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NRCS This Week

Friday, April 13, 2001 Washington, DC.

"A prosperous and enduring agriculture depends on an adequate supply of productive land, properly used and so protected from erosion that it will remain permanently productive. Without such a lasting agriculture, there can be no assurance of full national strength and permanence."

Hugh Hammond Bennett (1881-1960) from a series of lectures given at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, January-March, 1959

Focus on the Field
Kansas: How Do You Spell "Agriculture" in Kansas? P-I-Z-Z-A
New York: Seed Harvest and Site Stabilization with Low Cost Technology
Pennsylvania: Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle Recovery Continues
South Carolina: Protecting the Environment: A "PR" Textbook Model
Wisconsin: EQIP Project Attracts New Facility

What's Up in Washington
Soil Quality e-mail List

National
April Showers (also) Bring
 
Regional
Engineering Design Improvements – Northern Plains Style
 
Tech Tip
NRCS Develops Soil Phosphorous Holding Potential
USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks
NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West: ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/data/snow/update/ws.txt.
NRCS Legislative Summaries: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/legislative/Summary106.html.

Also on the 'Net:
AGRICOLA: USDA's AGRICultural Online Access
e-Notes from NACD: Weekly news briefs from the National Association of Conservation Districts: http://www.nacdnet.org/eNotes/.
 
Conference & Training Connection!
See the April 13 "Conference & Training Connection" for an alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events. .

FOCUS ON THE FIELD

How Do You Spell "Agriculture" in Kansas? P-I-Z-Z-A - The fourth grade students of Douglas County celebrated Kansas Day recently by learning about the State's largest industry - agriculture. The 800 students felt the impact agriculture makes each time they ate their favorite food - a slice of pizza. Students were able to see, touch, and learn about grains grown for the crust, tomatoes for sauce, the dairy cows that give milk to make cheese, and even the pigs for pepperoni. Without soil and water, none of the pizza ingredients would have been possible. The students rotated through eight sessions every 15 minutes. A specific curriculum was followed throughout the day covering nutrition, safety, science, and history. Your contact is Clyde Mermis, NRCS District Conservationist, at 785-843-4288.

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Seed Harvest and Site Stabilization with Low Cost Technology - The increased interest in native plants has resulted in a rise in demand for native seeds. The basic method of hand-harvesting from wild stands is time consuming and labor intensive. The Big Flats New York Plant Materials Center personnel devised a more efficient seed harvest technique by modifying a gas powered hedge trimmer. They attached a plastic tub to the trimmer to catch the seeds as they "trim" the tops of the native pants to harvest the seed.

Big Flats New York Plant Materials Center personnel have also devised a way to establish permanent vegetation where growing grass from seed is difficult. Grass seed is sowed onto growing mix over coir (woven coconut fiber) erosion control mats. Once the grass has formed a solid cover, the mats are "planted" at the site. These vegetated mats have proven to be an effective erosion control system. Your contact is Martin van der Grinten, NRCS Big Flats, New York Plant Materials Center, at 607-562-8404 or martin.vandergrinten@ny.usda.gov.

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Protecting the Environment: A "PR" Textbook Model - NRCS has partnered with several other Federal and State agencies and organizations in South Carolina to launch a public education campaign to raise awareness of the importance of conserving and protecting the environment. To kick-off the campaign, Agriculture and Natural Resources Communicators for the Environment (ANRCE) is developing a TV program, "Pass It On Down: Protecting South Carolina's Special Places." The hour-long program, to be aired on South Carolina Public Television, will coincide with Earth Day observances, April 20th. This month, ANRCE will also highlight environmental issues such as the farmer's role in environmental preservation, wildlife and habitat protection, responsible pesticide use, invasive species, and water quality on a South Carolina Public Radio program, "Your Day." Newspaper inserts prepared by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture that will address farm-related environmental issues will be placed in agricultural periodicals during Farm Appreciation Week this spring. Your contacts are Perdita Savage Belk, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 803-765-5402 or Don Munson, Clemson University, at 864-656-4741.

