Waldo County Utilizes New Approach to Forest Resource Protection 09/17/2018
The Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) of MidCoast Maine has been working in partnership with local landowners to improve the health of regional forests. Forests are facing unprecedented threats, including forest pests poised to decimate dominant tree species in Maine and invasive plants impacting forest regeneration. Conserving forests is a major focus…… Continue reading →
District plants inaugural tree along memorial trail 08/22/2018
Pennsylvania’s Erie County Conservation District (ECCD) teamed up with an Eagle Scout candidate to establish a new trail that will combine forest education with honoring community loved ones. In June, the district kicked off the Memorial Tree Trail project, planting the first tree in honor of the late Phil Fatica, a conservation district advocate. More…… Continue reading →
Howard SWCD uses technical assistance funds to work with local landowners, protect streambanks 08/17/2018
By Hunter Slifka [caption id="attachment_27982" align="alignright" width="283"] Technicians survey a streambank after completion.[/caption] Streams have the power to meander, move sediment, power industries, and destruct shorelines. With increasing flooding in recent years due to large rain events in the Midwest, streambanks in the region have been affected greatly. Programs and practices like shoreline protection and…… Continue reading →
Wyoming collaborative effort is increasing forest health 08/14/2018
Sublette County Conservation District (SCCD) is reducing wildfire risk, restoring forest species, improving wildlife habitat in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and protecting drinking water through funding from the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP). The LRP funding is one of several grants the district is chasing to implement on-the-ground projects. The Sublette County Forest Collaborative:…… Continue reading →
Indiana erases boundaries in forest management practices 08/14/2018
By partnering with several other groups and with funding through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP), Indiana soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) are tackling invasive species and managing areas for oak regeneration. The Hoosier Hills and Highlands Oak Community Restoration Partnership project runs across 18 counties of the most heavily forested and diverse…… Continue reading →
Michigan conservation district focuses on Japanese, giant knotweed 08/14/2018
Michigan conservation districts are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to focus on Japanese and giant knotweed in an effort to help forest resiliency and wildlife habitat. “A lot of it has to do with teamwork, going after the invasive species,” Jenny Ricker, district manager for Iron Baraga Conservation District, said.…… Continue reading →
District cost-share assistance helps complete Minnesota restoration projects 08/14/2018
Lake and Cook County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) combined boots-on-the-ground efforts with cost-sharing to ensure conservation projects designed to help restore the North Shore Forest as part of a Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP). “Forestry assistance for private landowners has been more difficult for people in this area to gain access to,”…… Continue reading →
Virginia districts implement practices to restore wildlife habitat 08/13/2018
Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with other agencies and implementing practices that are restoring wildlife habitat and improving water quality. “We’re taking a landscape approach in addressing resource concerns in the Lower Cowpasture watershed,” NRCS District Conservationist Charles Simmons said. “We’re bringing partners together and bringing resources together to change the…… Continue reading →
Oregon SWCD funding provides major boost for all-lands project 08/13/2018
Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) contributed $32,000 annually for three years of a Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP) that was a catalyst in the ability to implement a multi-million dollar, all-lands approach to forest restoration and fuel reduction treatment in and around the Ashland Creek Watershed in Jackson County, Ore. The…… Continue reading →
Trinity County RCD works toward wildfire protection, resource restoration 08/13/2018
Three years after intense, widespread wildfires ravaged the area, Trinity County Resource Conservation District (RCD) began working with local and state partners to restore and protect habitat while repairing communities in California. With assistance from Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP) funding, the Trinity County Community Protection Project is using burn practices and other programs…… Continue reading →