There are people who ask "what do you do at your work?" Another question is "tell me what your day at work is like."

For 25 years, I have tried to keep a journal on a regular basis. It takes great discipline to write down some of the things we do every day in the office. This isn't always day work; evenings are often required because many of the people we have to see are unavailable during the day. Also, some meetings are scheduled during the evenings.

There are many jobs which demand more time than simply punching a time clock. When work is enjoyable, attitudes are excellent and the focus is more on whatever it takes to get the work finished, regardless of the time.

Certainly, working with people is always exciting, along with completing daily objectives, being accountable and documenting what we do. Taking time to do things right is very important. But there is always room for improvement.

Usually, when the phone rings or someone visits our office, a person is looking for help with a specific environmental-related problem.

Sometimes, the problem is that they're unhappy with a government regulation. Others simply want immediate action and compliance met with environmental laws. We always strive for voluntary compliance and do our best to assist with the necessary paperwork. It is our business to protect the environment by helping to implement conservation practices on the land.

Examples of our programs include the Department of Environmental Protection's Erosion/Sedimentation Control Program and the Dam Safety and Waterway Management Program.

The staff here will issue general permits, review environmental plans for earthmoving activities and, of course, handle complaints. In addition, the office is handling the state's Farmland Preservation Program and the West Nile Virus Prevention Program.

The office also administers a number of grants for farmers to conduct soil testing, manure testing and manure management.

Environmental education efforts include the annual Envirothon held with high school students. We also have environmental education opportunities throughout the summer months. Other activities include the annual tree seedling sale, the awards banquet held during Farm-City Week (Nov. 13 this year) and a garden program.

There are 66 conservation districts in Pennsylvania, each unique in its own way. Environmental issues do vary from county to county. Because of this, a nine-member board sets policies for district activities.

Set up along county lines, conservation districts have been organized from state law (Act 217) to represent landowners in identifying natural resources issues, to seek solutions to meet those issues, and to work with agencies, programs and regulations to attain the goals of landowners in natural resource management.

Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.