DID YOU KNOW? Three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson participated in Envirothon

Envirothon creates and inspires knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated citizens of the world. Recently, at NACD’s 71st Annual Meeting in Denver, keynote speaker and Olympian Jenny Simpson (pictured) shared her Envirothon story! Brett and Brandon Fuller’s Envirothon experiences were also shared with conference attendees during Sunday’s Inspirational Session. You can read the Fuller brothers’ statements on NACD’s blog.

A recent alum from Pennsylvania, Dr. Emily Molberg, also gave her thoughts on the Envirothon program:

"Envirothon was the best experience of my high school career and set the stage for my future work. It provided an entry to ecology, highlighted the importance of environmental health for society, and challenged me to assimilate new knowledge quickly and to apply that information and present it to others. I pursued applied environmental science in my undergraduate studies of environmental engineering at MIT and in my doctoral studies in biological oceanography at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (which is suspiciously similar to my Envirothon category – aquatic ecology!). Currently, I research the impacts of climate change on fisheries (both the fish populations and fishermen) using mathematical models."

The National Conservation Foundation is working to connect Envirothon alumni across the world. Did you participate in Envirothon as a high schooler? Have you been involved with, or helped put on, an Envirothon competition? Please contact NACD Director of Development Melisa Augusto at melisa-augusto@nacdnet.org to share your story.

U&C WEBINAR TO COVER SOILS ON THURSDAY

This Thursday (Feb. 16) at noon Eastern tune in for the latest NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group’s webinar: “Soil: The Foundation for Urban Conservation.”

The executive director of the New York City SWCD, Shino Tanikawa, will explain how the district has partnered with NRCS, Brooklyn College, and the Gaia Institute to build and enhance urban soils expertise. Jonathan Burgess, senior agriculture conservationist for the Allegheny CD in Pennsylvania, will share how his district uses XRF technology (a technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials by measuring fluorescent X-rays) and community partnerships to promote the importance of soils among urban farmers and local governments.

U&C webinars are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and are free to attend. Just register with NACD Senior Advisor Deb Bogar by email at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org with your name, title, district or business name, and state.

Lincoln County Conservation District, Washington

Through NACD’s Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative, the Lincoln County Conservation District (LCCD) is making a local spot – Davenport Community Garden – more beautiful and useful. Davenport is a small town of 1,734 in Lincoln County, about 35 miles east of Spokane, Washington. Despite being surrounded by wheat fields, there are no local places to purchase sustainably grown foods.

The renovation plans to make the garden a more welcoming and enjoyable place are fully supported by the community. The city council and mayor have approved the plans, as has the Lincoln County Economic Development League, Davenport High School’s FFA club, the local 4-H club, and the local Food Bank.

Once completed, the remodeled community garden will serve as a demonstration site for water conservation practices, xeriscaping, and native plant demonstrations. Newly constructed benches will provide places to relax and enjoy the water-recycling fountain. A paver pathway and ADA compliant garden boxes will make the garden accessible for all members of the community. And a gazebo/shade structure will provide a covered area for educational programming, like guest speaker series, 4-H demonstrations, FFA and agricultural class work from the local high school, and demonstrations of “Farm to Table” sustainability.

Pictured above are local FFA members and volunteers readying existing garden boxes for excavation. Below is photo evidence: the excavation has begun (all the equipment and labor were donated by a local contractor).

The LCCD is also implementing a food donation program for those who are interested in donating their extra produce to the local food bank.

For more information on LCCD’s work in Davenport Community Garden, click here to visit their website.