Conservation INsight
August 5, 2020
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2021 Annual Conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts is Going Virtual
In light of the current pandemic, the IASWCD Board of Directors made the decision to take the 2021 Annual Conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts virtual in January.
IASWCD is working with an experienced conference-hosting company that will support a professional, educational, high quality (and fun!) conference with multiple speakers and topics. At this time, the current conference dates of January 10-12, 2021 will remain the same.
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IASWCD Resolution Submission
Districts - if you would like to submit a resolution for consideration, please fill out this Google Form. Resolutions are due to the IASWCD office by Friday, September 16, 2020.
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Indiana District Showcase Award
The District Showcase Award information and online application is now live!
Information regarding this award, sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP), can be found on the IASWCD website/District Showcase page. The due date for applications is August 28, 2020.
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VirTuesdays: Training for Indiana District Staff and Supervisors
REGISTRATION OPEN!
ISDA and IASWCD are hosting a series of three Virtual Trainings on Tuesday evenings beginning August 25 for Indiana District Staff and Supervisors.
Three Tuesdays, three topics:
August 25 - Succession Planning
September 1 - Effective Board Meetings
September 8 - Roles and Responsibilities of District Staff and Supervisors
All trainings begin at 7 pm and last for one hour.
Attend one, two or all three! Registration is required and open now!
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Thank you to the 39 Indiana Districts who have already paid annual membership dues to IASWCD:
(as of 7-24-20)
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Adams
Bartholomew
Benton
Blackford
Carroll
Clay
Daviess
Decatur
DeKalb
Delaware
Dubois
Floyd
Fountain
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Gibson
Grant
Hendricks
Henry
Jackson
Kosciusko
LaGrange
Lake
Lawrence
Madison
Morgan
Owen
Perry
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Pike
Pulaski
Putnam
Randolph
Scott
St. Joseph
Starke
Steuben
Warren
Warrick
Washington
Wells
Whitley
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Special Reports Archive Available Online
NACD's Forestry Notes Special Reports cover a range of topics relevant to conservation district audiences, including:
- The (true) cost of wildfires;
- Engaging female forest landowners;
- How to assist in succession planning;
- How conservation districts are helping enhance wildlife habitat;
- Growing opportunities in urban forestry;
- And much more!
Reports are available to download and share. To learn more and view the reports, click the button below.
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NCF-Envirothon Seeks Your Feedback
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon is seeking input on how it can grow as an organization and reach a wider audience of students and educators.
Whether you have participated in Envirothon as a student or an advisor or if you have only heard of the program but don't know how to get started, we want to hear from you! What are the challenges to participating in the Envirothon program?
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and be sure to share with your fellow educators or students. Your responses will provide us with valuable information to help shape the future of the Envirothon program. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.
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Register for NACD's Forestry RPG Summer Virtual Meeting
The NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG)'s summer meeting in New Hampshire was canceled due to concerns related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. To replace it, the Forestry RPG has organized a two-day virtual meeting to explore relevant forestry topics and conduct annual RPG business.
A series of seven Zoom discussions will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Each 50-minute session will feature a panel of presenters and a Q&A session with participants. Sessions are open to all conservation districts and forestry partners interested in attending.
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Apply Now: NACD 2021 Annual Meeting Breakout Sessions
NACD’s 75th Annual Meeting will put heavy emphasis on NACD’s legacy and focus on where the conservation movement is headed. We encourage proposals that explore the legacy of conservation districts.
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Are You Involved with Woodland Pollinators?
Is your conservation district engaged in projects involving woodland pollinators? Do you have an interest in the subject? Share your stories and interest with NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom, using "woodland pollinators" in the subject line.
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151 farm families presented Hoosier Homestead Award
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, the farm must be kept in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.
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Hoosier Headlines
Indiana NRCS Newsletter
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USDA Announces $15 Million in Funding Opportunities to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $15 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). The program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
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New Community Prosperity Resource Guide
The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement has created a Community Prosperity Resource Guide to address complex challenges in underserved communities. The Community Prosperity Resource Guide will serve as a one-stop-shop for local communities who are seeking USDA resources to find solutions to the complex issues they may face. The resource contains funding opportunities identified at USDA that support capacity building in rural America, foster hope and opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building.
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Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Workshop
On August 5 – 6, USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, in collaboration with the Regional Rural Development Centers, invites you to a virtual workshop on Building Community Capacity around Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This event is designed for community organizers and planners who work on this topic at the state or community level.
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USDA Announces Community Prosperity Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $4 million in available funding to develop partnerships to leverage USDA and local, state, and private sector resources to address challenges for limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers, and communities. The program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
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Moving To Virtual Programs: A Discussion with Natural Resource Professionals
On this recorded webinar, hear from five presenters from around the country who will share their experiences and lessons learned in moving their programs to a virtual platform. They will cover topics ranging from things you can do in your own backyard to large-scale conferences. This event is open to everyone, but is targeted for natural resources professionals who are considering organizing virtual events in the future."This is one of the best webinars I've attended that speaks to the challenges of taking your workshops, field days and meetings virtually. Practical tips and lessons learned from these resource professionals was very helpful," states Amy Work, Communications & Member Programs Manager of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. "If you are looking to change your events to a virtual platform, this is worth your time to watch!"
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Indiana Directory of Professional Foresters Still Available
Copies of the Indiana Directory of Professional Foresters are still available, listing Indiana foresters who provide private woodland services and advice. Foresters are located throughout the state and provide assistance such as management plans, timber sales, tree planting, invasive species control, and many other services. Printed copies are available by contacting Liz Jackson at jackson@purdue.edu or 765-409-3272. The Directory is also available online via interactive map at www.findindianaforester.org to find foresters by county or address, or as a downloadable document.
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Indiana Water Summit
August 12 - 13
The Indiana Water Summit is an apolitical and inclusive annual forum developed to examine the complex interests and issues that face our water supply. The Summit’s subject matter seeks to remain consistent with and build upon current legislative actions in order to provide a broad planning perspective, weaving together diverse topics that together demonstrate the interdependency of water issues and the science behind the state of the waters.
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PLT Offers New Online Green Job Quiz
Project Learning Tree (PLT) has launched an interactive quiz that allows youth to answer a few simple questions online and receive recommendations for a rewarding green career path that suits their personality.
It’s fast, easy and fun to do, as well as perfect for youth ages 12-25 looking to learn about what it takes to perform jobs in sustainability, forestry and conservation.
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Virtual National Strip-Tillage Conference Registration
Attend the World's Largest Online Gathering of Strip-Till Farmers and Experts!
Join today's top strip-tillers, agronomists and researchers for 3-days of unrivaled online learning and networking during the 2020 Virtual National Strip-Tillage Conference, Aug. 6-8. Discover cutting-edge ideas, techniques and strategies from the most innovative, forward-thinking minds in strip-till to raise your level of strip-till profitability, efficiency and efficacy.
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Forestry Grants Available
The Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation (IFEF) is pleased to announce the availability of competitive grant funds to help educate and inform woodland owners and/or the public about forestry, woodland management and other Indiana forestry related topics, with a special interest in young forest projects. The opportunity for award of IFEF grants, which are available up to $500, and up to $1000 awards for young forest projects, are available for consideration to those organizations submitting an online application by September 13, 2020.
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Job Postings :
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities are 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.
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Upcoming Conservation Events :
*Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, events are changing daily. Please check the individual hosting organization's website and/or Facebook page for the latest information on cancellations and reschedule dates. Thank you.
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