February 16 - 29, 2012
N a v i g a t i o n
This Issue


Soil Health Resources

NACD's Voice at Senate Ag Committee 

Conservation Events and Announcements include: Release the Lorax, Soil to Spoon, Wood-Land-Lakes, Conservation in Action, IN Recreation Guide   

NRCS Water Cycle Poster 


CRP Readiness InitiativeFree training for Conservation Reserve Program signups

Every Issue

blogI A S W C D  B l o g

The Association has started a blog to share stories, announcements, and ideas relevant to SWCDs and the larger community. 

 

W e ' r e  S o c i a l!

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Elkhart Co. SWCD Awards

 

Awards presented at the Elkhart County SWCD Annual Meeting included (front, from left):  Jordan Kauffman, Volunteer of the Year;  Kuert Concrete,  Urban Conservationist of the Year, represented by Steve Fidler; Monica Yoder , Friend of the SWCD; and Keith E. Miller, Conservation Farmer of the Year.  (Back, from left):  Brian Campbell, Service Award; Jim Lake,  DSS with ISDA, Service Award; and Northridge Middle School teachers, Jamison Smith and Matthew Hahn, Conservation Educators of the Year.
deadlinesU p c o m i n g  D e a d l i n e s

 ICP training dates and registration deadlines: 

 

Southeast: March 13; RSVP by March 1

Southwest: March 15; RSVP by March 7

Northwest: March 20; RSVP by March 13

Northeast: March 22; RSVP by March 15

Central: March 27; RSVP by March 20

 

Click here for the registration form.

calendarE v e n t s  C a l e n d a r

 

Visit our Google Calendar for details about upcoming events!

You can submit events via
 
There are many new events on our calendar - too many to list! See for yourself.
crpC R P  R e a d i n e s s  I n i t i a t i v e

 

The CRP Readiness Initiative, which provides free training, is being spearheaded by the University of WI Extension and USDA NRCS.

 

In an effort to prepare NGO's, private sector contractors and conservation professionals for assisting the USDA NRCS in CRP sign-ups and reenrollment of contracts, nationwide workshops have been scheduled to provide uniform training and information.  Although many of our conservation districts already work with NRCS in this capacity, the training will not only validate the current relationship, but also may provide additional information and experience for your role as a TSP.

 

Interested parties can learn more and register for workshops here. 

quickQ u i c k  L i n k s
pubsP u b l i c a t i o n s   L i n k s
IASWCD Blog

Past IASWCD Newsletters 


Ag Grant Guru  

 

Boone Co. SWCD Annual Newsletter


Central States Forest Health Watch 


CTIC - Partners 


Chew on Dirt Blog

 

Gibson County SWCD Newsletter, The Conservation Gram NEW!!

 

Indiana FSA Newsletter 

 


Indiana Lakescaping Addendum 


IASWCD News

 

Jefferson County SWCD Newsletter


NACD's "eNotes"

 

NACD's "The Resource"  

 

NACD's "Forestry Notes


NRCS: Healthy Forests & EQIP - NRCS Indiana Farm Bill Publication 


NRCS: Indiana NRCS Hoosier Headlines 


NRCS Volunteer Voice 


Outdoor Indiana Magazine 


Riffles & Pools from Hoosier Riverwatch

 

Soil & Water Conservation Society Newsletter, "The Conservogram"

 

St. Joseph Co. Newsletter, The Conservation Kaleidescope NEW!!

 

Steuben Co. SWCD eNewsletter,

The Conservator and Annual Report


The Woodland Steward


Wood-Land-Lakes Newsletter


West Central Indiana Watershed Alliance

I A S W C D   L e a d e r s h i p

Officers

President: Ray McCormick 

Vice President: Jeff Meinders

Secretary: Paul Cummings 

Treasurer: Jamie Scott 

 

Region Directors

Board Roster /  Region Map 

 
North-NW: Larry Strole, Newton Co. 

South-NW: Mike Starkey, Hendricks Co.

North-NE: Tom Crowe, Allen Co. 

South-NE: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co. 

North-SW: Les Zimmerman, Vermillino Co.

South-SW: Jim Droege, Posey Co. 

North-SE: Mike Schwab, Franklin Co. 

South-SE:  Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co. 

 

IASWCD Staff 

Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle Warner, 317.692.7519

 

Conservation Development Specialist: Janice Bullman, 317.692.7514

 

Project Assistant: Liz Rice, 317.692.7325

 

Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374


exec

A Report from the Executive Director  

 

State Soil Conservation Board Meeting

The next State Soil Conservation Board meeting will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Hamilton County 4-H Exhibition Center in Noblesville, IN. View a map here.

