Upcoming Workshops, Seminars
SWCD Annual Meetings
The complete list can be found by clicking here.
Upcoming Dates / Utility Board Training / Locations around Indiana Click here for dates and locations of the 3-part series of trainings for water and wastewater board members, operators, town clerks and managers. Sponsored by the Alliance of IN Rural Water.
Mar. 19 / Smart Growth and Urban Forestry Webcast Read about this event in the Weekly Update by clicking here.
Mar. 19 / Wildcat Creek Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting / Frankfort More information can be found by clicking here.
Mar. 19 / Goose Management Seminar / Indianapolis Click here to read more about this program. Contact the Urban Wildlife Biologist at 812.334.1137 with any questions.
Mar. 21 / Urban ForesTREE Workshop / Goshen This basic care tree workshop will cover tree selection and planting, proper pruning techniques as well as diagnosing common pests and diseases. Contact Elkhart SWCD with any questions or to register at 574-533-3630 ext. 3. Registration information can be found by clicking here.
Mar. 21 / Volunteer Steam Monitoring Workshop / Hanover Event details and registration information can be found by clicking here.
Mar. 23 / RC&D Annual Meeting / Versailles Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D will be holding their annual meeting to present awards to individuals making a difference with HHH and ALSO acknowledge project committees. For more information and to RSVP for this event, please contact Historic Hoosier Hills at 812.689.6410 ext. 5.
Mar. 24 / Moonlight Forestry Course / Centerpoint More information on this event and registration information can be found by clicking here.
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. Click here for contact and event information.
Mar. 25 / Regulated Drains and Natural Waterways Meeting / Lapel
Marion County SWCD will be presenting information regarding the Watershed Management Plan for Lower Fall Creek Watershed. There will also be information regarding an overview of regulated drains, log jams and permitting issues, USDA funding opportunities and more. Contact Marion County SWCD at 317.786.1776 with any questions or to make a reservation. Click here for more information about this event.
Mar. 26 / Green Site Planning Workshop / Indianapolis More information about this event can be found by clicking here. Contact Ron Lauster of Marion County SWCD at 317.786.1776 with any questions.
Mar. 28 / Farm and Home Conservation Workshop / Frankfort Clinton County SWCD is presenting this workshop to cover aspects of backyard conservation including beneficial native plants, choosing and caring for trees and also nutrient and pest management. The brochure for this event can be found by clicking here. Contact Clinton County SWCD to make a reservation at 765.659.1223 ext. 3
Mar. 28 / Project Learning Tree Pre K - 8th Grade Workshop / Nashville Click here for more information about this workshop.
Mar. 28 / Keeping Your Land and Making a Profit / Greenwood
Registration and more information can be found on the brochure by clicking here.
Mar. 31 / Wildlife Habitat Training / Nashville More information can be found by clicking here.
Mar. 31 / Goose Management Seminar / Lafayette Click here to read more about this program. Contact the Urban Wildlife Biologist at 812.334.1137 with any questions.
Apr. 1 / Goose Management Seminar / North Liberty Click here to read more about this program. Contact the Urban Wildlife Biologist at 812.334.1137 with any questions.
Apr. 2, 23 / "Becoming A Rain Gardener" Webinar Elkhart County SWCD with JF New and Elkhart Purdue Extension is hosting two webinars on aspects of low impact development including planning, challenges and opportunities. Contact information and details about the event are available by clicking here.
Apr. 2-3 / Project WET and WILD Workshop / Winslow Click here to read about this event in the Weekly Update
Apr. 2 / Goose Management Seminar / Fort Wayne Click here to read more about this program. Contact the Urban Wildlife Biologist at 812.334.1137 with any questions.
Apr. 9 / Pond Management Workshop / Lawrenceburg Dearborn County SWCD is hosting this workshop to cover topics regarding stocking fish, pond and plant management and will also be identifying weeds and giving treatment recommendations. Questions and reservations can be directed to Dearborn County SWCD at 812-926-2406 ext. 3. More information on this event can be found by clicking here.
Apr. 13 / Landscaping for Water Quality / Portage This two-part workshop will provide participants with an understanding of landscaping techniques that protect water quality. The morning session presentations are oriented toward homeowners, master gardeners, and garden clubs. The afternoon session will provide more technical information for these groups as well as park districts, landscape professionals, municipalities, property managers, and other interested groups. Click here for more information and to register for this event.
Apr. 17-18 / Project WET and WILD / Morocco Click here to read about this event in the Weekly Update
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.
May 9 / Native Plant Sale and Auction / Indianapolis Read more about this event in the Weekly Update by clicking here.
June 27 / Northern Indiana Lakes Festival / Warsaw The Northern Indiana Lakes Festival will make a splash in local awareness and appreciation for Indiana lakes through education, experience, and celebration of these precious resources. More information can be found by clicking here
July 11-15 / Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Annual Conference / Dearborn, MI >> 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.
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For the Week of March 16 - March 20, 2009 |
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In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
District News. Check out the Adams County SWCD Web site now linked with other Indiana SWCDs. Also, note the new Web address for the Tippecanoe County SWCD: http://www.tippecanoecountyswcd.org/.
