District Staff
Mary Burris, District Manager
mburris@lawrencecd.org
Mary Burris joined The Lawrence County Conservation District in 2017 as the Watershed Specialist. In January of 2023 she moved into the role of District Manager. Mary is a graduate of Penn State and Chatham Universities with Masters Degrees in both Landscape Studies and Landscape Architecture. Mary serves on several local boards and volunteer agencies including the Southwestern PA Water Network, New Visions for Lawrence County, Tri-County CleanWays, and the Lawrence County Planning Commission.
Jillian Court, Erosion & Sedimentation (E&S) Technician
jcourt@lawrencecd.org
The Lawrence County Conservation District welcomed a new Erosion & Sedimentation (E&S) Technician to the staff in 2019. Jillian is a graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Environmental Science and she is responsible for the administration of the District’s PA Code Title 25 Chapter 102 Program as delegated by the Department of Environmental Protection. Duties include technical assistance to applicants, permitting, compliance inspection and enforcement. The program includes NPDES permitting for storm water discharges associated with construction activities, compliant inspection, and assistance to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Jeannie Shay, Watershed Specialist and Environmental Educator
jshay@lawrencecd.org
Jeannie Shay joined the Conservation District in April of 2019 as the Environmental Education and Outreach Technician. In January of 2022 she took on the role of Watershed Specialist and is responsible for promoting, preserving, and restoring clean water in Lawrence County’s watersheds. As the Environmental Educator, Jeannie facilitates our local Envirothon Competition and Nature Camp programs. Jeannie is a Graduate of Slippery Rock University with a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Education.
Mitchell Whiting, Agricultural Conservation Technician
mwhiting@lawrencecd.org
The Lawrence County Conservation District welcomed a new Agricultural Conservation Technician to the staff in October 2022. Mitchell is a graduate of New Wilmington Area High School and a member of Farm Bureau. He has attended several state trainings, is studying Conservation Planning, and will work toward his certification in the Nutrient Management Program in early 2023. Mitchell will be overseeing construction of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) through grant funds and funds available through the new Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). He will also be assisting Ag producers with writing Manure Management Plans.
Freddy Smith, Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Roads Technician fsmith@lawrencecd.org
The Lawrence County Conservation District welcomed a new Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads Technician to the staff in August 2023. Freddy is a graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Environmental Science. The Technician provides assistance and project management for the Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance of Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program jointly delegated to the District through both the State Conservation Commission and Penn State’s Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads. The Dirt and Gravel Road program provides funding and technical assistance to the County’s municipalities. An emphasis is placed on sustainable management of the road surface, road runoff and drainage outlets.
