Tri-County/City Soil & Water Conservation District

03/10/2022

Happy Thursday! Check out our Conservation Specialists, Logan Ellis and Dan Kessler, hard at work as they continue to send out the $530,000 allocated for cost share funds in the District for producers! 🎉

03/04/2022

Want to take your grazing management skills to the next level?!
👇👇👇

03/03/2022

Five Women in Science Who Called the Chesapeake Home

Five Women in Science Who Called the Chesapeake Home

These incredible women have a connection to the Chesapeake Bay region and are pioneers in the sciences.

03/03/2022

Check out this online course through the Virginia Cooperative Extension on home food preservation! Get yourself prepared for when you harvest your garden this Fall 🍂🥫

Learn how to preserve food at your own pace!

Sign up now ⤵️
tinyurl.com/VCE-HomeFoodPreservation

02/25/2022

National Skip the Straw Day— February 26

Today is National Skip the Straw Day! Check out this article to discover more about this budding movement and what we can all do to reduce our waste 🌼



https://www.google.com/amp/s/nationaltoday.com/national-skip-the-straw-day/amp/

We can slurp more down by just going straight for the glass’s edge anyway!

02/24/2022

📣 Summer Camp Alert 📣

Email Mariya Hudick at [email protected] to apply if you live in King George, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, or Stafford!

02/24/2022

Early Lettuce Production

Curious about adding lettuce to your garden? Check out this article to learn more! 🥬💕

Early Lettuce Production Growing early season lettuces involves choosing suitable types and varieties (cold-tolerant and fast-growing), having successful production methods, and a good schedule. Ha…

02/23/2022

Experts warn poultry farmers about potential avian flu dangers in Virginia

"This was the first time the disease has been found in Virginia and poultry owners and industry members alike need to take precautions to protect their flocks from the incurable disease, says Michael Persia, an associate professor and Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist of poultry nutrition and management in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences."



https://www.wdbj7.com/2022/02/18/experts-warn-poultry-farmers-about-potential-avian-flu-dangers-virginia/

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has identified a case of Avian Flu in Virginia.

02/17/2022

to September 2019 when we had this fantastic training with NRCS to see a cattle farm operation! Today is another beautiful day for good weather - spend some time outside when you can!



02/16/2022

Stafford peninsula park is a 'gemstone' for regional science students

Educators agree, and view the park as an “outdoor laboratory” filled with natural resources and wildlife to help students experience science, physics and environmental studies in nature.

“We look at Widewater [State Park] as truly a gemstone in our neighborhood that is just an incredible place to bring those different grade levels,” Mike Pratte said.

Pratte, who serves as Stafford schools’ science facilitator, said the park can contribute to many areas of study, including oceanography, geology and physics.

“There’s so much possibility,” Pratte said. “As [the park] grows, it’s amazing the possibilities for opportunities for all students.”



https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/stafford-peninsula-park-is-a-gemstone-for-regional-science-students/article_83842441-f6e8-58c6-be0b-415b7c269f28.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_fredericksburg.com&fbclid=IwAR1biOa2u5p0eUNuia7bnFtHjzR0enckKcYN9BQ22ZCPUrKWYrxlrnN1lic

Phil Hornung said the natural treasures that lie within Stafford County’s Widewater State Park are abundant, unique and worth sharing for generations to come.

02/11/2022

Nature loves it when you...
🌹 Don't toss cigarette butts out your window. Did you know cigarette butts are the most common form of litter found on Virginia beaches?

🌹 Pick up after your dog. Your neighbors will appreciate you as well!

🌹 Stop throwing used diapers into the woods. That plastic diaper won't compost on its own.

🌹 Open up that trash bin to properly dispose your trash. And then be sure to close it so that litter doesn't fly away.

🌹 Share these tips with loved ones to keep our planet litter-free together!

💕 Celebrate Valentine's Day this year with your love for the planet! 💕

02/11/2022

There has been a significant increase in the number of fires that occur in landscaping mulch. These fires are particularly dangerous due to their proximity to homes and structures. The fire starts in the landscaping mulch, spreads into the shrubbery and then to the home or building. Other factors, such as below average rainfall, extremely dry conditions, warm temperatures and abnormal winds, increase the risk of serious damage from mulch fires.

