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In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
2010 SWCD Resolution Request Form. Resolutions will be considered at the 2010 Annual Conference business meeting on January 13, 2010. An update on current resolutions will be sent out in June.
2009 IASWCD Conservation Awards. The IASWCD put together an awards committee this spring to revise and update our conservation awards. Information on these awards and the applications appears on our Web site at http://www.iaswcd.org/district_tools/applications.html. A new award “Friend of Conservation” has been added. This award will recognize those who have made an outstanding contribution to soil and water conservation in Indiana. Up to five individuals, businesses or organizations will be honored at the 2010 Indiana Conservation Awards banquet. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2009.
The “Conservation Farmer of the Year” award has been updated and now also includes a “Career” subcategory. This “Career” award replaces the former “Master Farm Conservationist of the Year” award. Read through the information carefully as changes have taken place. The deadline for applications to be received to the IASWCD is September 1, 2009.
Tillage Transect Information. The Indiana Conservation Partnership is committed to completing the Tillage Transect statewide this year. The increase in demand for Indiana’s row crop production, fueled by the broadening bio-fuel initiatives, and the recent reports on agriculture’s role in greenhouse gas emissions and gulf hypoxia, makes tracking trends in conservation tillage, energy consumption, cropping systems and even carbon sequestration an important and valuable activity. The Tillage Transect allows the partnership to track these adoption trends by state, county or watershed.
Click here for the document that provides guidance on the procedures for completing the 2009 Tillage Transect. In addition to the data that will be gathered, the opportunity for conservation partners to observe and discuss the conditions, needs and accomplishments related to the natural resources in each county is an invaluable effort. We are proud to support this effort, and look forward to utilizing the results to bolster conservation efforts around the state. --The Indiana Conservation Partnership
District Dues. Thank you to all the SWCDs that have submitted 2009 dues. A list of the District dues received can be found here http://www.iaswcd.org/whatsnew/districtdues09.html.
District Tools and Resources. The IASWCD has changed the format of the District Tools and Resources page to make it more user-friendly. Links to Awards applications, election tools, District directory and much more can be found on this page.
Reminder: 2010 Conference. A notice for the Call for Abstracts has been sent out for the 2010 IASWCD Annual Conference. The theme for this year will be “The Power of Conservation: Investing in Districts.” The deadline to submit abstracts to Jaclyn Casale is June 26. More information regarding abstract submission can be found here.
Have a good week,
Jennifer
NACD Urges Congressional Contacts Fiscal Year 2010 Conservation Program Cuts
The National Association of Conservation Districts is requesting that District supervisors and staff contact your members of Congress to ask that they reject the President’s proposed funding cuts to Conservation in fiscal year 2010 (FY10).
(Please remember when contacting Members of Congress that use of federally owned equipment is prohibited. This includes fax machines, computers, email or any other method which involves federal property).
The President recently released details of his proposed FY10 budget. The budget reflects substantial cuts to programs across most every department and agency in the federal government. Included were over $400 million in cuts to MANDATORY conservation programs under the Department of Agriculture just for next year alone.
NACD and Districts fought hard for increased funding for conservation programs during the development of the 2008 Farm Bill. We were successful in gaining increases to important programs such as EQIP, Farmland Protection, and funding to continue WRP, WHIP and GRP. Less than one year since Congress approved the increased funding for conservation, the President is recommending eliminating a portion of these funds. We cannot allow these cuts to become part of the final FY10 agriculture appropriations bill.
Specific programs, original funding contained in the 2008 Farm Bill, and proposed cuts include:
Program |
2008 Farm Bill |
FY 10 Proposed Cut |
Wetlands Reserve Program |
$473 million |
$184 million |
Environmental Quality Incentives Program |
$1.45 billion |
$250 million |
Farm and Ranchland Protection Program |
$150 million |
$30 million |
Agricultural Management Assistance |
$15 million |
$5 million |
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program |
$85 million |
$43 million |
Healthy Forests Reserve Program |
$9.75 million |
$5 million |
The budget also makes a legislative reduction to the Conservation Reserve Program incentives for Public Access. These cuts represent significant loss of conservation on our nation’s private farmlands, ranchlands and forestlands.
