Posts by Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District
Exploring an Amazing Underground World: Soil Function & Biology
Join us for Part 1 in this exciting series as we investigate the many important functions of soil and the hidden biology behind it! You may not know it, but there is an entire world that exists under your feet that is as grand and complex as any ecosystem you may find on the surface…
Read MoreFarmers and Farm & Forest Owners Can Conserve Natural Resources with EQIP Cost-Share
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. Applications are due by January 15, 2021. NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. Using these practices can lead to cleaner water…
Read MoreConnecting Through Citizen Science in the COVID-19 Era
Looking for ways to connect with others in the midst of this pandemic? Citizen Science may just be the answer. Amid a global pandemic, it’s not uncommon to experience a sense of isolation and a thirst for human connection. Citizen Science is an ideal way to connect with others virtually, while contributing information that can…
Read More“Pond”ering Your Backyard Watering Hole? Tips for New and Veteran Pond Owners
We often receive questions regarding new pond construction, as well as the maintenance of an established pond. This week we cover the common “dos” and “don’ts” of pond management. Do: Don’t:
Read MoreThe Dos and Don’ts of Dealing with Water Drainage
We often receive calls regarding the best practices of water drainage. (“Water” is in our name, after all!) Below are water drainage “rules of thumb” that we at Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District often recommend to folks. Some information is found in more detail in the resource sections of our website at www.fairfieldswcd.org. Streambanks and…
Read MoreGhost Pipes, Kudzu, and Dodder, OH MY! 3 Real Plants that Rival Halloween Monsters
From Vampires and Ghosts to Werewolves and Zombies, science fiction and horror writers have created many startling characters with terrifying, yet memorable, traits. With Halloween quickly approaching, let’s take a look at three science fiction inspirations…that are anything but fiction. Dodder With nicknames that include “Devil’s guts,” “vampire plant,” and “witch’s hair,” few plants hold the spook-factor that dodder…
Read MoreEngulfed in Leaves? 3 Options for Dealing with your Trees’ Autumn Offerings
This week we wrap up our series on leaves by examining the methods and benefits of utilizing the fallen ones! I don’t know about you, but one of the keystone autumn memories I cherish from my childhood is raking leaves into an enormous pile…only to wreck my efforts by diving into them. Of course, this…
Read More4 Mysteries of Autumn Revealed
It’s that time of the year again. The air is getting brisker, the days are getting shorter, and the leaves are changing color. Join us this week for the second post in our series on leaves as we unravel the mysteries behind this brilliant display. 1. Why does this explosion of color occur each autumn?…
Read MoreLeave it up to the Leaves!
It turns out there are some amazing capabilities hidden amongst that beautiful canopy. If you’re anything like me, you treasure many childhood memories associated with playing outside. Maybe it was fishing in the watering hole on the back forty with Grandpa. Or perhaps you recollect swinging as high as the clouds on the neighborhood playground.…
Read MoreToday’s Milkweed Supports Tomorrow’s Monarchs
What is Milkweed? Milkweed is a herbaceous perennial that grows in many different habitats, primarily throughout North, Central, and South America. It is named for the milky substance that most milkweeds exude when a leaf or stem is damaged. This sap contains cardiac glycoside compounds, making it toxic to most animals and insect species and…
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