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| Friday, February 22, 2002 Washington, DC. |
"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see."
ACCOLADES
First Annual Excellence in Conservation Award -
NRCS announced this week that it will present the first annual Excellence in Conservation Award to recognize the valuable contributions that those outside of government have made to natural resource conservation on private land. Any non-governmental individual, group, tribe or organization is eligible for nomination by an NRCS employee. The nomination must describe the voluntary contributions made by the nominee in such areas as communications, program delivery, technology transfer, outreach, or a combination of these criteria. Each nomination must be accompanied by a citation of accomplishments (200 words or less) summarizing the work performed by the nominee to conserve natural resources on private land. Nominations are limited to one per State office, regional office, and NHQ deputy area. All nominations must be submitted with six copies on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. State conservationists and regional conservationists must concur with State office nominations and the appropriate division director and deputy chief must concur with NHQ nominations. A panel will choose one winner who will be presented with the impressive handcrafted crystal award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on July 8, 2002. Nominations must be received by the NRCS Human Resources Management Division on or before April 2, 2002. Nominations should be submitted to USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Room 6218-S; 14th & Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20250.
For details on the correct format for nominations, call Sandra Thompson, NRCS human resources specialist, at 202-720-2900 or sandra.thompson2@usda.gov.
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)/NRCS Earth Team Award -
At the recent NACD annual meeting in Reno, Nevada, the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Fairfax received one of the top awards for Earth Team volunteers. The Northern Virginia SWCD was recognized for increasing its volunteer numbers and hours while working on Fairfax County stream monitoring, tree planting, and river clean-up projects. The award is presented to the most effective Earth Team in a conservation district that demonstrates shared leadership among district officials, NRCS employees, and Earth Team volunteers.
Your contact is Michele Eginoire, NRCS National Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator, at 515-289-0325 ext. 29.
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Soil Survey Reaches Large Audience -
A milestone was reached in Arizona's efforts to market soil survey information with the recent publication of two soil shrink-swell potential maps in the Arizona Registrar of Contractors newsletter. The newsletter is mailed to approximately 36,000 licensed contractors and to trade organizations, city and county building departments, and all State and congressional representatives. Eric Wolfbrandt, NRCS geographic information systems (GIS) specialist, developed the maps from the NRCS Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) data base data for the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas to complement a two-part series on the effects of expansive soils in the construction industry. The maps can be viewed at http://az.nrcs.usda.gov/soils/.
Your contact is Phil Camp, NRCS Arizona State Soil Scientist, at 602-280-8837.
Arizonians Partner to Improve Forest Land -
The Little Colorado River Plateau Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), the Cocopai RC&D, and other State and local partners have joined together to form the Arizona Sustainable Forestry Partnership (ASFP) serving the RC&D service area of Navajo, Apache, and Coconino counties. The partnership is working to thin and restore Arizona forests by establishing a sustainable small-diameter wood species forestry industry and increasing public awareness of issues facing southwestern forests and communities. The goal of the partnership is to promote ecological-based forest initiatives enhancing sustainable forests and increasing forestry industry employment opportunities. The ASFP is active in a number of activities, including hosting sessions on how forest thinning can reduce the threat of forest fires, working to establish an environmentally and economically sustainable forestry industry in Arizona, and conducting business and grant writing counseling for applicants. Other ASFP workshops have been held to help business applicants learn about accessing low interest loans, writing business plans, marketing products, accessing different grant sources, and touring forest projects to see the effects of forest thinning.
Your contact is Herbert A. Hopper III, NRCS Little Colorado River Plateau RC&D Project Director, at 928-524-6063 ext. 5.
NRCS Meets Mother Earth -
The February-March issue of Mother Earth News (readership of over 1.1 million) featured an interview with NRCS Santa Cruz County, California, district conservationist, Rich Casale. In the article, "Here's the Dirt on Rural Roads," Rich shared his technical expertise on how to reduce sediment run-off from rural roads and offered to provide readers with copies of the NRCS/Central Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council's brochure, titled "Drainage Improvement Guide for Unpaved Roads." Rural roads have often been noted as key sources of sediment in watershed studies but, as Rich noted, "I've done lots of interviews before, but none has ever generated this much interest." After receiving over 75 inquiries from all over the country since the February-March Mother Earth News was published, Rich thought about using push pins on a map of the United States to mark from where he'd received a request for the drainage brochure. "The problem was that these inquiries are coming from landowners living in places we couldn't even find on a map," Rich noted.
Your contact is Anita Brown, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 530-792-5644 or anita.brown@ca.usda.gov.
