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2008 Lewis Soil Conservation District

Annual Cooperators Appreciation Day

June 17, 2008

This year we are trying something different for our Annual Cooperators Appreciation Day. We will be having a horseshoe tournament at the Craigmont City Park. The fun will begin at 2:00 p.m. on June 17, 2008. The Family BBQ will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Craigmont City Park. If you would like to participate in the horseshoe tourney and/or attend the BBQ please call the Lewis Soil Conservation District office 937-2291 ext 3 by June 11, 2008.

2007 BBQ Enjoying BBQ Good Food Kevin and Steve Cooking

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2007 Conservation Field Day held

On May 18, 2007 the Lewis Soil Conservation District hosted their Annual Sixth Grade Conservation Field Day at Winchester State Park. This is the 35^th year for this annual event.

120 sixth graders from Highland, Prairie, Nezperce, Culdesac, and Kamiah School Districts enjoyed the great educational opportunity. The students rotate every 20 minutes through 8 different stations learning about Water and Geology, instructed by Eileen Rowan, DEQ, Forestry, taught by Clark Christianson, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Fish and Lake Health, instructed by Robert Hand, 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, Dick Pentzer, Jerry Reid, Vern McMaster and Chuck Frazier, and Rosemary McLeod 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 Robert Hand Fish and Lake Health Susan Sawyer Hooks and Ladders Jerry Reid helps with canoes

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Highland School Students and Teachers

WATER CONSERVATION AND WORM RACES 2007

Highland Elementary hosted the 2nd annual Worm Race sponsored by the Lewis Soil Conservation District. On Thursday May 4, 2007, Kindergarten through 2^nd grades learned about how important water is for survival of all species including them. Therefore, everyone needs to conserve water such as: turning off the water when brushing our teeth or use a towel more than once after a bath. Virginia Frazier, I&E Specialist, Lewis SCD and the students talked about the fact that over 80% of our body is made up of water and we should think of water as fuel in our gas tank. If the tank is low on water, a person will get tired, and our joints won’t work as well. After a great discussion about ideas on what to not do we learned that you don’t drink water out of lakes, rivers or mud puddles, that can make you sick. Then it was time for the WORM RACE, each class got around buckets of soil, and in went the worms the class had chose and the race was on to see which worms disappeared into the soil first. It was nip and tuck for a while, the race took almost 15 minutes, while the students cheered on their worms. At the end the winning class was the 1^st Grade, taught by Mrs. Joan Tiede. It was great fun and this class will be able next year to defend their title.

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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 2007

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 a week long celebration April 16-April 20, 2007 with local students and teachers assisting with a beatification project on the south side of Craigmont. It was a great success with lots of press coverage.

- An educational water and worm habitat conservation was held for kids K-2 on May 4^that Highland Elementary in Craigmont.

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

- This was our 35th Annual “Sixth Grade Field Day” held on May 19^8h. Five schools attended this year totaling 120 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 23rd.

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

- On May 4th the District instructed 4-H students on proper planting methods. The students planted flowers at a local church.

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

- On June 19th the District held their annual Cooperators Appreciation Golf Day and BBQ. Thirty-nine golfers had fun at the Orofino Golf and Country Club. In the evening 65 cooperators and their families attended the BBQ

- On June 25th the District held their annual Conservation Crop Tour and Breakfast. 50 landowners and operators attended the crop tour this year.

- On June 28th the District toured their 319 DEQ projects with local and state officials.

- 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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