Criswell Elected Chair; Jarrett Vice Chair as Conservation Board Sets 2026 Meetings

Lucas Criswell was elected chairman of the Union County Conservation District Board of Directors and Tyler Jarrett was chosen vice chairman as the board completed its annual reorganization and set meeting dates for 2026. The new leadership team will preside over the district’s schedule of public meetings and program decisions that shape local conservation work.

The board met on January 14, 2026 to reorganize and elected Glenn Troester as treasurer and Kassidy Dunkelberger as secretary. Other board members named for the year are Duane Kling, Mark Dersham, Dennis Spangler, George Hauck, Jessica Newlin and County Commissioner Preston Boop. This mix of officers and members places an elected county official on the body that oversees conservation priorities for Union County.

The board adopted a regular meeting calendar for 2026. Meetings are scheduled at 7:00 PM on February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 4, December 9 and January 13, 2027. The January through November meetings will be held at the Union County Government Center, 155 North 15th Street, Lewisburg, PA. The December 9 meeting will be held at LaPrimavera, Lewisburg, PA.

The Conservation District will make meetings available via Google Meet for remote participation. Residents seeking the Google Meet information must contact the Conservation District at 570-524-3860 by noon on the date of the meeting. The district has invited the public to attend both in person and online.

For Union County residents, the board’s leadership and schedule set the rhythm for how and when conservation issues reach public discussion. The board’s officers will influence meeting agendas, timing for review of local programs and coordination with state and federal partners. The presence of Commissioner Preston Boop on the board links county government representation directly to district deliberations, which may affect priorities such as technical assistance to landowners and community outreach.

The meeting calendar gives residents predictable opportunities to follow local conservation governance and to raise concerns or support for projects in Lewisburg and surrounding townships. The first scheduled meeting under the new leadership is February 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Union County Government Center; residents who prefer to join remotely should call 570-524-3860 by noon on that date for Google Meet access.