Upcoming Workshops, Seminars
May 7 / Streambank Stabilization Workshop & Field Day / Friendship
Hoosier Hills RC&D is hosting this workshop from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Details about this event can be found on the flyer by clicking here. Contact Kim Jolly at 812-689-6410 ext. 5 to RSVP and for more information.
May 9 / Native Plant Sale and Auction / Indianapolis Read more about this event in the Weekly Update by clicking here.
May 12 / Backyard Conservation Workshop / Zionsville Trained experts will discuss how to provide food, water and shelter for wildlife on your property. Topics will include native prairie planting, backyard wildlife ponds, rain gardens and barrels, bird and butterfly gardens as well as native tree and shrub plantings. Click here for registration and more information
May 15 / NREC Open House / Indianapolis Read about this event in the Weekly Update.
May 15 / 2009 Indiana Environmental Health Summit: Water Quality and Human Health in Indiana / Indianapolis
This summit will have keynote speakers covering the health implications of microbial contamination, how pharmaceutical use is impacting water and Indiana's challenges to water quality. The agenda for the day and registration information can be found by clicking here.
May 16 / Rain Garden Workshop, Installation, and Field Day/ North Webster Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation will be holding this workshop to teach participants how to plant a beautiful colorful rain garden to collect your rainwater runoff. Information on this event can be found on their Web site by clicking here. Contact Lyn Crighton at (574) 834-3242 to register.
May 16 / Pond Edge Enhancement System Planting Day / Noblesville
Hamilton County SWCD will demonstration pond edge enhancement system by planting native grass and flower plugs in the water and scattering native seed above the shoreline to preventing erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing wildlife habitat. Contact Shaena Smith at 317-773-2181 if you would like to participate.
May 16 / Hoosier Riverwatch Training / Hazleton Gibson County SWCD will be hosting this training session at the Hazleton Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided by Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana. For more information or to sign up, contact Ann Ice at 812.385.5033 ext. 110.
May 18 / Sustainability and Greenhouse Gas Legislation / Indianapolis
Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Climate Change Practice Group will co-sponsor this half-day seminar to answer questions regarding a shift in emphasis at the federal level toward specific climate change initiatives and broad sustainability. Click here for more information and to register for this event.
May 20 / Rain Garden Planting Day / Noblesville Hamilton County SWCD will be planting a small parking lot rain garden at Forest Park. Join them to gain firsthand knowledge of installing rain gardens and identifying common plant species used in them! Contact Shaena Smith at 317-773-2181 if you would like to participate.
May 30 / Invasive Species and Indiana Landscapes / Seymour This workshop at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Reserve will discuss invasive species threatening native plants, birds and wildlife in Southern Indiana. Click here for registration and event information.
May 30 / Tree ID Tour / North Vernon
Hoosier Historic Hills RC&D is hosting this tour to show participants techniques to identifying trees with a hike through forest plantations and native woodlands. More information about this event can be found on the flyer by clicking here. Contact Rob McGriff at 812-346-2286 with any questions.
June 3 / Green Infrastructure Workshop / Indianapolis Read about this event in this Weekly Update.
June 4 / 2009 State Board of Accounts Training for SWCDs / Indianapolis Click here to view the flyer containing registration and information regarding this event.
June 9 / Pond Workshop / Terre Haute
Sycamore Trails RC&D and Purdue Extension will help you learn what it takes to raise fish using cage culture. ID and control of aquatic plants will also be covered. The registration flyer can be found by clicking here.
June 12 / Communications Workshop / Monticello Read about this event in the Weekly Update by clicking here.
June 25 / Indiana Prime Farmland-Soils Team Mine Reclamation Field Day / Cannelburg Will be held at the Solar Sources Mine. More information, as well as a definite confirmation of both the date and location, will be sent as soon as details are completed. So, save the date for this event that is held every two years to inform SWCD, partners, local officials and the general public about the latest updates on techniques for farming and reclaiming coal-mined soils in Indiana.
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
July 29 / Conservation in Action Tour / Western Illinois CTIC is hosting this day-long event that will feature how conservation can and does work for today’s agriculture. More information can be found on the Web site by clicking here.
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.
|
For the Week of May 4 - May 8, 2009 |
|
In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
Attention All SWCDs. The IASWCD is now accepting applications for the District Showcase Award. Applications are due by July 17. This is a great opportunity to showcase to the rest of the state an innovative or effective conservation project. Please feel free to call the IASWCD office if you have any questions. The application can be found by clicking here.
