El Paso County Conservation District

02/12/2021

Did somebody say FRIDAY!!!

Kasai's got that #FridayFeeling.

02/11/2021

Virtual Lecture: [email protected] Through the Lens of Black History - CSPM

Celebrating Black History month

In honor of Colorado Springs’ sesquicentennial anniversary, the CSPM unveiled a new exhibit, [email protected]. This...Read More

02/11/2021

How do birds keep warm in the winter?

How do birds keep warm in the winter?

Have you ever wondered how birds stay warm when temperatures plunge? Birds of all shapes and sizes have special adaptations for living in cold climates. Learn more about tough birds and their tips for staying warm.

02/11/2021

Bear Creek Nature Center & Fountain Creek Nature Center

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Part Time Park Interpreter/Caretaker at Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Please visit the link below to find the full job description, and please share this post to help us get the word out!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ElPasoCountyCo?page=2

02/11/2021

National Drought Mitigation Center

U.S. #Drought Monitor 2-11-21: Drought covers 38.4% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, similar to last week. Storms in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies and upper Midwest led to pockets of improved drought conditions in those regions.

This week’s USDM change map shows pockets of moderate drought (D1) developing in Ark., La., Miss. and Tenn., where precipitation has ranged from one-third to half of normal in several locations from Jan. 1-Feb. 9. Warmth and dry weather led to growing coverage of moderate to extreme (D3) drought in parts of Texas.

Keep track of #Drought2021 with the U.S. Drought Monitor and its data, mapping and narrative resources at droughtmonitor.unl.edu.

02/11/2021

Soil Learning Center

Poor Soil Condition vs Good Soil Condition👇

02/11/2021

Soil Learning Center

Happy Monday Soil Lovers!👨‍🌾👩‍🌾
Hope you are all having a fantastic day🌻

Here's our Word of the Day🌱👇

02/10/2021

All-hands on deck for fire mitigation efforts in Durango, Colorado - The Municipal

All-hands on deck for fire mitigation efforts in Durango, Colorado - The Municipal

In 2018, southwest Colorado experienced one of the largest wildfires in the state’s history. The wildfire started in June and continued through July, burning across an estimated 54,000 acres. Prompted by this wildfire, multiple entities near the Durango area … Continue reading →

02/08/2021

did you say MONDAY?????????

Ready... Set... STARING CONTEST!

We're pretty sure ring-tailed lemur, Rogue, has got you beat. #SillySunday

02/08/2021

National Audubon Society

Yawn......Happy Monday 🙂

We think all owls are superb but do you have a favorite #SuperbOwl?

02/07/2021

Soil Learning Center

🌱What are Soil Nutrients🌱

02/05/2021

U.S. Forest Service

Heading out into the backcountry? Be prepared! Having the right gear, proper training and latest avalanche forecast can mitigate meetings with unwanted white walls of snow. Read more about how to mitigate risk and what to do if you are caught in an avalanche. https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/when-snow-becomes-deadly-how-survive-avalanche-forecast-tools-and-training

02/04/2021

Your Site Title

It's not too soon to start thinking trees and shrubs!!! Go to our website at www.epccd.org and check out our trees. SIMPLE process..
1. pick out discount trees on our tree list on webpage 2. call us for pick up location and time. 3. Pay us at location then drive one block up the road and Harding nursery will do the rest!!! We partner with Harding nursery to provide trees at a discount!!!🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Conservation Starts with you

02/04/2021

National Drought Mitigation Center

U.S. #Drought Monitor 2-4-21: Drought covers about 38.3% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, similar to last week. However, a storm that lingered over California before turning eastward helped ease extreme (D3) and severe (D2) drought conditions there.

This week’s USDM change map shows where California’s most powerful storm of the season to date delivered drought-easing precipitation. The storm also caused local flooding and landslides before moving eastward. Dry weather prevailed in the South and Southeast.

Read a full summary of the latest drought monitoring period at droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Summary.aspx.

And keep track of #Drought2021 with the U.S. Drought Monitor and all of its resources at droughtmonitor.unl.edu.

02/04/2021

Garden The Plains

Teach a Child to Garden

If for some reason you were not able to teach your child how to start gardening in 2020's pandemic, then maybe in 2021 growing season you can. Here are some very simple ways to engage your child:

• Ask if they are interested in learning about gardening.
• Share with them every step in the process.
• Start at the beginning of looking through catalogues and selecting seeds.
• Show them how to grow squash, watermelon, and cantaloupe in a container.
• Provide a calendar that is separate for gardening tasks.
• Mark dates on the calendar for starting certain seeds, frost free dates and so on.

