OHIO DISTRICTS COLLABORATE TO CREATE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Division of Forestry and Ohio’s soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) have formed a partnership to reduce forestry pollution statewide and create best management practices for loggers.

Mindy Bankey, CEO of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD), believes good things are happening as a result of the collaboration.

“Working with the Division of Forestry and developing relationships with the logging chapters and loggers has made many positive benefits to the efforts out there, especially in the pollution abatement effort,” Bankey said. Read more>>>

CONSERVATION DISTRICT WILDFIRE LEADER FEATURED IN PODCAST SERIES

Craig Nelson, district manager of the Okanogan Conservation District, was a guest on the #ForestProud national podcast series.

During the 30-minute interview, Nelson discusses the impact fire has on the quality of our soil, air and water. Nelson and Okanogan Conservation District staff delivered critical conservation assistance to hundreds of landowners following two summers of catastrophic wildfires in 2014 and 2015 that consumed more than 750,000 acres in Okanogan County.

#ForestProud is made possible by over 100 member organizations who are passionate about the future of our forests. Watch here >>>

FORESTRY BRIEFS

Michigan - Conservation district to host spring mushroom hunt

In May, the Iosco and Alcona Conservation Districts organized its fifth annual spring mushroom hunt for the public in the 80-acre Ingalls Forest, located just outside of Tawas City limits. The mushroom hunt helps generate money to go back into managing the land.

Conservation District Forester Eric Brandon told the Iosco County News-Herald that is their mission to meet in the woods with private forestland owners.

After a brief orientation led by Brandon and Sister Mary Copeland of the Michigan Mushroom Society, pickers travel out into the woods to collect whatever fungi they can find. Everyone returns for an educational session to close out the event. Read more>>>

Wyoming - City tree planting effort relies on volunteers

For the second year, Cheyenne is inviting the community to plant trees for a good cause. The group’s mission is to “re-establish a long-term tree planting program in the city to help support a more diverse and resilient urban canopy and cultivate greener, healthier and more livable neighborhoods." This year, organizers expect to plant more than 100 trees around the city.

"It’s a really neat program,” Laramie County Conservation District Tree Specialist Shaun Kirkwood said. “We are using volunteers instead of city money and tax money to take care of the people and citizens of the community." Read more>>>

Illinois - Local landowners help preserve pollinators

The Vermilion County Soil and Water Conservation District is helping to educate landowners about the need to preserve native pollinator populations, such as honeybees and butterflies, with help from programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Invasive plants are removed for natural pollinator habit, and the conservation district helps landowners along the way.

Mitchell Killough, resource conservationist for the district, handles the contracts and works with the landowners. He creates a conservation plan to help a field become a pollinator area, sets a timeline for planting and makes sure maintenance is done. Read more>>>