Mulches are commonly applied after shrubs are planted in the landscape. Mulches are chosen for a variety of reasons including aesthetic appeal, color, price, organic content, nutrient content, reduction in w**d competition, dust abatement and soil moisture retention. Regardless of choice, proper care must be taken to prevent mulch fires.

Visit the Virginia Department of Forestry website to learn more about mulch fires and what WE can do to prevent them! 🔥https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/wildfire-prevention/before-you-burn/

02/10/2022

‼🔥 February 15 - April 30, 2022 🔥‼ Apologies for the incorrect year - I guess we are all still stuck in 2020 😅

Burning yard trimmings or leaves is a common practice, but a dangerous one. Winds can blow burning yard waste and embers far off site and ignite combustible vegetation. Fall and spring are ideal times to reduce excess vegetation around your home that could pose an escaped fire threat. Escaped debris burns are the leading human cause of wildfire in Virginia. However, you can burn safely and legally, if you follow safe burning practices.

Check out Virginia Department of Forestry website on how you can safely burn and be mindful of the Virginia 4 PM Burn Law that is in effect starting next week! 🌳🔥 https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/wildfire-prevention/before-you-burn/

02/09/2022

Foraging Puffball Mushrooms

Check out this viral forager that shares the wonder of fungi with the internet! 🍄

02/09/2022

We were so thrilled to be part of the annual Master Gardener Seed Swap again this year! The Annual Seed Swap is a great place to find fantastic gardening information and seeds to prepare for the Spring season. And as always, we loved seeing our agency partner friends such as the MGACRA - Master Gardener Association of Central Rappahannock Area and Virginia Cooperative Extension 🌻

While also making some new friends at Gateway Beekeepers Association 🐝

02/05/2022

📣 Spread the word! 📣
The L. Gordon "Link" Linkous Scholarship deadline is 30 days away! Open to Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford high school seniors and college students that are pursuing any major with an environmental-focus! Link to apply: https://tinyurl.com/2022linkscholarship

📣 Deadline: March 4, 2022 📣

02/04/2022

Tri-County/City SWCD is one of the many partners on the Fredericksburg City Earth Day Festival Planning Committee and we are so excited to have the festival in person this year! Save the date and come stop by our booth in April to learn all about soil & water conservation for the betterment of our shared Chesapeake Bay 🌧💕

02/03/2022

Young Life: Local parks and rec groups introduce children to the wonders of nature

Can February get any better? Fredericksburg City and Stafford Parks & Recreation are here to host a spectrum of hands-on outdoor activities, which will provide new insight regarding the wonders of nature, the remarkable adaptations of wildlife and the interconnectedness of life! Check out the activities this month from our friends at Parks & Rec 💕



https://fredericksburg.com/entertainment/young-life-local-parks-and-rec-groups-introduce-children-to-the-wonders-of-nature/article_f8eab52b-5b88-5443-9321-f9c1c2908032.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_fredericksburg.com&fbclid=IwAR3XWXMlXjqEnNkma5Pc_4KOLADZQn62nIair41RGtD4XZfbe03hUK8CQ5s

Throughout February, the folks at the Fredericksburg and Stafford departments of parks and recreation will host a spectrum of hands-on outdoor activities, which will provide new insight regarding the wonders

02/03/2022

Applications for the Virginia Department of Forestry's Camp Woods & Wildlife are now open! Check out the link below! 👇 Camp will occur June 20-24, 2022 🌳💕

02/02/2022

Stuck inside with the cold weather? Looking for something fun to do?

Downtown Greens is having a coloring sheet contest! This wonderful Purple Coneflower can be colored however you'd like, and we will repost each entry.

To enter the contest with your completed work, you can do one (or multiple if you're feeling fun) of the following:
- Use hashtag
- DM us a picture of your work
- Tag us at on Instagram or Facebook
- Mention us in a post or story
- Email Janet Douberly at [email protected]

The last chance to post or send in an entry will be on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH!

The winner will be decided by you, our followers! The winner will receive a Downtown Greens pint glass AND a Downtown Greens bamboo cutlery set with carrying case! We look forward to seeing your submissions 😍.

