Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
March 14, 2018
Conservation Update

March 1 - March 14, 2018
IASWCD News
Executive Director Search for IASWCD
The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) is seeking an Executive Director. Resumes and cover letters are now being accepted through April 6 (or until the position is filled) at: [email protected]

2019 Annual Conference Planning Underway
This year the IASWCD is promoting a Call for Abstracts for the 2019 Annual Conference taking place January 14-15, 2019 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Details  regarding submission of these abstracts can be found here. Abstracts may be submitted via email or the  online Google Form  by April 18.

River Friendly Farmer Nominations Now Being Accepted
Now through June 15, Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts may nominate up to two landowners/farmers for this annual award. The River Friendly Farmer Award is a statewide initiative that  recognizes farmers, who through their everyday conservation management practices do an outstanding job of protecting Indiana's rivers, lakes and streams. Watershed organizations also may nominate farmers for the award by submitting an application to a county SWCD. More information...

SWCD Staff . . . This WEBINAR is for YOU!
The Children of Indiana Nature Park: Nurturing a Love of Nature for Hoosier Kids
Thursday April 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Do you enjoy nurturing a love of nature with the youth that you serve? Kids need nature! Children who spend time in nature are less stressed, better test takers, and more confident. The Children of Indiana Nature Park invites a personal connection between young Hoosiers and nature by providing each K-12 student in Indiana with their very own spot in the Park!  Each Nature IN-Deed has its own geographic coordinate so kids can find their spot!   
 
To introduce you to their resources and encourage nature learning with youth, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana is offering a webinar about the Children of Indiana Nature Park for educators and outreach coordinators.This session will speak to why children need nature, what the Children of Indiana Nature Park is, and introduce resources for teachers and educators to support reconnecting young people with our natural world.  Email  [email protected]  to register for the event or to request more information.

Herbaceous Plant ID Webinar
March 21
9:30 am - 10:30 am (EST)
For staff/members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP)

ICP logo Key topics include:
  • Basic plant characteristics - grasses, broadleaves and sedges
  • Life Cycles - annuals, biennials and perennials
  • Plant stages - seedlings, vegetative and reproductive
  • Using keys for ID
  • Plant ID resources
The webinar will be recorded for those unable to join live. More information...
NACD News
NACD Seeks Summer Intern
NACD is currently accepting applications for a summer intern to assist government affairs and communications staff with advancing the association's legislative agenda. Intern candidates, usually college juniors or seniors, are introduced to hands-on learning experiences and the development of natural resources, agricultural and environmental policies. Interested in applying? Click here for a full description and application details; applications due March 30. 

NACD Releases Promotional Videos
During the 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, NACD debuted a  series of three promotional videos  to highlight what conservation districts and the national association do on a daily basis to protect our nation's natural resources. Check these out! Great way to promote the district and share at community meetings.
MARCH 2018 Urban & Community Conservation Webinar  
March 15
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. EST
This webinar wi ll feature two green infrastructure management tools.  For the past two years, the Westmoreland Conservation District in Pennsylvania has been implementing a program to monitor locally-installed green infrastructure projects with "real-time" sensing technologies. The district currently has monitoring devices installed throughout the county in best management practices (BMPs) such as rain gardens, green roofs and permeable pavements. Read more...
ISDA News
State Soil Conservation Board Meeting (SSCB) Rescheduled
The next State Soil Conservation Board meeting will take place Wednesday, April 4 at 1:00 pm at the NRCS State Office (6013 Lakeside Blvd. Indianapolis). Please note that the meeting time and date have changed from the previously scheduled date in March.  Upcoming SSCB meeting dates: May 15 (Knox County); July 24 (NRCS, Indianapolis); September 18 (NRCS, Indianapolis); and, October 30 (TBD).
USDA-NRCS News
Other News
Judges Needed for Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair 
The Science Education Foundation of Indiana needs 40-60 more judges for the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair (HSEF) taking place on Saturday, March 24. Judging information can be found here . Contact Glen Cook Executive Director
Science Education Foundation of Indiana.

Indiana State Fair Advanced Discount Ticket Sales
The 2018 Indiana State Fair will run from 
August 3-19.
Gates open daily at 8:00 am.
Gate Hours: Sunday - Thursday (8AM - 9PM) / Friday & Saturday (8AM - 9:30PM) 
Advanced Discount Gate Admission Tickets may be purchased here.

2018 Indiana Tree Farm Landowners Clinic and Field Tour
This clinic is a program designed to provide landowners interested in managing their forests and wild lands an introduction to management practices and resources for advice and assistance.  More information ...
March 16 Field Tour
1 pm to 4 pm
The Wilkins Farm Woods
Linden, IN
March 17 Clinic
8:30 am to 4 pm
John S. Wright Forestry Center
West Lafayette, IN

In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
Please refer to the IASWCD Events and CCSI Soil Health Events calendars for a full list of upcoming events and more details regarding these events below: 

March 19 - No-Till Soil Health Clinic, Hendrick County

March 20 - NACD Fly-In

March 22 -  Forest Managment for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County

March 22-23 - Indiana Lakes Management Conference

March 24 - Spring Wild Edibles Workshop, Morgan County

March 29 -   -  Forest Managment for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County

April 4 - SSCB meeting, NRCS Indianapolis

April 5 - Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County

April 12 Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County

April 14 - Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner, Johnson County

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

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 - Indiana District Employees Association (IDEA) Fall Conference, Lake Monroe, Bloomington, IN

October 30 - SSCB Meeting, TBD

November 30 - Leadership Institute

December 7 - Leadership Institute
Current Job Openings *

See Job Descriptions and/or Applications at www.IASWCD.org 

Special Projects Director
SWCS

Biologist - Big Rivers (IL/KY/MO)  - Ducks Unlimited

Resource Specialist - Wabash River Enhancement Corporation

Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant,
Hamilton County SWCD

Executive Director,
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

*(Note: please submit job openings to: 
and include instructions for applying, deadline, 
and job description
 in a single PDF file. Thank you.)