 

Indiana Water Monitoring Council Survey

The Indiana Water Monitoring Council (InWMC) is a non-profit, broad-based state-wide body composed of governmental, private, and university members that began in 2007 to enhance the communication, collaboration, and coordination of the water community in Indiana. The InWMC has recently undertaken a project to optimize the overall water quality monitoring network that exists in Indiana. The InWMC anticipates that by first identifying the existing water quality monitoring efforts throughout the state, we will be better able to find opportunities for coordination and collaboration that will help to ensure that environmental managers have the necessary data they need to better address Indiana's most pressing water quality issues. Our first step is a survey to all collectors and users of water quality data to identify existing data collection and identify missing or under represented data collection in Indiana. We are asking that you take some time and answer the following questionnaire so that we can begin this process. 

 

Please have someone answer the questions at this link by the end of the first week of March.

 

Pond Management Resources

Thanks to IDNR for this information pond management. The IDNR pond management website has been updated with a searchable frequently asked questions app. This is a great place to direct people with pond questions. They can search by category or keyword. The idea behind this is to "make finding a specific question as simple as possible."

Have a good day,
Jennifer
soilhealthSoil Health Resources
 
Indiana's Soil Health Strategy

The Indiana NRCS has great resources on soil health. Soil Health is soil managed to its maximum potential through a system of conservation practices, including never-till, cover crops, advanced nutrient and pest management, and buffers and drainage systems where appropriate. This approach results in healthy soil that reduces erosion, requires less nutrient inputs, manages the effects of flood and drought, and reduces nutrient and sediment loading to streams and rivers. Indiana success with this approach, being promoted through the Indiana Conservation Partnership's Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative is getting national attention and is a focus of NRCS in 2012.

 

Digital Soil Survey Data 

Soil Web is a new smart phone app available on smart phones and tablets, providing a portable version of NRCS digital soil survey data. The application uses the GPS built into the phone or tablet to determine your location, and provides a summary of the soils mapped at your current location on-screen with links to soil details. Search for "SoilWeb" on your device's App store to download the free application. 

 

These tools are also available via our website.

nacdNACD's Voice at Senate Agriculture Committee

Testimony courtesy of NACD

 

Earl Garber, President-Elect of NACD, offered this testimony at the Senate Agriculture Committee. An excerpt appears below. 

 

"Conservation Districts are a critical link to the success of implementing conservation in America.  We were the delivery system set up in the 1930's to be the gate keepers of private working lands.  Districts are the local authority to set work priorities, help producers implement practices with accountability, provide resource support for delivery, and bring partnerships and coalitions together.

 

"It's extremely important that we protect conservation funding, simply put, conservation works.  Conservation is a tool that is available to every producer, and it helps producers avoid regulations. Producers are already faced with the challenge of doing more with less.  With further decreases in funding, the implementation of farm bill programs would be an additional challenge.  While we understand the current economic climate, we must also acknowledge the investment of putting conservation on the ground.  Technical assistance is critical to ensuring Farm Bill programs are implemented with accountability. Technical assistance dollars will be more important than ever to ensure we have adequate capabilities to get conservation delivered. We are in a situation where additional cuts to conservation programs, above the $23 billion submitted to the Super Committee last fall, will put the very viability of these programs at risk. Congress needs to determine whether conservation and protection of natural resources today is more important than the escalated costs of repair in the future."

 

Read his full testimony here (PDF).

eventsConservation Events and Announcements

 

"Release the Lorax," from State Forester Jack Seifert

For those who remember the story, the cutting of trees was not viewed well by the Lorax.  Thus the opportunity for the forestry profession to speak out on the value of what we do.  On March 2nd  Universal Pictures will release the animated version of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. The National Association Of State Foresters is working with the Forest Service and other partners to try and take advantage of this pop-culture event, seize on a "teachable moment," and extend our forestry gospel as best we can! For those who cannot remember the story line, Wikipedia gives a short overview of the controversy.

 

Sample pre-release tweets and Facebook posts include: 

  • Ensuring that trees are part of America's landscape is a goal shared by forest owners, foresters and @TheLorax.
  • @TheLorax: Trees are a renewable resource that can keep on giving when managed sustainably. #speakforthetrees
  • @TheLorax wants kids and families to discover the forest. Check out the PSA (http://bit.ly/ysPoYx) & discovertheforest.org

NACD "Soil to Spoon" Education Resource Available

NACD has created education materials to teach youth and adults the importance of soil in the food they eat every day. The materials can be ordered online at the Soil to Spoon website. NACD is currently offering discounts.

