Conservation INsight
September 12, 2018
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Northwest SWCD Region Meeting rescheduled to November 15
Register now for the NW SWCD Meeting. Even if you were registered for the original meeting you must register for this meeting as that original meeting was canceled. Fair Oaks Farms. Tour at 3:00 pm (CDT); meeting and dinner at 5:00 pm (CDT). Bring a canned good/non-perishable to the meeting and receive extra points for your region! Meeting agenda can be viewed on the
IASWCD Conservation Calendar
.
(RSVPs due one week prior to the meeting date.)
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Districts in the News
View the
Press page on the IASWCD website for the latest in media coverage on the 92 SWCD Districts and IASWCD. Very nice article written about Sharon Watson in the Monticello Herald Journal now posted as well.
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New Program Director Named for CCSI
The Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) is expanding their robust soil health team and has hired Trisha McClain as their newest Program Manager, covering the northern part of the state.
"Ashley Brucker has been serving the whole state of Indiana since 2016. By adding a second Program Manager, we can effectively split the state in two - allowing Ashley and Trisha to assist more partners with outreach and education programs," CCSI Director Lisa Holscher said.
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The Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative announces the launch of monthly Soil Health podcasts. Recorded, produced, and hosted by
Hoosier Ag Today
, these 20-30 minute audio podcasts feature expert farmers and ag professionals discussing a variety of soil health practices. These podcasts are available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and Alexa as well as the HAT website.
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SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming U&C Webinar
The next NACD Urban and Community Conservation webinar is scheduled for Sept. 20 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST and will discuss Urban Agriculture Conservation. These popular webinars, held on the third Thursday of each month, are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, email Debra Bogar at
deb-bogar@nacdnet.org
with your name, title, district or business name, state and email address. Information to access the webinar will be sent by email.
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Last Chance: Breakout Session applications for NACD Annual Conference
The 73rd Annual Meeting will be held Feb. 2-6 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter.
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Registration now open for NACD’s 73rd Annual Meeting! It will be held Feb. 2 – 6, 2019 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
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Start planning for Imagine a Day Without Water
Each year, the Value of Water Campaign challenges Americans to
Imagine a Day Without Water
. Raise awareness for this vital resource, which is central to our day-to-day lives, both inside and outside our homes.
On October 10, celebrate the significance of water by hosting events, partnering with your elected officials, or showcasing local businesses and allies. Last year, more than 750 organizations participated –
visit the Imagine a Day Without Water webpage
for ideas on how you can get involved.
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2018 IDEA Fall Conference
"Review the Basics, Renew Your Mind, Regenerate Your Passion"
October 2-4, 2018
Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina,
Bloomington, IN
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State Soil Conservation Board Meetings
September 18
NRCS-Indianapolis Office
6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis
October 23
Porter County - specific location TBD
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Quarterly Newsletters of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS)
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Map of the Month
September's map of the month:
Human Impact on Land
This map shows where soils have been greatly modified by human activity, both in modern and ancient times.
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FFA National Convention and Expo: Volunteers Needed
The FFA National Convention and Expo will be returning to Indianapolis this year and will run from October 24-27, 2018. As in years past, NRCS will be supporting the Natural Resources and Environment Judging events and is asking for volunteer assistance from partnership staff. Please see the volunteer opportunities below.
Natural Resources and Environment Judging Event Volunteer
The purpose of the environmental and natural resource career development event is to foster student interest and promote environmental and natural resource instruction in the agricultural education curriculum.
This event will take place on Wednesday, October 24th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Judges are separated into two categories: verbal and teamwork. A complimentary lunch will be provided starting at 11:00 AM. All volunteers should report to the fairgrounds no later than 11:30 AM for orientation and will be released of their duties at approximately 2:00 PM.
Verbal Judging
:
Students will be provided a scenario that addresses an environmental/natural resource problem from soils, water, ecosystems and waste management. Teams are required to develop a statement that addresses the questions in the scenario and give an oral presentation justifying the decisions made by the team. Each team will have eight minutes to make their presentation. There will be an additional five minutes given to each team to address questions from the judges. We need approximately 45 volunteers for verbal judging.
