May 3, 2002

"A dawn wind stirs on the great marsh. With almost imperceptible slowness, it rolls a bank of fog across the wild morass.  Like the white ghost of a glacier, the mists advance, riding over phalanxes of tamarack, sliding across bog meadows heavy with dew.  A single silence hangs from horizon to horizon." from A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold, (1887-1948), American author and conservationist

NRCS NewsLinks

NRCS people, projects, and programs appeared this week in the following newspapers:

Florida: New Program to Improve Lake Quality, Cost-sharing Program Aimed to Help Lake, and Watershed Hearing Set for Tuesday (The Okeechobee News)
Iowa: Counties Receive RC&D Designation (The Humboldt Independent)
Iowa: DOT Restores Wetlands Lost to Highway Projects (The Des Moines Register)
Kansas: Hodgson Hopes to Blaze Trail with RC&D (The Garden City Telegram)
Minnesota: Soil Survey Moves Ahead (Citizen Online, Windom)
Tennessee: Wetland-to-be will Help Make Up for Loss (GoMemphis.com), More Than 700 Local Students Attend a Kids Day on the Farm (Greene County Online, Greeneville)

NRCS Drought and Snowpack News
Colorado: both">Colorado Crying Out for a Little Rain (The Gazette, Colorado Springs), State Ready to Act as Snowpack Drops (The Denver Post), both">It's Official: Mountains Dry (The Greeley Tribune)
Idaho: April Precip Holds Down Water Use (The Times-News, Twin Falls)
New Mexico: Park Officials, Farmers Brace for Drought Cuff to Coffers (The Albuquerque Tribune)
Oregon: Snowpack is Striking in Its Normacy (The Mail Tribune, Medford)
Utah: Drought, Fire Danger Intensify (The Desert News)

(NOTE: Links are tested at the time NRCS This Week is cleared.  However, by the time readers try the link, the story may be off the server.  In most cases readers can go to the paper's homepage where they will be able to access the story through the paper's archives).

Focus on the Field

Laotian Hands Across the Sea -- Growers and agricultural representatives from Laos recently visited the Salinas and Fresno areas for 2 months to learn about irrigation and erosion control technologies that could be useful in their native country.  The group visited strawberry and flower growers, the Southeast Asian Specialty Crop Experimental Project at California State University at Fresno and the Salt Creek and Ketscher Citrus Orchards in Fresno and Monterrey counties.  Additionally, the Laotian growers and agricultural representatives learned about the impact of this year's heavy rainfall on streambank erosion, sedimentation, soil acidity, and crop production from NRCS conservationists and marketing techniques from University of California Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service staff line">.   Your contact is Jolene Lau, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 831-754-1595.

Investing in Volunteers -- The NRCS New Hampshire Natural Resources Volunteer Training program recently graduated 58 Earth Team and Community Tree Steward volunteers from the 2002 Natural Resource Volunteers training courses.  The graduates represent varied backgrounds, including town officials, planning commission members, students, retirees, master gardeners, and a TV producer.  Born of a partnership between the NRCS Earth Team and the local Community Tree Stewardship programs, Natural Resources Volunteer Training Program graduates volunteer for a minimum of 40 hours over a 2-year period in exchange for 10 hours of training in natural resources conservation.  The training is sponsored by University of New Hampshire Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands; and the U.S. Forest Service; in partnership with NRCS and three of New Hampshire’s 10 Conservation Districts in Hillsborough, Strafford and Rockingham counties.  Courses were held in different parts of the State to encourage local participation and included a wide range of training in natural resource areas related to forestry, soil and water conservation, and watershed management.  The results of the training are already evident with a pilot project training, inspired by the program, underway at University of New Hampshire where students receive college course credit for the Natural Resource Volunteers.  Graduates are already assisting NRCS professionals and volunteers in conservation projects throughout New Hampshire.   Your contact is Priscilla Johnston, NRCS volunteer coordinator, at 603-868-7581 or.

