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2008 Lewis Soil Conservation District

Annual Cooperators Appreciation Day

June 17, 2008

This year was different for our Annual Cooperators Appreciation Day. We held a horseshoe tournament at the Craigmont City Park. The fun in the sun began at 2:00 p.m. on June 17, 2008. The Family BBQ began at 5:30 p.m. at the Craigmont City Park. We would like to thank those who participated in the horseshoe tourney and attended the BBQ.

2008 BBQ Enjoying BBQ Good Food Kevin and Steve Cooking

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2008 Conservation Field Day held

On May 16, 2008 the Lewis Soil Conservation District hosted their Annual Sixth Grade Conservation Field Day at Winchester State Park. This is the 36^th year for this annual event.

A total of 116 sixth grade students from Highland, Prairie, Nezperce, Culdesac, and Kamiah School Districts enjoyed the great educational opportunity. The students rotated every 20 minutes through 8 different stations learning about Water and Geology, instructed by Eileen Rowan, SCC. Food Web Game, taught by Kevin Harevey-Marosa, Winchester Lake State Park. Forestry, taught by Clark Christianson and JeAnne Willson, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Fish and Lake Health, instructed by Brad Bickford and Ryan Banks, Idaho Fish and Game. Nature Trail, guided tour by Rich Talbott, private forester, Habitat to Hooks, instructed by Susan Sawyer, Dworshak Fisheries. Fire Control and Prevention, taught by IDL Seasonal workers, and one of the kids favorite stations, canoeing, with helpers Kevin Seitz, Vern McMaster and Clinton Holthaus. With Chuck Frazier, Jermey Hueft, Sarah and Brad Mittendorf were the on-site EMT’s. Thank you to all the 6^th grade students, teachers and Winchester State Park, and other volunteers for making this another successful year. Pictured below are photos of the days activities.

Canoe Station Eileen Rowan Geology class Clark Christiansen Forestry IDL Fire Station

Rich Talbott Nature Trail Fish and Lake Health Susan Sawyer Hooks and Ladders

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Highland School Students and Teachers

TREE COOKIES AND THE WORM RACES 2008

Highland Elementary hosted the 4th annual Worm Race sponsored by the Lewis Soil Conservation District. On Thursday May 8, 2008, the kindergarten through 2^nd grade students learned about the "Tree Cookie" and how it tells the story of the tree. The students started by learning that the rings of the tree tell how old the tree is. The bark, which is like our skin protects the tree from insects. They also learned how wild fires are one of the forests greatest dangers. After the class the students went outside to play "The Wild Fire Game." The kindergarten class represented the trees, the first grade class were sparks, and the 2nd graders were the firefighters. The sparks set the trees on fire and then the firefighters had to run and put the fire out. It took a while to get the fire under control.

Then it was time for the WORM RACE. The worms were brought out and placed in the flower pots for the race to begin. The wind and weather was so cold that the worms did not move very fast, even though the children were yelling and cheering them on. The race was declared "A TIE" due to lack of worm movement and lack of time. Each student received a popsicle and each class was awarded with a prize.

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Left to Right: Ethan Justesen, 3rd place, Mary Forsmann, 1st place and Sarah Russell, 2nd place

Mary Forsmann wins IASCD Poster Contest

Three students from Rhonda Seitz’s sixth grade class in Nezperce were announced as the local winners of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation District (IASCD) poster contest for 2007 by Richard Pentzer, chairman of the Lewis Soil Conservation District.

First place went to Mary Forsmann, daughter of Ted Forsmann and Marlie Crocker. She received a check for $30.00 and a participant ribbon.

Second place went to Sarah Russell, daughter of Jason Jendro and Trisha Robinett. She received a check for $20 and a participant ribbon.

Third place went Ethan Justesen, son of Alan Jenstsen and Sue Justesen-Lang. She received a check for $10 and a participant ribbon.

The three winning posters will compete for the Division II title October 18 in Craigmont. The top three winners at the Division Level will be judged at the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation District Conference in December in Boise.

The posters were done last school year. The Lewis Soil Conservation District would like to thank the teachers, Alia Riggers, Danette Horrock and Teresa Reid from Highland School District, and Rhonda Seitz, Gay Roberts, and Kim Uhlorn from the Nezperce School District and also extend a big thank you to all the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade students who took the time to design and draw a poster for the contest.

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Report of Accomplishments 2008

Mission Statement:

The Lewis Soil Conservation District is dedicated to conserving natural resources and promoting sound management practices that protect the environment and are economically feasible and productive.