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Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle Recovery Continues - The year 2000 saw impressive increases in the number of bald eagles in the Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia Chesapeake Bay area, with 532 active nests and 812 young eagles counted. Significant increases in Virginia account for a large portion of this year's gains - 37 new active nests and 82 more young fledged - one of the biggest jumps in recent years. This recovery has been attributed to the 1972 ban on DDT and subsequent habitat improvements. The long-term success of eagles in this region will depend on how their habitat is managed. Updated indicators can be viewed at the Chesapeake Bay Program website at http://www.chesapeakebay.net (select Environmental Indicators in the "Quick Links" menu). Your Contact is Stacey Mitchell, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 717-237-2208.

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EQIP Project Attracts New Facility - A wetland filtration system installed through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) proved to be a deciding factor in the selection of the site for a new aquaculture training facility. The Red Cliff Indian Reservation was competitively selected as the home for Wisconsin's new $3 million cold-water fish farm demonstration facility. The facility will include laboratories, offices, a resource center, classrooms and meeting rooms, as well as rearing ponds, raceways and wastewater settling ponds. The Red Cliff site offers supplies of suitable well water, an existing water-filtering wetlands system to treat fish production effluent, and a connection to a municipal sanitary sewer system at an existing fish hatchery facility. The wetland filtering system was built with EQIP funds as part of a Coaster Brook Trout Restoration Project. Additional funds were leveraged from several sources. The aquaculture facility will be an economic asset to the area, providing jobs and attracting visitors to the area. Your contact is Renae Anderson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 608-276-8732, ext. 227 or randerson@wi.nrcs.usda.gov.

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WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON

Soil Quality e-mail List - The Soil Quality Institute recently established an e-mail list called SQIforum to facilitate communication among NRCS employees and partner conservationists. Any subscriber may post announcements and questions related to the research and application of soil quality technology. The Institute will post announcements of new products and web site updates. To subscribe to the list, send an e-mail message to: listproc@nrcs.usda.gov. In the body of the message, write: subscribe SQIforum [your first and last name]

Your contact is Ann Lewandowski, NRCS Soil Quality Institute, at 612-624-6765 or alewand@soils.umn.edu.

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NATIONAL

April Showers (also) Bring...

Hugh Hammond Bennett's Birthday - Friday, April 13, is the celebration of Hugh Hammond Bennett's 120th birthday. The celebration will be at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville, Wisconsin. The all-day Chautauqua-style meeting will feature live music, a re-enactment of the original 1933 play "Old Man Erosion." It was first performed throughout the Coon Creek, Wisconsin Watershed (first watershed-size erosion control demonstration site in the U.S.) to convince farmers to try conservation. Noted conservationists will speak throughout the day, including Roger Cohee (son of Melville Cohee, one of the original Coon Creek Watershed staff); Stanley Trimble, Professor, UCLA Department of Geography; and Ben Brancel, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Paul Johnson, former Chief of NRCS, has been invited to attend. Your contact is Renae Anderson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 608-276-8732, ext. 227.

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April 16-22 - National Wildlife Week - The 2001 theme for National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) National Wildlife Week is "Explore Nature in Your Neighborhood." NWF's goal is to educate participants about wildlife conservation issues both globally and their own backyard. Materials and events are available on NWF website at http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlifeweek/index.html.

April 22 - Earth Day - Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, has helped raise awareness of the dangers of pollution and stimulated the growth of the environmental movement. Earth Day is a special time for us here at NRCS to focus on conservation on private lands, which is critical to the environmental health of our Nation. For more Earth Day Information, visit http://www.earthday.net.