Helping People Understand Soils -- Nearly 200 attendees at the National Conservation Education meeting hosted by the U.S. Forest Service in Albuquerque, New Mexico, reacted enthusiastically to the NRCS rollout of its new soil education CD.  Included on the CD are the Soil Biology Primer; the NRCS-National Science Teachers Association book, "Dig In: Hands-on Soil Investigations;" information on State Soils, Dominant Soil Order maps; and lesson plans.  The meeting also included classroom projects using mini-soil monoliths and exercises using soil crayons.  In addition to the "Train the Trainer" activities, soil scientists at the National Conservation Education meeting interacted with leadership from various conservation education organizations, inspiring a workshop planned for coordinators with Project Learning Tree.  Educational materials described above can be found at the National Soil Survey Center web site.  Your contact is Gary Muckel, NRCS soil scientist, at 402-437-4148 or. style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: blue">

Vermont Youth Protect Famous River -- NRCS, the Bennington Conservation District, and students from an alternative education program in Arlington, Vermont, have teamed up to restore and protect the health of the famous Batten Kill, a river known internationally for its brown trout and spectacular fishing.  The wide array of partners have teamed up to promote a stream buffer outreach program directed toward riparian landowners encouraging them to develop riparian habitat while giving area youth an opportunity to work on improving water quality in the watershed.  Students now attend classes led by Authentic Educators, a group of local experts in the field of land use planning, natural history writing, uses of Geographic Information Systems, historic bridge preservation, aquatic ecology, and Battenkill Valley furbearers.  After learning about the river’s dynamics, students will plant willow trees to create a 2 mile-long buffer on the Batten Kill and its tributaries.   Your contact is Anne Hilliard, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 802-951-6796, ext. 234.

Secretary Veneman Signs CREP Agreement -- Secretary Ann Veneman, representing NRCS and other USDA and Federal partners, launched a new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to safeguard more than 4,600 watershed acres in West Virginia.  The Secretary, along with Governor Bob Wise, representing the State partners, recently signed the CREP agreement in Charleston where Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito and nearly 200 people attended.  Immediately after the signing, Linnie Fullen of Union, Monroe County, became the State's first landowner to sign up for the new program.  CREP is a cost-effective way to address rural conservation concerns by offering a sign-up incentive for enrollees who earn a set level of cost sharing on enrolled land.  CREP combines State and Federal dollars with funding from non-government sources to tackle specific agriculture-related environmental issues.  In West Virginia, $11.4 million will help to bring an improvement to water quality and help treat environmentally sensitive areas.   Your contact is Peg Reese, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 304-284-7547.

Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Earth Day -- NRCS and the U.S. Forest Service teamed up under the NRE mission area banner to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, at USDA’s Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.  The goal was to highlight the two agencies' ongoing conservation contributions to clean water and air, healthy soil, improved wildlife habitat, and a quality environment on private and public lands.  Secretary Ann Veneman and Chief Pearlie Reed planted an "Indigo" silky dogwood from NRCS Plant Materials Center in East Lansing, Michigan, to symbolize the agencies' conservation efforts and the $24.6 million earmarked by the Administration and Congress for conservation projects.  "America’s farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land and this Earth Day we are highlighting some of these successes," Veneman said.  "These programs, many of which are partnerships with local communities, demonstrate the Bush Administration’s strong commitment to protecting the environment," she added.  Bob Snieckus, NRCS National Landscape Architect, created the landscape/conservation plan for the FPL Research House, which includes practices such as slope stabilization plantings and shrubs for visual screening to cool the structure in summer and to protect it from winter winds, thereby reducing energy costs as well.  Another major highlight of the Earth Day Event was the NRCS Soil Survey Division's unveiling its SoLIM (Soil-Landscape Inference Model) software and new display by Dr. Sheryl Kunickis, NRCS soil scientist/landscape analyst.  The event was featured on local television and in newspapers Statewide.  Your contact is Renae Anderson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 608-276-8732, ext. 227.

Word from Washington

Celebrate American Wetlands Month

Each May, thousands of individuals celebrate the uniqueness, beauty, and importance of wetlands.  The theme of American Wetlands Month 2002, is "Bogs, Playas, Pools: Protect America's Unique Wetlands."  A wetland can be as tiny as a small wet spot or puddle or as large as the Everglades, and they are found in every State in the U.S.  This celebration is an ideal time to emphasize programs and activities that support voluntary wetland restoration and protection.  During May, conservation districts, grassroots organizations, and government agencies join individuals and educators across the country to acknowledge the importance of this valuable natural resource and the role wetlands play in the health of our Nation.  Discover more about wetlands activities and programs on the NRCS wetlands web site.

