Parntership for Turtle CreekWins USDA Excellence in Conservation Award

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 26, 2005 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight today presented the 2005 Excellence in Conservation Award to the Partnership for Turtle Creek (PFTC), a watershed management group located in Sullivan, Ind. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman participated in the award ceremony held at the State House during the national observance of Soil and Water Stewardship Week, Apr. 24-May 1.

“This year’s winner of the fourth Excellence in Conservation Award has demonstrated an outstanding partnership effort that has produced immediate benefits for local landowners and the Turtle Creek watershed as well as long term benefits for future generations,” said Knight.

“This honor sends the message of how important it is for private citizens and organizations to take ownership in the conservation of our natural resources,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “I applaud the work the Partnership for Turtle Creek has done and hope this serves as a model for others.”

PFTC was organized to identify resource problems, promote educate, and facilitate sound conservation practices throughout the watershed.

Through PFTC efforts, 4,700 linear feet of unstable shoreline on Turtle Creek Reservoir have been stabilized, 2,300 tons of sediment have been kept out of the Wabash River with conservation practices applied to working lands in the watershed. Additionally, nearly 400 acres of cropland are now under approved nutrient and pest management plans.
PFTC has partnered with numerous organizations, including NRCS, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Management, Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

PFTC also helped develop a “Discover the River” 4-H project and science curriculum for the Rural Community Academy and demonstrated innovative shoreline stabilization techniques. The group helped with a county-wide No-Till and Farm Management Workshop and hosted several public watershed meetings.

Soil and Water Stewardship Week is an annual observance to remind us of the power of each person to conserve natural resources and improve the world.

NRCS initiated the Excellence in Conservation Award to recognize the voluntary contributions of nongovernmental individuals and groups, to the conservation effort in areas of technical assistance, program delivery, technology transfer, outreach or communication.

Information on the NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award can be found on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/excellence2005.html.

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