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For the Week of September 15-19, 2008
In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
Summary of NACD State Teleconference Call. On Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, NACD and the IASWCD conducted a state call. On the call for NACD included Steve Robinson, President-elect; Gene Schmidt, Treasurer, Jerry Snodgrass (IL), NACD North Central Executive Board Member, Ken Pederson (MN), NACD North Central Region Chair, Beth Mason, and Rich Duesterhaus. Below are highlights of the discussion:
- Computer/privacy issues: The IASWCD has been in discussion with NACD as to how Districts in Indiana can continue to have access to landowner information for the work they do for NRCS. Indiana is a Sunshine law state (meaning that by state or federal law, most meetings of regulatory bodies are to be held in public and most of their decisions and records to be disclosed), so the IASWCD will need to meet with the Attorney General for some clarification and recommendations. As we gather more information, we will inform all Districts.
- USDA reorganization: A hearing on USDA reorganization is potentially going to be scheduled for the end of September, but most likely the majority of the hearings and discussion won’t take place until next spring. NACD has already been requested to testify at this hearing if indeed it is scheduled for the end of this month. NACD is lobbying for administration of Farm Bill programs to remain as they currently are. The current debate in Washington is whether or not administration of Farm Bill programs should be moved from NRCS to FSA. Again, we will keep everyone informed as information is available. However, if any District has input they would like to provide NACD for testimony, email me or give me a call at 317.692.7519.
- LinkPass: Questions were asked about when Indiana District staff would be getting their security LinkPasses. The entire process is taking longer than anticipated, however, if you need further information, please contact your NRCS IT person for a schedule: John Walters, 317.290.3200, ext. 344; Mary Morgan, 317.290.3200, ext. 346; or Karen Faith, 317.290.3200, ext. 355.
- Flooding issues: Concern was raised that only now are some farmers realizing the extent of damage to conservation buffers, etc. and that some of the emergency funding from FSA doesn’t include practices outside of structures. NACD commented that you can make a request to your local FSA county committee to consider adding additional practices to the emergency funding.
- Districts are encouraged to continue writing their congressional representatives on various issues as they arise. Grassroots communication is very important!
District News.
Welcome to Katy Argadine, Benton County. All of us would like to welcome a new employee to the Benton County SWCD. Catherine "Katy" Argadine joins them as their new District Technician. She is a May 2008 Purdue Ag grad, and officially joined the team as a full time employee this month to help with the additional workload caused by the wind farm Rule 5 site inspections. She works with SWCD employees Michelle Scherer and Chris Freeland and NRCS District Conservationist Mani Phengrasmy in the Fowler Service Center.
Jasper County Watershed & Conservation Program Specialist. The Jasper County SWCD has an open position for a Watershed and Conservation Program Specialist. The complete job description is available on their Web site by clicking here. Send a resume and cover letter to the: Jasper County SWCD, Attention: Personnel, 211 E. Drexel Parkway, Rensselaer, IN 47978.
Indiana Guide Sheets. Soil Quality Reclamation for Spring Flood Damaged Fields and Cover Crops to Reclaim Soil Quality in Flood Damaged Fields - guide sheets from the USDA NRCS were recently issued to assist producers and planners to assess flood damages to cropland fields, and provide a framework for recovery. Additional information is now available to support these Guide Sheets, and includes estimated costs of cover crops and organic materials that planners should use as a framework when working with producers to reclaim their soil quality. The information is available online by clicking here.
Wood-land-lakes Newsletter. Click here to find the fall edition of the Wood-land-lakes RC&D newsletter. Also, there is much more information on their Web site they weren't able to fit in the newsletter, so be sure to check it out. Take note: the Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D email address has changed. It is office@wood-land-lakes.org.
Project WET Staff News. Welcome to Nathan Mott, Project WET's new assistant. Nathan is pursuing his second master's in public affairs at IUPUI in the School of Public & Environmental Affairs. He brings with him much experience in teaching and service and has traveled to over 30 countries. Angie Tilton and the Project WET staff are currently taking workshop requests for 2009. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, contact Angie at projectwet@dnr.in.gov or 317.562.0788.