Conservation District Priority # 1

Erosion Control - Reduce Soil Erosion

Goal: To reduce erosion to acceptable levels by effective cost-share mean improving soil resources and soil health on non-irrigated cropland, rangeland and riparian areas

A. 45,300 acres of continuous direct seed/no-till totaling 262,092 tons of soil saved

B. Administrative Assistant partnership provided for the NRCS CSP program

C. 12,000 acres of grass for seed production saving 77,854 tons of soil

D. 14,500 acres of pasture and hayland plantings saving 91,525 tons of soil

E. 7,267 acres of CRP and CCRP saving over 50,869 tons of soil

Conservation District Priority #2

Water Quality - Improve Water Quality and Fish Habitat

Goal: To eliminate or reduce nutrient and sediment loading in receiving water within the District by use of BMP's. Meet the rules and regulations of Section 1072 of the Clean Water Act

A. 45, 300 acres of continuous direct seed/no-till totaling 262,092 tons of soil saved

B. Administration partnership provided for the NRCS CSP program

C. 12,000 acres of grass for seed production saving 77,854 tons of soil

D. 14,500 acres of pasture and hayland plantings saving 91,525 tons of soil

E. 7,267 acres of CRP and CCRP saving over 50,869 tons of soil

F. 5 Animal Feeding Operation contracts designed to protect water quality

G. Stream Visual Assessment Protocal (SVAP) was completed on Lawyers Creek

Conservation District Priority # 3

Nutrient Management/Soil Health

Goal: Improve Soil Health through good sound tillage practices and continue to implement nutrient management plans

A. 45, 300 acres of continuous direct seed/no-till totaling 262,092 tons of soil saved

B. Administration partnership provided for the NRCS CSP program

C. 12,000 acres of grass for seed production saving 77,854 tons of soil

D. 14,500 acres of pasture and hayland plantings saving 91,525 tons of soil

E. 7,267 acres of CRP and CCRP saving over 50,869 tons of soil

Information & Education/ Public Outreach Highlights:

- Monthly articles printed in our local county newspaper and 2 newsletters published on

- Conservation, state and federal programs and District I&E efforts reaching 900 subscribers.

- Arbor Day tree planting was with local students and teachers assisting with a beatification project at the Highland school and in Nezperce at the Senior Citizen Center.

- An educational tree and worm habitat conservation was held for kids K-2 on May 8^that Highland Elementary in Craigmont.

- Annual IASCD poster contest to Nezperce, Highland and Kamiah School Districts was presented with great participation

- This was our 36th Annual “Sixth Grade Field Day” held on May 16^8h. Five schools attended this year totaling 116 students who rotated between 8 different conservation stations.

- “Hatchery in the Classroom” was held in cooperation with the Nezperce School District. This program instructs students on salmon habitat and their struggle to survive. Small fingerling fish were released on May 21st.

- The District participates each year in the Lewis County Fair setting up a conservation booth.

- Each year the District offers a scholarship for the Inland Empire Youth Camp.

- On June 17th the District held their annual Cooperators Appreciation Day and BBQ. The afternoon was spent playing horseshoes and frisbee golf. In the evening 45 cooperators and their families attended the BBQ

- On July 1st the District held their annual Conservation Crop Tour and Breakfast. 45 landowners and operators attended the crop tour this year.

- The District webpage is updated bi-weekly @http://web.camasnet.com/~lewisscd/.

Community Collaboration & Coordination

-The District coordinates with the cities of Craigmont and Nezperce for an Arbor Day Celebration

This year the city of Nezperce provided lunch for the youth and staff who planted over 1000 trees.

-Coordinated with the city of Craigmont and sent informational flyers on water conservation/well testing/and the nitrate groundwater priority area.

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***Click on the Idaho One Plan link below and this will that you to the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission website. Click on programs to access the

IDAHO ONE PLAN

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The purpose of Idaho's Soil Conservation Districts are to help landowners conserve our natural resources. They accomplish this through:

- Erosion Control: Protecting and maintaining the productivity of Idaho's topsoil.

- Nonpoint Source Pollution Control: Keeping sediment, nutrients, and chemicals out of our state's waters.

- Groundwater Protection: Addressing aquifer depletion, natural and artificial recharge, and aquifer restoration and quality.

- Watershed Protection: Installing conservation systems on cropland, rangeland, and forestland; enhancing fish and wildlife habitat; protecting riparian areas.

- Wetlands Protection and Enhancement: Developing rural and urban wetlands for the benefit on the aquifer, wildlife, and the people of Idaho.

- Urban Activities: Aiding developers and home-owners in conservation practices to control sediment and erosion and to better manage stormwater.

- Education: Working with educators, media, and others to encourage a conservation ethic in all Idahoans. The Lewis SCD publishes news articles in in the local paper to keep area farmers and ranchers informed.

****For information on Conservation Security Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) go to the Idaho NRCS link below.

****For information on the State Revolving Fund loan program or the Resource Conservation Rangeland Development Program (RCRDP) Grant Program click on the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission link below.

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