Good newsletter Format. If you are interested in a nice looking four-page newsletter format, contact the Warren County SWCD. They have been publishing their newsletter for about a year. It is two pages (8 ½ x 11) front/back, clean, easy-to-read layout and just a few color photos. There is a lot of information in there without looking jammed or cluttered. It is published six times a year. For more information on their newsletter, contact Deb Lane, administrative assistant.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Watershed Moment
Hamilton County SWCD Funds Backyard Conservation Practices
Shaena Smith,
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has awarded just over $9,000 to eight different landowners to implement Backyard Conservation Practices including rain gardens, pond shoreline plantings, wildlife habitat plantings and much more. These practices will help improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect soil quality in Hamilton County’s quickly growing urban areas.
Rain gardens are shallow, depressional areas planted heavily with native flowers and grasses. These special gardens are placed strategically to capture stormwater runoff from a downspout, sidewalk, driveway, or other impervious area. The water is then filtered and absorbed into the ground instead of running into the street, storm sewers, and eventually our streams and rivers. They are beautiful landscape features that serve a water-quality function as well.
Pond shoreline plantings include native grasses, sedges, and flowers that grow in and along the water of a retention pond, stream, or other body of water. The deep root systems of these native species stabilize the soil, preventing shoreline erosion and sedimentation. They also filter the water in the pond, and provide bird, butterfly, and amphibian habitat.
Wildlife habitat plantings include native tree and shrub plantings, prairie gardens, and windbreaks in backyards and neighborhood common areas that provide food and shelter for native songbirds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
The Hamilton County SWCD offers cost-share funding for urban, suburban, and rural best management practices that would not otherwise be installed without financial assistance. The SWCD Board of Supervisors reviews competitive applications twice a year; the applications must be based on a Conservation Plan written by an SWCD employee. For more information on this program, please contact the Hamilton County SWCD at 317.773.2181.
The Hamilton County SWCD is a local government agency providing the community with conservation leadership and quality service dedicated to improving and sustaining our natural resources. The SWCD offers educational, technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in conservation practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and create wildlife habitat. Their Agriculture Stewardship Initiative assists rural landowners while the Backyard Conservation Program services urban/suburban landowners.
Have You Placed Your Order for 2009 Stewardship Week?
-small.jpg) The 2009 NACD Stewardship Week is fast approaching. This year’s Stewardship Week will be celebrated April 26 to May 3 and is themed Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.
This year, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) is challenging Districts to dig a hole and plant a tree during Stewardship Week in memory of NACD’s past president Olin Sims. Have you place your order yet for an Olin Sims Living Legacy Tree Planting Project Marker? >>Click here to order one now. Have you placed your order for the corresponding NACD “Dig It!” education materials yet? >>Click here to go to the NACD Marketplace to place your order today to ensure you receive your materials in time for Stewardship Week.
If you order “Dig It!” education materials by credit card, you must place your order by April 3 to receive the materials by April 20. If you are paying by check, your order should be placed by March 27. Also keep in mind these materials are also great for programs at any time of the year, not just during Stewardship Week.
Additional soils activities, education resources, outreach tools and information are available on the NACD Web site. And as you celebrate Stewardship Week, don’t forget to send your stewardship success stories and photos to stewardship@nacdnet.org so NACD can share them with others.
Recovery Act Proposals Due April 6
Submit your proposals on Grants.gov for Recovery Act projects by April 6. If you are having difficulty submitting your application online and decide to submit a paper application, keep in mind that applications must be postmarked or provided to a delivery service by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 6, 2009 and must be documented with a receipt.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on March 6 that it is seeking proposals for coastal habitat restoration projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in an unprecedented effort to jumpstart the economy. NOAA is formally seeking proposals for a variety of habitat restoration projects - including wetlands restoration, dam removals, shellfish restoration, and coral reef restoration. To ensure relevance, readiness and accountability to the American public, the 30-day solicitation requires that projects be "shovel-ready."
Proposals are due by April 6, 2009. For more information about this federal funding opportunity, >>click here. If you have any questions, contact the NOAA at RC.Newsletter@noaa.gov or 301.713.0174.
Do you know a “Company to Watch”?
The 2009 Indiana Companies to Watch awards program honors second-stage companies headquartered in the state of Indiana. These companies demonstrate high performance in the marketplace or exhibit innovative products or processes. The program seeks businesses from all industries and all regions of the state.
As a local SWCD, perhaps you have dealt with a local business that you know is a great contributor to the community and one that is also a great supporter of the environment. For eligibility and other information, visit Indiana.CompaniesToWatch.org.
- Nominate growing, creative, and innovative Hoosier businesses as Indiana Companies to Watch and give them the recognition they deserve.
- The judging panel values a nominator's recommendation, and a company's application often receives more weight because of that input.
- What better way to say "Way to Go!" than to nominate an outstanding business (whether it be a client, vendor or led by a peer)?
Submitting a nomination is easy. . . Fill out a nomination form online at Indiana.CompaniesToWatch.org.Nominations are being accepted through March 27, 2009. The award is sponsored by Purdue University and the Indiana Small Business Development Center. An awards ceremony will be held August 27, 2009, in Indianapolis.
Reminder: Districts Volunteers needed for Pathway to Water Quality Cart Activities at the 2009 Indiana State Fair
Susan Schultz, PWQ Committee and NACD’s Stewardship and Education Coord inator, is still 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.
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.
Publications Links
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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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