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In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
Bandana/Conference Giveaway Info. Many of you have asked for information on the bandanas we presented with the registration packets at the 2009 Annual Conference. The “It’s easy to be “Green” bandana was ordered from Image Sales, Inc., one of our conference sponsors. If you are interested in more information on the bandanas, contact Deb Hoffman at Image Sales, Debbie.hoffman@sbcglobal.netor 765.362.8929. The environmental message is pre-preprinted on the bandana and it is available in several colors. We just added our logo and conference theme/text.
SWCD Annual Meetings. A list of SWCD Annual Meetings can be found by clicking here.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Watershed Moment
Elizabeth Trybula
Hoosiers "get their feet wet" on new IDEM Wetlands Web site
One of Indiana's most overlooked natural resources are spectacular wetland ecosystems, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has created a new Web site to offer a glimpse into the state's varied wetland ecosystems. The newest Internet offering, a Wetlands virtual tour, can be found at www.wetlands.IN.gov.
Interactive map to focus on Indiana Wetlands
The interactive map features short videos about 15 unique wetland sites located around the state of Indiana. Topics covered in the videos include information about each property and its history, as well as the wetland plants, trees and wildlife that can be found at the site. In addition to interesting facts about each property, the map also offers information on the activities and amenities that are available.
Waterways Permitting Handbook Recently Updated by IDEM
The IDEM Wetlands Program has also recently updated the Waterways guidebook on permits needed to work in waterways and wetlands. This covers regulations required by IDNR, the Army Corps of Engineers, and IDEM. The guide is available as a PDF online here. Accompanying this guide are several new wetlands publications including an informational brochure you can download or view online here. Hardcopies of all new materials are available upon request.
Wetlands Education Resources
While on the topic of wetlands, there are several outstanding resources for educators and coordinators in addition to the new IDEM site. EPA recently released a video Wetlands & Wonder: Reconnecting Children with Nearby Nature, available online here and has a number of Wetlands Fact Sheets available for download.
Additionally, the IDNR Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) is home to WOW (Wonder of Wetlands) and Project Webfoot, programs offered through Indiana Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). For additional information, contact Indiana Project WET Coordinator Angie Tilton.
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 30th, 2009.
Telling the District Story: the Northern Indiana Grazing Conference
SWCD partnerships are stakeholders, individuals or representatives from other organizations who have a legitimate stake in the management of our natural resources. Partnerships include initiatives at the local level that are examples of successful District collaborations that have succeeded in achieving local conservation goals for SWCDs and their partners. Our Telling the District Story Web site features several excellent examples of District activities that are great successes because of their partnerships with traditional and nontraditional organizations. This is another good story . . .
I’d like to feature your District on our Telling the District Story Web site. If you have a story to tell that showcases your District project or activity in the areas of District Capacity, Fundraising, Conservation Implementation, Outreach or Partnerships, let me know. We want to use these Web pages and the Weekly Update as another tool for Districts to network and learn from each other’s successes! I’ll be traveling the state this year to Tell Your District Story! DeeDee Sigler, IASWCD communications manager
by Perry Yoder, Grazing Conference Steering Committee, and Martin Franke, LaGrange Co. SWCD
 The Northern Indiana Grazing Conference (NIGC) had its beginnings in 2000, when the LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) got involved along with NRCS, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, and the University of Illinois, in helping to sponsor and carry out the Great Lakes International Grazing Conference.
This event featured speakers and participants from literally all over the world, and was held on a biannually rotating basis in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. In 2000 and 2001, the event took place at Shipshewana in the Antique Auction Barn. This two-day event had an average attendance of around 500 people, with 20-25 commercial exhibitors participating in the exposition that accompanied the conference.
After the 2001 Great Lakes Conference, a group of local graziers sought out then-NRCS District Conservationist Barry Bortner. They were impressed with the conference and were interested in seeing that a regional event be started, with an emphasis on grazing issues more specific to the American Midwest.
