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USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Newsletters 2
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USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Newsletters 2
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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
(3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24230
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Newsletters 2
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
4
2
Vermont Fire Technical Support Team
Citizens currently have inadequate
Matthew J. Calcagni, Engineering
protection from loss of life and property
Technician, is evaluating and designing
because of the rural nature of Vermont's
water withdrawal facilities. He is
communities and their inaccessibility to
assisting communities with adherence to
adequate water supplies.
engineering standards and specifications.
Rural property owners tend to pay
He is also assisting them with the
higher insurance premiums and
installation of dry hydrant systems. Matt
experience less personal security than
is a native of Barre, and has recently
their city cousins.
obtained an Associates Degree in Civil
The primary goal of VFTST is to
Engineering from Vermont Technical
reduce loss of life and property, improve
College.
personal security and to reduce the cost
Photograph by Bob Eddy
of fire insurance in rural areas of
Sharon S. Quinlan, Education and
Vermont Fire Technical Support Team
Vermont. The team responds only at the
Marketing Specialist, develops
Matt Calcagni, Engineering Technican
Thomas A. Page, Team Coordinator
request of communities.
educational information and training
Sharon S. Quinlan, Education and
Marketing Specialist
tools. She is providing marketing
Objectives
support for team programs and for
-To have 40 rural fire departments in
individual fire departments. Sharon has
Vermont, fully understand water supply
lived in Vermont for thirteen years, has a
What The Team Can Do For You
needs and management principals.
B.A. from the University of Maryland and
*Assist with water supply and fire
-To develop innovative fire prevention
has been in design and marketing for
protection plans.
water supply plans with 15
over twenty-five years. She is currently
*Assist with technical advice on dry
communities.
enrolled in Vermont College/Norwich
hydrants and draft basins.
-To assist 40 rural fire departments and
University.
*Identify potential funding resources.
"Help with communication networking
their communities develop marketing
strategies and identify potential funding
Thomas A. Page, Team Coordinator,
among departments.
resources.
is the person responsible for the
-To improve communication among fire
coordination, scheduling and plan
The Team is located at:
departments, fire regulatory agencies
development for the team. Tom has a
George D. Aiken
and their communities.
B.S. in Environmental Resource
Resource Conservation and
Management from The Pennsylvania
Development Council
We are grateful to Cellular One,
State University and currently resides in
PO Box 411, Rt. 66
IBM Corporation and Green Mountain
East Braintree. He has extensive
Randolph, Vt. 05060
Coffee Roasters for their
experience working on environmental
phone (802)728-9526
generous donations.
site assessments, wetlands delineation,
fax
(802)728-5951
identification and mitigation, and
1-800-299-6408
asbestos consultation.
VERMONT
FIRE
TECHNICAL
PO Box 411, Randolph, VT 05060
Resource Conservation & Development
George D. Aiken
Vermont Fire Technical Support Team
SUPPORT
TEAM
Vermont Fire
Sabra Field 1967
George D. Aiken and
Technical Support Team (VFTST)
Northern Vermont Resource
Mission Statement
The mission of the VFTST is to assist
Conservation and Development
Councils.
local fire departments in reducing the risk
"Helping To Make Things Happen"
of injury, loss of life and property, and to
Our Mission to help people
improve the safety and welfare of the
achieve sustainable development while
community.
caring for and appreciating their
This is accomplished by aiding the
natural environment; to ensure
Volunteer Fire Department (VFDs) in
broadened economic opportunities,
developing fire protection plans,
enrich communities and better lives.
implementing the strategies and
We are...a nonprofit, nonpartisan
improving the fire departments
501 (c)(3) organization guided by a
capabilities.
network of volunteers dedicated to
In the spirit of community service the
meeting locally identified needs.
George D. Aiken and Northern Vermont
We coordinate and
Resource Conservation and Development
facilitate technical and financial
(RC&D) Councils have joined with the
assistance for local communities and
Natural Resources Conservation Service
others who initiate, sponsor, plan and
and AmeriCorps in collaborating to
implement projects.
support the Vermont Fire Technical
Support Team.
All team projects will be constantly
evaluated by the Vermont Rural
Fire Protection Task Force.
USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
AMERICORPS
NA * AMA ERICORP A OR RIVE
All programs and assistance of
A
RC& D are available without
Randolph, VT 05060
Permit No.
PAID
U.S. Postage
Non-Profit Org.
regard to race, color, religion,
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
sex, age, marital status, handicap,
"Working Together
or national origin.
Means Winning Together"
"Working Together Means Winning
Together"
1994 State Earned Income Credit
Eligible workers can obtain a federal W-5 form from their employer anytime
State Earned Income Credit Table
during the year. However, a new federal W-5 form must be filed at the
How Earned Income Credit Can Work For You
This year the Wisconsin Earned Income Credit will be a stand-alone state
beginning of each year.
credit. The credit is no longer calculated as a percentage of the federal EIC.
Minimum
Maximum
Income
Income
Workers can obtain Earned Income Credit benefits by filing a separate
Tax Year 1994
Benefit
Eligibility
Cut-Off
The income thresholds for the state will be adjusted for inflation annually,
Federal and State tax return.
in $10 increments. You will have two separate forms to complete in 1994
Families with 1 child
$92
$7,980
$23,740
to receive the federal and state credits.
Families with at least 2 children
$499
$7,980
$23,740
Is Advanced Payment Right For You?
Families with 3 or children
$1,496
$7,980
$23,740
1994 Federal Earned Income Credit
Tax Year 1995
Think ahead and make sure. If you think your income may go up later in the
year or your family situation will change (maybe you plan to get married),
Families with 1 child
$95
$8,230
$24,480
advance payment is not a good idea for you.
Families with at least 2 children
$514
This year, even more money is available. Families with only one child are
$8,230
$24,480
Families with 3 or more children
$1,496
$8,230
$24,480
eligible for an Earned Income Credit of up to $2,038 in 1994. The maximum
credit for two or more children will be $2,528.
If you're working more than one job and your total family income may go
Tax Year 1996
up this year and will be more than $23,755, you should not take advance
payment. None of your employers will know the correct amount to give you,
Families with 1 child
$98
$8,510
$25,310
Families with at least 2 children
$532
$8,510
$25,310
and you could end up owing money back to the IRS.
Families with 3 or more children
$1,596
$8,510
$25,310
Who Is Eligible
Other Things To Know
If you receive the advance EIC in your pay, you must file a tax return for
For Earned Income Credit?
Federal Earned Income Credit Table
1994. By filing a return you show the IRS the payments you received and
filing a return allows you to apply for any extra credit to which you may be
How Earned Income Credit Can Work For You
Single or married people who worked full or part time at some point in 1994
entitled.
