes close to 100 orders for more than 5,000 items annually, with over 6,000 plants sold in 2025.
• Forestry & Riparian Buffers Program Services for forest landowners and timber operators including timber harvesting regulation compliance, forested riparian buffer assistance, tree planting/reforestation, habitat improvement, urban forestry workshops, and seedling sale coordination.
• Special Projects (Stream Restoration, Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage Treatment) Specialized projects including stream restoration (e.g., Elk Creek), mine land reclamation through the Rural Abandoned Mine Program (RAMP) and Bond Forfeiture Program, acid mine drainage treatment systems (low-cost passive treatment using limestone sand piles and dust), floodplain management, and community floodplain ordinance assistance; over 163 acres reclaimed to date.
• West Nile Virus Program Monitors Sullivan County for West Nile Virus through mosquito trapping, larvae dipping, and adult mosquito sample collection sent to a Harrisburg lab for testing; provides public education on mosquito prevention.
• Education Program

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PA State Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that provides funding for the Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Roads Program through the State Conservation Commission. Distributes PA Gas Tax funds to conservation districts for road improvement projects.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing technical support and funding for agricultural conservation programs. Partners on DGLVR program and Chesapeake Bay Program implementation.
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency involved in stream restoration projects including Elk Creek restoration. Provides technical expertise for fish habitat enhancement and stream crossing requirements.
• Penn State University Center for Dirt & Gravel Road StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity research center providing ESM training curriculum, technical assistance, and program support for the DGLVR program across Pennsylvania.
• PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned MinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency responsible for mine land reclamation. Has funded large-scale site reclamations and passive treatment systems for acid mine drainage in Sullivan County.
• Loyalsock Creek Watershed AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal watershed organization that partnered with Bureau of Abandoned Mines to design and install passive treatment system in Birch Creek Watershed. Works on stream restoration and watershed protection.
• Penn State ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity extension service providing educational programs, pesticide training, soil testing through Penn State Soil Lab, and co-hosting Ag Agencies Banquet annually.
• PA Department of Environmental ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState regulatory agency with delegation agreement for Chapter 102, NPDES, and erosion control programs. Partners on Chesapeake Bay Program, West Nile Virus monitoring, and mine reclamation.
• PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing forestry expertise and support. DCNR foresters help with Envirothon training and forestry presentations at district events.
• Northern Tier Hardwood AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association for forest products industry providing educational workshops on timber harvesting, Spotted Lanternfly, and chainsaw safety. Offers $1,500 scholarships for forestry students.
• Bradford/Sullivan Forest Landowners AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization supporting forest landowners with education, federal/state law information, and scholarships for students in forestry and environmental fields.
• Sullivan County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for annual Wreath Making event, hosting over 100 participants each year for the community craft event.
• Middle Susquehanna RiverKeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization that secured PA River of the Year designation for Loyalsock Creek in 2018 and organizes River of the Year celebration events.
• Lewis Lumber CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal lumber company that provided experienced equipment operators for Elk Creek stream restoration project.
• PA Association of Conservation DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization providing Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grants and support for district programming and initiatives.
• World's End State ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState park that co-hosts environmental education events including World's End Day celebration and Movie in the Park nights.
• Rock Hill Tree FarmminorOthersLocal tree farm that donates greens for the annual Wreath Making event hosted by the conservation district and library.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Federal agency providing technical and financial assistance for agricultural conservation — a core strategic partner of Sullivan County Conservation District. NRCS delivers overlapping services (nutrient management, soil conservation, Chesapeake Bay BMPs) through its own county-level field offices.
• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD): Statewide umbrella organization that represents all 67 PA conservation districts, including Sullivan. PACD channels Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grants and statewide program support directly to districts like Sullivan County, making it the most comparable coordinating body.
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): National counterpart to PACD representing the 3,000+ county-level conservation districts across the U.S. NACD operates the same model of locally-led conservation with delegated regulatory authority from state environmental agencies.

Emerging players

• Penn State Extension: University extension service that co-hosts Sullivan County's Ag Agencies Banquet, processes all soil tests through the Penn State Soil Lab, and delivers overlapping educational programming on agricultural best management practices.
• Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Association: Local watershed advocacy organization that partnered with Sullivan County to secure Loyalsock Creek's 2018 PA River of the Year designation. Operates in the same watershed on overlapping water-quality protection and stream-restoration missions.

Regional players

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Major nonprofit focused on Chesapeake Bay restoration, including the Susquehanna watershed where Sullivan County operates. Both organizations fund and implement agricultural BMPs targeting the same nutrient and sediment reduction goals.
• Stroud Water Research Center: Pennsylvania-based freshwater research nonprofit working on stream restoration and watershed science. Both Sullivan County Conservation District and Stroud conduct stream restoration, water quality monitoring, and agricultural BMP research in overlapping PA watersheds.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Regional nonprofit delivering Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration including riparian buffers, agricultural BMPs, and stream restoration — directly comparable to Sullivan County's Watershed, Forestry/Buffers, and Chesapeake Bay programs in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Bradford County Conservation District: Adjacent PA county conservation district delivering the same portfolio of agricultural conservation, DGLVR, Chesapeake Bay, and regulatory programs. Co-partners with Sullivan County through the Bradford/Sullivan Forest Landowners Association.
• Lycoming County Conservation District: Neighboring Pennsylvania conservation district that jointly hosts the Lycoming/Sullivan County Envirothon and shares Chesapeake Bay mini-grant administration. Operates the same Chapter 102, NPDES, and DGLVR program structure under the same PA DEP delegation framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Sullivan-County-Conservation-District
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sullivan-county-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sullivan County Conservation District