- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) works extensively with the nation’s farmers and ranchers to protect soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources while meeting production goals.
Working with agricultural producers allows NRCS to promote conservation practices approximately 1.4 billion acres of the privately held land in the United States. About 92 million acres of land in our country is tended by home gardeners. In an effort to promote conservation on these lands, NRCS has partnered with other organizations to produce, Backyard Conservation: Bringing Conservation From the Countryside to Your Backyard.
This full-color and informative online resource highlights 10 conservation activities that can be used in your backyard, shared spaces, and public places too.
Topics include:
- Trees add beauty and so much more.
- Trees, shrubs, and other plants can provide homes and food for wildlife.
- A backyard pond will likely become the focal point for all your backyard conservation.
- Wetlands filter excess nutrients, chemicals, and sediment and provide habitat for a host of interesting creatures.
- Composting turns household wastes into valuable fertilizer.
- Mulching cools, protects, and enriches the soil.
- Apply only those nutrients the plants can use. (See our previous post on soil test kits to help you get accurate test results.)
- Terracing makes flower and vegetable gardening possible on steep slopes.
- Drip irrigation and other water conservation practices can save water and money.
- Early detection and treatment of pests means a healthier growing environment.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Today Supervisor John Zaragoza will present resolutions proclaiming May 2012 as both “Watershed Awareness” and “Water Awareness” Month.
There are many events being held around the county this month to celebrate. Santa Clara River events can be found in this Ventura County Star article. Ventura River events can be found at the Ventura River Watershed Council website. If you are aware of any other events, please contact our office and we will be happy to include yours in a future post.
Further information about our local watersheds can be found here. Working together we can all improve our water quality and conservation.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides many resources for public use. In addition to educational resources, the NRCS has some financial assistance programs available to help eligible landowners and agricultural producers plan and implement conservation practices.
These programs address natural resource concerns and include: saving energy; improving soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources.
Specific programs include:
- Agricultural management assistance
- Agricultural water enhancement program
- Air quality initiative
- Cooperative conservation partnership initiative
- Conservation innovation grants
- Conservation stewardship program
- Environmental quality incentives program
- Emergency watershed protection program
- Wildlife habitat incentive program
Additional information can be found on the NRCS website, or by contacting your local NRCS office. Program information is also available in Spanish.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Water is essential to life. Clean water supplies require the efforts and cooperation of many. It is our responsibility to learn about this life sustaining natural resource, and take steps to ensure our supply is safe to drink.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an extensive collection of resources to educate the public about drinking water. Titled, Protect Your Drinking Water for Life readers have many topics to explore and a variety to learn about their water supply and takes steps to protect it.
Topics include:
- Drinking water
- Education & training
- Grants & funding
- Laws & regulations
- Our waters
- Pollution prevention & control
- Resources & performance
- Science & technology
- Water infrastructure
- What can you do?
- Adopt your watershed
- After the storm
- Emergency preparedness
- Good Samaritan
- Nonpoint source toolbox
- Pollution prevention
- Protect your health
- Protecting drinking water
- Volunteer monitoring
- Water efficiency
There is also a collection of resources designed for youth, which includes games and activities, and curriculum for teachers.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Rain harvesting is becoming quite popular. Rain barrels are one way to harvest rain. These barrels allow residents to store water that would otherwise become urban runoff. This simple process can provide positive benefits to water quality improvement efforts.
The USDA has a practical and easy to follow publication on rain barrels.
This resource includes:
- Rain barrels help your garden – and local streams
- Selecting a rain barrel
- Equipment and installation tips
- Maintaining your barrel
- Links for further information