Income Range
can qualify for the EIC depending on their income.
Maximum
For Maximum
Income
If you're married and your spouse works, you should always check "Yes" in
Tax Year 1994
Benefit
Benefit
Cut-Off
Workers who have one child in their home and an income of less than
the box on line 3 of the W-5 (whether or not your spouse actually files a W-
$23,755 in 1994.
5). Otherwise, your EIC advance may be too large.
Families with 1 child
$2,038
$7,750-11,000
$23,755
Families with at least 2 children
$2,528
$3,425-11,000
$25,296
Workers without children
$ 306
$4,000-5,000
$ 9,000
Workers who have more than one child in their home and an income of less
Do not claim more exemptions on your W-4 form than you're actually
than $25,296 in 1994.
entitled to. Extra withholdings plus advance EIC payments can mean you
Tax Year 1995
will owe the IRS at the end of the year.
Families with 1 child
$2,040
$6,000-11,000
$24,396
Workers who have no children but are between the ages of 25 through 64
Families with at least 2 children
$3,110
$3,425-11,000
$26,673
on December 31, 1994, and an income of less than $9,000 in 1994. The
For more information on Earned Income Credit
Workers without children
$ 314
$4,000-5,000
$ 9,230
maximum credit will be $306. (This credit is only available through the
(Including Advanced Payment)
federal EIC and not the state EIC.)
Tax Year 1996 (Estimated)
Call the Milwaukee EIC Hotline: 223-0662
To get help for filing or amending a tax return please call:
Families with 1 child
$2,040
$6,000-11,000
$23,760
Workers can obtain Earned Income Credit benefits by filing a separate
Families with at least 2 children
$3,033
$3,425-11,000
$27,000
Federal and State tax return.
Workers without children
$ 306
$4,000-5,000
$ 9,000
Federal
Wisconsin
Internal Revenue Service
Department of Revenue
Increase Your Take Home Pay!
(414) 271-3780
(414) 227-4000
Get Money Back
Advanced EIC Payment Option
TTY 1-800-829-4059
You've Earned!
Workers don't have to wait until the end of the year to receive their tax
benefit. Employers can add a portion of a worker's EIC earnings to
If you have a problem receiving information,
every paycheck and the worker can receive the rest of the credit after
Take The Tax Credit
filing a tax return.
please call us at 225-6200.
Your Family Deserves.
Need Help Paying Heating Bills?
This information is brought to you by:
Put More Money
These incomes may qualify for Energy Assistance
In Your Pocket
People in Household
Monthly Household Income
THE
1
$ 920.00
2
1,230.00
EARNED
3
1,540.00
4
1,850.00
5
2,160.00
INCOME
6
2,470.00
7
2,780.00
8
3,090.00
CREDIT
(FOR EACH PERSON OVER 8 ADD $310.00)
CAMPAIGN
To apply, you'll need the following:
Social Security cards for everyone in your household.
A copy of your last heating bill (or other proof).
Proof of income for the last 3 months.
Sponsored by:
Where to apply for Energy Assistance
SDC Halyard Building - 2201 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Qualify for
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Work for
SDC Westside Center - 2449 N. 36th Street
Wisconsin, Inc.
CDBG
Monday thru Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
231 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200. Milwaukee. Wisconsin 53203
EARNED
Phone: (414) 224-6200 FAX: (414) 225-6210
SDC Southside Center 931 W. Madison
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
INCOME CREDIT
Wednesday ⑉ 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Satuday - 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Not only do you deserve it,
Milwaukee County/DSS - 1220 W. Vliet Street
Monday thru Friday - 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
you've earned it!
South Milwaukee City Hall 2424 15th Avenue
ACHOICE
HUNGER
Tuesday Only - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
"FUNDING
I
TASK FORCE
What Is Earned Income Credit?
OF MILWAUKEE Since 1974
Beulah Brinton Senior Center - 2555 S. Bay Street
Fridays Only 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a tax benefit for working families
West Allis Senior Center - 7001 W. National Avenue
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
AMERICORPS
having a combined gross income of less than $23,755 and in most
A
cases at least one dependent child living at home. The credit is
Mill Road Library, Meeting Room 6431 N. 76th Street
Tuesdays Only - 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BITIONAL
available to married and single parents.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY
19 May, 1995
Americorps Member - Diane T. Ducharme - Recreation Accessibility Coordinator
USDA, US Forest Service / City of Asheville
Parks & Recreation Department
704/258-5821 704/257-4210
Asheville, NC
Getting Things Done
Establish database of people with disabilities and local agencies for communication
network and advise from community.
Research, Write, and Prepare Resource Manual for the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) Training's (totaling 230 pages).
Completed a series of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Training seminars for various
departments within the City of Asheville (totaling approx. 270 people):
-Parks & Recreation - ADA Awareness Training
-City-wide departments - ADA Awareness Training
-Afterschool Program - ADA Awareness Training
-Civic Center - ADA Awareness Training
-City-wide departments - ADA Policy Training
-City-wide departments - Sensitivity Training ( encompassing a
representative panel of peoples with a variety of disabilities from local
agencies).
*
This is an expansion of original direction for the Americorps position, being only
for the Parks & Recreation department's involvement, expanded to encompass the
entire City of Asheville.
Developing City of Asheville Americans with Disabilities Act Policy Compliance
Procedures and Responsibilities.
Assist in developing a park playground needs assessment survey.
Developing a new program for Parks & Recreation - Adopt-A-Playground - the City's
efforts to form a public-private partnership in providing accessible facilities.
Establishing City of Asheville Americans with Disabilities communication network, i.e.
information highway for ADA
1
COMMUNITY SERVICE
History
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a broadly sweeping civil rights law, signed into
public law on July 26, 1990. It is intended to eliminate discrimination against people with
disabilities in all aspects of American life. This law includes provisions regarding
employment (Title I), state and local government services (Title II-A), public transit services
(Title II-B), public accommodations (Title III), communications (Title IV), and a miscellaneous
category for clarifications (Title V).
In working with the City of Asheville, I have:
install the importance to the City of Asheville of recognizing that all people in the
community have an equal right to access under the ADA.
educate both City of Asheville employees' and people with disabilities'
communities on their rights and responsibilities to each other and to the ADA law.
enable the City of Asheville to comply with ADA by providing technical support and
manpower for expedient compliance. ( Under Title II-A, Parks and Recreation should
have been in compliance by January 26, 1992.)
encourage communication from people with disabilities in the community with the City
of Asheville via the ADA Advisory Committee.