As a result of that first informal meeting, the Northern Indiana Grazing Conference was born. The first conference, held in early March of 2002, was located in the Community Building at the LaGrange County 4-H Fairgrounds. Early sponsors and organizers of the event were concerned that a local event of this nature would have a limited appeal, and were frankly worried that the conference would flop from a lack of participants. Quite the opposite occurred, as the first conference saw a registered attendance of over 200, which strained the facilities at the 4-H grounds to their very limits. Around a dozen commercial exhibitors also exceeded expectations. >>Click here for the rest of this story.
Comments Requested on New Farm Bill Rules
Last week, the USDA released several conservation program regulations that reflect changes made in the 2008 Farm Bill (The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008). The regulations are effective immediately, and NRCS is soliciting comments and recommended changes over the next few weeks.
Regulations are available for review and comment for the following programs:
· Healthy Forests Reserve Program, comments by 2/13
· Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), comments by 3/16
· Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), comments by 3/16
· Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), comments by 3/17
· Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), comments by 3/17
· Technical Service Provider (TSP), comments by 3/17
· Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP), comments by 3/23
To access the regulations, visit the Federal Register at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/ and type the program name in the search box.
NRCS has also issued a Request for Proposals for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP). AWEP was established in the new farm bill to promote ground and surface water conservation and water quality improvement. NRCS has announced that up to $58.4 million in financial assistance is available through the program nationally. Proposals must be submitted by March 2, 2009. The AWEP Request for Proposals can also be viewed at the Federal Register Web site.
“This 2008 Farm Bill continues the emphasis on conservation that we saw in the last two farm bills,” says NRCS Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. “While we are finalizing the program details, farmers can get ready by working with the District Conservationist at their nearest USDA Service Center to develop a conservation plan in preparation for program participation.” Office locations can be found by clicking here.
Districts Volunteers needed for Pathway to Water Quality Cart Activities at the 2009 Indiana State Fair
The Pathway to Water Quality committee is looking for SWCDs to showcase interactive outreach  activities/presentations during the 2009 Indiana State Fair in the education area of the exhibit. The Indiana State Fair runs from August 7 – 23, 2009: 17 days this year. We currently have five of the 17 days filled. Topics and or activities your District might cover are: Soil profiles – soil survey, GIS-GPS, Rain Gardens, Backyard Conservation, Water, Well capping, Forestry, Tree Planting, Septic systems, Pervious concrete, Stormwater, River Clean ups and other conservation related topics.
Volunteer Groups would provide staffing of the activity cart and supplies needed. The time you will need to be at the pathway is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Groups can decide shift times of their volunteers during 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. time frame. Groups can start earlier or stay later during their volunteer day if they wish. Pathway will provide the cart for the activity and assistance loading and unloading.
You may sign up for one or more days. All expenses to and from site are the volunteer groups responsibility. State fair entrance tickets will be provided for all volunteers whose names are supplied by July 15th. Days available are on a first come-first serve basis. Dates available are: August 7; 10; 11;12; 13; 15; 17; 18; 19; 20; 22; and 23rd. Contact Susan Schultz at sms@hrtc.net or call 317.326.2952 with any questions (out of office Jan 30 to Feb 5).
USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Sign-up for $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of program funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2009. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
“CIG projects give us an opportunity to try new and innovative conservation approaches,” said NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. “This competitive grant program helps us advance environmental goals that also contribute to and protect local economies.”
For FY 2009, up to $20 million is available for the national CIG competition. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process from all eligible non-government organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes.
FY 2009 CIG categories are:
- Natural Resource Concerns Category—up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns
- Technology Category—up to $6 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories
- Grant Leveraging Category—up to $4 million to pilot the leveraging of CIG grants projects that provide further grants that align with the purposes of CIG
- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category—up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.
CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding through CIG.
Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project.
Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by close of business March 2, 2009. Applications should be sent to: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5239-S; 1400 Independence Ave., SW; Washington, DC 20250. To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/. Visit http://www.grants.gov/ to apply electronically.
For more information about NRCS conservation programs, visit http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ or the nearest USDA Service Center in your area. Location of USDA Service Centers can be found at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
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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