Dams, Practices, Reduce Flooding; Protect Town, Farmland - Because of two flood control dams, Tekamah, Nebraska, was protected from damage caused by the same storm that ravaged parts of Omaha. The dams are part of the Tekamah-Mud Watershed Project, which was funded through PL-566. NRCS estimates that the dams kept Tekamah's downtown from becomng inundated by flood water 4- to 6-feet deep. Increasing the effectiveness of the dams were terraces, grassed waterways, and conservation tillage that are on nearly 75 percent of cropland above the structures. "We estimate there were at least $833,000 in savings, or damages prevented, because of the flood control dams," said State Conservationist Steve Chick. Tekamah Mayor Phil McVeigh said, "We would have had damage in most of our main street businesses, and more farmland damaged, without the dams." Your contact: Pat McGrane, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (402) 437-5328.

Farmers Flock to RC&D's, Partners' Pesticide Collection Event - Eighty-one farmers from 13 counties traveled an average of 31 miles to safely dispose of pesticide wastes at an agricultural pesticide collection day sponsored by Alabamaís Tennessee Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council and its partners. Nearly 50,500 pounds of wastes were collected, and disposed of at no cost. Partnering with the RC&D were the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Tennessee Valley Authority, Alabama Crop Management Association, and Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The site was the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina. Another collection day is planned for early spring. Your contact: Mark Roden, Tennessee Valley RC&D Coordinator, on (256) 383-1446.

Maryland District Expands No-Till Drill Incentive Program - The growing popularity of no-till farming in Southern Maryland led the Calvert Soil Conservation District to purchase a second no-till drill that local farmers can rent. "The new drill was bought with the county's smaller farms in mind. Because this drill is smaller and a lighter weight, farmers with small fields and who don't have a large tractor or truck will be able to use it," said NRCS District Conservationist Gary Wynn. Funding for the drill came from a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and can be used for planting crop and pasture fields. Your contact: Carol Hollingsworth, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (410) 757-0861x313.

Conservation Excellence Makes Farm Family a Winner - A strong commitment to conservation made the Thomas E. Porter Family 1999ís North Carolina Farm Family. NRCS State Conservationist Mary Kollstedt recently took part in a recognition ceremony honoring the Porters on their 190-acre farm near Mount Pleasant. The Porters were honored for their use of conservation techniques and systems, as well as their initiative and commitment to conservation education. Called "a model of excellent management" by State agricultural officials, the operation features conservation practices that exceed legal requirements and are implemented far in advance of compliance deadlines. "Conservation is the right thing to do, and protects my farm as well as the rest of the environment," said honoree Thomas Porter, Jr. The Porters were nominated by the Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District. Your contact: Cabarrus Soil & Water Conservation District, on (704) 792-0403.

New SNOTEL Site Helps Reindeer Herders - The Alaska Snow, Water, and Climate Services Program, in cooperation with the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Reindeer Research Program, has installed a new SNOTEL telemetry site called Rocky Point. Climate information collected will help reindeer herders assess range conditions and productivity. The site, located in northwestern Alaska, provides hourly data that is available on the service's home page at http://ak.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/ Your contact: Rick McClure, Hydrologist, Alaska State Office, on (907) 271-2424.

Buffer Newsletter Hot Off the Press - The first issue of a new bimonthly newsletter called "Buffer Notes" has just been released. The newsletter is aimed at conservation district supervisors and other district personnel to inform them about the value of buffer technology, programs available to help them use the technology, and outreach ideas. The newsletter, which is a joint project of NACD, SWCS, and NRSS, also will be sent to RC&D councils, buffer initiative contacts at the state level, National Conservation Buffer Team members, policymakers, and selected others. In the near future, "Buffer Notes" will be posted on the NRCS buffer web site. Ideas on content should be sent to Bill Berry, Editor, "Buffer Notes," 1973 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54484, or email: billnick@coredcs.com

Utah Teachers "PAWS" for Resource, Ag Education - Thirty teachers enjoyed a week of hands-on experiences with natural resources and agriculture at Teacher PAWS sponsored by Utahís Dinosaurland RC&D Council, Duchesne County Soil Conservation District, and U.S. West. Thanks to PAWS -- an acronym for plants, animals, water, and soil -- the teachers will pass on to their students information about the importance of protecting soil, contributions of Native American culture, and other activities and traditions that focus on natural resources and agriculture. Many teachers expressed appreciation and enthusiasm for PAWS and how well it fits with the stateís education curriculum. Your contact: Sue Wight at (435) 722-0884, ext.102

Tech Tip from the NRCS Science and Technology Deputy Area - Looking for a web-based tool that makes daily tasks such as worksheets for grass seedings and tree plantings less burdensome? Look at VegSpec! VegSpec helps conservation planners choose plant species appropriate to the climate, soils, and location of their projects, while reducing costs, and eliminating the guesswork of plant selection. Its database of more than 2,500 plants and information for all U.S. climate zones and soils. VegSpec can create a planting design that calculates seeding and planting rates, provide seeding and planting instructions, and produce job sheets. You are invited to visit VegSpec at http://plants.usda.gov Your contact: Keith Ticknor, NRCS National Forester, at keith.ticknor@usda.gov

HELP WANTED

If your office has released a publication or status report on watershed projects or similar activities, NRCS' Watersheds and Wetlands Division would like to receive a copy. Please forward them to: Russ Collett, Watershed Program Leader, Watersheds and Wetlands Division, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C., 20013.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Society of American Foresters National Convention

Portland, Oregon

September 11-15, 1999

The theme is "Pioneering New Trails." NRCS foresters attending the convention will meet Thursday, September 16, to discuss forestry issues and review new technology. For more information, contact Keith Ticknor, NRCS National Forester, keith.ticknor@usda.gov

 

Seventh Annual Nonpoint Source Monitoring Conference

Morro Bay, California

September 13-17, 1999

Information is available through a link on the Morro Bay National Estuary Programs web site at www.mbnep.org

 

National Conference on Reclamation

Roanoke, Virginia

September 16-18, 1999

This year's theme is "Building Successful Watershed Partnerships." For information, please contact Byron Thompson on (803) 253-3930 or at b.thompson@usda.gov

 

National Association of State Foresters 77th Annual Meeting

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

September 19-23, 1999

Public lands, water, emerging issues, fire, wildland/urban interface, and forest land taxation are some of the issues that will be discussed. For more information, contact Keith Ticknor, NRCS National Forester, keith.ticknor@usda.gov

 

Society for Ecological Restoration International Conference

San Francisco, California

September 23-25, 1999

The conference's title: "Reweaving the World." Symposia will cover more than 25 restoration-related topics, including exploring the science, art, practices, and culture of restoration ecology. Kat Anderson of NRCS' National Plant Data Center will speak on "The Contribution of Ethnobiology to the Reconstruction and Restoration of Historic Ecosystems."

 

Alliance for Environmental Stewardship: A Comprehensive Approach

St. Louis, Missouri

September 27-29, 1999

Early registration: $150. For information, please contact: Sara Snyder (312)266-3311 or check the web at http://www.inform.umd.edu/ManureNet/workshops/workshop.htm

 

Second National Small Farm Conference

St. Louis, Missouri

October 12-15, 1999

The conference's title: "Building Partnerships for the 21st Century." For more information, see the conference's web site: www.luce.lincolnu.edu/nsfc

Perhaps nature is our best assurance of immortality.

-- Eleanor Roosevelt, American First Lady and writer

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