Upcoming Workshops, Seminars
Jan. 27 / Conservation Day 2009 / Indianapolis This event will have a discussion on conservation priorities as well as presentations and award ceremonies. Information on this event can be found here. To register for this free event click here.
Jan. 29 / Ripley County SWCD Annual Meeting / Versailles Ripley County SWCD’s Annual Meeting will include topics on grazing, forestry and fertilizer. An election for Supervisors will be held along with award presentations. Click here to view the flyer for this event. Contact the Ripley County SWCD office for tickets and more information at 812.689.6410 ext. 3.
Feb. 5, 12, 19/ Wildlife-Friendly Practices Workshop / Carmel Indiana Wildlife Federation is offering a three day workshop designed to provide information on how to implement wildlife-friendly practices into daily work. Information on the program and registration can be found by clicking here.
Feb. 6 / Northern Indiana Grazing Conference / Shipshewana LaGrange County SWCD is sponsoring this grazing conference which will cover topics like managing grass species, roles and responsibilities with family farms as well as meat, poultry and dairy topics. The flyer with more information on topics as well as registration information can be found by clicking here.
Feb. 7 / Rain Conservation Workshop / Noblesville
Hamilton County SWCD is sponsoring this workshop to show how rain is beneficial to communities and environments. Topics will include rain barrels, rain gardens, pond edge enhancement and rain water harvest systems. More information on this event can found on the Web site by clicking here. Questions and RSVP can be sent to Tina Moon at 317.773.2181 ext. 101.
Feb. 10 / Tree Planting Seminar / Shipshewana LaGrange County SWCD is hosting this tree planting workshop. The meeting will be held at the Wolfe Community Building beginning at 7 p.m. The presentation will include pictures, printed information and valuable tips about how to ensure that your tree planting efforts are successful. Regis-tration needs to be made with Arrow Head Country RC&D, 311 Northwest Street, Winamac, 46996; phone 574-946-3022. Contact the LaGrange County SWCD for more information at 260-463-3471 ext. 3.
Feb. 10 / Benton County SWCD Annual Meeting / Fowler This meeting will be held at Sacred Heart School Gym at 6:30 p.m. The fee is $6. A snow day has been planned for Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Michelle Scherer at 765-884-1090 ext. 3 for more details.
Feb. 26 / Ripley County SWCD Annual No-Till Breakfast / Holton This no-till breakfast session will have a breakfast of pancakes, biscuits and gravy with sausage. Lloyd Murdock, UK Extension Specialist, will be speaking and PARP Certification will be available. Click here to view the flyer for this event. To make a reservation or for more information contact Ripley County SWCD office at 812.689.6410 ext. 3.
Feb. 28 / Project WET Training Workshop / West Lafayette Project WET will be showing hands-on demonstrations of the lessons and activities that are a part of their Curriculum and Activity Guide. After the workshop, participants will be able to supplement classroom science work with hands-on water activities. More information on this even and registration can be found by clicking here.
Mar. 4-5 / Water Quality Trading Workshop / Easton, MD More information on this workshop hosted by Conservation Technology Information Center can be found in the weekly update by clicking here.
Mar. 5 / Northern Indiana Soil Management Seminar / Goshen
Elkhart County SWCD is hosting this seminar covering topics on cover crops, nutrient management, and pesticides. The seminar will be held in the Martin Room at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds from 9:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Credits are available for Certified Crop Advisors, Commercial Pesticide Applicators, and Private Applicators. Call the Elkhart County SWCD, at 574-533-3630 ext. 3, for more information or to receive a registration form.
Mar. 24 / Cover Crop Field Day / Greensburg Decatur County SWCD is hosting this field day which will showcase a variety of test plots featuring several types of ryegrass, clover, winter peas, oats and other cover crops. Guest speakers and cover crop experts will be on hand to answer all questions. Lunch will be provided. The program time is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have any questions call the Decatur Co. SWCD office at 812-663-8685 ext. 3.
April 22-24, 2009 / Celebrate the Good Earth Festival / Indianapolis The State's Largest Classroom at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will host this festival, as well as tours for school children this fall.
>> Click here for more information. Call 317.927.7585 for more information about the field trips.
July 11-15 / Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Annual Conference / Dearborn, MI The conference includes workshops, concurrent sessions, symposia, posters, plenary sessions, and technical tours designed to raise the awareness of conference participants to recent developments in the science and art of natural resource conservation and environmental management on working land—the largely privately-owned land comprising working farms, ranches, forests, and rural and urban communities. >> Click here for details.
IASWCD wants to encourage all District employees to utilize the great features of the USDA AgLearn Web site. AgLearn contains a vast collection of great information that can help District employees learn new skills, stay up-to-date in technology advances and more! This can be a great resource for Districts. Instructions on creating an AgLearn account can be found by clicking here.
Internship Positions Available
Internship positions are available to those who are looking for an opportunity to explore environmental jobs with the state. The IDEM Office of Water Quality is seeking to hire several interns. Interested persons may go to http://www.in.gov/spd/2334.htm to search the job bank and submit an application.
Publications Links
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For the Week of January 19 - January 23, 2009 |
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In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
 Conference Recap. Delegates elected the following officers to serve your association for the 2009 calendar year (from the left) pose with Nola Gentry, State Soil Conservation Board chair, far left, who administered the oath of office to them last week:
- President: Paula Baldwin, Marion County, middle
- Vice President: Ray McCormick, Knox County, fourth
- Secretary: Jeff Meinders, Ripley County, second
- Treasurer: Brian Campbell, Elkhart County, far right
We also welcome a new director serving on our board: South-Southwest Region: Alan Weyer, Ferdinand, Dubois County
Click here for a map showing the regions and directors. Our first board meeting of 2009 is tentatively scheduled for February 20, at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building in Indianapolis. Congratulations to our officers.
