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Conservation INsight
February 19, 2020
IASWCD News
Save the Date!
All Employee Meeting
May 14
Hendricks County Fairgrounds
Details coming soon . . .
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NACD News
NACD Honors National Award Winners
LAS VEGAS, February 12, 2020  – Yesterday, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) recognized winners of its national service awards at the organization’s 2020 Annual Meeting Appreciation Banquet. “There are so many people doing great work every day in the name of conservation,” NACD President Tim Palmer said.   “It’s an honor to be able to recognize them for their dedication.”
Washington State's Crowder Selected as NACD's President-Elect  
LAS VEGAS, February 11, 2020 — Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Board of Directors elected Michael Crowder of West Richland, Wash., to serve as the association’s president-elect.
IDEA News
2020 IDEA Membership Dues now being accepted through March 31
IDEA's mission is to enhance and recognize local conservation programs and efforts through a network which provides leadership, support, and education for its members. Your IDEA Region Directors are here for you and they are eager to help you carry out the vision.
ISDA News
Save the Date!
State Board of Accounts Training for Indiana Districts
December 1
Indiana Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis
ISDA eNewsletter
Indiana Grown celebrates 5 years, more on the Indiana State Hemp Plan, and the USMCA agreement . . . these stories and more in the latest ISDA eNewsletter.
IDEM News
Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence
Do you know of an organization that is remarkable in its efforts to protect the state of Indiana’s environment? If so, consider nominating them for the Indiana Governor’s Awards of Environmental Excellence. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes.
USDA-FSA News
USDA Reminds Producers of Feb. 28 Deadline for CRP General Signup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2020 general signup to enroll by February 28, 2020. This signup is available to farmers and private landowners who are either enrolling for the first time or re-enrolling for another 10- to 15-year term. “This is the first opportunity for general sign up since 2016, and we want producers and private landowners to know that we have just one month remaining,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “It is critical that they make their final determinations and submit offers very soon to take advantage of this popular conservation program.”
USDA-NRCS News
Indiana NRCS Announces Funding Available to Help Protect and Restore Sensitive Lands
Indianapolis, IN, February 12, 2020 – State Conservationist Jerry Raynor announced today that Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making available $8 million to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across Indiana. The funding is provided through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), created to protect critical water resources and wildlife habitat, and encourage private owners to maintain land for farming. Eligible entities must submit applications for the current funding pool on or before March 23, 2020.
“I cannot overemphasize the benefits of restoring, enhancing and protecting these working agricultural lands and critical wetlands,” said Raynor. “NRCS is committed to restoring and protecting wetlands that provide important wildlife habitat and improve our water quality as well as preserving working agricultural lands to help protect the long-term viability of farming across Indiana.”


Indiana NRCS
Hoosier Headlines
Other News
Register your events as Nature Play Days!
Nature Play Days are events held between June 6-14 that encourage kids and families to get outdoors! All types of events, locations, hosts, etc. can qualify as NPD's so don't hesitate to register. Your event will be promoted by ICAN & part of a statewide kids and nature initiative. Registration is free!
AgriInstitute Benefit
March 28
Connor Prairie
Gather your friends and colleagues
and register to attend.
Growing fruit and providing habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects can dovetail nicely. It might seem strange to mention this in February, but this is a great time of year to plan out your spring and summer plantings -- including flowering cover crops, hedgerows, and other pollinator habitat.

Indiana Forage Council (IFC) Annual Meeting & Seminar
West Lafayette, IN
February 27
See flyer for details.
THE DROP
A monthly e-newsletter from the North Central Region Water Network
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Job Postings  :
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the  IASWCD website.
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.

Upcoming Conservation Events:

February 27 - IFC Conference and Seminar
March 26 - CISMA Conference
May 9 - Forestry Field Day, Steuben Co.
May 14 - All Employee Meeting
June 22-28 - National Pollinator Week
For a complete list of upcoming conservation events,  go to the Events Calendar on the IASWCD website .