Reminder/Register Now for the Indiana District Employees Association Conference. >>Click here for the brochure on this exciting agenda for District staff. It is a great agenda filled with excellent content. I hope as SWCD staff you will take time to attend this valuable conference!
IDEA has produced an informative FAQ on the conference to provide answers for SWCD staff. >>Click here for this flyer.
Reminder/District Photos Requested for Annual Conference. We’re asking Districts to submit your best digital photos to be used in designing our Annual Conference logo for 2009. The theme is The Power of Conservation: Building a Sustainable Future. We would like you to submit a photo(s) that depicts what your SWCD is doing to build a sustainable future in your county. Is it:
- An innovative field day showcasing agricultural BMPs?
- An innovative urban stormwater program you are involved in (or other urban program)?
- An alternative energy source you are showcasing?
- A ground-breaking program your SWCD is participating in, or has pioneered in your county?
- An educational program that you feel is helping to build a sustainable future?
- A partnership project that reflects how your District works with the conservation community (and other partners) to build a sustainable future.
Submit your photos to DeeDee by October 15 to deedee-sigler@iaswcd.org. If you submit high resolution photos, please use a zip file to send them (or send them on CD).
2008 IASWCD Dues. A special thanks to Districts that have supported the IASWCD with payment of their 2008 dues: Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Blackford, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, DeKalb, Dubois, Elkhart, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Gibson, Grant, Green, Hamilton, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, Knox, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Noble, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Porter, Posey, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Sullivan, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Union, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Warrick, Washington, Wayne, Wells, White and Whitley. Please take the time to read over the important information in the dues brochure on how your dues support SWCD activities in the state.
And Finally. Thanks to Martha Miller, Monroe County SWCD, who has submitted some great photos for the Annual Conference logo. We've used one in the Weekly Update banner this week (see top) and one in a story below). Hope you'll send us some of your photos. We've received a few photos from a few Districts, but I know there are a lot more out there. I hope you'll share your best with us.
Have a good week!
Jennifer
Wetlands matching grant program
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.
This program supports the same type of projects and adheres to the same selection criteria and administrative guidelines as the U.S. NAWCA Standard Grants Program. However, project activities are usually smaller in scope and involve fewer project dollars. Grant requests may not exceed $75,000, and funding priority is given to grantees or partners new to the Act’s Grants Program.
For further information and application instructions click here. Questions can be directed to Paul Richert at 612.713.5364 or Barbara Pardo at 612.713.5433.
Soil and Water Conservation Society Hoosier Chapter Awards
Know of anyone who deserves to be recognized for their efforts to promote wise land use and conservation? Maybe they’ve come up with an innovative new approach to reach their audience, or maybe they’ve simply put in untold hours volunteering. Here’s your opportunity to recognize the good works of others. Consider nominating a deserving group or individual for one of our Hoosier Chapter Awards.
Award nominees or nominators do not have to be members of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Recipients will be honored at the Awards Luncheon during the Chapter’s Fall Meeting on November 14, 2008 (Location TBA).
Award categories are:
- Conservation Accomplishment Award (Group/Industry/Business) – To recognize outstanding conservation accomplishments of a specific group or industry or business whose activities have resulted in improving the quality of the environment by direct efforts to advance the science of good land use.
- Conservation Accomplishment Award (Individual) – To recognize the outstanding conservation accomplishments of a specific individual whose efforts have resulted in improving the quality of the environment through applied soil and water conservation activities.
- Outstanding Service to the Hoosier Chapter Award – To recognize an individual or group for outstanding service to the SWCS Hoosier Chapter in developing and carrying out its objectives and program goals.
Nominations should be submitted in letter form (with any supporting material as appropriate). Your nomination need not be lengthy (2-3 paragraphs), but should clearly address all the criteria for each award respectively. Please tell us who they are, what they’re doing, how long they’ve been at it, and where. Submit nominations to Bev Stevenson, Membership, Growth and Involvement Committee Chair, 17746 CR 34, Goshen, IN, 46528, fax: 574.533.-4620, phone: 574.533.4383 ext. 3.