 

Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D Council Still Going Strong

Although Wood-Land-Lakes, along with all other Resource Conservation and Development Councils, has lost all Federal funding, it maintains an active presence in northern Indiana. WLL is looking for "additional volunteers for monitoring easements and evaluating new farms." As a 501(c)(3), it can receive tax deductible donations. A recent press release contains information on WLL's current situation and future plans.

 

Conservation In Action Tour 

Registration is open for the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC)'s annual Conservation In Action Tour on May 30 and 31 in the Mississippi Delta. The Tour promises participants educational field visits, technology demonstrations and opportunities to speak directly with growers about their on-farm solutions to natural resources issues. The Conservation In Action Tour gathers CTIC's national, diverse membership and supports our mission to champion, promote and provide information on technologies and sustainable agricultural systems. After May 2, all registration costs increase by $25.

 

2012 Indiana Recreation Guide Available

The Department of Natural Resources' 2012 Indiana Recreation Guide is every Hoosier's source for information on state parks, reservoirs, state park inns, fish & wildlife areas, state forests, state historic sites and other DNR properties. The guide is available free online at dnr.IN.govunder "Quick Links." Annual entrance passes for state parks and reservoirs can be purchased in person at the gatehouses or property offices during business hours, at the Government Center South in Indianapolis, or at innsgifts.comIndiana resident passes are $36 or $18 for individuals 65 years old or older. For more information, see  stateparks.IN.gov.

nrcsNew NRCS Water Cycle Poster Available

Back by popular demand, t
he newly-designed poster shows the elements of the water cycle through a diverse landscape. The back of the poster includes a variety of information and activities that teacherscan use to get students of all ages engaged in water conservation.  

 

The Indiana NRCS Public Affairs staff has these posters available for local field offices.  If you would like one or more of these posters, please contact Kris Vance or order your own. 

Watershed Resource Specialist: Wabash River Enhancement Corporation

The watershed resource specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing watershed management plans in the Region of the Great Bend and Deer Creek-Sugar Creek watersheds in a manner that is inclusive of all stakeholders. The specialist will organize and facilitate steering, education and outreach, marketing, and other committee and subcommittee meetings; arrange logistics for public meetings and education and outreach events; prepare draft plan documents, draft implantation plans, press releases, public announcements, and project and grant reports; coordinate volunteers and educational events; promote cost-share and educational programs with individual agricultural and urban landowners; and collect water samples as necessary. Read the full description here.

  

Agricultural Program Manager: Wabash River Enhancement Corporation

The Agricultural Program Manager will be responsible for implementing the agricultural portion of the watershed management plan in the Region of the Great Bend and Deer Creek-Sugar Creek watersheds in a manner that is inclusive of all stakeholders. The manager will meet with agricultural landowners to promote the agricultural cost-share program; complete modeling calculations to determine loading rate reductions; draft agricultural project contracts, documentation forms, reimbursement forms, and any other necessary paperwork; oversee all aspects of agricultural cost-share project implementation including site visits, photo monitoring, and paperwork; and develop and promote two agricultural field days or workshops focused on demonstration of new or innovative techniques. Read the full description here.

 

Three Positions: Southwest Conservation Corps - Sonoran Desert

The Southwest Conservation Corps office in Tuscon, AZ is seeking a Recruitment Coordinator, a Program Coordinator, and a Logistics Coordinator. The first two positions are year-round and salaried; the final is a temporary, seasonal position. All three are located in Tuscon, AZ. The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit service organization built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 - 1942. Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is in its 14th year of engaging youth in conservation service projects on public lands.  SCC's mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. Learn more about the positions here.

 

Service Corps Crew Leader: Serve Alaska

Alaska Service Corps (ASC) Crew Leaders have experience in both the essential technical and interpersonal skills needed to assure projects are completed in a safe, efficient, and team-based manner with high-quality results. Crew Leaders will be selected to co-lead and live with a crew of six to seven Crew Members. These AmeriCorps members are at least 18 years of age and come from diverse backgrounds. They travel from locations all across the United States to serve. Member development activities occur throughout the term of service - organizing volunteer projects, gaining skills in cross-cultural communication, group living, and educational/vocational planning. Following a two-month orientation at our facilities in Juneau, which includes Wilderness First Responder and hard and soft skills training, Crew Leaders will work on projects as a crew before meeting the incoming Crew Members and receiving crew and location assignments. Crew Members work on service projects throughout Alaska while living and working with their crew in a field camp setting. Following a weeklong orientation, members receive their crew assignments and project locations before being deployed. Read the full description here.

J o i n   O u r   M a i l i n g   L i s t !

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