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March 29 - April 10, 2012
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 I A S W C D B l o g |
The blog settings have been changed and now anyone may comment. Please share your thoughts!
The Association has started a blog to share stories, announcements, and ideas relevant to SWCDs and the larger community.
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| W e ' r e S o c i a l! |
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| Grant Opportunity: EPA - GLRI | |
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2012 Indiana Envirothon State Winners
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The Gibson County Home School Envirothon Team is on their way to Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania to represent Indiana in the Canon North American Envirothon. The team earned the privilege by winning the Indiana State Envirothon contest held at the Beck Center at Purdue University on April 25. Congratulations! More information and a photo of the team is available on IASWCD's website.
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| E 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
May 12: Chicks on a Small Farm
May 12: Hoosier Riverwatch Basics
May 15: INRN Workshop: Knowing Where You Stand with Your Board is Key to Your Success!
May 17: MS4 Symposium
May 22: Crop and Forage Workshop
Special Upcoming Date:
Aug. 21, 2012 / Midwest Soil Improvement Symposium
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| U p c o m i n g D e a d l i n e s |
June 27: River Friendly Farmer Award Nominations
July 3: District Showcase Award Applications
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| Q u i c k L i n k s | |
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I A S W C D L e a d e r s h i p
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Officers
President: Ray McCormick
Secretary: Paul Cummings
Treasurer: Jamie Scott
Region Directors
Board Roster / Region Map
South-NW: Mike Starkey, Hendricks Co.
North-NE: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-NE: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-SW: Les Zimmerman, Vermillion 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
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| A Report from the Executive Director
IASWCD Award Applications Available
Indiana's District Showcase Award, sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, is designed to highlight the success of four local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the Hoosier state. The award focus allows Districts the opportunity to share new project ideas or better ways to design and implement existing conservation projects. Award winners will be honored at the 2013 Conservation Awards banquet on January 8, 2013. The event is part of the 70th Annual Conference for Indiana SWCDs, which takes place January 7-9, 2013. This year's conference theme is "The Power of Conservation: Today's Actions, Tomorrow's Rewards." Applications are due to the IASWCD office by Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
The 2012 River Friendly Farmer (RFF) Award application also is available. For over 12 years, the RFF program - coordinated by the IASWCD- has highlighted the work of farmers who do an outstanding job of protecting their rivers, lakes and streams through their everyday conservation management practices on the farm. Award winners will be honored at a ceremony on August 15 at the Indiana State Fair. Each SWCD may nominate up to two farmers. Nominees are due to the IASWCD by the end of business Wednesday, June 27, 2012.
Both of these applications are available via email.
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Have a good day,
Jennifer
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Watershed Moment
NRCS Announces National Water Quality Initiative in Indiana
By Janice Bullman, IASWCD Conservation Development Specialist
We're passing on good news from the Indiana NRCS office on a new National Water Quality Initiative. Agricultural producers located in priority watersheds will be able to participate.
NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty announced the launch of a new National Water Quality Initiative committed to improving three impaired waterways in Indiana. Funds are available to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in the Silver Creek, Ell Creek or Eagle Creek Reservoir watersheds. Producers in these areas can invest in voluntary conservation actions such as cover crops and filter str ips to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities.
"American farmers are good stewards of the environment, especially when they have the tools they need to protect or improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality," said NRCS Chief Dave White. "We look forward to collaborating with producers in key watersheds to help them have a positive impact on streams with impaired water quality."
The Silver Creek watershed is located within the larger Eel watershed and lies within portions of Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, and Wabash counties in northeastern Indiana. The Ell Creek watershed is located within the larger Patoka watershed and lies solely within Dubois County in southwestern Indiana. The Eagle Creek Reservoir and watershed is located within the larger Upper White River watershed and lies within portions of Boone, Hendricks and Marion counties in central Indiana.
Check with your local NRCS office to see if you are located in a selected watershed. All applications for funding consideration, during this fiscal year, must be received by June 15, 2012.
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Indiana Tree Project Begins With 8,000 Seedlings
With a turn of a wheel and the turn of a few shovels, The Indiana Tree Project got off to an impressive start on May 4 with the planting of 8,000 seedlings at Morgan-Monroe State Forest in south central Indiana.
"This is only the beginning, but what a tremendous beginning," said Bourke Patton, executive director of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. "Just as these new trees will grow to maturity in the coming years, we will be working to grow the Indiana Tree Project to reach our objective of expanding the state forest system."
The Indiana Tree Project is a partnership between the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the DNR Division of Forestry and Indiana citizens. The shared objective is expansion of the state forest system by planting 1 million new trees and acquiring 1,000 additional acres by 2016 to mark the bicentennial anniversary of Indiana statehood.
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Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Robert Carter (right) and Indiana State Forester Jack Seifert (left). Photo credit: Creative Street Media |
"This project fits with our mission to sustainably manage Indiana's state forests," said John Seifert, director of the DNR Forestry division. "The planting of these seedlings and many more to come will go a long way in benefiting our state forests environmentally, economically, aesthetically and recreationally."
ITP invites all Hoosiers - individuals, businesses, and organizations - to participate. Each $10 donation covers the cost of acquiring land, purchasing and planting a hardwood sapling, initial maintenance of the planting site and administrative costs.
The trees will be planted in a DNR-managed state forest property, and donors are given a unique tree identification number that allows them to view a satellite image of the acre where their tree is located.
Indiana's state forest system was established in 1903 and was one of the first in the country.
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| Conservation Events and Announcements
NRCS Chief Dave White to Speak at CTIC Tour
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) recently announced that NRCS Chief Dave White will speak at its Conservation In Action Tour in Clarksdale, Miss. The tour, organized by CTIC and the Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.), is scheduled for May 30 - 31. Participants will get a first-hand look at conservation practices in the Mississippi River Delta and nutrient management challenges throughout the massive watershed that feeds the Gulf of Mexico. Early Bird registration rates have been extended through May 11.
Welcome New ISDA Staff
Welcome new staff to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture: Jill Pritchard is the Program Manager of Entrepreneurship and Diversified Agriculture. In this role she is responsible for overseeing the entrepreneurship and diversified agriculture program and ag economic projects for the state. She will also manage the Indiana Grown Program, Specialty Crop Block Grant, and will work with industry partners on agricultural business ventures. Jordan Seger is the Program Manager for ISDA's Environmental Stewardship Initiative, after serving first with the department as a Resource Specialist in northwest Indiana. Seger will primarily focus on the Indiana On-Farm Network® and its work to advance improved on-farming performance.
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Job Openings
Owen County SWCD
The Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a highly motivated, self-directed person for the position of executive director. The person must be capable of working alone much of the time as well as forging partnerships with other stakeholders and landowners. A four-year degree is required, preferably in an agricultural or environmental related field. Submit resumes to owen.in.swcd@gmail.com
IDEM Targeted Monitoring Section Postings
Environmental Scientist: This Environmental Scientist 3 position is responsible for conducting a variety of chemical, biological, limnological and ecological studies in rivers, streams and lakes, and be able to interpret the results for state regulatory programs, lake classification programs, special investigations and the public. Performs field work in a variety of challenging conditions in all seasons of the year. Performs laboratory and office duties relevant to work. Job ID: 579517. Apply by May 17.
Environmental Manager: This Environmental Manager 2 position is in the Targeted Monitoring Section of the Watershed Assessment and Planning Branch in the Office of Water Quality. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting a variety of chemical, biological, limnological and ecological studies in rivers, streams and lakes, and be able to interpret the results for state regulatory programs, lake classification programs, special investigations and the public. Job ID: 579544. Apply by May 17.
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