RESPONSIBILITY
Education and patience can go along way. In working with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), I personally have grown in my awareness, not only of the various people with
disabilities, but my responsibility to my community. We are all in "it" together, and thus
grows the wealth of responsibility to each other. In so far as the City of Asheville, I believe I
have educated the city's employees on awareness and sensitivity to people with disabilities.
Yes, your right, this is a civil rights law mandated by the Federal Government, signed by the
President himself, to provide a level "playing field" for all. I feel that I have provided more
than just the law, but a more comprehensive view of the barriers we erect to peoples with
disabilities, the opportunities we discount, and the hopefully a better understanding and alittle
compassion for all people.
2
OPPORTUNITY
The City of Asheville is on its way to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Parks Recreation department has recognized the need for staff personnel with expertise in
adaptive programs, thus posting and eventually will hire a part-time senior citizen program
specialist. In heightening community awareness, the City of Asheville has been able to
collaborate with various agencies to assertion a "game plan" for compliance with the ADA.
The foundations for the communication network have been established within the community
and the City of Asheville. I believe this will facilitate the trust and opportunities for people
with disabilities.
3
1994
HIGHLIGHTS
INTRODUCTION - PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
Our success in "helping make things happen" depends upon a variety of public and private partners. We
fully acknowledge that without their help and energies the highlights you are about to read about would not be
possible.
Our partners are determined by the needs of the project we are working on. We expand our network of
partners each year. These folks give there resources, time and expertise because we share with them a common
goal.
"Collaborate" does not simply mean to "coordinate" or "cooperate". Collaborators share-power, make
policy and program decisions together, share resources, dump old agendas and develop new ones together.
Successes are equally shared and losses are equally mitigated.
We share our successes with the many partners we team with. We embrace less successful endeavors as
learning opportunities and look forward to fine tuning our efforts to better meet the needs of local communities.
The RC&D Council is grateful to all of our partners collaborating with us in 1994. We celebrate the
following highlights with them and look foward to continuing our work together to support Vermont communities.
Carpenter LAND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Town of Royalton Recreation Committee asked the RC&D Council for technical information and
resource data that would help them effectively and efficiently build a 9 acre recreation facility that meets the needs
of citizens including Vermont Law School students. The Town owned the Carpenter Farm nine acre tract
adjoining the Law School on the south side of the White River.
RC&D Coordinated an environmental review team that included the following:
-USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Dan Koloski, District Conservationist
David Skinas, Archaeologist
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Jon Bouton, Windsor County Forester
George Plumb, Recreation Chief
- Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission
Les Varga, Transportation Planner
- Vermont Department of Environmental Engineering - Water Quality
Eric Sorenson, Assistant Wetland Coordinator
- Susan Space, Landscape Designer, Randolph, VT
This Team generated an Environmental Review Report that addressed recreational, wetland, cultural,
vegetative, soils and landscape design issues. The report was used by the Town to hire a planning consultant to
develop a comprehensive plan for the property.
The project was only possible because of the collaboration of the various partners. It is only through their
willingness to share their expertise and time that the report to the Town of Royalton was possible. We on the
RC&D Council appreciate their willingness to provide valuable resource information that will help the Town make
sound land use choices on the Carpenter Land Recreation Area.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
SKITCHEWAUG SITE PROTECTED
Vermonts earliest known farming site, dating to 1120 A.D., has been protected through an amazing
partnership involving public and private interests. The Skitchewaug Site is located along the banks of
the Connecticut River in Springfield, Vermont. The loss of cultural resources and farmland was being
caused by severe erosion of the river bank. The Vermont Division of Historic Preservation asked the RC&D
Council to facilitate, coordinate and administer the technical and financial resources needed to protect the site.
The technical and financial resources needed for the project were provided by partners that come together
in a true collaboration. The partners included:
- Errol Perry and Ken Young - Landowners
- VT Division for Historic Preservation & VT Legislatures
- New England Power Company
- Upper Valley Land Trust
- Consolidated Farm Services Agency
- Abenaki Tribal Council
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Frank W. Whitcomb Construction Corp.
- Connecticut River Joint Commission
- Tom Maclay, Construction Inspection
- Springfield Vocational Technical Center
- George D. Aiken Resource Conservation & Development Council
- University of Maine at Farmington - Archaeologist
The first public studies of the site were conducted in 1987 by the University of Maine at Farmington and
funded by New England Power Company. The studies indicated that cultural deposits extended at least 2 meters
below the present ground surface and were being lost regularly by erosion of the bank. Cultural features identified
included hearths, pits, beans, maize and squash residue, living floors and human burials. The beans, maize and
squash were carbon dated to 1120 A.D. which is some of the earliest known evidence of horticulture in New
England. The condition and varied elements of the site indicates it is one of the most significant sites currently
known in the Northeast.
The site is now stabilized by rock rip rap and vegetative cover. The farmland area is protected through a
covenant to the Upper Valley Land Trust by the landowners. The construction was completed in record time just
before winter set in. The creativity, dedication and foresight of all partners made this project possible and the
benefits to society for protecting this site forever is incalculable. THE RC&D Council was happy to play a small
roll with all the partners and looks forward to helping similar projects in the future.
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
AMERICORP VERMONT FIRE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TEAM
RC
3
In the spirit of community service the George
D. Aiken and Northern Vermont Resource Conservation
and Development (RC&D) Councils have joined with the
Natural Resources Conservation Service and AmeriCorps
to support the Vermont Fire Technical Support Team.
The mission of the Team is to assist local fire
departments in reducing the risk of injury, loss of life and
property, and to improve the safety and welfare of the
community.
This is accomplished by aiding the Volunteer
Fire Department in developing fire protection plans,
implementing the strategies and improving the fire
departments capabilities
Team Members from left to right: Matt Calcagni,
Tom Page and Sharon Quinlan.
Accomplishments of the Team to date are as follows:
72 towns and volunteer fire departments contacted VFTST for help with their Fire Protection Water Supply
Plans, surveys and dry hydrant installations.
VFTST completed 50 initial educational meetings.
Team completed initial educational meetings with 3 mutual aid systems and held a Dry Hydrant Course for
the Addison County Fire Fighters Association.
VFTST assisted in the development of "Linking Economic Development and Community Fire Protection 'A
Statewide Summit' on March 13, 1995 at the Statehouse in Montpelier.
Team is in the process of developing 20 Fire Protection Water Supply Plans, 10 in the George D. Aiken
RC&D area, and 10 in the Northern Vermont RC&D area.
Team is assisting the towns of West Haven, Benson, Sudbury, and Hubbardton, to complete the installation of
six dry hydrants in order to fulfill the Bennington and Rutland County Opportunity Council's Block Grant.
Team is providing surveying and installation assistance on an "as needed basis" for communities who have
monies ear-marked for dry hydrant installations in 1995, (i.e., Woodstock, Ripton, Strafford).
