A key thrust of Conservation District work is natural resource education. Working closely with schools, media and other public forums to help educate all residents on the importance of natural resource conservation.
POCD is a leader in environmental education with annual events like:
6th Grade Conservation Days: A day in the forest for 6th graders. We conduct one day at Pioneer Park and one day at Sullivan Lake to keep the cost of bussing to a minimum. This day builds on what students learned at the Water Festival. Again, the kids are active participants at the different stations. Stations may include a class on how soil is made. In this activity, the kids put granite rocks into a can with a lid and shake it for about 60 seconds. The rocks break up and give a great example of how sand and soils are made. One station last year had to do with recycling garbage. Boring? Not at all, they recycled wet garbage with worms. Yet another station had kids playing electronic "Hide and Seek" with collars and tracking devices used on Big Horn Sheep. Learning by doing is a powerful tool.
Natural Resources Day: This day is strictly for High School students. We meet at a local landowners ranch, and the High School students (usually from Advanced Biology and Vo-Ag classes) move from site to site learning how to and then doing specific tasks. Tasks include scaling a log for board feet, cruising timber for a possible sale, taking water quality samples by using test kits, macroinvertabrate counts, and surveying. Because this event takes place in September, it gives students a point of reference for their studies until the Envirothon takes place.
Conservation District Wildlife Farm of the Year and Wildlife Steward of the Year: Every year the POCD Board nominates local landowners to receive recognition of their efforts to provide for wildlife. Two categories were developed: "Conservation Distruict Wildlife Farm of the Year" (over 50 acres) and "Conservation District Wildlife Steward of the Year" (under 50 acres). Winners receive a sign to display on their property as Wildlife Steward of the Year. The nominations are developed by staff using information the landowner provides in order to become eligible for this State Award. The Pend Oreille winners are added to others received from around the state to be reviewed by a state committee, who chooses a state winner in each category.
For several years POCD has held a spring fair in conjunction with our annual Tree Sale. It is an informational extravaganza. Since all the trees are pre-sold, landowners picking up their orders are invited to browse though the "Fair" type atmosphere of displays pertaining to conservation issues, tree planting instructions, forest stewardship programs, cost share projects, identification and control of noxious weeds, and much more.
Storm Drain Stenciling (SDS) Project
This hands-on activity is an effective educational tool providing 7th Graders an opportunity to do something to prevent pollution and protect clean water. Students will stencil messages on the street next to storm drains with highly visible messages like: " Dump No Waste. Drains to Stream", "Dump No Waste. Drains to River", " Dump No Waste. Protect Your Groundwater." The goal is to increase awareness about non-point source pollution and discourage would-be dumpers from polluting. 7th graders will learn about urban storm water runoff as it relates to water quality. Most people don't realize their own actions have become the largest source of polluted runoff. Understanding the connection between storm drains and local waterways can change people's actions. The project is being coordinated with the City of Newport to allow the stenciling adjacent to storm drain and storm water runoff routes. The city is also donating the special paint approved for road-type applications.
|
|
Home
Page ||
About
POCD ||
Grant
Programs
Cost Share Programs
|| Education
Programs
Community
Services ||
Special
Links ||
Contact
Us
Copyright © 2001 The Pend Oreille Conservation District, All Rights Reserved.