Next, seven resolutions were presented to the delegate body at the IASWCD Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, January 14 were adopted. Click here to read a recap of the resolutions submitted and the motions passed or defeated at the Business Meeting.
Finally, three news releases were distributed last Wednesday afternoon at the conclusion of the conference via email. They also are posted on our Web site, along with high resolution photos you may download at:
- >> Dubois County Farmer Receives Inaugural Supervisor of the Year Award
- >> 10 Individuals Receive Top State Conservation Farm Awards
- >> Four Soil and Water Conservation District Staff Receive Employee of the Year Honors at Conservation Banquet
2009 Corn Hole Champs. Bart Pitstick, NRCS District Conservationist, Dubois County, left, and Alan Weyer, Dubois County SWCD Chair, are the 2009 Corn Hole Champions from the SWCD Annual Conference. The pair rose to the top of 16 teams to win the inaugural tournament defeating the team of NRCS Assistant State Conservationist Roger Kult and his partner, NRCS Southwest Area Conservationist Dan Hovland. The tournament concluded the Conservation Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, along with dessert, coffee and music from the White Lightning Boys, a great Bluegrass band.
SWCD Annual Meetings. A list of SWCD Annual Meetings can be found by clicking here.
District Success Stories/Success Gazette. Many of you have asked for copies of the Success Gazette newsletter that was found on tables at the Legislative Breakfast at the conclusion of our Annual Conference. The newsletter features several excellent success stories compiled by the ISDA DSC District Support Specialists. It is available to download from our Web site (in PDF format). Just click here.
New Web site. Adams County SWCD has just launched their new Web site. The new Web site can be found at this address http://www.adamscountyswcd.com/.
IDEA Conference Date Set. The IDEA Conference for SWCD staff will be Oct. 14 and 15, 2009, in Kendallville. Look for additional details coming soon on the IDEA Web site!
District News. St. Joseph County SWCD is looking to fill the position of MS4 Conservationist. The complete job description and requirements can be found by clicking here.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Watershed Moment
Elizabeth Trybula
Help Plan the 2010 Indiana Rivers Rally
Do you love rivers as much as we do? Maybe you can’t wait until the ice thaws to get that kayak out (or maybe you don’t worry about silly things like ice) … Perhaps you’ve been longing for the field season, reassuring those hip waders that they will see the light of day again soon…
If you’re pining for that deeper river connection, now is the time to help us plan the 2010 Indiana Rivers Rally. That’s right, if you’re interested, you’re invited. It’s simple, tell us when you’re available for a meeting this March by entering your availability online here and send your email address to info@iaswcd.org with the subject line: “Rally Planning, Here I Come!” We’ll make sure you receive information on the first meeting, and keep you as informed as you want to be.
The draft agenda for this first meeting is available online here. There are opportunities for all levels of time and interest, so please take time to consider joining in the fun.To make sure you can make the March meeting, please update your availability at the online site no later than Friday, January 30, 2009.
Video Shows Green Practices to Manage Stormwater Runoff
The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Botanic Garden produced an online video,“Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In,” that highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff.
The film showcases green techniques that are being used in urban areas to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff on the quality of downstream receiving waters.
To watch the video go to: http://www.epa.gov/nps/lid. More information on stormwater management is available at: http://www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure.
5th National Conference for Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach: Achieving Results with Tight Budgets May 11-14, 2009 | Portland, Oregon
Back By Popular Demand - The People's Choice Awards for Nonpoint Source and Stormwater PSAs!
The People's Choice Awards return to the National Nonpoint and Stormwater Outreach Conference this May, so don’t miss out! Show off your special effects, humor, and drama in PSAs with nonpoint source and stormwater messages by entering them in the second-ever People’s Choice Awards! Awards will be given to the PSAs that receive the greatest audience response in each category.
Eligible topic areas for radio and TV PSAs entered into the People’s Choice Awards include:
- General stormwater/storm drain awareness and action
- Lawn & garden care
- Motor vehicle care
- Pet care
- Household chemicals and waste
- Septic system care
- Promotion of green practices that reduce nonpoint pollution
Click here for complete details.
Questions? Contact Jack Wilbur at (801) 538-7098 or jackwilbur@utah.gov.
To learn more about the 5th National Conference for Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach, visit www.epa.gov/nps/outreach2009.
CTIC Hosts Water Quality Credit Trading Workshop in Maryland
Farmers, agricultural advisors, wastewater utilities and power companies are invited to attend a two-day workshop on water quality credit trading March 4-5. Farmers unable to attend both days are encouraged to come to the first day of the workshop.
Workshop planners hope to increase awareness of water quality trading and improve understanding of the voluntary process among agricultural producers and their advisors, wastewater treatment representatives, and potential "aggregators" (organizations that serve as a kind of broker, facilitating trading).
Visit the CTIC Web site for more information. If you have questions, please contact CTIC at 765-494-9555 or ctic@conservationinformation.org.
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
OFFICERS:
President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Vice President: Ray McCormick: Knox Co.
Secretary: Jeff Meinders, Ripley Co.
Treasurer: Brian Campbell, Elkhart Co.
REGION DIRECTORS:
Board Roster / Region Map
North-Northwest: Larry Strole, Newton Co.
South-Northwest: Kenny Cain, Montgomery Co.
North-Northeast: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-Northeast: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-Southwest: Bob Weaver, Johnson Co.
South-Southwest: Alan Weyer, Dubois Co.
North-Southeast: Brad Dawson, Dearborn Co.
South-Southeast: Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co.
IASWCD STAFF:
Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle, 317.692.7519
Watershed Information Specialist: Elizabeth Trybula, 317.692.7514
Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374
Project Assistant: Jaclyn Casale, 317.692.7325
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