To download the coloring sheet as a PDF, use the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IRKDQOsbzt0V3r0yOWHjTTOdr9i76vWH/view?usp=sharing
(Also linked in our Instagram bio)

01/27/2022

Check out this awesome webinar for educators on nature drawing! Art is a unique way to learn about science through observation and creativity. Last year we worked with King George campers to encourage the exploration of nature through their sketchbooks and we had a blast!

For formal and non-formal educators, and Federal Junior Duck Stamp are hosting two hour-long "Drawing on Nature" webinars on February 9th & 16th.

These sessions will focus on techniques for developing students’ knowledge and skills in observation, illustration, and nature journaling.

During each of the two webinars, one participant in attendance will be randomly selected to win $100 worth of art supplies from Blick Art Materials. Thank you Blick!

To register for Part 1 (Elementary level) on Feb 9 at 4pm CST, follow the link: https://fishwildlife-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd-qgpj4pHtJdSBqdyMdN9-O2owEHxEUy

To register for Part 2 (Middle & High School level) on Feb 16 at 4 pm CST, follow the link: https://fishwildlife-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcu2trz8pGNDyFhRysglg6HPKegM-yqbf

01/27/2022

No bag? No problem! It's time to rethink how we trash and recycle. What a better way to kick off your conservation New Year's resolution than with reusable bags?

Did you know that the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia Government instated a 5- cent tax on each disposable bag sold at all grocery stores, drugstores, and convenience stores within the 22401 zip code?

Many are turning to reusable bags or brown paper bags to avoid this tax. But what happens when you forget your bags at home? River Steward Adam Lynch gives you the next best options available in a NEW BLOG POST!

Read More at riverfriends.org/forgot-your-reusable-bag/

01/27/2022

It's that time of the year again! The L. Gordon "Link" Linkous Scholarship is accepting applicants! Students of the 2022-2023 academic school year who are pursuing a study in the conservation field are welcome to apply.

📣 Visit this link to download the pdf copy of the application: tinyurl.com/2022linkscholarship

‼ Deadline is March 4, 2022 ‼

01/26/2022

Thank you everyone who joined us today for the stormwater management webinar that was hosted by the Virginia Master Naturalists! If you missed the webinar, a recorded session will be available within a couple weeks. But here are some highlights and tips to get you thinking about your storm drains as the weather turns warmer!

🌧 Does your storm drain spark joy? Is it cluttered with trash, leaves, branches, or sediment? Time to do some Spring Cleaning and give your storm drain some TLC!

🌧 How are your downspouts looking? Is there some erosion happening at the entrance? Add some rocks to help slow down the speed of roof water runoff to mitigate erosion.

🌧 See some patches of exposed soil on your property? Time to order some seedlings and/or grass seeds to cover up those patches! Exposed soil will erode and become a bigger patch if left unattended.

‼️ BONUS ‼️

Clean the Bay Day is celebrating its 33rd birthday in 2022! Find a local volunteer event near your to help clean up the watershed between May 30 - June 4, 2022!

01/26/2022

Join our friends at the Virginia Cooperative Extension for this informative virtual program on fighting food insecurity and hunger in Virginia TODAY at 2 PM! Link to register below 👇

SAVE THE DATE 📆

Join the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26 as they host our very own Elena Serrano, director of the Virginia Family Nutrition Program and Virginia Tech Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise professor. Dr. Serrano will discuss in Virginia and Extension’s efforts to provide access to food throughout the commonwealth.

Register here ➡️ aimsbbis.vt.edu/calsaowinter22vp

01/21/2022

Seed Swap Event

The Extension Master Gardeners of the Central Rappahannock Area are having their 6th Annual Seed Swap this month! 🥳

🌷 Package your saved seeds for swapping and bring any garden related items you want to swap, such as garden books and magazines, cookbooks, pots, tools, plants, and cutting!

