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Terry Wahl on his Bandon, Oregon farm at sunrise (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)NRCS This Week mast head

The Natural Resources Conservation Service — Helping People Help the Land.

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Arizona

Vivian Gonzalez gets a close look at a dissolved oxygen test that her classmate Estephany Nava took as part of World Water Monitoring Day. All the sixth-grade students from Osborn Elementary School District in Phoenix participated in the 5th annual WWMD event at Steele Indian School park to learn about water quality (NRCS image by George Couch -- click to enlarge)Arizona Celebrates 5th Annual Water Monitoring Educational Event
Nearly 400 students recently learned about the importance of water quality during the 5th annual World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) event at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix.  WWMD is a worldwide opportunity to positively impact the health of rivers, lakes, estuaries, and other water bodies. Volunteer monitoring groups, water quality agencies, students, and the general public can test four key indicators of water quality − temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.  Results of the water quality measurements are entered through a database at the WWMD Web site.   
 

 
Colorado

Lance Verhoeff's turbine Bent Conservation District Generating Farmstead Wind Power
Four Brent Conservation District landowners have decided to use wind turbines to power their farmsteads. Lorraine Schleining, Lance Verhoeff, Laura Cline, and Guy Wagner shared their reasons for participating in the program.  Lorraine Schleining believes, “in years to come, the turbine will provide a cost savings.”

 

 

 

Washington

Roger Calhoon (left) along with his wife Carol and son Andrew (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)NRCS Program Protects Sustainable Farm from Urban Encroachment
Within Seattle’s sprawling metropolis, you will find a little patch of country living − the South 47 Farm.  The farm is home to you-pick fruits and vegetables, community garden pea patches, a corn maze, and a farmer’s market stand.
 

 

 

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new brochures, “Equitable Relief” and “Appeals” and a reprint of the 2008 “Mediation” brochure -- click on a brochure to see a .pdf of the whole publication
 The following requires  Adobe Acrobat.
New Brochures Available
 Two new brochures, Equitable Relief and Appeals are being sent to NRCS State public affairs specialists, together with the reprint of the 2008 Mediation brochure.  The three brochures together explain the options NRCS program participants have in the event of a dispute with the agency.

Each State office will receive 1,000 copies of each brochure to distribute to field.  Additional copies can be ordered from 1-800-LANDCARE.  Click on a brochure to see a .pdf of the whole publication.

 

 

NRCS 2009 American Indian Heritage Month Poster, by Andrew Abyo is entitled, Our Land, our Animals, Our People, We are OneNovember is American Indian Heritage Month
During National American Indian Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich ancestry of American Indians and Alaska Natives and recognize their many contributions to our national story.

In 1986, President Reagan designated November 23-30 as American Indian Week.  Four years later, President Bush proclaimed the first National American Indian Heritage Month.  Each year since, U.S. Presidents have proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month.

The NRCS 2009 American Indian Heritage Month Poster, by Andrew Abyo is entitled, Our Land, our Animals, Our People, We are One.  The poster explains that We are connected to the land and to the animals.  In spirit, we are one.  Our ties with the land and animals help us survive.  Listen and feel for the ancestors' guidance.  We are all connected. 


Links...
Read the President's 2009 National American Indian Heritage Month Proclamation.
 

1992 “Year of the American Indian” by Daniel Long Soldier, South Dakota (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)American Indian Heritage Month and "Harmony" Posters from 1991 to 2009
As part of November’s American Indian Heritage Month, NRCS sponsors a national Native American Heritage Month Poster contest to help celebrate and honor American Indian Heritage.  Click on the link above or the image on the right to see all the  Native American Heritage Month posters from 1991 to date.

 

 

 

(from left) Chief Dave White, Christie Vilsack, and Tommy Wells unveil the Brent Elementary School rain garden signBrentwood Elementary School Rain Garden Dedicated
Brent Elementary, a public school on Capitol Hill, dedicated its new rain garden this week.  The rain garden was installed through a collaborative effort between the NRCS and the District of Columbia's Department of the Environment. 

 

 

Chief White (right of yellow dot) and several NRCS NHQ employees joined OPM and other Federal agency’s on the National Mall kick-off FedsGetFitFedsGetFit
Chief Dave White (right of yellow dot)  and several NRCS NHQ employees joined OPM and other Federal agency’s on the National Mall kick-off FedsGetFit. The kick-off consisted of a walk on the National Mall, expo, and remarks by speakers including USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan (NRCS image click to enlarge). 

 

 

Forest Service’s Smokey Bear and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Sammy Soil (NRCS image by Fred Jacopbs -- click to enlarge)Smokey Bear and Sammy Soil Team Up for Conservation
It was a moment some felt would never happen – at least not so spontaneously.  The two mascots, the Forest Service’s Smokey Bear and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Sammy Soil were amusing adults and children attending the final USDA Farmer’s Market of the year, when they met face to face on Jefferson Drive. 

 

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NRCS Regional Assistant Chief (Central) Tom Christensen (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)Tom Christensen Selected for Meritorious Presidential Rank Award
NRCS Regional Assistant Chief (Central) Tom Christensen has been selected for a Fiscal Year 2009 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award.  Each year, the President recognizes a small group of career Senior Executives and senior career employees with the Presidential Rank Award. Recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service.  Congratulations Tom!
 

 

 

 

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MSU student Lindsey Hoskins teaching a lesson about pollutionThe following requires  Adobe Acrobat.
High School and College Volunteers Join Forces
Missouri State University (MSU) students recently joined forces with high school students enrolled in the Missouri A+ program to teach fundamental natural resource concepts to young children in a small rural town in southwest Missouri.  The high school and college students were all enrolled as Earth Team volunteers through the South Missouri Water Quality Project in Ozark.
 

 

 

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February 1951 Issue of Soil Conservation MagazineFebruary 1951 Issue of Soil Conservation Magazine
This photo is the cover of the February 1951 edition of Soil Conservation magazine.  Cover caption reads, "Gladioli on contour on loamy sand of the Elmer Gandy farm, Cumberland County, New Jersey...the farm is in the South Jersey Soil Conservation District."   (NRCS photo by Harry R. Slayback − click to enlarge).

NRCS This Week features a weekly historical photo and caption.  NHQ, districts, States, RC&D councils, and all other NRCS entities are invited to submit a caption and historical photo of activities or individuals who have worked or are working for the agency. 

 

 

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