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Conservation INsight
April 25, 2018
IASWCD News
Executive Director Named for IASWCD
Joe Schmees will be the new leader of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts as Jennifer Boyle Warner resigns from her long standing position as the Executive Director on May 15. The IASWCD Board of Directors welcomes Joe as he transitions into this role. "This is a great time for Joe Schmees to join and lead the association. IASWCD is in a good position moving forward and I believe Joe can take us to the next level. His leadership experience, familiarity with current partners, as well as his desire to take on a challenge will be an asset to IASWCD as we continue on," states Jamie Scott, Board President, IASWCD.
Pathway to Water Quality Volunteer Sign Up
General registration for volunteering at Pathway to Water Quality during the Indiana State Fair will begin June 1. For groups wanting to cover a full day of volunteering, registration is May 1-26. Please see details regarding volunteer registration here . The Indiana State Fair takes place August 3-19, 2018.
NACD News
NACD Reacts to Farm Bill in Letter to House Agriculture Committee 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2017) – The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) sent a  letter  to House Agriculture Committee leadership outlining the organization’s reaction to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) introduced on Thursday. Read more ...
New Addition to Members Only Section
This week, NACD introduced a curriculum section to the Members Only section of their website . Just in time for Stewardship Week, districts who have completed their membership dues payment will have access to a wealth of NACD curriculum and educational materials. There, you will find “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home” activity sheets, coloring pages, sample proclamations, news releases and more!

NACD Soil Health Webinars:
Your Tool for Outreach
With the establishment of the NACD Soil Health Champions Network, NACD has started to conduct monthly webinars focused on soil health to assist in further education and outreach. Each month, topics include aspects of soil health such as exploring the soil ecosystem of beneficial insects and invertebrates, nutrient management and soil biology, companion and cover crops, the incorporation and impacts of grazing, as well as current and on-going research. Find webinars ...
ISDA News
Grants Management Workshops
This workshop will help with grant management for the grants that SWCDs commonly interact with including skill building applicable to other grants. Program staff will be on hand with time for questions and discussion. Two locations and two dates. More information ...
IDEM News
Section 319(h) Solicitation
The solicitation for applications for FFY 2019 Section 319 grant funds began April 1, 2018. Notice of Intent (NOI) emails for the FFY 2019 grant solicitation are due  June 1, 2018 . More information ...
USDA-NRCS News
NRCS Accepting Second Round Applications for Western Lake Erie Basin
Indianapolis, IN (April 18, 2018) - Jill Reinhart, Acting State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a second round of funding to improve water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin that includes portions of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. All applications must be received by May 18, 2018 for funding consideration. Read more ...
Other News
Now Available: 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health Presentations
Videos and presentations from the  2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health  sessions held on December 7-8, 2017 in Indianapolis are now available. The conference highlighted insights from some of the nation's most innovative producers, conservation leaders and scientists on using cover crops to improve soil health. View here ...
Spring 2018
Purdue Rainscaping Workshops
in Johnson, Steuben and Lake Counties
Purdue Rainscaping workshops are for Purdue Master Gardeners, Members of conservation agencies and organizations, Stormwater professionals, and Landscape professionals and consultants. Registration for all workshops  can be found here  or call the Purdue Education Store at 765-494-6794.
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Job Postings  :
Current list of Conservation Job Opportunities now posted on the  IASWCD website.
  • Special Projects Director, SWCS
  • Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant, Hamilton County SWCD
  • Executive Director, Wesselman Woods Nature Society
  • Administrative Assistant, Montgomery County SWCD
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  :
April 29-May 6 - NACD Stewardship Week
May 4- Seed Collection Training, Muscatatuk
May 6 - Seed Collection Training, Eagle Creek
May 15 - SSCB Meeting, Knox County
May 15-16 - Purdue Rainscaping Workshop
May 21-22 - Purdue Rainscaping Workshop
May 22- Grants Management Workshop
May 28 - Memorial Day
June 1 - Registration open, Pathway to Water Quality
June 7 - Grants Management Workshop
June 15 - River Friendly Farmer Award Applications due 
June 19-20 - Purdue Rainscaping Workshop
July 19 - Agronomy Field Day, Steuben County
July 24 - SSCB Meeting, NRCS, Indianapolis
August 2-8 - NACD Summer Meeting
August 3-19 - Indiana State Fair
August 15 - River Friendly Farmer Awards Ceremony
August 28 - Leadership Institute
September 28 - SSCB Meeting, NRCS, Indianapolis
October 2-4 - IDEA Fall Conference, Bloomington, IN
October 30 - SSCB Meeting, TBD
November 30 - Leadership Institute
December 7 - Leadership Institute

For a complete list of upcoming conservation events,  go to the Events Calendar on the IASWCD website  .