April 23 – NRCS Honors Earth Team Volunteers - Because the ceremony falls one day after Earth Day, the theme of the event will focus on the key role NRCS Earth Team volunteers have played in conservation on private lands. As 2001 marks the 20th anniversary of the NRCS Earth Team program, six Earth Team volunteers, each representing an NRCS region, will be recognized for their efforts at an award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jamie L. Whitten building patio. The event will also feature a "roll-out" of the new Earth Team television public service announcement starring actor Morgan Freeman, NRCS exhibits, and an Agricultural Marketing Service "pre-season" farmer's market.

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April 22 – 28 – National Volunteer Week - This is a good time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of our 38,000 NRCS Earth Team volunteers nationwide, who contributed more than 900,000 hours of their time to conservation on private lands helping farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners with conservation practices and projects that reduce wind and water erosion, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce flooding. NRCS Earth Team volunteers also help people of all ages learn about conservation through hands-on educational activities.

April 29 - May 6 - Stewardship Week - Sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts, the 2001 theme is "Habitat for Life." The focus of this year's observance is on the personal responsibility of each citizen to be a good steward for the natural resources that enhance the quality of our lives.

May – American Wetlands Month - May is American Wetlands Month and a good opportunity to make a difference by conserving wetlands in your community. By celebrating this month you are working to reverse the trend of wetland loss. For a wealth of interesting information on wetlands, visit our own NRCS Watersheds and Wetlands Division website at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.html.

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REGIONAL

Engineering Design Improvements – Northern Plains Style - A Northern Plains engineering task group recently recommended improvements to how NRCS prepares and reviews engineering Class VI, VII, and VIII designs associated with large or complex flood control and other engineering structures in the region. The recommendations were part of a report delivered to the Regional Leadership Team last December. "In making our recommendations, we completed a couple inventories," explains Owen Kvittem, Nebraska NRCS State Conservation Engineer. "First we looked at the engineering expertise in the region, and then took a snapshot of the existing and projected workload. The group then analyzed those inventories to identify concerns with regard to our capability to deliver on these projects, both in quality and quantity" Kvittem said. Kvittem led a group of about 16 NRCS employees across the Northern Plains Region who gathered data, prepared the analysis, and offered recommendations. This engineering review task is one of six technology tasks that the State conservationists in the Northern Plains Region are collaborating on through the Regional Technology Work Group. A progress report for this and other technology tasks is available on the Northern Plains Region website at http://www.np.nrcs.usda.gov/.

Your contact is Brad Anseth, NRCS Quality Management Specialist, at 402-437-4088.

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TECH TIP

NRCS Develops Soil Phosphorous Holding Potential - The National Soil Survey Center has developed a soil phosphorous holding potential based on systems using National Soil Information System (NASIS) data and the NASIS interpretation system. The resultant phosphorous holding potential is a qualitative index of the soil's phosphorous holding potential and is represented as a decimal between 0 and 1. Thus, a soil with a value near 0 has very limited or low phosphorous holding potential, while a soil with a value near 1 has a high phosphorous holding potential. This qualitative approach to ascertaining a soil's phosphorous holding allows the user to make qualitative judgements about a soil's phosphorous holding capability and to incorporate those judgements into phosphorous management planning and other conservation planning tools. Your contact is Robert Nielsen, NRCS Soil Scientist, at 402-437-4149 or bob.nielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov.

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CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION

April 13, 2001

As a service to NRCS personnel and the agency's partners, "NRCS This Week" offers the following by-subject list of conferences and training sessions. To add an event, please send an e-mail message to fred.jacobs@usda.gov

Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Marketing
Agroforestry/Forestry
Coastal Zone Management
Conservation Communications
Geographic Information Systems
Grazing Land & Grassland
Locally Led Conservation
Nutrient Management
Public Service
Research
Rural History
Soil Science/Erosion Control
Special Emphasis Program Training
Volunteers
Water Quality
Watersheds
NEW! Wetlands
Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation
 