Teamwork Judging:
While the students are preparing their oral presentations, a group of 12 judges will evaluate how well the team members work together to develop their statement and presentation. Judging will be based on the following areas:
- Managing team dynamics
- Awareness of personality styles of others
- Using positive and mature language and mannerisms
- Reacting to changes
- Handling tasks
If you would like to volunteer for one of these opportunities, please contact Kris Vance at:
kris.vance@in.usda.gov
.
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Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) - Grant Opportunities - Workshops Scheduled
Are you trying to find a source of funds to use on your farm to compare the sustainability of one production or marketing practice to another? Would you like to explore the viability of an innovative idea? Would some additional funds facilitate your efforts to teach youth about sustainable practices? (NCR-SARE) grants can be one source of funds for these and related purposes. Purdue Extension and Indiana SARE will offer free workshops for those interested in applying for a SARE grant.
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September 2018 newsletter
Find your next adventure:
Indiana's Outdoor News!
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Xerces Society
The Endangered Species Act needs your help!
We need your voice to help defend one of our most important wildlife protection laws.
Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been at the forefront of species protection, placing the United States as a world leader in science-based conservation. The ESA is our nation’s most effective law for protecting animals and plants in danger of extinction, and has prevented 99 percent of listed species from going extinct. Despite how effective this law has been at its intended purpose, the current administration has its sights on weakening the ESA to the detriment of the species it was designed to protect.
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NCR-SARE Announces 2019 Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants Call for Proposals
The 2019 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE)
Youth Educator Grant Call for Proposals
is now available. Youth Educator Grant projects provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about sustainable agriculture (farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, profitable, and socially responsible). Educators use the grants to encourage young people and their parents to try sustainable practices and see sustainable agriculture as a viable career option.
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Online Applications now available for the Indiana Watershed Leadership Program
If you’re interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the 2019 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy. The Academy, organized by Purdue University with support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and other Indiana conservation agencies and organizations, gives participants the chance to:
Engage in basic and advanced level watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills.
Enrollment deadline: November 3
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Monarch Wings Across the Eastern Broadleaf Forest
REGISTRATION IS OPEN for Pollinator Partnership’s Monarch Habitat Technical Training for Private Working and Agricultural Lands Workshop in INDIANA!
October 3, 2018
9:15 am - 3:30 pm
Merry Lea Environmental Center
of Goshen College
Farmstead Barn Gathering Classroom
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EEAI Annual Conference
Indiana Children and Nature(ICAN) is a project of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI). This conference is an opportunity to take a break from the grind, engage in professional development, learn new teaching tools, and rejuvenate with colleagues. ICAN will also be hosting a swarm on Friday to work on where we go from here.
This year’s conference is Sept. 28-30 at Camp Mack in Milford, Indiana.
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Job Postings
:
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the
IASWCD website.
- District Administration Manager, LaPorte County Soil & Water Conservation District
- Chief Scientific Officer, Soil Health Institute
- Rush/Shelby County Program Technician, USDA, Indiana FSA
- Tippecanoe County Program Technician, USDA, Indiana FSA
- Clay County Program Technician, USDA, Indiana FSA
- Howard County Program Technician, USDA, Indiana FSA
Note: Job Postings can be submitted to Amy Work at:
amy-work@iaswcd.org .
Please include job description and deadline to apply in a single PDF file or with a link.
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Upcoming Conservation Events
:
September 13 - CENTRAL SWCD Region Meeting
September 13
-
Organic Ag Professional Dvlpmnt Training
September 18 - SSCB Meeting, NRCS, Indianapolis
October 2-4 - IDEA Fall Conference, Bloomington, IN
October 23 - SSCB Meeting, Porter County
October 23 - Women's Learning Circle, Carroll County
November 15 - NW SWCD Region Meeting
November 30 - Leadership Institute
December 7 - Leadership Institute
2019:
January 14-15 - Indiana SWCD Annual Conference
February 2-6 - NACD Annual Meeting
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