Team discovered only a few volunteer fire departments market themselves to their communities. Team
provided all towns with a handbook they wrote to help the VFD's with recruitment, fund raising activities,
grants, and marketing of their dry hydrant programs.
The Team is being assisted by two volunteers, Mr. Tom Maclay and Mr. James Tucker. One Vermont
Technical College students, Dan Raymond, is helping the Team survey as part of his work-study project.
IBM Corporation has donated two computers systems to the team to help produce professional Fire Protection
Water Supply Plans.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters donated 500 insulated coffee mugs to the team to be given to volunteer fire
fighters as they travel around the state.
M
INE
*
A
MERICORPS
SEPTED
TEAM USDA
JORDAN ACRES SCHOOL, OUTDOOR LAB PROJECT GOALS
PROJECT COORDINATOR: HOLLY SHEEHAN, CUMBERLAND COUNTY SOIL
AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCTION
CIRCUIT RIDER
OBJECTIVE #1: To enable and encourage teachers to use the
outdoor site behind their school. To make the outdoor site
more physically accessible, and to provide teachers with
information and hands-on, outdoor activities about the
environment.
OBJECTIVE #2: To enable students to develop an environmental
awareness which considers human behavioral impact on the
environment and a willingness to take action to promote a
clean and safe outdoors. To give to them knowledge, a sense
of ownership and responsibility for the environment in which
they live.
DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE OBJECTIVES WILL BE MET:
Teacher Workshops-
I will conduct at least three teacher training workshops, at
the Jordan Acres School. The topics of sensory awareness,
forestry, aquatics, soils, and wildlife will be addressed.
Teachers will be lead through outdoor, hands-on activities
which pertain to these subjects.
Building an outdoor Classroom
The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has volunteered
about two weeks of their time to devote to building an
outdoor classroom. The College Conservation Corps may also
become involved with the project. Ideas for construction
projects include, building foot bridges over swampy areas;
making an interpretive trail, with natural objects that
students can touch, and information for teachers to read;
and building benches into a natural ampitheater. Some issues
concerning materials, tools, etc. need to be ironed out. I
am sending an official proposal to the NCCC, and will be
speaking to the College Conservation Corps. Hopefully this
will all be confirmed within a month or two.
Using the outdoor lab
I am committed to spending almost every Friday of the school
year with the Jordan Acres School. In the beginning I will
be concentrating on the fourth and fifth grades. And later,
if teachers are interested, I will work with the younger
students. Each class will meet with me (outdoors, weather
permitting) for an hour and a half.
Aquatics
We will be "adopting a section of the
Androscoggin River. It is about a ten minute walk from the
school. Educational activities on the Androscoggin include,
water quality testing, macro-invertebrate collecting and
surveying, trash clean-up days, monitoring seasonal changes,
and re-vegetating eroding slopes. We will study watersheds,
pollution and the concept that ecosystems are inter-
connected.
Sensory Awareness
At the forested site of the outdoor
classroom students will develop their sensory awareness
skills, so that they become more thorough in observing
nature and science. They will be encouraged to listen,
smell, touch and to look closely. This will be done by
having the students participate in activities which
eliminate one sense, such as their eyes, and observe micro-
habitats.
Forestry and Wildlife
The forestry and wildlife lessons
we be inter-connected, focusing on the forest ecosystem of
the outdoor classroom. We will study wildlife habitat,
seasonal changes, prey predator relationships, food webs,
tree identification and physiology, wild flowers, edible
plants
human survival in the outdoors, and human impact,
etc.
Soils and Geology We will look at soils, and examine what
they are made out of. Students will achieve an
understanding of a soil layering. We will examine how water,
animals, and plants relate to soils. We will study
decomposers, nutrient cycles, and rocks. Human behavior and
how it effects soils, which we cannot live without, will be
examined by the students. Best management practices for land
use will be explored.
THE
AMERICORPS
The Vermont Anti-Hunger Corps
A Project of the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity
Team USDA
THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM IS IN VERMONT:
President Clinton created the AmeriCorps program as a "domestic Peace Corps" to fulfill his goal of reviving national
service. In July, 1994, the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded five national AmeriCorps "Anti-Hunger, Nutrition
and Empowerment" grants. Vermont was chosen to receive one of those grants with the sponsorship of the Vermont
Office of Economic Opportunity. The project was further developed with the assistance of Senator Leahy, the
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Community Action Agencies, the University of Vermont Extension Service,
the Vermont Departments of Health and Education, and the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. This
is one of six different AmeriCorps programs funded in Vermont, all receiving support and assistance from the
Vermont Commission on National and Community Service.
THE VERMONT ANTI-HUNGER, NUTRITION AND EMPOWERMENT CORPS:
Vermont Anti-Hunger Corps offers 40 Americans, mostly Vermonters, the opportunity to participate in a "season
of service". The statewide program will be planning, training, developing and implementing projects from December
1994 through September 1995. The members are supported by an administrative staff of 3 (Bari Gladstone, Gina
Purtell and Diane Girard-diCarlo) and a field staff of 5 team leaders (Laurie Larson, Lisa Guccione, Jim Owre, Holly
Hammond, and Peter Mahar). The 5 regional teams will each consist of 8 adult members of diverse ages, educational
experiences, economic backgrounds and interests yet maintaining a common desire to serve their community. Team
members will live and work together, building community within their house as well as their geographical region.
The locations of the households Bure and counties covered by the teams are as follows: Jonesville: Addison, Chittenden,
Franklin and Grand Isle; Northfield: Lamoille, Washington and Orange; St. Johnsbury: Caledonia, Essex, and
Orleans; Bellows Falls: Windsor and Windham; Sudbury and Shaftsbury: Rutland and Bennington.
THE PROJECTS AND APPROACH
The five teams will work on a tremendous variety of projects, each in collaboration with Vermont communities and
organizations or individuals committed to the issue of ending hunger. The teams may develop activities such as
school breakfast programs, summer feeding programs, sustainable gardens, school / community nutrition education
programs, food purchasing cooperatives for day care providers, enrichment of food shelf and community kitchen
programs, increased access for those eligible for food assistance programs, and/or other special projects. The Anti-
Hunger Corps members will be partners with communities in need of extra hands and technical assistance to create
or improve strategies they will be able to sustain which reduce hunger and improve the availability and use of
nutritional resources.
This is an exciting, novel program that has generated enthusiasm among the new staff, 'old hands' in the field,
community members, and most recently selected AmeriCorps members. We look forward to working with Vermont
communities to combat hunger in new and old ways.