Forestry in the Farm Bill. A few weeks ago, a train the trainer workshop was held on forestry programs in the new Farm Bill. A link has been set up at http://www.iaswcd.org/icp/icpforestry.html with all the information from this workshop. I would advise all District staff to review this information so that you can help forest landowners in your community. The link also provides information on state programs and other pertinent forestry programs. If you are interested in helping set up a regional training workshop on this information, please see the list of participants from the train the trainer workshop. They should be available to help you coordinate a local workshop. As new information is received or changed, it will be updated on the website.
SWCD Staff and Supervisors. Updated information on position openings for the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative has been posted and can be found by clicking here. All SWCDs should seriously look at the part-time position. This would be a great opportunity for an SWCD to take this on. This position can be housed anywhere in the state. Maybe you have a part-time person who would like to work full-time, or you have someone in mind who you think would be great at the job.
Position Available. Montgomery County SWCD is seeking to fill the position of Deputy Surveyor / Watershed and Conservation Specialist. Information on applying for this position can be found here.
Training Reminder. New SWCD employees or those that need a refresher should attend this accounts training workshop designed specifically for SWCDs. More information on this event can be found in the calendar of events by clicking here.
Workshop for Districts. The NACD will be hosting a free workshop on Green Infrastructure to give organizations an understanding of how to use natural resources in developed or developing areas. The session is limited to 25 participants and the deadline to register is May 26th. Click here for more information and to register.
Leadership Institute Workshop. The Leadership Institute is hosting a Communications workshop. Skills in speaking messages clearly, listening to understand others, building relationships with others and influencing others will be covered. The flyer for this event and registration information can be found by clicking here.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Watershed Moment
EPA Launches "Healthy Watersheds" Initiative and Web site
EPA has launched a new initiative called "Healthy Watersheds" that emphasizes protection and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The Initiative augments the watershed approach with proactive, holistic aquatic ecosystem conservation and protection. It includes both assessment and management approaches that encourage states, local governments, watershed organizations and others to strategically conserve healthy components of watersheds and avoid additional water quality impairments in the future.
The Initiative is being introduced through a new website filled with tools and resources. Districts interested in this additional resource can check out the website at http://www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds
Indiana Watershed Networking Sessions: Integrating Watershed Planning and Implementation at the Local Level
Click here to see an AGENDA.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable, relevant tools for integrating watershed planning and implementation at the Local Level. Learn how to go beyond your basic watershed plan and move into strategic action resulting in change. Jill Hoffman, from Empower Results, will cover topics such as getting membership active, connecting with other organizations to increase impact, getting your message to the community, and much more.
When and Where
May 12 - Delaware County Fairgrounds, Muncie
May 13 - Rensselaer Public Library, Rensselaer
May 14 - Ellettsville Fire Department Station #7, Ellettsville
Sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration starting at 9:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY - Click here to REGISTER NOW
Registration will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 4. The registration fee is $15 and includes lunch and snacks.
Networking sessions are a product of a partnership between IASWCD, IDEM and CTIC.
Job Positions Available.
-
Conservation Development Specialist. The Conservation Development Specialist (CDS) assists local organizations (primarily Indiana Watershed Initiatives and Soil and Water Conservation Districts) with growth and organizational development. Specifically, the CDS will infuse the Indiana conservation delivery system with information and expertise related to proper, creative leveraging of local/state/federal funds, fundraising, private donor relationships, capacity building, and grants development. >>Click here for the complete job description.
- Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative. Click here to read about two positions the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts is seeking: one (1) full time Technical Coordinator and one (1) part time Program Coordinator or the equivalent in contractual services to carry out the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI).
Publications Links
American Water Offers Environmental Grant Program
American Water is continuing to offer their Environmental Grant Program this year for areas served by Indiana American Water. Awards will be given in 2009 for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in the communities they serve. Small, collaborative programs that result in positive and sustainable environmental changes are sought. Watershed cleanups, biodiversity projects and hazardous waste collection efforts are just a few examples of activities that might be supported by the grant.
If your community or organization is planning to launch an environmental initiative that focuses on watershed or water source protection, it may be eligible to receive a grant from American Water. Contact Indiana American Water for a brochure and grant application at 555 Easy County Line Rd, Suite 201, Greenwood, IN, 46143. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 1, 2009. If you have questions about the grant program, contact Christie Barnhart or Karen Cotton at Indiana American Water. |
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 |
|
|