New Guide for the Big Apple's "Backyard Conservationists" -
New York's urban homeowners and residential gardeners have a new reference for their conservation toolboxes, which can help them through the process of creating a home landscape that is both attractive and effectively conserves water. The Water Saver's Guide to Landscaping and Gardening is a full-color xeriscape guide book which, through step-by-step plans, shows the reader how to organize a garden using water conservation principles. The guide, published by the Water-Wise Council of New York, Inc., includes discussions of mulch; irrigation systems; plant selection; and lists of recommended plants particularly suitable for the New York metropolitan region, as well as extensive listing of New York area gardening resources. The Water-Wise Council of New York is a private-public partnership consisting of citizens, educators, business people, water suppliers, and government leaders who have joined together to promote water conservation and sound management practices. A copy is $18.00 (postage included) from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, P.O. Box 1000, Thiells, New York 10984.
Your contact is Robert Dibble, NRCS resource conservationist, at 845-883-7162 ext.104 or robert.dibble@ny.usda.gov.
Conservation Partners Create a "Spectacle" for Legislators -
NRCS and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts used liquid crystal display (LCD) glasses and hi-tech headsets to teach legislators about everyone's responsibility for natural resources conservation at the annual Ag Fest in Pierre. A 60-second video, titled Conservation Legacy, used the theme of "Mother Earth needs us" with the message that it is our turn to protect soil and water to pass along a brighter future for the next generation. Viewers donned headsets and LCD glasses connected to a VCR to enjoy the full visual field and enhanced sound featured on the spot. "The LCD glasses were a great way to capture people's interest at the exhibit," explained Colette Kessler, NRCS public affairs specialist. "It aroused everyone's curiosity and got them to stop at the exhibit. Then it was easy to keep them listening to our conservation message," she added. South Dakota Ag Unity sponsors the annual Ag Fest. It provides an informal setting for interacting with South Dakota Legislators and ag-related organizations, such as the South Dakota Stockgrowers, Ag in the Classroom, the South Dakota Pork Producers, the South Dakota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and others.
Your contact is Colette Kessler, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 605-224-2476.
Snow Season Forecasts Vary Throughout the West -
NRCS Snowpack Telemetry technicians report that, at the beginning of this year’s snow season, climate and water supply conditions in the West varied considerably. NRCS continuously monitors snowpack in the western States and each year, from January through May, works with the National Weather Service to forecast the expected amount of seasonal snowmelt runoff in the West, where snowmelt provides about 75 percent of the water supply. Experts at NRCS State offices and the National Water and Climate Center issue a variety of reports and forecasts throughout the snow season.
Snowpack data as of February 1, 2002, continue to show a wide contrast from well above average totals in the Pacific Northwest to well below average in the Intermountain West and Desert Southwest. The northern Cascades of Oregon report the highest snowpacks, which are greater than 150 percent of average. Snowpacks have diminished in the Rocky Mountain States due to the reduced frequency of winter storms in that region.
Data collected show that Pacific Northwest seasonal streamflow volume forecasts have improved significantly from last year. Most streamflow forecasts in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California remain above average. However, in central Montana, central Wyoming, Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona and New Mexico dryness persists where prospects for spring streamflow are either below or much below average. As of February 1, 2002, all major western storage reservoirs were below seasonal averages, reflecting the water shortages of last year’s drought that impacted much of the West. The latest available snowpack and water supply information and details on the data collection system are available online at http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov.
Your contact is Phil Pasteris, NRCS Water and Climate Services Leader, at 503-414-3058 or ppasteris@wcc.nrcs.usda.gov.
WORD FROM WASHINGTON
Celebrate National Black History Month! -
National Black History Month is celebrated during February to salute and honor the contributions African-Americans have made to this Nation. This year's theme is "The Color Line Revisited: Is Racism Dead?" In 1926, Harvard-educated Dr. Carter G. Woodson began the observance to instill a sense of pride, heritage, and honor in African-Americans and to encourage other racial groups to learn more about the African-American culture. In 1976, the weeklong event was expanded to the entire month of February to allow more time for observances. Dr. Woodson's choice of February honors two well-known civil rights leaders born during the month: Frederick Douglas (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).
Your contact is John Glover, NRCS National Black Emphasis Program Manager, at 301-504-2193 or john.glover@usda.gov.
NRCS Economists Prepare for Farm Bill Implementation -
With support from the NRCS Science and Technology Consortium leadership and the agency's State conservationists, economists from each NRCS region, the NRCS Natural Resource Inventory and Analysis Institute, and NHQ are developing strategies to facilitate Farm Bill implementation. The variation among the States in terms of the quality of cost and benefit data in Field Office Technical Guides (FOTG) and access to analytical tools could affect NRCS conservationists and others who assist producers in making choices on Farm Bill programs. In order to provide NRCS field staff with sound economic analysis tools and cost and benefit information, the economists have developed plans to strengthen FOTG's and enhance access to economics information and tools. The plans will be implemented through State economists serving as Regional Economic Technical Coordinators to enhance communications and information sharing within each region and nationally. Economics information and tools will be soon available from a new website.