103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-1801
Office 1-800-360-2577 or 802-241-2577 Fax 802-241-2593
The Appalachian-Northeast Tennessee Resource Conservation & Development Council
with assistance from the USDA Forest Service-AmeriCorps program
Spring 1995
Volume 1.1
CONSERVATION EDUCATION NEWS
Earth Day every day
at Envirothon and Conservation Camps
Mr. Montement
tion
HOLTAVRD
South Greene wins regional Envirothon
cap
A team of five students from South Greene High School
claimed first place in the second-annual regional Envirothon,
held April 19 at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in
Elizabethton. Teams from Hampton and Cloudland High
Schools placed second and third, respectively.
Fifteen teams from high schools in Carter, Greene, Sullivan,
Unicoi, and Washington counties competed. Participation
increased about 50% over last year's regional event, with two
new counties and five new high schools joining the growing
number of Envirothon participants throughout the country.
The victorious South Greene High School team, newcomer to
Envirothon, proceeded to the state contest, held in Crossville
900 attend Conservation Camps
May 8-9.
Approximately 900 students, teachers, and parents attended
the RC&D Council's first-annual Conservation Camps during
Envirothon is a hands-on outdoor competition with regional,
April and May. Schools in Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Coun-
state, and national levels. The contest is designed to promote
awareness of natural resources and current environmental issues.
ties, and Elizabethton City participated. Conservation Camp '95
gave fourth-grade students and their teachers the opportunity to
Since the first Envirothon, held in Pennsylvania in
, 23
learn about conservation and other related topics while enjoying
??states now hold competi-
the outdoors.
tions. (cont. page 2)
The original dates for Conservation Camp were April
The Appalachian-
IMERICORP
Thanks to our sponsors:
Northeast Tennes-
20 and 21 for all school systems. However, due to unfore-
Tenn. Dept. of Acpiculture
A
see RC&D Council
seen changes in T-CAP test dates, the camp dates,
USDA Forest Service-
SECRET
conducted this
locations, and presenters had to be altered. With all of the
AmeriCorps
changes, the number of students attending far exceeded
region's first
USDA Natural Resources
Envirothon in
our expectations. For this reason, some schools did not receive
Conservation Service
T-shirts, literature packets, etc. Elizabethton City Schools
1994, when the
Waste Management, Inc.
attended camp April 20 and Carter County April 21 at Sycamore
Hampton High School
McDonald's
Shoals State Historic Area. Unicoi County attended camp May 5
team from Carter County
Environmental Biotech
at Johnny Lynch's Farm in Unicoi. Johnson County attended
won first place in the
Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi
camp May 12 at Mountain City Elementary School.
regional competition, and
Soil Conservation Districts
At each camp there was an average of 14 learning stations for
third place in the state.
All USDA agencies that
The six other RC&D
the students to visit. Professionals from nonprofit organizations,
provided presenters
Councils in Tennessee also
federal, state, and local agencies, as well as citizen volunteers
Johnny Lynch's Farmhouse
conduct Envirothon
gave 10-12 minute presentations on a broad range of topics.
Gallery and Gardens
Students and teachers moved from station to station, learning
competitions in their
Sycamore Shoals State Historic
about forestry, forest fire prevention, aquatics, recycling, soil
regions. (cont. next page)
Area
conservation, wildlife, and many other topics. (cont. next page)
Northwest Team Advisors
Elsa Barenberg
Sheila Rheaume
Associate County Director
Director of Outreach
Franklin Grand Isle Community Action
Abenaki Tribal Office
86 Main St.
P.O. Box 276
St. Albans, VT. 05478
Swanton, VT. 05488
527-7392
868-2559
1-800-300-7392
Thi Nguyen
Tammy James
VISTA worker
Alburg Elementary School Cook
Room 32 City Hall
P.O. Box 88
Burlington, VT. 05401
Alburg, VT. 05440
865-71424
796-3573
Tom Young
Yiota Ahladas
Food Stamp Outreach
Community Development Specialist
CVOEO
Community & Economic Development
191 North St.
Office Room 32 City Hall
Burlington, VT. 05401
Burlington, VT. 05401
863-6248
865-7144
Edith Clark
Melanie Putz
Public Health Nursing Supervisor
Nutrition Educator
VT. Dept. of Health
15 Hyde St.
1193 North Avenue
Burlington, VT. 05401
Burlington, VT. 05402
864-9572
863-7323
CVAAA 865-0360
Joanne Corbitt
Judy Stevens
Executive Director
Farmer
Elderly Services Project Independent
RD 1 Box 94
P.O. Box 581
Bridport, VT. 05734
Middlebury, VT. 05753
897-7031
388-6145
Diane Mincher
Executive Director
UVM Extension Service
R.R.4 Box 1308
Middlebury, VT. 05753
388-4969
* IN CRICORP CRIICE UNITED OF DEPARTMENT STATES
AGRICULTURE
SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE MEMBERS NOT SEEN
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1995
The Food and Outreach crew consist of:
Treavis Fowler, Sheila Killebrew, Rhonda Evans, Mittie Rainey,
Devon Williams, Gina Krosting, Beauty Wadlington, Shana Starks,
Jennifer Williams, Jose Cabon, Alex Gonzalez and Geraldine Ball
Council for the Spanish Speaking, 614 West National Ave. Daniel Soto is
the director, 384-3700. Our members Shana Starks and Rhonda Evans, are
responsible for client in-take and for making sure that all of it's clients
receive the correct amount of food.
Agape Community Center, 5975 North 40th street, Lisa Dallas is the
coordinator of this project, 464-4440. The members who are assigned to
this meal site, Devon Willams and Mittie Rainey, are responsible for all the
preparation before the meal service begins. This site also happens to be one
of the farmers market sites, where our members have pitched in to help sell
the farmers goods.
The Gathering, 2612 West Mineral, Joe Oldfield is the director of this meal
site, 272-4122. Rhonda Evans is our AmeriCorps worker assigned to this
spot as a cook's helper. Rhonda is responsible for making sure that all the
pre preparation has been taken care of. This will help the cook prepare the
food quickly which in-turn the meal site will be able to service more people.
Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, 811 East Vienna, Michele Goldstine is
the director, 962-3111. Hunger Task Force is responsible for providing food
for the 105 pantries in there net- work. Our AmeriCorps members are there
to provide assistance.
First Call For Help, 820 West Wisconsin Ave. There are three members
assigned to the first Call program, Geraldine Ball, Jose Cabon and Jennifer
Williams. This program is the first link for clients, here in Milwaukee, who
may need some type of emergency service, such as food or shelter. The
members are responsible for connecting the clients with the correct agency
that will provide the client with the requested service. First call responds
to over 400 calls each day.