Contacts
Now is the time to contact Congress and urge their support of full funding of Farm Bill conservation programs in FY10. Congress will be taking up appropriations bills in the very near future to set actual FY10 spending levels. During this process, Congress will have the ability to reject the President’s proposed cuts to conservation programs and ensure full funding of Farm Bill conservation programs in the agriculture appropriations bill. Tell them to keep full conservation program funding in the FY10 agriculture appropriations bill.
Members of Congress will be returning home to observe the Memorial Day Recess the week of May 25. This presents an excellent opportunity for conservation districts to discuss in person support for full funding of conservation programs in FY10 agriculture appropriations. Call to request a meeting or check newspapers and other media outlets for announcements of public meetings with your Members of Congress.
Talking Points
Below are some sample talking points for letters, phone contacts, or for discussion with your Members of Congress:
- Farm Bill Conservation programs provide critical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to address natural resource issues on their operations
- Conservation programs address critical environmental issues such as improved water quality, soil health and habitat. Many of the practices also sequester carbon to mitigate climate change.
- Conservation practices and technical assistance must be tailored to crop production type, landscape, soil type, water resources, habitat needs and many other issues that vary across the United States
- Conservation programs may allow producers to take environmentally sensitive land out of production, provide cost-share funds to make structural improvements in their operations, or incentives to undertake new management practices
- Most of these programs only provide a partial payment for the conservation practice, so producers must also provide part of the funding
- The 2008 Farm Bill was finalized in June of last year. It is important for the new law to be given a chance to work without financial reductions in the fiscal year 2010 budget
- Congress provided funding for these program and approved this legislation less than a year ago so now is not the time to make changes
Contact Information
Members of Congress can be contacted through telephone, email and web contact information. This information can be accessed at the following Web sites:
You can also contact your Members of Congress by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121.
Report Back
We rely on your feedback to know which Members of Congress have been contacted, what questions or feedback they have, and where additional information may be needed. Please report your contacts to Jeremy Peters at jeremy-peters@nacdnet.org.
EPA Webinar on American Wetlands Month May 28
The U.S. EPA’s Watershed Academy will sponsor a free Webcast seminar in celebration of American Wetlands Month. "Wetlands – Reconnecting Youth with Nature" will be held on Thursday, May 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT.
As more Americans dwell in cities and suburbs, our society has become increasingly distanced from the natural world. More sedentary lifestyles, a reliance on electronic devices for creative play and entertainment, more structured "free-time" and less opportunity to explore outside have only added to this separation for children. The absence of everyday connections with nature can have a very negative effect – if our youth don't have meaningful experiences with nature, how will they come to care for and appreciate it and spearhead the next generation of environmental stewardship?
Join the EPA Watershed Academy staff for a special American Wetlands Month Webcast as they explore this issue, hear about their efforts to change these trends, and discuss the unique role wetlands can play in reconnecting young people with nature. The Webcast will feature Richard Louv, distinguished author and Chairman of the Children and Nature Network; Suzanne Pittenger-Slear, President and CEO of Environmental Concern Inc.; and Davon Kenneth Johnson, Earth Conservation Corps. To register, please visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/.
Indiana Forest Assessment Survey Request
It has been since the 1980s that a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the state of all Indiana’s forests has been available – one that provides analysis of private, public and urban forestlands. Indiana DNR is pleased to be undertaking this process again, with new technological capacities and happy that it will also serve to satisfy federal requirements under the Farm Bill regarding forest resource planning.
Indiana’s forests are important to all of us and your involvement in this process as a stakeholder will be instrumental in determining where and how crucial resources are dedicated to achieve the most benefit. We hope that you will continue to participate in the process as the Indiana State-wide Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy are developed.
Information about this process can be found at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/5436.htm.
