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CAWACO RC&D NEWS

Summer 2015


News you can use for Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties of Alabama

Resource Conservation and Development for Healthy Communities, Ecosystems and Enterprises







 
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In this Issue: 
Project Updates:
Expanding Horizons,
Chilton County Expo,
Invasive Plant Workshop
Ruffner Mountain Nature Camp
Summer BASIC Program
USDA/NRCS Outreach Meetings
Salute to Eldridge Bynum
Resources for stream owners
Farm Equipment for Sale
Alabama Natural Heritage Inventory 
Funding Resources

PROJECT UPDATES

Blount County Education Foundation Expanding Horizons

 

Cawaco is proud to support the Blount County Education Foundation Summer Library program and summer camps!
The purpose the Summer Library Program Expanding Horizons is to provide access to the library and its resources during the summer for students and their families. Forty camps were conducted related to a number of academic areas – music, art, science, math, green/outdoor, theater, chefs, technology, journalism, firefighter, broadcasting, leadership, kindergarten, to name some of them – located at the various campuses throughout the school district.
Over 1,000 students participated in this program! These programs have a proven track record of reducing summer learning loss. Students who participated in the summer camps had substantially greater learning retention and it was reflected in overall test scores!
• 13 Libraries operated summer programs for students with a family literacy component included. This is an increase of two programs over last year. Each site selected a theme and organized activities around that them for the students.
• 40 Camps were offered from which students chose activities that related to their interests and talents.
• Many parents and community members have contacted the Blount County Education Foundation to express gratitude for this project

Chilton County Home, Farm & Wildlife Expo 2015

August 8, 2015
Cawaco is a proud supporter of the 2015 Farm, Home and Wildlife Expo!  Nine hundred and forty nine people were registered, which makes it the best attended expo ever! Five counties were represented, and 62 Master Gardener volunteered a total of 338 hours. 
At one time the fruit tasting tent was completely surrounded with people standing 2 deep to get a sample.  One lady said she didn’t even look up all afternoon she was so busy slicing fruit.  Fifteen tours were scheduled.  Parking was full at 12:30.
 
“We gave out probably 65 baby chicks, two dozen wild game plants, 2 gift certificates to local businesses and a lot of useful information.  I my opinion, we accomplished what we set out to do by hosting this event. Thanks to everyone who gave up their Saturday to help us.”- Jim Pitts, Organizer. 

Invasive Plant Workshop


The Invasive Plant Workshop was held August 7, 2016 at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. Thirty Two people attended this free event, which was hosted by Cawaco through a grant from the Invasive Plant Council. Attendees learned about invasive plant identification, different control methods, and native reintroduction. After the workshop, participants engaged in a hands-on demonstration. Myhand Services of Jasper cleared privet and wisteria from an overgrown area just inside the preserve gate. A special thanks to our outstanding instructors: Dr. Nancy Loewenstein, Dr. Eve Brantley and Michelle Isenberg. 
Herbicide specialist Michelle Isenberg gives a presentation on various control methods.
Dr. Nancy Loewenstein and Michelle Isenberg identify invasive pants and demonstrate control methods. 
Area  prior to Myhand Services clearing privet and wisteria with bobcat mulcher.
Area during the clearing/mulching demo

Ruffner Mountain Nature Camp

We are proud to support the very first special needs nature camp at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve this June. Kids were taught how to pitch a tent and tie knots, they hiked two miles with a wildlife specialist; learned about fish, frogs and snakes, made bird feeders and cowboy hats, observed fire safety demonstrations, participated in the flag ceremony and more! This camp took place June 22-25. Thanks to Senator Linda Coleman for the idea for this project! And thanks to the Boy scouts of America and Ruffner Mountain Nature Center!

American Baseball Foundation Summer BASIC Program

Cawaco is a proud supporter of American Baseball Foundation's Summer BASIC Program!
BASIC (Baseball & Academic Skills Instructional Course) is a sports and academic program designed for 7-14 year olds to experience an enjoyable and interactive learning environment centered around sports, such as baseball and soccer, with the integration of reading, math, and positive character traits. These life-long skills provide children with the essential tools necessary to improve their success to become contributing community members.
Cawaco is a proud supporter of American Baseball Foundation's Summer BASIC Program!
BASIC (Baseball & Academic Skills Instructional Course) is a sports and academic program designed for 7-14 year olds to experience an enjoyable and interactive learning environment centered around sports, such as baseball and soccer, with the integration of reading, math, and positive character traits. These life-long skills provide children with the essential tools necessary to improve their success to become contributing community members.

USDA/NRCS Outreach Meetings

Cawaco partnered with the USDA/NRCS and local Soil & Water Conservation Districts to host 10 outreach meetings in our 5-county area this year. Participants learned about Beginning Farming and Ranching, soil health, soil, water and climate, livestock forage and farm planning, invasive species, and fruit and vegetable production and marketing. Cawaco has agreed to host 10 more workshops for 2016. 
 

Eldridge Bynum 

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our long-term friend and Blount County advocate, Eldridge Bynum (far left). Eldridge is seen here at Palisades Park next to the solar bench he was instrumental in having installed. Eldridge worked tirelessly with Blount County communities and schools, locating resources to help them thrive. We will miss him. 

Resources

Of Interest to Landowners

Are you a landowner with a stream on your property? Do you know a landowner who is having trouble managing a stream on their property? Download this free guide to "Small Scale Solutions to Eroding Stream Banks" from North Carolina State University. Get yours here

Of Interest Farmers:

Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network has several pieces of farm equipment intended to be shared with small farms to promote conservation farming.
These items are for sale to an organization that can make it more readily available to small farmers.  
The equipment is maintained by Jason Burkett, Associate Director at the E.V. Smith
station (burkeje@auburn.edu; 334-727-6159). click here to view all the equipment.

Of Interest to Educators and Nature Lovers


The Alabama Natural Heritage Program has just released the 2015 edition of the Alabama Inventory List, detailing the flora and fauna within the state of Alabama that are listed as rare, threatened and endangered. 
This is a free resource for nature lovers, and educators. Get your copy here. 

Grant Opportunities for Educators

Toyota USA Foundation Grant
The Toyota USA Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of K‐12 education by supporting innovative programs and building partnerships with organizations dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and environmental science . 
No deadline. http://www.toyota.com/…/ar…/community_grants_foundation.html

Lockheed Martin Corporation
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is providing grants to nonprofits and K-12 schools that propose projects involving STEM education or community outreach. No deadline. 
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/…/who-we-are/community/philan…

Donor’s Choose Grants
Donor’s Choose is an online charity connecting donors to classrooms with needs. There is no application deadline. Teachers register projects and receive material donations. 
http://www.donorschoose.org/?action=account

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