Agricultural Economics
 
American Agricultural Economics Associtaion Annual (AAEA) Meeting
August 5-8
Chicago, Illinois
AAEA seeks submission for posters, papers, organized symposia and free sessions for the 2001 annual meeting in Chicago. For more information, contact Nancy Herselius at 515-233-3202, or nancy@aaea.org or visit the meeting website at http://www.aaea.org/meetings/.
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Agricultural Engineering
 
American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) 2001 Annual Meeting
July 29-August 1
Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California
The ASAE annual meeting will provide and opportunity for attendees to interact with engineering professionals worldwide, share ideas, techniques, and research with peers, and promote the profession of agricultural, food and biological engineering. For more information visit the conference website at http://www.asae.org/meetings/am2001/cfp-2001.pdf or contact William Hughey, NRCS National Agricultural Engineer, at 202-720-5023.
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Agricultural Marketing
 
Meat Goat Conference
May 12
Voorheesville, New York - USDA Service Center
The Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation And Development Council, Inc. in partnership with Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension are will sponsor a Meat Goat Conference from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the USDA Service Center on Martin Road in Voorheesville. The increased demand for goat meat across the northeast has lead to a concerted effort to improve marketing channels. The production of meat goats could be environmentally sound and profitable on marginal land that has few alternative production uses. The conference will explore meat goat management, pasture requirements, animal health, and marketing. For more information, call 518-828-4385, ext. 105.
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Agroforestry/Forestry
 
Agroforestry and Forest Management Learning Community Workshop
April 24-26
Cornell University, New York - Arnot Forest
The workshop is designed to advance professional development in the area of agroforestry and forest management as these practices apply to sustaining small farms and to creating forest farming learning communities in the northeast. For more information contact Louise E. Buck at 607-255-5994 or Leb3@cornell.edu.
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Forest Utilization Conference
May 1-3
Wagoner OK
The Ouachita Mountains Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. will sponsor its 6th annual Forest Utilization Conference and Equipment Exposition at the Western Hills Guest Resort in Sequoyah State Park on the shores of Lake Fort Gibson. For information, contact Gary Garman, Coordinator for Ouachita Mountains RC&D Council, at (918)-423-2479, fax 918-423-0793, email omrcandd@icok.net or visit the web site http://www.icok.net/~omrcandd
 
Southern Forest Science Conference: Contributions of Forest Research to Sustainable Forestry Preliminary Conference Announcement and Call for Papers
November 26 - 28
Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia
The Southern Forest Science Conference will highlight the history and future of research in sustainable forestry. The conference is for anyone interested in the science of southern forests and is open to researchers, research managers and research users as well as policymakers, landowners and other interested stakeholders. Call for Papers: Topics, deadlines and other information can be found at the conference website at http://www.southernforestscience.net/ For more information contact www.southernforestscience.net or the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station at (828)-257-4302.
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Coastal Zone Management
 
Coastal Zone 01
July 15-19
Cleveland, Ohio
Coastal Zone 01 will feature important lessons learned by coastal managers around the world and models of successful partnerships, such as that established in the Great Lakes, where two sovereign nations jointly manage water and living resources of this great "inland sea." Cleveland offers an outstanding opportunity to examine how local and regional issues are connected to worldwide influences of culture and commerce, climate and biology. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz2001/conference.html.
 
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Conservation Communications
 
National Association of Farm Broadcasters
April 28-May 1
Washington, D.C.
This is the "Washington Watch" meeting. Some 35 broadcasters interview persons on Capitol Hill, at USDA, and others around Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the NAFB website at http://www.nafb.com.
 