Will's Road Side Market, 5500 West Silver Spring, Will Allen is the
owner, 527-1908 Gina Krosting is the member who has been assigned this
spot. She is the Wholesale manager and her duties include making sure that
the farmers markets, run by AmeriCorps members, have there produces for
that day.
Milwaukee Aids Project, 820 North Plakinton Ave. Andy Bagnal is the
director. Here are member is responsible for running the food panty that has
been set up only to cater to AIDS patients in need of emergency food.
Right Alternative, 4434 West Marion, Tyran Moore is the coordinator of
this project. Here Devon Williams is in charge of running the food pantry.
The construction crew consist of:
Leslie Snyder, Wynette Scheffield, Jeff Kohlweiss,
Today this crew is working at Cannon Baptist church, 2964 N. 11th st. The
church's pantry was in need of new shelves and a fresh coat of paint.
The Farmers Market crew consist of:
Vonnie Thomas, Yolanda Thomas, Tatanisha Parker, Damon cobbs,
Mary Hoover and Robert Huston
This crew will be working at the garden site on 1st. and Center.
Grainger
County
USDA
Festival
AmeriCorps Presents:
Paintin' the Town
GREEN!!
GEORGI, Environmental Singer and Storyteller
Performances starting at Noon and 2:00
Earth Easter Egg Hunt
Door Prizes
Art Exhibits from Local Students!!
April 15, 1995
Grainger County Courthouse
Rutledge, TN
Noon until 3pm
Made Possible by a Grant from the East Tennessee Foundation
and Partner's for Clean Communities
Keep America Beautiful System
For More Information, Please Call 828-5927
ITINERARY for JOEL BERG for JULY 5, 1995
VT. ANTI-HUNGER CORPS NORTHWEST TEAM REVIEW
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.--Meet at H. O. Wheeler School, West End
of Archibald St. in Burlington. Visit H. O. Wheeler Summer Feeding
Program. Americorps member Cella Chantal will be present.
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.--Drive to St. Albans in Franklin County.
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.-Visit St. Albans Summer Feeding Site.
This will be the opening day of this program. Americorps member
Emily Jones will be present.
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.--Eat lunch at Summer Feeding Site with
the kids. (This is my personal vision; If I can't work it out to eat
there, we will use this time to grab a bite downtown somewhere.)
12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.-Visit Farm to Family Coupon Distribution
Site at Health Department. Americorps member Charles Metcalf will
be present.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.--Drive with Americorps member Jamie Does
to Northwest Correctional Center to do a pick-up of vegetables from
the garden there and deliver to Franklin Grand-Isle Community
Action Agency.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.--Return to Waterbury Central Office. (or
Hampton Inn, oΓ...?)
Northwest Team Leader Laurie Larson will accompany Mr. Berg on
his field tour of the Champlain Valley. If there are any questions,
feel free to call me at 862-9431, or 651-1867. Thanks! I'm looking
forward to the tour.
Laurie
I /I 8024125533:
Kinko's Copies ->
: 80:01 : S6-06-9 :
SENT BY:Buriington, VT
PHOTOCOPY
PATHFINDING
PRESERVATION
Timber on a Tightrope: A Demonstration
Project to Reshape the Future
By Tim Richard
of forming a program - the
Montezuma County Federal
A
Lands Program - to address the
tinge of exasperation
relationship between local
marks Dudley Millard's voice as
economy and public land in the
he comments on the southwest
region. Only 23 percent of
Colorado's logging industry,
southwest Colorado is private;
which is crumbling under
the rest is federal agency or
evolving values that favor recre-
tribal land. Montezuma County
ation, aesthetics, and biodiversity.
submitted a proposal to the
"Everyone has had a finger in
USDA's Rural Community Assis-
the pie since 1976, when the
tance Program and won a grant
forest management plan started
for $25,000. The Ponderosa Pine
the decline of the timber indus-
Forest Partnership grew from
try," Mallard says. "I don't know
the grant agreement made be-
where this thing is going. Any-
tween Montezuma County, San
time you bring the public in to
Juan National Forest, and the
comment, everything comes to
Colorado Timber Industry Asso-
a halt. You just can't get every-
ciation to share time and data,
one to agree on anything."
seek markets for small-diameter
Despite his tone, not all
timber, and hire Geographical
seems gloomy for Millard, who
Information Systems map mak-
isn't sure the people want to see
ers and researchers.
the timber industry return. Al-
"The [Ponderosa Pine Forest
though he sounds fed up with
Partnership] is about starting to
governmental decisions, he is
figure out what the forest should
one of a few timber operators in
look like, what materials can
Montezuma County, Colorado
come from it, and what area
willing to try a new direction
timber people can do with it,"
that may lead to easing tension
Preston says.
between loggers, millers, and
Second-growth ponderosa
Colorado insect-control crew inspecting ponderosa pine 72 inches in diameter, 1933.
the Forest Service. As long as
pine and a thick understory of
there is timber to talk about, he
Gambel oak dominate the ter-
390 per acre. Tree samples show
burns are uncommon, but based
holds out hope for the logging
rain found between 7,500 to
that the frequency of natural
on Romme's fire history, natural
life he's known all of his 66
8,500 feet throughout the San
fire as far back as 700 years aver-
fires of the past occurred more
years. His snow-white head of
Juan National Forest. A histori-
aged from five-to 40-year inter-
often in summer than spring or
hair betrays a youthful voice as
cal combination of grazing, fire
vals in given areas, allowing re-
fall. Kemp and Romme believe
he remarks, "It's promising, but
suppression, logging, and par-
generation to create a variable-
that a summertime prescribed
we need a sustainable source of
ticularly prolific seed years early
aged canopy and contributing
burn might benefit native
logs. I don't know if the Forest
this century produced even-
to a more biologically diverse
grasses and forbes, which may
Service can change the way it
aged and overstocked stands.
ecosystem, the report states.
have evolved an adaptability to
does business, but it's moving
Today, there is a moderate to
The San Juan National
them. A summer burn would
faster than ever before."
high risk of dwarf mistletoe and
Forest's management strategy
also burn hotter, clearing more
The "it" Millard refers to is
mountain pine beetle outbreaks,
for the 189,000 acres of ponde-
debris than earlier or later burns.
the Ponderosa Pine Forest Part-
not to mention catastrophic
rosa pine on its west side may
Kemp, forester and silvicul-
nership, a unique experiment in
turist, is supportive of and en-
collaboration and cooperation
thusiastic about the demon-
among county, state, and fed-
stration's unique components.
eral agencies, scientists, educa-
In Romme's ideal scenario for restoration of
"The difference in this
tors, and private industry, in-
project is that we're not out to
cluding the Colorado Timber
the five sites, the objective is to remove trees
maximize wood fiber growth
Industry Association, of which
and production," he says.