Summit to teach the dollars and sense of going green
When the hardwood lumber industry and secondary wood manufacturers gather in Indianapolis Oct. 28-29, the topic at hand will be environmental stewardship and the bottom line.
The Dollars and Sense of Going Green Conference is organized by Purdue University and features national industry experts speaking about the ways hardwood businesses of all sizes can become more involved in the green revolution and be profitable.
"People everywhere are looking to live a more green lifestyle, and the hardwood industry is responding to that consumer demand," said Dan Cassens, Purdue professor of forestry and natural resources. "The demand for more certified building materials is growing, but many still question what they can or should do. This conference will help people make sound business decisions as to whether they should proceed to handling  certified wood or not."
On day one, general sessions for all conference attendees include a discussion about emerging influences of certification moderated by Mark Barford, executive director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, as well as a session on the nuts and bolts of the certification processes by Rich Christianson, associate publisher of "Wood and Wood Products" magazine.
The second day's general session, Is There a Market Need for Certified Products in Hardwood Manufacturing?, will be moderated by Tom Inman, president of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.
Concurrent workshops specific to the needs of lumber producers and secondary wood products manufacturers will take place the afternoons of both days.
Anyone associated with or interested in the hardwood lumber industry and veneer and secondary manufacturing is invited to register.
The Dollars and Sense of Going Green conference will begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel. Before Oct. 6 registration is $475 per person. After Oct. 6 registration fees increase to $575. In addition to both days of conference sessions, registration includes meals, refreshments and handouts.
Exhibitors and sponsors also can still register.
More information and registration are available by visiting the conference Web site or by contacting Cassens at 765.494.3644.
“Complete Streets” Discussion Came To Indy
Ron Lauster
About 150 Indiana residents and community leaders had an opportunity to learn more about “Complete Streets” and how they can promote healthier communities at the Second Annual Health by Design Conference held earlier this month in Indianapolis. The theme for this year’s conference was “Balanced Transportation for Healthier Communities.”
What is a “Complete Street? According to Walter Kulash, professional engineer and keynote speaker at the session, “Complete Streets, are streets in cities and towns that are designed to be for everyone, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper, whether young or old.” Kulash continued, “But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams. They’re unsafe for people on foot or bike and unpleasant for everybody.”
Dr. Jay Areker, opened the conference, explaining the economic costs of physical inactivity to a community. Other speakers during the day explained how cities like Chicago, Louisville, Charlotte, St. Louis, and Dallas/Fort Worth, are working to increase the transportation viability of their city’s streets. Jesse Kharbanda, Hoosier Environmental Council, discussed mass transit options for Indianapolis during the noon luncheon. After the conference session, attendees were also invited to participate in a biking or walking tour of the new Indianapolis Cultural Trail – an excellent example of how Indianapolis is building Complete Streets.
The conference was hosted by the Health by Design Coalition and several other community organizations. “Health by Design” began in the summer of 2006, when several Central Indiana groups worked to bring together advocates of community design, transportation and health to support healthy and active living. This emerging movement prompted the development of the Health by Design Coalition. It is comprised of community planners, designers, architects, builders, transportation, public & environmental health, recreation and safety personnel.
Kim Irwin, coalition chair, says “The Coalition’s mission is to create an environment that promotes physical activity and protects the environment through education, advocacy, and action.” The priority goals of Health by Design are to: Increase neighborhood, city and regional connectivity; Increase walking, biking and other public transit options; encourage land use decision making that promotes public health; and Reduce dependency on automobiles. For more information about Health by Design visit their web site at www.healthbydesignonline.org. Click here to learn more about Complete Streets.
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
OFFICERS:
President: Jim Droege, Posey Co.
Vice President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Secretary: Ray McCormick: Knox Co.
Treasurer: Jeff Meinders, Ripley 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: Ray Chattin, Knox 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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