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Geographic Information Systems
 
2001 American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Annual Conference
April 23-27
America's Center / Adams Mark Hotel
St. Louis, MO
The 2001 ASPRS Conference and Technology Exhibition will highlight capabilities and technologies needed for you to succeed as we enter an era where decisions are increasingly based on geographic data. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.asprs.org/stl01/.
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The Fifth International Airborne Remote Sensing Conference and Exhibition
17-20 September
San Francisco, California - San Francisco Marriott Hotel
This international conference will provide a unique forum for the exchange of ideas and information on the latest developments in airborne remote sensing systems and applications for addressing critical issues now facing the scientific, governmental, and commercial communities. Sessions will include disaster assessment and management data handling and processing, sensor systems for early fire detection, small aircraft and UAV operations, environmental planning and risk management, airborne science operations, land mines and unexploded ordinance, integration of airborne and satellite imaging, water resources and waste disposal monitoring, augmenting satellite remote sensing data, and advanced airborne sensors. The program will offer over 300 presentations by experts from around the world. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.erim-int.com/CONF/5th_airborne/5thairborne.html.
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Grazing Land & Grassland
 
American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference
April 22 to 25, 2001
Springdale, Arkansas
The theme of the 2001 Conference is "Forages- Diamonds in the Rough". The meeting provides attendees an opportunity to hear the latest on Special workshops on "Forage Quality" and "Hay Sampling" will be featured. The meeting will focus on the mechanics and benefits of controlled grazing while professional papers will cover the latest in all aspects of forage agriculture. For a complete program agenda and registration form contact http://www.afgc.org/meeting2001.html or call Dana Tucker at 1-800-944-2342.
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Locally Led Conservation
 
National Conference on Locally Led Conservation Efforts
June 3-5
Nebraska City, Nebraska, Lied Conference Center on the Arbor Day Farm
NRCS, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the National Association of Conservation Districts will sponsor a national forum for individuals and groups to share lessons learned about locally led or locally driven conservation efforts and to stimulate the advances of this "bottom up" approach to natural resource management. Program focus: Locally led or locally driven conservation is an effort to empower citizens a community to work effectively to assess the health of their land and to address collectively their conservation priorities using the programmatic tools and resources available from Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private sources. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.arborday.org/programs/conferences.html
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Nutrient Management
 
The Second International Nitrogen Conference (N2001), "Optimizing Nitrogen Management in Food and Energy Production and Environmental Protection"
October 14-18
Bolger Conference Center, in Potomac, Maryland, near Washington, DC
N2001 will bring together a diverse array of scientists, policy makers, and nitrogen producers and users to discuss current understanding of nitrogen science and policy; ways to meet humanity's increasing demand for food, feed and fiber production, energy, and transportation, while minimizing environmental problems brought about by increased circulation of biologically active N compounds. Complete instructions and updates on submission of papers, oral and poster presentations, abstracts and general information concerning the conference can be found at http://esa.sdsc.edu/n2001. For further information, contact Rhonda Kranz at 202-833-8773 ext 212.
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Public Service
 
Public Service Recognition Week (National Mall Event)
May 7-13, 2001
The National celebration of Public Service Recognition Week will occur on May 10-13, 2001. For four days, more than 100 government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies will exhibit and celebrate the innovation and quality of work performed by public employees. NRCS NHQ will feature an exhibit regarding natural resource conservation. For more information, contact Ted Kupelian, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 202-720-5776.
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Research
 
23rd Annual Science Day
May 31, 2001
Washington, D.C
The theme for this year's Science Day is "Sustainability: Substance or Slogan?" The event, sponsored by local chapters of six natural resource professional societies in the Washington, D.C. area, will be held at Resources For the Future Conference Center, located at 1600 P. Street N.W. Larry Clark, NRCS Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, will be the meeting chairperson. For more more infomration, visit the conference web-site at http://www.potomac-afs.org/science_day.html or contact Bill Boyer at 202-720-0307 or bill.boyer@usda.gov
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Rural History
 
Water and Rural History Symposium
May 31 - June 2
Reno, Nevada, University of Nevada at Reno (UNR) College of Agriculture
The Agricultural History Society, NRCS, University of Nevada at Reno (UNR) College of Agriculture, and UNR Department of History will hold a Water and Rural History Symposium,. Housing is available at the University Inn on the UNR campus. In addition to the presentations, the symposium will include a one-day field tour focusing on history and water issues in Nevada. For registration information, please contact Professor William D. Rowley, History Department (308), University of Nevada, Reno NV 89557 (Telephone 775-784-6852) or by e-mail at rowley@scs.unr.edu.
 
