Conservation INsight
February 1, 2023
|
|
SHOUT OUT to Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District!
The staff and supervisors of Porter County SWCD are committed to the betterment of their county and service to the community. In Porter County, every SWCD Supervisor attended every board meeting this past year! 100% attendance *clap*clap*clap*
Thank you for your service.
|
Pictured: Porter County Supervisors visiting with State Representative Mike Aylesworth |
|
For Indiana SWCDs: Legislative Bill Tracker
IASWCD Executive Director, Liz Rice, will be sending weekly legislative update emails to Indiana Soil & Water Conservation District Staff and Supervisors. These trackers keep Indiana Districts abreast of statehouse happenings during session. These updates are also posted on the iaswcd.org website on the CWI page.
|
Legislative Visits for Indiana Districts
For the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, the IASWCD is offering to help coordinate visits for Indiana SWCDs to the Statehouse. It is important that Districts meet with their local legislators now as IASWCD pursues a funding increase in Clean Water Indiana funds. Please contact Les Zimmerman (zimmerman.les@gmail.com), Cress Hizer (chizer@inag.biz or Liz Rice (elizabeth-rice@iaswcd.org) to schedule your visit.
|
|
New Stewardship Materials Available
NACD Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natural resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955, NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our individual responsibilities to care for natural resources. The 2023 Stewardship Curriculum Guide and other resources are now available on the NACD site. Dates for 2023: April 30-May 7.
|
|
|
Apply for NACD's Urban Grants
In fiscal year 2023, NACD will be awarding up to $1.35 million through the Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) grant program. Districts may apply for two different tracts of funding: up to $10,000 for a UAC planning grant, to begin early-stage program development or for up to $60,000 for a UAC implementation grants. In both cases, these grants are meant to develop conservation district capacity, so grant budgets should focus primarily on staff time.
Interested districts may direct any questions to Dr. Ariel Rivers NACD’s Director of Membership Engagement, at ariel-rivers@nacdnet.org.
|
|
District Support Specialist Update |
|
|
Farmer Feedback Needed Through Survey
Take this very important survey by March 31, 2023! This voluntary, anonymous survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and asks about your general views and interactions with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies delivered by farm programs: Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
|
|
USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2023.
|
|
Indiana NRCS recognizes the start of Black History Month 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (February 1, 2023) – In 1976 President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in the United States calling on all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
In the 47 years since President Ford’s proclamation, Black History Month has become an annual tradition in February and serves as a chance to honor the diverse impact of Black Americans throughout the nation’s history. This includes the lasting impact Black farmers, landowners and communities have had on agriculture throughout the country.
|
|
Sharrona Moore, founder of Lawrence Community Gardens, harvests collard greens in the garden's high tunnel.
Zion Moore tends to the chickens at the gardens. Photo Credit: Brandon O'Connor, Indiana NRCS
|
|
Ag Women Engage Conference
Ag Women Engage Conference (formerly the Women in Ag Conference) will be held in the new Terre Haute Convention Center, Terre Haute, IN from February 21-23, 2023.
February 21 features the pre-conference session “Becoming an Employer of Choice” (additional $50 registration fee).
February 22-23 is jam-packed with fantastic topics to help re-engage our minds and bodies as we develop our new normal. The keynote speaker features Dr. Brenda Mack, addressing stress, burnout, self-care, collaborative support, resiliency, wellness, and wellbeing for those in the health and agriculture fields.
Cost: $125 for February 22-23 (Additional $50 fee for February 21)
|
|
MyDNR: Indiana's Outdoor News |
|
|
Indiana Invasive Species Conference
To address the invasive species issues statewide, the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management is combining the SICIM Annual Partners Meeting and the Annual CISMA Conference into one event: the Indiana Invasive Species Conference
|
78th SWCS International Annual Conference
August 6-9, 2023
Des Moines, Iowa
Call for Presentations Now Being Accepted through February 15
This year’s conference theme, “Healthy Land, Clean Water: Cultivating a Legacy of Conservation,” challenges us to envision the world we want to leave for those who follow us. At this year’s event, we will share successes and embrace lessons learned so that we can move toward our natural resource goals with greater speed, efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusivity. We will examine the traditions that have both built and challenged our ability to advance the conservation movement while exploring the new and necessary capacity, innovation, and partnerships needed to regenerate our land, water and other natural resources.
|
The RAFT Program
The River Assessment Field Teams (RAFTs) are individuals, family members, or small groups of friends, colleagues, or neighbors that are willing to donate time to help strategically assess local water quality. Read more at the WRA site about becoming a volunteer. Upcoming RAFT Events include:
- February 5th @ Oliver Woods Nature Preserve, 12-4pm
- March 19th @ White River Alliance Office, 12-4pm
- April 23rd @ Conner Prairie, 12-4pm
- Mary 21st @ Oliver Woods Nature Preserve, 12-4pm
- June 25th @ White River Alliance Office, 12-4pm
- July 16th @ Conner Prairie, 12-4pm
|
|
Hoosier Chapter of the Soil & Water Conservation Society Winter Meeting
Thursday, February 9
10 am to 1 pm (EST)
WestGate Academy, Odon, IN
Register by Friday, February 3
Cost: $15
See flyer for details and registration link
|
February Pledge:
Litter
Whether it was on purpose or on accident, litter is litter. Keep your community clean by properly disposing of your trash. Don’t want to worry if your trash becomes litter? Useless single-use plastic to decrease the amount of waste you produce. Take the pledge to reduce your litter.
|
Check out ICAN's upcoming themed webinars and Seasonal Discussions
and Book Chats
- February 9, 8-9 pm, Risky Play Interactive Webinar
- April 27, 8-9 pm, Nature Apps and Technology for Families
- August 10, 8-9 pm, Benefits of Nature/Healing Power of Nature
- November 2, 8-9 pm, Local Indigenous Perspectives
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
