2017 - 03
CTD Newsletter - March 2017
Attention Planners! Updated Information about 2017 Core Courses!
Please check our training page HERE for information about the Basic Conservation Planning course, how to get an AgLearn account and complete your prerequisites.
ATTENTION! The Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) course dates have changed. The old dates were May 22th -25th. NEW dates are June 26th - 30th.
More information about the NMP course can be found HERE.
AgLearn - Updated information on the CTD website
Attention Planners! Please check on Training Events & Opportunities page HERE for updated information on how to access AgLearn and set up an account!
WADE Training Conference
WADE Training Conference, June 12 – 14 – Registration is now open!
Dear Conservation Family,
We are excited to bring to you the WADE (WA Association of District Employees) training conference information. The WADE Conference will take place in Leavenworth at the Sleeping Lady Resort on June 12 – 14, 2017. Ongoing training is one of the most important things we all need as district staff, supervisors and partners to be successful in our jobs in order to get conservation on the ground.
The WADE Schedule, registration information and the scholarship application are all available on the WADE website https://sites.google.com/site/wadistrictemployees/wade-conference. Discounted early registration is due on Friday, April 28. Absolute registration deadline is Friday, May 12.
Thank you to WSCC who is providing funding for a limited number of scholarships to attend the WADE Conference. In addition, proceeds from the WADE Auction provide support for scholarships. The scholarship application is on the WADE website. Please print, scan and E mail applications on or before 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 31 to Dawn Bekenyi dlb@whatcomcd.org.
Our dedicated WADE planning committee and track coordinators have been working hard to bring you an excellent selection of tracks to choose from. Each year, the program is adapted to respond to the conference surveys from the previous year.
Following the opening session on Monday afternoon, you will have the opportunity to hear our keynote speaker, Rhonda Hunter from the Climate Reality Project. Rhonda will be bringing us up-to-date, science based information on the reality of climate change and opportunities to be part of a global solution.
Along with the great technical training that WADE brings you, the conference is a nice opportunity for you to meet and learn from your colleagues from across the state, and to just have a good time networking in the beautiful setting of the Sleeping Lady Resort. The Technical and Professional Development Workgroup will be hosting a lawn games mixer on Monday evening which is a fun way to meet new folks.
The WADE Auction will be held during the conference. Think creatively about donating a fun trip, experience, or item from your district or group of districts. We would love to see a mix of items and experiences so that everyone can enjoy this activity. Funds from the auction provide scholarships for the WADE training. If you would like to help with the auction or if you have auction questions, please contact Kathleen Whalen kwhalen@thurstoncd.com.
My thanks to all of the planning team who help put the WADE Conference together! You all so inspiring! Contact me if you have general conference questions and remember to get your registrations in soon.
Sincerely,
Karen Bishop, WADE President karen@whidbeycd.org
Webinar for Riparian Planners
"Successful Buffer Restoration: Initial Establishment Methods and Post-Planting Care" Presenter: David Wise, Watershed Restoration Manager, Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA; presented by the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center and the recording is available HERE.This webinar is less than an hour long! It may be focused on the Eastern United States, but I bet there is some things that you can glean from it, to help you do a better riparian planning job.
Participants will learn proven successful methods for establishing riparian forest buffers at a landscape scale and the critical post-planting care details needed for success.
This webinar focuses on riparian forested buffer restoration in the context of Pennsylvania’s rural landscape, particularly the agricultural context. Reforestation has been successful using 2-year old seedlings protected by 5’ tall tree shelters with robust (4-5 year) follow up care. Use of 3’ to 6’ diameter herbicide spots or continuous herbicide strips around sheltered trees is central to reducing damage from voles and controlling competing vegetation. The session shares insights gathered over nearly 20 years of reforestation efforts that included many failures. Stroud Water Research Center conducts research on restoration methods (size of herbicide spots, type of tree shelter, details for installing bird nets to reduce entanglement of tree leaders, use of pre-emergence herbicide inside shelters to manage invasives and other details) which will be shared. The emphasis will be on how to successfully establish buffers, and the key is the post-planting care.
The CTD would really appreciate feed from those who do take time to participate and watch the webinar. Please email jdavenport@scc.wa.gov with a short write-up on feedback about this webinar. This information will be shared with our growing CTD newsletter readers.
More information:
What will you learn?
Participants will learn proven successful methods for establishing riparian forest buffers at a landscape scale and the critical post-planting care details needed for success. Learn more...
All live webinars are recorded. Within a week of the live event, a View button provides access to the on-demand replay. CEUs are available for on-demand webinars.
Who should participate?
Conservationists, Foresters, Land Owners, Land Managers, Technical Service Providers, Wildlife Biologists, Others
Education Credits Units:
Conservation Planner - 1 hour Conservation Planning Credit [status: Approved]
Georgia Master Timber Harvester - 1 hour CLE - Environment Credit [status: Approved]
Society of American Foresters - 1 hour Category 1 Credit [st atus: Approved]
The Wildlife Society - 1 hour TWS Category 1 Credit [status: Approved}
National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) launches whyconservationworks.com
NASCA has officially launched the website whyconservationworks.com in an effort to help capture successful voluntary conservation stories across the country. Go check out the great work being done. Submissions are welcome!
No District Highlight
Will return next month. If you would like your District featured please email jdavenport@scc.wa.gov for information.
Featured Program: Underwood Conservation District
Underwood Conservation District offers free soil, manure, and compost testing to residents of western Klickitat and Skamania counties. Maintaining good soil fertility is crucial for growing quality crops. The testing program is designed for small to mid-sized producers to learn more about their soil condition and better manage nutrient applications.
Are you interested in implementing a similar program in your District? Please visit UCD HERE for more information about this great program.
Featured Photo
District: Skagit Conservation District
Description: Snow Geese Flock
To find more great photos from Conservation Districts across Washington State please visit HERE.