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autumn lake in Athens County Ohio (NRCS photo by Rob Rhyan -- click to enlarge)NRCS This Week mast head

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Florida

(from left) NRCS Florida district conservationist Christine Coffin, Secretary Mills, Florida NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez, and local landowners share information about the NRCS water conservation efforts at local nurseries (NRCS image by Gail Hendricks -- click to enlarge)Deputy Under Secretary Mills Tours South Florida
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Ann Mills was recently in south Florida to attend the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting.  Restoring the south Florida ecosystems is complex and challenging but there is widespread support for preserving this 18,000-square-mile region of subtropical uplands, wetlands, and coral reefs that extends from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes south of Orlando through Florida Bay and the reefs southwest of the Florida Keys.

 

 
Minnesota

WesMin RC&D Council president, Lyle Hovland (right), passes the “key to the camp” to Smokey Timbers Foundation president, Jack Anderson. They are flanked by members of the WesMin RC&D Council and the Smokey Timbers Foundation board (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)WesMin RC&D Saves Valuable Lakeshore Property for Future Generations
The WesMin Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council recently transferred ownership of Smokey Timbers Camp to the newly formed nonprofit, Smokey Timbers Foundation. This was final step in an effort that began six years ago when the former Girl Scout camp on Lake Miltona was destined to be sold for lakeshore development.
 

 

 

North Dakota

honeybee ( photo by NRCS Resource Conservationist Bill Skaradek)NRCS Restores Natural Prairie Habitat at Bismarck Middle School
Watch this TV news story that shows how NRCS in Bismarck has restored school grounds at Horizon Middle School back to native prairie vegetation saving on maintenance, water, fertilizer, and pesticides required for grass.  The restoration project has also provided an outdoor learning resource where students can study the various native prairie plants, insects, and birds.

 


 

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NRCS Conservation Engineering Division Director Noller Herbert (left) and ASDSO president Robert Martinez shake hands after the MOU signing (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)NRCS and ASDSO Sign MOU
NRCS and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) recently signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the ASDSO Annual Dam Safety Conference in Hollywood, Florida. The MOU provides that dams in the United States must be constructed, rehabilitated, operated, and maintained in accordance with sound engineering principles to avoid potential loss of life and destruction of property in the event of dam failure.
 

Web Soil Survey exhibit new and improved look Web Soil Survey Exhibit Gets New Look
The popular Web Soil Survey exhibit (WSSE) has a new and improved look that better illustrates the ease of accessing, defining, and gathering important soil information by simply logging onto the NRCS Website and navigating the easy to use Web Soil Survey application.  Being one of the more popular exhibits, LANDCARE staff recommends you give them plenty of advance notice when reserving the WSSE by calling 888-526-3227 x 101.

 

2009 National Disability Employment Awareness Month poster "Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation"October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month is Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation.  National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Americans with disabilities and to underscore our Nation's commitment to advancing employment opportunities for all our citizens.

 Links…
Read the President's 2009 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation.

 

 

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Arlis Plummer -- Nebraska Earth Team VolunteerThe following requires  Adobe Acrobat.
Arlis Plummer -- Nebraska Earth Team Volunteer
For 14 years – since the very beginning of the competition, NRCS hydraulic engineer Arlis Plummer has served as the lead volunteer recruiter for the Nebraska Science Bowl.  This NRCS-sponsored event is run completely by volunteers – most of whom were recruited by Arlis.

 

 

 

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March 1942 image depicts Arch Work at the transmitter and receiver of Station KBEI (Soil Conservation Service) in Medford, Oregon Arch Work At the Transmitter
This March 1942 image depicts Snow Survey pioneer Arch Work at the transmitter and receiver of Station KBEI (Soil Conservation Service) in Medford, Oregon (National Archives image -- 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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