🐛 Nothing to swap? Come anyway! There will be plenty of speakers scheduled, free seeds, catalogs, and gardening handouts! And be sure to stop by our Tri-County/City SWCD table to say "hi" to our Education Coordinator!



https://www.mgacra.org/seed-swap-event.html

5th Annual Seed Swap, March 20, 2021

01/21/2022

It's National Hug Day! 💕

Got a favourite tree? 🌳 Show some love today with a hug! One of our favourite trees is the River Birch - a tree with an intricate root system that thrives in wet soil. Great for flood control and birds! 🐦

01/20/2022

VASWCD Photo Contest

Know a photography lover? 🤔 The 2022 Virginia Association for Soil & Water Conservation Districts Photo Contest is now OPEN! 📸

The theme this year is “Conservation Moments”. Capture those vibrant moments and express what conservation looks like through your lens! The contest is open from January – August 1, 2022.

Check out the contest rules and submission form here 👇



https://vaswcd.org/photocontest

Congratulations to Rex Robichaux for his 2021 photo named “Blue Ridge Serenity” taken in the taken in Amherst & Nelson Counties (Piney River/George Washington Nation Forest) located in the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District & Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District th...

01/20/2022

Camp Woods and Wildlife - Virginia Department of Forestry

Are you looking to join a fun environmental camp experience this Summer? Join the Virginia Department of Forestry's Camp Woods & Wildlife!

Camp Woods & Wildlife is an academic, structured, residential camp that focuses on field experiences in forestry and other natural resources. This unique camping experience introduces 13-16 year-olds to the challenges, special skills, and knowledge needed for managing the forest resources we use and enjoy every day.

Check out the registration info below! 👇



https://dof.virginia.gov/education-and-recreation/youth-education/camp-woods-wildlife

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with other natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administered Camp Woods and Wildlife (formerly called Holiday Lake Forestry Camp) for more than 70 years. Camp Woods and Wildlife is an academic, structured, residen...

01/11/2022

Graze 300 VA

Winter feeding expenses can account for more than 50% of cow/calf and small ruminant production costs, and make up a large portion of the variable expenses for horse owners or boarding operations as well. In some cases, this cost can be as high as 75% of total annual cost on the least efficient operations. Graze 30 VA aims to improve both farm profitability and water quality by converting livestock producers to winter feeding management that is reliant upon grazing instead of a 4-month long dependency on more costly hay feeding.

Take the Grazing Survey below! 👇

https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/graze-300.html

GRAZE 300 VA MISSION STATEMENT: To enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship.

12/17/2021

The Virginia Association for Environmental Education is now offering their environmental education certification program! Check out below for more details 👇

Introducing VAEE's Environmental Education Certification Program: a multi-faceted and robust professional development opportunity that focuses on mastery of both theory and practice. Join the dynamic community of certified professionals thanks to our program right here at home. There's so much to share. Learn more: https://vaee.wildapricot.org/page-18154

12/15/2021

A big thank you to Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges and our newly elected president Lynn Graves for the generous donation to our VASWCD Educational Foundation. Because of contributions like this we can offer educational programs to our next generation of conservation leaders. ❤️

12/10/2021

The weather may be murky but that just means it's the perfect time to visit your local wetlands! Wetlands are vital for habitats and serve to clean the waterways. Show some love to your wetland this weekend! 💚

11/23/2021

Tune in to check out our friends from Downtown Greens tomorrow at 8 AM with News Talk 1230AM: https://www.newstalk1230.net/

11/19/2021

Congratulations, Aarohi Pani, as the Virginia Kindergarten-1st grade level category winner! Her poster is going up to the National competition this upcoming month! 🎉🎉🎉

Aarohi and her family came by our Board meeting today. We had a wonderful time meeting the talented artist 💕

11/12/2021

Construction Paper? ✅
Poster Boards? ✅
Markers?✅
Glitter? ✅

The girl scouts are ready to wow Downtown Fredericksburg with their poster creations that aim to raise awareness of water pollution in the Rappahannock River 💚

11/10/2021

Friends! It's official! The Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts has chosen our District’s Kindergarten-1st grade submission as the state winner for that category!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations, Aarohi Pani!!! We are so proud of you!!! 💕💕💕

11/04/2021

Learn how to create wildlife habitats using your fallen leaves and branches from Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, Carol Heiser, here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e25c41e6f2e17ea4cb7766/t/5f40289078eb18148143ebb4/1598040208570/Nov-Dec+2019+FINAL+Lets+Grow+Native+LEAVES+and+MULCH+nov_dec_native+plants+2019.pdf