Millard is current president.
less than 10 and 12 inches in diameter, leaving
"We're reducing the stocking
The multimember partner-
below what this area is capable
ship emerged from a simulta-
trees 16 inches and more in diameter.
of producing as an ecosystem
neous recognition of common
management objective."
needs created by a weakened
In Romme's ideal scenario for
local timber industry, the
restoration of the five sites, the
forest's health, disappearing fed-
wildfire. Using tree ring dating
be largely determined by a dem-
objective is to remove trees less
eral dollars, and legislative and
and analysis, Fort Lewis College
onstration project this summer
than 10 and 12 inches in diam-
regulatory policies. The partner-
ecologist William Romme and
to move stands closer to pre-
eter, leaving trees 16 inches and
ship's quest is to learn if com-
other researchers have discov-
1870 conditions.
more in diameter. However,
mercial logging can help restore
ered that a pre-European settle-
Most of the preparations, in-
Kemp says trees larger than 16
badly needed forest health and
ment (circa 1870) fire regime
cluding National Environmen-
inches in diameter will be har-
if the Forest Service can support
created a landscape character-
tal Policy Act requirements, are
vested in two sites. "Thinning
local communities in the spirit
ized by grassland dotted with
complete. And Romme and San
will help produce a more
of ecosystem management.
ponderosa pine groves, consid-
Juan National Forest forester
clumped appearance, compa-
"What we have is over-
erably different from today's
Phil Kemp have chosen five
rable to presettlement condi-
stocked forests and a declining
situation. Stumps surviving
sites totaling 447 acres (56 to
tions," he explains.
timber industry," says Mike
from turn of the century log-
125 acres). Local contracted log-
The second innovation is
Preston, associate director of the
ging show that pre-1870 trees
gers will thin the demonstration
that, although two or three lo-
Fort Lewis College Office of
averaged 27 inches in diameter
plots, then Forest Service crews
cal logging companies will har-
Community Services. Preston
and numbered 40 to 50 per
will conduct prescribed burning
vest the timber, the contract
was instrumental two-and-a-
acre, according to Romme's re-
in August or early September,
names Montezuma County as
half years ago when Monte-
cently completed report. The
and Romme will follow with
purchaser. Its role is to simplify
zuma County commissioners
average tree size today is eight
five years of monitoring and
approached him with the idea
inches, and you can find 280 to
evaluation. Summer controlled
Continued on next page
16
INNER VOICE
JULY/AUGUST 1995
Continued from previous page
procedures and act as a liaison
between the loggers and the
Forest Service. The county helps
reduce Forest Service costs and
speeds chances of completing
the project this summer. Instead
of having to deal with more
than five sales and contractors,
the Forest Service has only one
sale and one contractor.
A look at the statistics might
hint at the reason Montezuma
County commissioners want to
play "a catalyst role," as Kemp
calls it. From 1950 to 1980, the
southwest Colorado timber
harvest averaged 45 million
board feet (mmbf) per year.
Since 1980, it averaged 24
mmbf, with 12 mmbf in 1994.
Mill closings marked those
later years. San Juan Lumber
Company shut down in 1978
near Pagosa Springs and two
years later in Durango. Wolf
Creek Lumber Mill filed bank-
ruptcy this year, and last March,
a small Dolores mill closed.
What the statistics don't show is
that some 65 years of timber-
related activities, combined
with the fact that federal agen-
Bunching logs for Big Wheels timber sale in 1924.
cies control about 75 percent of
the land, has profoundly shaped
Utility poles have been men-
phasizes that the partnership's
demonstration areas on a path
local culture and social values.
tioned, for example. More nota-
greatest good comes from build-
to an acceptable range of natu-
County government, feeling re-
bly, lower-quality wood might
ing relationships.
ral variation? Monitoring will
sponsible to preserve agriculture
be chipped and combined with
A multifaceted public infor-
eventually tell researchers the
coal for nearby power generat-
mation and education program
answers.
ing stations. The wood reput-
is raising awareness about the
On the industry and market-
edly causes coal to burn cleaner.
partnership and its demonstra-
ing side: Can products be found
Continually
Western Excelsior in Mancos,
tion project. Much of the task of
to utilize small-diameter trees?
which manufactures shipping
public information and educa-
Possible answers will be ex-
promoting
materials, erosion control mats
tion goes to Carla Garrison, an
plored October 11 and 12 in
and fillers, and archery targets,
AmeriCorps member and pro-
Durango, Colorado during a the
acceptance and
is experimenting with manufac-
ject coordinator, who keeps the
Growing Sustainable Forest En-
turing those products with pine
project's momentum going.
terprises conference. For confer-
participation
instead of exclusively aspen.
"Part of the objective oi build-
ence information, call Ameri-
Still, the mills can stack only
ing public awareness is to ar-
Corps member Shannon
communities have
so much of the small-diameter
Manfredi at (970) 247-7573.
wood until someone figures out
Overall, one senses an air of
a stake in the
what to do with it.
optimism from talking with the
"It's going to be a touchy
Ponderosa Pine Fores- Partner-
outcome of forest
job," remarks Bill Ragland, a
The challenge is to
ship members, but perhaps
Dolores saw timber logger and
management and
develop a
model
ecologist Romme expresses it
miller who will harvest some of
most realistically: "I'm keenly
the timber with his two sons
that allows
aware that we're doing some
planning.
and a grandson. "There's not
new things, and I know we may
many sawlogs. It's more or less a
communities to be
not get the results we want
thinning job. It'll take time and
But that's okay. We can go in
patience to get this thing to
active players
and revise our approach. It's
work. It's kind of worrying me
absolutely essential that we go
and logging while trying to ad-
what we're going to do with
about it that way. The good
just to tourism and growth de-
that stuff, but I'm willing to go
thing is that we have a mecha-
velopment, sought opportuni-
with my end of it to make it work."
nism to make it a success. We
ties such as the Ponderosa Pine
Ragland expresses a notion of
ticulate what ecosystem man-
should act with an absence of
Forest Partnership.
community stewardship similiar
agement is, what principles the
dogma and not be afraid of
The partnership's goal of
to that articulated by Mike
project is practicing, and what
showing our failures as well as
merging commercial activity
Preston. Continually promoting
potential social and economic
our successes."
with forest management eco-
acceptance and participation,
benefits the local communities
system management hinges
Ragland stresses that communi-
stand to receive," she says.
Tim Richard is an AmeriCorps
heavily on identifying market-
ties have a stake in the outcome
But until the demonstration
member working with the San
able products made from small-
of forest management and planning.
project is complete and moni-
Juan National Forest and the
diameter trees.
