June 2020 Newsletter - Visit www.vcrcd.org for more information!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! VCRCD needs YOUR help with landscaping our front garden and turning it into a fire-wise, climate-smart demonstration landscape. We are hosting our first Volunteer Event on Friday, June 12 at the RCD office in Somis from 9 am - 1 pm . If you are interested in spending some time outdoors, socially distant of course, and want to make an impact on your community please contact the District Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com to sign-up.

REMINDER! VCRCD is looking for property owners impacted by the 2018, 2019, and 2020 wildfires . If your property was burned during one of these wildfires and has resulted in environmental degradation, please contact the District Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com . We may have funding to assist with restoration efforts.

TIME HAS RUN OUT! The CDFA Healthy Soils Program (HSP) application period ended early because of overwhelming demand. If you were awarded HSP funding, VCRCD can still help you with the next phase of your project for FREE. If you need help getting supplies, taking soil samples, or setting up a project verification protocol, contact Jamie Whiteford at 805-764-5132 or jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com.

VCRCD is looking for landowners to work with on Agricultural Enhancement Projects! If you'd like help planning or implementing on-farm or on-ranch projects that enhance climate resilience, wildlife habitat, or ecosystem benefits, please contact Jamie Whiteford at jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com or 805-764-5132. If you'd like to learn more about this upcoming opportunity, click here.

Monarch butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial insects need your help! VCRCD has received funding from the State to implement restoration of Monarch Overwintering Habitat. If you know of a site locally in Ventura or Santa Barbara County please reach out to the District Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com

If you're farming in the lower Calleguas Creek Watershed and need help with irrigation, nutrient, and sediment management, VCRCD has funding to help you! For more information, visit the CCWAMMP program page or contact Jamie Whiteford at jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com or 805-764-5132.

Just a reminder, VCRCD is still looking for growers in the Somis Valley to participate in an atmometer study. If you'd like to track your crop's evapotranspiration rate, this study is for you! For more information, visit the project webpage or contact andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com.

The IIMRLN (Interactive Irrigation Management to Reduce the Leaching of Nitrogen) project will start accepting applications soon! This grant will provide funds to assist growers with soil moisture monitoring and nitrogen management. If you'd like to participate, contact Jamie Whiteford at 805-764-5132 or jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com.

NEW! VCRCD will be conducting a pilot program to battle the As ian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) which is a vector for Huanglongbing, a devastating disease of citrus trees. This bacterial disease is transmitted to healthy trees by the psyllid after it feeds on infected plant tissue. VCRCD is committed to reducing the threat to our local Citrus industry through treatment of residential citrus trees that surround at-risk Citrus farms. If you are a resident (or know someone) who owns a citrus tree near a farm and are interested in exploring its removal and possible replacement please reach out to the District Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com. We have funding to remove the tree and possibly offer a replacement.

NEW! VCRCD received funding to continue construction on the fire-wise native garden at our office in Somis. Once completed in 2021, the garden will be open to the public and guide local landowners on the correct paths to safely implement defensible space around your home and actively prevent wildfires! The program will also entail local homeowner evaluations with respect to defensible space effectiveness, announcements for signing up will occur next year.

Do you like to garden, conduct research or just want to help our local environment? The VCRCD is always looking for enthusiastic and passionate volunteers to join our team and assist in our wide-range of projects. Most notably the new fire-wise garden , we'd love some extra hands! Please sign-up here if you are interested in volunteering.

Would you like a FREE NRCS Conservation Plan or Nutrient Management Plan? Of course you would! Contact Dawn Afman, NRCS District Conservationist, at 805-984-2358, ext. 101, to get your plan.

Please consider donating to  VCRCD ! Your tax deductible donation will be greatly appreciated! Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for our easy donation link. You can also donate via Amazon! We can accept donations through AmazonSmile under Fund for Resource Conservation. Be sure to shop via the link smile.amazon.com to make a donation.

The next Ventura River Watershed Council General Membership meetings are planned to be held virtually via webinar software until further notice. The next meeting is planned for Thursday, August 6th from 9 am - 12 pm. Agendas will be sent out one week prior to the meetings, please contact Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com to be added to those announcements.

SAVE THE DATE! The next Ventura River Instream Flow (VRIF) project Framework meeting is June 18 via videoconference. Ventura River stakeholders who can provide insight regarding instream flow enhancement opportunities are encouraged to participate. If you'd like to learn more, please visit the VRIF webpage or contact Jamie Whiteford at 805-764-5132 or jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com.

The next VCRCD Board of Directors' meeting will occur on June 17, 2020. Currently meetings will be held remotely. Agendas and the website will provide information on accessing the meetings via an application or on your telephone. Check www.vcrcd.org for more information.

Did you know VCRCD operates on grants and donations? Supporting VCRCD means supporting your local community and helping conserve soil, water, and wildlife.

Make a donation now by clicking the button below. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided.

Thank you for your support!

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