2015 - 06

Technical and Professional Development Workgroup Newsletter

For the betterment of Washington Conservation District employees

The Technical and Professional Development Workgroup (TPDW) has been created for the purpose of ensuring that Conservation Districts have the proper tools and expertise to consistently plan and implement conservation programs in collaboration with the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC), Washington Conservation Districts, the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), and other key conservation partners. Our goal to to make sure that you have the technical and professional tools and opportunities to be the best you can be!

We need you! We are looking for someone to help with production of our newsletter and other communications efforts. If you're interested, please send an email and we will send you more details: communications@tpdw.org

TPDW Work Plan 2015/16

Our detailed 2015/16 plan of work can be found HERE.

Please check it out and let us know what you think. This work plan has been design with input from you and other CD staff from across Washington State and includes the following areas: Proficiencies and Standards • Communications and Outreach • Training Opportunities • Technical Expertise, Mentoring, and Job Shadowing • Professional Certifications • Science, Research, and Effectiveness Monitoring • Planning Tools and Templates • Quality Assurance.

Ask an Expert!

Ever have a question, but not sure who to ask? We are developing a list of experts by disciple that you can contact anytime about planning, production, design, or whatever comes up. To ensure we meet your needs, please help us by identifying the areas that you commonly have questions, and we will make sure we have the expert. Click HERE to see what expert areas are currently available.

Getting to Know You: District Highlight

District Name: Central Klickitat CD, Founded 1946

District Size: About 836 square miles

District Population: In the neighborhood of 9,181 people

Number of Employees: 5 full time including the area engineer

Main Programs: CKCD main programs include:

• Sediment reduction projects in 303(d) listed streams & tributaries - Stream bank restorations; Fish habitat improvements; Livestock exclusion fencing; Spring enhancements with off-site watering; Riparian plantings; In-stream riffle structures

• Livestock cost shares - Hardened feed areas; Roof runoff control; Water trough improvements, piping away from the feed area; Exclusion fence; Windbreaks

• Cost share for producers planting permanent cover from wheat/fallow rotation

• Irrigation efficiency improvement cost shares

• Farmland Preservation policy to hold Agricultural Conservation Easements preserving the “traditional agricultural values” within the District

Key Partners: Department of Ecology, Klickitat County Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Yakama Nation Fisheries, Recreation Conservation Office, Office of Farmland Preservation, Klickitat County Weed Control Board Eastern Klickitat Conservation District.

Program/Project Most Proud Of: Our ability to work with landowners to get conservation projects implemented. These range from CCPI funding that allowed 10 landowners to convert from inefficient irrigation systems to center pivots and variable flow drive pumps where the District passed through $1 million for upgrades, to working with landowners to purchase development rights (ACE’s).

CKCD has been working with Eastern Klickitat Conservation District Supervisors and Office of Farmland Preservation to purchase ACE’s on nearly 40,000 acres. Most landowners are only interested because of District involvement, not a “land trust”.

Fun Facts: We are proud to say Klickitat County’s one traffic light is NOT in our district. We are the proud home to one of Washington State’s seven observatories that was founded in 1973 and is now part of the Washington State Parks system. Horsethief Lake State Park has many ancient petroglyphs that are viewable by appointment with the Park ranger, and Columbia Hills State Park is 6,000 acres of wildflowers and grasses with a commanding view of the Columbia River. Trails are open for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Western SARE Grants are perfect opportunities for CDs to enroll landowners in new and innovative projects, as well as support new ideas and professional development opportunities. SARE has four upcoming grant deadlines in 2015:

• Research and Education - June 3

• Professional Development - Oct 28

• Farmer/Rancher - Dec 2

• Professional + Producer - Dec 2

For more info, go to: www.westernsare.org

More on Grants...

FAQs and Fun Facts

Did you know that the average 1400 lb dairy cow produces about 140 pounds of fresh manure (urine and feces combined) each day? That's about 17 gals of fertilizer! They also drink 20 gals of water to produce about 10 gals (80 lbs) of milk every day (2 gal water in = 1 gal of milk out)!

For comparison, the average non-lactating 140 lb person drinks 0.5 gals of water and produces approximately 5 lbs, or 0.75 gals of manure a day. This is actually equivalent to 10 non-lactating cows (50 lbs or 7.5 gals per animal), but only 1/20 that of a lactating cow. In other words, a lactating cow produces as much manure per day as 20 people! Luckily it makes great fertilizer!

Current Events

See you at WADE on June 15-17 in Leavenworth, WA. The TPDW will be hosting the Lawn Games this year!! Come find a TPDW representative to learn more about our group, give us feedback, or ask how you can get involved. Look for one of these folks: James Weatherford, Thurston CD Nichole Embertson, Whatcom CD Josh Monahan, King CD Ray Ledgerwood, WA Conservation Commission