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Soil Science/Erosion Control
 
National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference
June 25-29
Ft. Collins, Colorado
The conference convenes every other year on the odd-numbered years to discuss and develop solutions to issues of national concern to the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Participants of the National Cooperative Soil Survey include representatives from the 1862 land-grant universities experiment stations, NRCS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, BIA, EPA, USFWS, National Association of Consulting Soil Scientists, the 1890 land-grant universities and western tribal colleges. Other interested foreign and domestic groups such as lead scientists from Canada, Mexico and South Africa are invited to participate as users of soil surveys. This year the theme of the conference will be Building for the Future: Science, New Technology & People. For more information, contact Maxine Levin, Program Manager, NRCS Soil Survey Division, at 202-720-1809 or maxine.levin@usda.gov.
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The 24th Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference
July 9-11
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The conference will provide federal and non-federal scientists, educators, consultants, and farmers from the Southern Region the opportunity to present and discuss recent, research accomplishments in conservation tillage. Deadline for title/summaries is Jan. 15, 2001. For more information visit the website at http://www.agr.okstate.edu/SCTC or contact Jim Stiegler at 405-744-6421 or jhs@mail.pss.okstate.edu.
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Special Emphasis Program Training
 
Third Annual Asian Pacific Islander Organization (APIO) National Training Conference
August 14-17
Reno, Nevada
The APIO National Training Conference will be held at the Boomtown Resort near Reno, Nevada. Check the APIO web site for all of the latest information as it becomes available at http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov/apio or contact Kent Matsutani, Vice President APIO, at 308-254-4507 ext.3, or w.matsutani@ne.usda.gov.
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Volunteers
 
National Earth Team Volunteer Coordinators Training Conference
July 16-19,2001
Arlington, Virginia
For more information about the conference, contact Michele Eginoire, NRCS National Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator, at 515-289-0325, ext.29 or eginoire@swcs.org.
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Water Quality
 
2nd National Conference - Nonpoint Source Pollution Information & Education Programs
May 14-17
Chicago, Illinois – Congress Plaza Hotel
The conference will provide a unique opportunity – on a national scale – to learn and share ideas on nonpoint source pollution information and education strategies. The conference will explore practical, state-of-the-art examples of successful outreach programs through exciting sessions that focus on "lessons learned." The conference is for nonpoint source program staff and environmental service groups that work with local adult and youth education programs. For more information, contact Bob Kirschner at 847-835-6837 or bkirschn@chicagobotanic.org.

Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) 2001 Annual Conference
August 4-8
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kingston Plantation
For more information visit the confernce website at http://www.swcs.org/f_what_calendar.htm
The deadline for Call for Papers is December 1, 2000. For more information visit the conference website or contact Charlie Persinger, Director of Member Services, SWCS, at 515-289-2331, ext 12 or charliep@swcs.org.
 
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2001 Groundwater Foundation Annual Conference
November 14-16
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers
This year's theme is "Technologies Communities Can Use to Protect Their Drinking Water." The conference is a useful event for anyone involved with education about water resources, whatever your audience. The conference will provide and opportunity for attendees to learn about successful activities undertaken in communities across the country and share what they've learned in their own communities. For more information contact Sherene Hess, Project Director, Water Resource Education Network, at 724-465-4978 or sherenehess@yourinter.net or visit the conference website at http://pa.lwv.org/wren/.