Above all, give them responsibility. Naturally, the responsibility you assign each child will differ with their age. Responsibility to do certain small tasks you know they can handle such as watering the newly planted squash seeds and marking the calendar when they have watered them. That way everyone knows.

Make clear and simple explanations for why you are doing certain tasks when you are doing them. Children are inquisitive and imaginative. Encourage these qualities by helping them explore. What happens when you do not plant the onion bulb in deep enough or with the basil end facing the soil surface. Let them plant one onion bulb incorrectly and use a stake to mark it. Watching and wondering what will happen is half the fun. When the onion sprouts along with the others is when you explain geotropism to them.

Giving them the opportunity to explore and encourage their curiosity which can engage them further with gardening. By doing these things you are giving your children a hand in every aspect of the family garden. When I was only eight years old, my grandmother told me about the importance of working in fertilizer and sometimes coffee grounds around her roses. She showed me how and then gave me the responsibility to get it done. Your child may not grow up have a career in horticulture like I have had, but they may have gardening as a hobby for the rest of their life. When times get tough, they know how to grow their own food.

For more information to help assist you in this endeavor, here is a link to a CSU article by a CSU Master Garden in Larimer titled “Growing Food and Growing Gardeners” : https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/growing-food-and-growing-gardeners/

At the bottom of the article posted above are CSU Fact Sheets to help you with growing vegetables. In 2021 growing season, Grow and Give will continue. Consider taking part if you did not in 2020. For more information go to the following link: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/grow-give/
Also, get in contact with your local Extension Office or Master Gardeners in your area.

If you need more assistance with gardening activities here is a short list of links for different age levels:

https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activities/
https://garden.org/

Photo credit: Linda Langelo, Sherry Brandt with Kylie and Carlie

02/04/2021

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

We’re collaborating with Hispanic Access Foundation to offer unique and meaningful work experiences supporting wildlife conservation.

Apply now: http://ow.ly/3l1m50DqHyh

Application deadlines:

USFWS Directorate Fellowship Program Office of Law Enforcement positions: February 5

USFWS summer internship positions: February 8

02/02/2021

Restoring the plant’s soil microbiome

Restoring the plant’s soil microbiome

Preface: The below content is a cursory overview of numerous plant and soil microbiological processes. This overview is intended as an introduction to these processes. So rather than a detailed dis…

02/02/2021

Colorado Department of Agriculture

According to Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, fruit & veggie production is a nearly $300 million dollar industry in Colorado, with more than 60,000 growing acres primarily in Fremont, Mesa, Durango, and Delta Counties.

LEARN MORE & RECIPE
https://ag.colorado.gov/press-release/fall-in-love-with-colorado-apples

02/02/2021

U.S. Department of the Interior

"A sandhill sunrise." Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is part of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Colorado. The surrounding mountains feed the arid valley with surface water which provides crucial feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for over 200 bird species and other wildlife, including these sandhill cranes. Photo by Peter Ismert (ShareTheExperience.org).

02/02/2021

Collaboration is Key to Scaling Regenerative Agriculture

Collaboration is Key to Scaling Regenerative Agriculture

Gaining greater stability in the face of crisis is just one reason brands like the natural and organic meat label Applegate are embracing regenerative agriculture.

02/02/2021

U.S. Forest Service

This month we take time to celebrate Black History Month. It’s a time to reflect and celebrate the remarkable achievements of African Americans and their contributions to our great nation and agency.

02/02/2021

Happy Tuesday😁

EMU

When will the barbershops open?
Emu by Remco Walravens
facebook.com/rrwanimalphotography/

01/30/2021

Soil Learning Center

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲!👨‍🌾🌱🌳🌾💚

01/30/2021

USDA offers temporary debt relief to 12,000 farmers

USDA offers temporary debt relief to 12,000 farmers

USDA will temporarily suspend some debt collections and foreclosures as part of the Biden administration's plan to help financially distressed farms during the pandemic.

01/30/2021

U.S. Forest Service

Federal grazing fees were announced today for 2021. The newly calculated fee will apply to approximately 6,000 grazing permits administered by the @forestservice on national forest lands in 17 Western states. https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/usda-forest-service-announces-2021-grazing-fee

01/30/2021

U.S. Forest Service

Research finds that location and neighborhood matter for coho salmon. From their roots in rivers and streams to the mighty Pacific ocean, these habitats need a connection now more than ever. To survive, coho salmon need a connected habitat network that meets the needs of each life stage. They need different seasonal habitats for adult spawning, rearing juveniles in the summer and sheltering juveniles over the winter. https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/coho-salmon-thrive-more-established-neighborhoods

01/28/2021

National Drought Mitigation Center

U.S. #Drought Monitor 1-28-21: Drought coverage across the U.S. and Puerto Rico increased by almost a percentage point, to ~38.5% of the area. Exceptional drought (D4), which covered 8.26% of the U.S. through most of December, eased in central Arizona, and has decreased to ~7.5%.