Your contact is Liu Chuang, NRCS senior program analyst, at 202-720-7076.
"The Leader in You" Leadership Development Opportunity -
Peg Neuhauser and Ray Bender, in their satellite broadcast seminar "Tribal Warfare in Organizations: A Leadership Challenge," will be the first "The Leader in You" program for spring 2002. This presentation will look at the dynamics among various professional groups. It will provide valuable insight into effective collaboration, problem solving, and new ways to bridge the gap between professional groups within an aging organization. Participants will be guided through a process where they will learn to develop "profiles" for various work groups in order to cross cultural barriers for effective negotiation. This seminar will broadcast on April 2 from 1-3 p.m. ET. Satellite broadcast coordinates and handout information will be provided as soon as they are available. There is no cost to view the training over satellite transmission, and taping rights are available.
"The Leader in You" training program is designed to enhance the skills of all levels of The conservation partnership as its members continue to work with others to implement conservation initiatives in their communities. It is sponsored by the NRCS Social Sciences Institute and National Employee Development Center in cooperation with the National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of Conservation District Employees, and National Association of State Conservation Agencies.
Your contact is Barbara Wallace, NRCS community planner, at 616-942-1503 or barbara.wallace@usda.gov.
NRCS Manager Speaks at Yale University -
NRCS National Program Manager for the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP), Robert Molleur, recently spoke on FIP at the Yale Forest Forum in New Haven, Connecticut. The audience heard about FIP accomplishments, trends, the NRCS conservation "toolbox," and the principles underlying locally led conservation. Bob also explained the emerging role of agroforestry and its positive impact on working farmlands. The Yale Forest Forum supports issue-oriented discussions that focus on emerging issues in forest management and highlight current initiatives that impact the sustainable management of forestlands. Forums have addressed such diverse topics as: forest fragmentation, the evolving role of silviculture in the United States, the financial aspects of sustainable forestry, and the use of "working" easements as a conservation tool.
Your contact is Robert Molleur, NRCS FIP National Program Manager, at 202-720-6521.
TECH TIP
Invasives - Because of the tremendous impact invasive species have on crop production, rangeland, wildland biodiversity, trade, human health, food safety, water supplies, and our lives in general, invasives are getting more attention from not only farmers and ranchers, but many other sectors, including NRCS. Invasives include agricultural and wildland weeds, microbes – such as West Nile virus and foot and mouth disease, aquatic species – such as zebra mussels, and insects like the glassy-winged sharpshooter. A 1999 study by Pimentel et al., at http://invasivespecies.gov/impacts.shtml estimates that invasive species cost the U.S. $100 billion each year in environmental damages and losses.
More Info. - For more information on invasive species visit the National Invasive Species Council webiste at http://invasivespecies.gov. The NRCS National Plant Data Center (NPDC) serves on the advisory group for the development of the National Invasive Species Council website which continues to expand, providing general and educational information on invasive species and linking users to other related sites. A copy of the National Invasive Species Management Plan can also be obtained at this site. The NRCS PLANTS website, at http://plants.usda.gov/, also contains a wealth of information on invasive and noxious plant species. If you're looking for conservation plants for restoration planting, check out the list of Plant Guides and Fact Sheets, produced by the NPDC and the Plant Materials Program, covering almost 500 species.
Request for Proposal (RFP) - The Center for Invasive Plant Management (CIPM), headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, has recently announced an RFP at http://weedcenter.org/index.html. The CIPM is offering grants ($400-$10,000) for western projects, such as targeting citizen involvement to restoration case studies for invasive plants. Please pass this information on to RC&Ds and other pertinent organizations.
New England Invasives Atlas – NRCS is serving as an advisor to institutions throughout New England involved in a cooperative effort, funded in part by USDA, to develop a network to collect data on invasive species. A website at http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/invasives/ipane/ is under construction at the University of Connecticut Torrey Herbarium in Storrs, Connecticut, which will coordinate information. The National Plant Data Center is serving as an advisor to the project.
Your contact is Scott Peterson, Director, NRCS National Plant Data Center, at 225-775-6280.
Please send correspondence and material for "NRCS This Week" to the editor by: e-mail to: fred.jacobs@usda.gov or by fax to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," 202-720-1564; or by mail to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013.
You can receive NRCSTW via e-mail by sending an e-mail to: listproc@nrcs.usda.gov (NHQ personnel should send their e-mail to: GW:"listproc@nrcs.usda.gov@i"). Do not use a subject line and put the following in the body of the message: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK Firstname Lastname (example: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK Rachel Carson). To get help with other commands that are available at the "listproc@nrcs.usda.gov" address, send a message with no subject and the word HELP on a line by itself in the body of the message. "NRCS This Week" is posted on the NRCS Homepage.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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