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Watersheds
 
 
Seventh National Watershed Conference
May 20-23
Richmond, Virginia
The theme: "Small Watershed Programs: Past, Present, and Future." This conference will examine our Nation's rich history with upstream small watershed programs and will explore innovative ways of accomplishing watershed project objectives as traditional sources of assistance become harder to get. . For more information contact John W. Peterson, (703) 455-6886, fax (703) 455-6888;e-mail, jwpeterson@erols.com
 
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Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Annual Conference
June 3-8, 2001
Charlotte, North Carolina - Adams Mark Hotel
ASFPM is preparing to celebrate its 25th year of working to reduce flood losses in the Nation. The association has identified and recommended improvements in federal floodplain policy and programs to help the nation move toward sustainable floodplain use and disaster-resilient communities. In view of this, the face of the annual national conference is evolving to better meet the needs of a diverse audience. For more information visit the ASFPM website at http://www.floods.org, by call 608-274-0123 or memberhelp@floods.org.
 
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5th International Conference Diffuse/Nonpoint Pollution and Watershed Management
June 10-15
Milwaukee, WI
The conference will point out the problems of the past and develop solutions for the new century. The resolution of the problem requires innovative technologies, economic and regulative tools, basin wide planning, and citizens' initiatives. Problems and solutions of diffuse pollution may differ between the developed and developing countries. Different goals and approaches are also apparent; however, the need for resolution is unifying. Therefore, this conference will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and networking among the delegates and national delegations. Papers and posters will be presented on the following general themes: A. Source Identification and Measurement; B. Water Quality Impact; C. Solutions to Diffuse Pollution; D. Socioeconomic and Policy Considerations; and E. Modeling, Information Management and Transfer. More than 200 speakers and presenters from 36 countries and all five inhabited continents will be featured during the four-day program. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.mu.edu/environment/iwa-page.htm.
 
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Wetlands
 
Izaak Walton League of America National Conference
May 16-18
Orlando, Florida
Topics include: wetland education, restoration, conservation, and international issues. To get on the mailing list for the conference, contact: awm@iwla.org or call (800) BUG-IWLA (284-4952)
 
The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) 22nd Annual Meeting
May 27-June 1
The SWS annual meeting, co-hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers, will be held in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting is intended for all who are involved in wetland science, research, protection, management, education, or policy. This year's conference theme is theme centered on urban wetlands. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.sws.org/chicago/.
 
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NEW! Coastal and Estuarine Wetland Restoration Into the Millenium: Improving Effectivenesss
June 19-21
Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Radisson Hotel
This National Symposium and workshop that will be conducted by the Institute for Wetland Science and Public Policy, Association of State Wetland Managers, hosted by Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and sponsored by NRCS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. The overall symposium goal is to improve the effectiveness of coastal and estuarine wetland restoration throughout the Nation. If you are interested in presenting a paper, please submit a 200 to 300-word abstract by May 1, 2001. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.aswm.org/meeting/coastal01.htm or contact: Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, at 518-872-1804; or aswm@aswm.org.
 
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Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation
 
The Wildland-Urban Interface: Sustaining Forests in a Changing Landscape - Conference Announcement and Call for Presentations
November 5-8
University of Florida Hotel and Conference Center, Gainesville, Florida
This conference will provide current information and tools to enhance natural resource management, planning, and policy-making at the wildland-urban interface. Invited and contributed presentations will highlight four main areas related to the interface: Planning and Managing Growth, Human Dimensions, Conserving and Managing Forests for Ecological Services and Benefits, and Conserving and Managing Forests under Different Ownerships. For information on the conference program, registration, and abstract submission, check our website at conference.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/ or contact Susan Vince at (352) 846-0886 or svince@ufl.edu.
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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, and 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.

Addresses and telephone numbers for NRCS' Civil Rights Staff are: NRCS Civil Rights Program Compliance Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5471, Beltsville, MD 20705-5471; phone: (301) 504-2287. NRCS Civil Rights Employment Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5472, Beltsville, MD 20705-5472; phone: (301) 504-2181.



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