Conservation INsight
April 11, 2018
A New Look to the INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
e-newsletter!
We are updating our look with this first edition of the new "Conservation INsight." We hope you enjoy the new layout and INsightful information.
IASWCD News
Walton Family Foundation Videos Highlight Conservation Efforts in the Mississippi River Basin
Ray McCormick, Knox County, is featured in an article and two videos focusing on the Mississsippi River Basin recently published by the Walton Family Foundation. Read and view Sheldon Alberts' article and video (The Walton Family Foundation ) from The Roots of Conservation Series.
Call for Abstracts for the 2019 Annual Conference of SWCDs due on April 18. Apply here .
New email address for Rose Morgan and the Newton County SWCD: NewtonSoilWater@gmail.com
NACD News
NACD Stewardship Week Approaching
Stewardship Week gives conservation districts the opportunity to educate the next generation on the significance of conservation. This year Stewardship Week will be celebrated from April 29 to May 5 and the theme is “Watersheds, Our Water, Our Home.” Access free educational materials, as well as activity sheets, flyers, coloring pages and more on the NACD website .
Do you know a farmer or rancher making a difference for pollinators?
Pollinator Partnership and NACD are seeking nominations for the 2018 Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Awards. Visit http://pollinator.org/awards  for more information. Nominations are due Friday, July 6.
USDA-NRCS News
NRCS Soil Health Update
ISDA News
Indiana Agriculture Insider (newsletter)
IDEM News
Businesses, Local Government, Non Profits Can Submit Proposals for IDEM Recycling Grants
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced the availability of grant funding for recycling projects. Public and private businesses, local government and non-profit organizations located and doing business in Indiana are eligible to submit proposals for grants ranging from $1,000 up to $500,000. Proposals will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on May 25, 2018. Read more ...
IDEM Seeks Nominations for the 2018 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence to recognize organizations that have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes.
The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence are Indiana's highest environmental recognition and are open to all Indiana facilities, government agencies, individuals and other groups that implement exemplary environmental projects or initiatives with measurable results. Nominations due no later than Monday, May 7 at 5 pm.  Read more ...
PURDUE EXTENSION News
Check out the new publications, videos, workshops and posts: Purdue  Got Nature?, purdue.edu/gotnature .
Other News
SWCS
Registration now open for the 73rd Annual Conference
Registration is now open for the 73rd SWCS International Annual Conference, which will take place in Albequerque, New Mexico July 29-August 1!
Complete conference details including registration . Early bird registration ends June 20.
CTIC
Registration now open for the 2018 Conservation in Action Tour
  The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has officially opened registration for the 11th annual Conservation in Action Tour, which will take place near the country’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, in Annapolis, Maryland on July 10 and 11, 2018.  For information, including registration .
Resources
For Districts: Tips for a Successful Field Day
Field days are a great way to share innovative ideas in sustainable agriculture with fellow farmers and ranchers, but organizing an event can be time consuming, especially if you have limited experience. SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) has assembled a farmer field day toolkit that can take some of the pressure off—it provides tips and tools on key aspects of event planning such as:
WEBINAR:
Indiana High Tunnel Production: A Handbook for Growers and Tips on Winter Production
Tuesday, April 17 at 9:30 AM EST
Do you work with farmers who are considering a high tunnel, maybe through the EQIP cost-share, or who currently use high tunnels on their farm?  Join this webinar to learn important information about common challenges and considerations growers wish they had known before installing their high tunnel. We will present findings from a recent study conducted jointly by IU and Purdue University on farmers’ experience with high tunnels. Registration and information here . (Photo Cred: Linda Naeve, Iowa State University Extension)
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, IASWCD
  • Executive Director, Wesselman Woods Nature Society
  • Invasive Species Specialist, Dubois County SWCD
  • Seasonal Position Job Fair, IDNR, April 14
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 .
Video: The Roots of Conservation is a series of stories about the people working to address threats to water quality and soil health in the Mississippi River Basin and find conservation solutions that make economic sense for people and communities. (Published by The Walton Family Foundation)
Upcoming Conservation Events :
April 14 - Permaculture in Practice Workshop, Hamilton County
April 17 - Grant Writing-Deeper Dive, United Way of Central Indiana
April 19 - Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County
April 29-May 6 - NACD Stewardship Week
May 15 - SSCB Meeting, Knox County
May 28 - Memorial Day
June 15 - River Friendly Farmer Award Applications due 
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 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 .