The USDM change map shows improvements related to persistent, above-normal precipitation across the southern tier of the West and the southern Oregon coast. A dry week across much of Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas contributed to expanded/intensified dryness and drought.

Keep track of the #Drought2021 with the U.S. Drought Monitor at droughtmonitor.unl.edu.

01/28/2021

01/27/2021

U.S. Department of the Interior

Truly a golden hour.
Light illuminates the winter woods and makes for an enchanting entrance into Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois. With over 5 miles of hiking trails and 10 miles of gravel biking paths, observation decks, and boat and canoe access, Chautauqua offers many excellent chances to watch wildlife and enjoy the roads, less-traveled. Photo of deer crossing the entrance road by Emily Hodapp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

01/26/2021

Greener Pastures Ranching

We Fix Cycles.

Matter can not be created or destroyed. Everything has a cycle. It is just that we have disrupted the cycles.

It's true, we have far too much carbon in the atmosphere. We have also lost huge amounts of carbon from our soils. This is not a complex issue. We just need to fix the cycle by removing the excess carbon from the air and storing it back in the soil. The term is called carbon sequestration and we need plants and animals to do it.

The carbon in the plants leaves comes from the air around them via the process of photosynthesis. The carbon in the roots of plants also comes from the air as it get transported from the leaves to grow roots. Even the carbon in the exudate that the plant sends out the root tips and gives to the soil microbes, comes from the air.

The key to regenerative agriculture comes from the plants with their symbiotic relationships with the soil organisms. With proper management, we can take so much more of this atmospheric carbon and store it in the soil. The plants add carbon to the soil. Modern agriculture mines the soil and releases C into the air. It also exports the nutrients when the crop is removed. We need to manage the plants regeneratively so the plants can sequester the carbon, we need to stop exporting it and store it in the ground. Thats where livestock come in. They recycle.
Modern agriculture grows plants from the soil. With regenerative agriculture, we use the plants to grow the soil. Big difference.

We also have a broken water cycle. Again it is a cycle. Matter can not be created or destroyed. We do not have water shortages, we have water mismanagement which is causing severe flooding and extreme droughts. To fix this.... we need to add carbon to the soil. Seems like we have the same solution to a couple of our major environmental issues right at our fingertips.

Regenerative Agriculture... we fix cycles.

Steve Kenyon
Greener Pastures Ranching.

01/26/2021

Interesting fact about this plant

Southern California has many endemic plants, which means they’re found nowhere else in the world! One such group is known as the carbonate plants. They are found in the carbonate belt, an area of the San Bernardino Mountains, which contains unique soils in a series of bands that run east to west along the desert-facing slopes of the mountains. Fun fact, calcium carbonate is used as an ingredient in toothpaste! We work with the U.S. Forest Service and other landowners to conserve these amazing plants.

Photos by the U.S. Forest Service

01/24/2021

Golden Plains Area Extension

01/22/2021

Soil Learning Center

‘Soil Health’ is a term that is being discussed more and more by farmers, growers, agronomists and researchers but what does it really mean?

Check out this article to read more! 🌱

👉 https://bit.ly/363tGoH

01/21/2021

Hugo Disler Talks About Recycling, Getting Good Minerals Back Into The Soil & Composting

Hugo Disler Talks About Recycling, Getting Good Minerals Back Into The Soil & Composting

🌾GET TO KNOW YOUR SOIL BETTER 🐛Download your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Healthy Soil ➡️https://www.farmingsecrets.com/do-you-have-healthy-soil/___D E S C R I ...

01/21/2021

National Drought Mitigation Center

U.S. #Drought Monitor 1-21-21: Most of the country had a relatively dry week, with the significant exception of the Pacific Northwest and parts of Idaho and Montana in the Intermountain West. Drought covers 37.6% of the area across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

This week’s USDM change map shows the introduction of abnormal dryness (D0, not yet drought) across several states in the South, where little or no precipitation fell region-wide. Across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, drought now affects almost 67.4 million people.

Keep track of #Drought2021 with the U.S. Drought Monitor and its resources at droughtmonitor.unl.edu.