Your first opportunity to be involved is taking a brief 5-10 minute survey on the relative importance of various issues that our Indiana forestlands are facing. Please go to the website and submit your opinion. They also ask that you forward the survey link on to your friends and colleagues who have an interest in Indiana’s forests that their voice can be heard also. Follow this link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RvbMsvMYIMdElTSAhZDCHw_3d_3d.
There will be other opportunities for you to participate in the development of the Indiana State-wide Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy, including 4 public meetings that will be held in late June and early July. Please find details on the Division of Forestry’s website. http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/.
Seeking Indiana’s Largest Trees
Do you know of an extraordinarily large tree? The Indiana DNR is accepting nominations for the 2010 Big Tree Register, a list of the largest known native trees in the state, published every five years.
The application requires three measurements of a tree - total circumference, in inches, at 4 1/2 feet above the ground; total height, in feet; and average crown spread, in feet.
The total size of a tree is calculated using the formula: circumference + height + 1/4 average crown spread. The tree of each species with the highest total is Indiana’s largest. Each tree nominated is verified for species and size before acceptance in the register.
For more information about nominating a tree for the register or to receive a nomination form, contact Janet Eger at (812) 247-2479 or e-mail to jeger@dnr.IN.gov. The nomination form is at http://www.IN.gov/dnr/forestry/3605.htm under "directories." Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 31.
Congratulations to Krysta Harden
Congratulations to former National Association of Conservation Districts CEO Krysta Harden who now moves to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Harden was nominated by President Obama to become USDA Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. Her nomination was approved by the U.S. Senate last week and she was sworn in by Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday.
Yesterday NACD President Steve Robinson officially announced the opening of the Association’s search for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead and oversee its operations. NACD staff member Brad Ross will serve as Interim CEO during the transition. Ross can be reached at Brad-Ross@nacdnet.org. Additional information about the position qualifications and application process is available on NACD’s Web site by clicking here >>.
Lawrence, Orange counties added to emerald ash borer/wood quarantine
A new find of emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive forest insect that kills ash trees, was detected in parts of Lawrence Orange counties.
This detection was found as a result of the statewide EAB survey and trapping program. The EAB survey, part of which includes the hanging of purple panel traps in trees around the state, is a cooperative effort of the Indiana DNR and the USDA.
Marion and Bono townships and Lawrence County, and Orleans Township and Orange County are now quarantined for regulated ash material and hardwood firewood that could spread the pest farther into Indiana. Robert E. Carter Jr., director of the DNR, declared the new quarantines yesterday.
An EAB quarantine means that regulated ash material may be moved within the affected county or township but cannot be moved out of the county or township unless the shipper has entered a compliance agreement with the DNR or the material has been mitigated so that it is incapable of spreading EAB. Regulated materials include the EAB in any living stage of development, any ash tree, limb, branch or debris of an ash tree at least 1 inch in diameter, ash log or untreated ash lumber with bark attached, or cut firewood of any non-coniferous species.
EAB, first found in Indiana in 2004, has now been identified in 23 Indiana counties: Adams, Allen, Brown, DeKalb, Elkhart, Floyd, Hamilton, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lawrence, Marion, Monroe, Noble, Orange, Porter, Randolph, St. Joseph, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White and Whitley. Ten contiguous counties in Northeast Indiana encompass an area of the state referred to as “Generally Infested.” Regulated materials may be moved throughout the generally infested area.
Click here to view quarantine areas and EAB sightings in Indiana go to the Interactive EAB Map.
In addition to the state-level quarantines, all of Indiana is under a federal quarantine that prohibits moving regulated ash material across state lines without a compliance agreement or permit from the USDA.
A compliance agreement can be applied for by contacting the DNR, Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology at (317) 232-4120. For a federal compliance agreement application, contact USDA, APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) at (765) 497-2859.
Click here for more information on EAB, or to report an infestation, visit or call Indiana DNR's toll-free hotline at 1.866.NO EXOTIC (663-9684). Click here >> to view the EAB Rule and EAB quarantine declaration. |