What Can You Do to Help Preserve and Protect America's Wetlands?

Participate in Wetlands Conservation and Sustainability Workshops.

Every year, workshops are offered to volunteers, non-profit groups, government agency staffs, and businesses across the country.  Participants learn about wetland ecology, functions and values, regulations and permits, and wetland monitoring.  Each workshop includes field time getting to know wetlands by examining hydrology, plants, soil, and surrounding land uses.  Call 800-284-4952 for information about workshops, events, and conferences in your area.

Take Advantage of Wetland Technical and Networking Resources.

The Izaak Walton League (IWLA) offers AWM kits on the Internet to help local groups initiate on-the-ground projects.  The kits include fact sheets on wetlands, project ideas, contact information, case studies of projects from across the country, and links to many informative wetland sites.  You can download the kit from the IWLA's website at http://www.iwla.org/sos/awm/awmkit.html.  IWLA also provides technical and networking assistance to anyone interested in working for wetlands.  Call 800-284-4952, or e-mail awm@iwla.org, to get more information.  Save Our Streams (SOS) sells informative materials including the Handbook for Wetlands Conservation and Sustainability and a video, "Wetland Stewardship: A Call to Action."  View these and other wetlands publications and materials at http://www.iwla.org/sos/handbook/index.htm.  Your contact is Fred Jacobs, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-6790.


New Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Publication -- The NRCS Watershed and Wetlands Division has distributed a new WRP publication, titled "Restoring America's Wetlands."  The six-page, four-color, brochure features important and interesting facts, statistics, and images on WRP in fifteen States.  Over 50,000 have been sent to NRCS WRP coordinators in State offices.  Limited quantities are available from the NRCS Wetlands Division.  Your contact is Leslie Deavers, NRCS National WRP Coordinator, at 202-720-1067.

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month -- Twenty-three years ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week as May 4-10, 1979.  Eleven years later, in 1990, President George Bush extended the week into a month-long celebration.  Two years after that, Public Law 102-450 designated May of each year Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Your contact is Virginia C. Lewis, NRCS Acting Asian American/Pacific Islanders National Program Manager, at 301-504-2194.

Tech Tip

What’s New at PLANTS

In response suggestions from users, the Plant Profiles at the PLANTS database now has thumbnail distribution maps, navigational aids, and a printer-friendly mode that condenses the information on each profile.  Thumbnail maps. Plant profiles have been integrated with thumbnail distribution maps for subordinate taxa and links for higher ranking groups.  Now users can move easily between the profiles for closely related plants to compare their features and help them narrow the possibilities geographically.  For example, each genus will display a thumbnail distribution map of all species within that genus and a link to other genera in that plant family.  Each species will show thumbnail maps for its subspecies or varieties and links to genus and family.  Clicking on a thumbnail map will take users directly to the Plant Profile for that plant.  Users can also right-click on a thumbnail to save images to their computer.  The updated Plant Profile also provides quick access to all images of the relevant genus that are in the Gallery.  To see these new features, do a symbol search using "PIAR" (all caps) in the Plants Name Search box and then click on Pinus aristata (bristlecone pine).  Printer-Friendly Version.  Click on the "printer-friendly version" link in the lower left-hand corner of the Plant Profile box for a condensed version of the profile.  Your contact is J. Scott Peterson, Director NRCS National Plant Data Center, at 225-775-6280 or scott.peterson@usda.gov.

TECH TIP

Global Biodiversity Information Facility Established - The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is the outcome of a collaboration of nations around the world through the Convention on Biological Diversity to make biological information globally accessible to decision-makers and the public. The GBIF is an interoperable network of biodiversity databases and information technology tools that are in various phases of development. Users will be able to navigate the world’s vast quantities of biodiversity information, which can be used for national economic, environmental, and social benefits. A GBIF subcommittee for the Electronic Catalogue of Names of Known Organisms (also known as the Catalogue of Life) has formed a Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG). The STAG recently met in Sydney, Australia, to work on the Catalogue. Scott Peterson, National Plant Data Center Director, was a STAG participant. NRCS PLANTS http://plants.usda.gov and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System http://www.itis.usda.gov will function within this network. For more information, visit the GBIF Web site, at http://www.gbif.org/.
Your contact is Scott Peterson, Director, NRCS National Plant Data Center, at 225-775-6280 or scott.peterson@usda.gov.

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