"The challenge is to develop
toring is underway, many ques-
Fort Lewis College Office of Com-
Participating loggers are
a community stewardship
tions remain. On the Forest Ser-
munity Services on county land
acting considerably on faith
model that allows communities
vice side of the equation: Can
use planning efforts and the up-
because there is little or no mar-
to be active players in making
enough wood be provided on a
coming San Juan National Forest
ket for the amount of small-
ecological and community
sustainable basis to stimulate
forest plan revision. He also pub-
diameter wood the project will
sustainability work together,"
the local economy without ad-
lishes and edits the San Juan
produce. Posts and poles, fire-
Preston writes in a project case
versely affecting ecological con-
Almanac, a journal of news and
wood, saw timber, and house
study. Although it's taken more
cerns, or for that matter, politi-
literary expression on social and
logs are possibilities, but the
than two years to see work on
cal concerns? Will the thinning
environmental issues in the Four
search for new products is on.
the ground begin, Preston em-
and prescribed burns set the
Corners region.
JULY/AUGUST 1995
INNER VOICE
17
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
AmeriCorps, April 1995, Volume 1, Issue 4
to meet with members from
other states. Actual training
Inside This Issue:
began Monday morning.
The first day of
Training in Memphis
training was conducted by
various USDA personnel.
Power of the Pen
Sessions dealt with various
aspects of USDA and the
Participant Profile:
AmeriCorps program.
Lara May
Members learned about the
dynamics and economy of
Site Profile: KRADD
rural areas, got an introduction
to using the Internet, were
Updates
taught how to write press
releases, and discussed how to
KCEOC Update:
represent AmeriCorps in a
Life Skills Classes
positive way.
Doing More
User Friendly
AmeriCorps
Members Attend
Training Session in
Memphis
By: Laura Duncan
AmeriCorps Members with
The USDA AmeriCorps
Joel Berg in Memphis
team spent the week of March
RECD
19 - March 24 in a special
The rest of the week
training session in Memphis,
the staff of the Heartland
Tennessee. The session
Center for Leadership
brought together AmeriCorps
Development, a nonprofit
members throughout the
organization based in
country.
Nebraska, conducted an
Members received
intensive training program in
training in various aspects of
community development called
community development.
"Helping Small Towns
The
Sunday evening, members
Survive." These sessions
attended a reception, where
included an overview of
they had their first opportunity
Please see MEMPHIS, P2
AmeriCorps Page 1
MEMPHIS (cont.)
The Power of the
of the boost the Memphis
Pen
gathering gave to his morale.
community development; a
It was just a simple reminder,
session on development of
By: John Mills
but it did a lot for my spirits.
effective communication;
To read about the people in his
training in working with
The Memphis training
work, the obstacles he was
community groups and non-
gathering for USDA
encountering, and how he was
profit organizations; an
AmeriCorps members has been
confident that they would be
introduction to conducting
in the history books (of our
overcome was inspiring to me.
community assessments;
personal memoirs at least) for
Another AmeriCorps
guidance in conflict
over a month now. I must
member from Blackville, S.C.,
management and identifying
admit that I haven't thought
Jacqueline Porter, sent me
and developing leaders in the
much about the sometimes
literature pertaining to
community; and direction in
boring, but very informative,
community development
creating strategic plans for
event since I dragged myself
corporations and the different
community growth. Sessions
off an airplane in Lexington,
approaches they take in their
involved a great deal of
Kentucky. But, I recently
given communities. This gave
interaction among members
received correspondence from
me a new way to look at the
and team problem-solving.
two AmeriCorps members that
community development
The week was a hectic,
reminded me of the unique and
subjects we discussed in
involved one. We began
beneficial experience that it
Memphis and reinforced some
sessions at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m.
was.
of the material in my memory.
and finished at 6:00 or 6:30
It is these thoughtful
p.m. The program was quite
follow-ups from the
demanding and required a
acquaintances I made in
great deal of work, but
Memphis that made it a
AmeriCorps members were
valuable experience. By
rewarded for their efforts. We
sharing their stories and letting
had the opportunity to become
me know that they are still out
acquainted with AmeriCorps
there struggling and
members in other states and
committed, they have given me
establish a network of
courage to do more and keep a
resources. We found that in
positive outlook.
other states AmeriCorps
E
members had had difficulties
Participant profile:
similar to ours, and we were
able to learn from their
John Mills with Chris Brady
Lara May
approaches and solutions to
By: Laura Duncan
problems. We learned about
Chris Brady, an
group dynamics through our
AmeriCorps member in
Lara May has a long
interaction with each other.
Ontario, Oregon, sent me a
commute from her home in
We got to know (or to know
letter with some very helpful
West Liberty, Kentucky to her
better) AmeriCorps program
information on getting
office at Big Sandy Area
leaders across the country
connected to the Internet and
Development District in
including Dave Gibson, Jim
two 800 numbers for E-mail
Prestonsburg. She worked
Coyle, and Joel Berg. It was a
service after our conversation
part-time during her last three
great learning experience.
on the subject in Memphis. It
years of school, so adjusting to
was a real surprise to hear
her AmeriCorps service duties
from him. He made mention
Please See LARA, P3
AmeriCorps Page 2
LARA (cont.)
helicopters, which she would
Site Profile:
was not difficult for her. The
one day like to learn to fly.
hardest part she says is the
Kentucky River
commute.
Area Development
Lara attended UK
where she received a BA in
Program Summary
Sociology last August before
becoming an AmeriCorps
The Kentucky River Area
member. As an AmeriCorps
Development District
member, Lara has been able to
(KRADD) is a quasi-
start making "a difference in
governmental regional planning
Appalachia and rural
agency serving the citizens of
communities." She especially
Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie,
appreciates her opportunities to
Letcher, Owsley, Perry, and
learn about "implementing
Wolfe Counties. Elected
community development
officials and citizens from each
strategies," to network with
Lara May
county make up the region-
AmeriCorps members across
wide KRADD Board of
the state and the nation, and to
Directors. KRADD has been
participate in the teamwork
Lara is very close to
serving the region for over 25
essential to affect change.
her family: Her family is
years.
AmeriCorps has also helped
small, but tight-knit. Lara is
There are 15 Area
Lara discover resources that
especially close to her two
Development Districts (ADDs)
she may be able to use in her
older brothers, her two
for the state of Kentucky. The
career, and though her
nephews, and her grandmother,
Area Development District
experiences with AmeriCorps,
who is teaching Lara the
concept originated in Kentucky
Lara has found a career focus
secrets of gardening. Lara
in 1961 with the establishment
as well--she wants to work
shares a particular closeness
of what were called Area
with community development.
with her mother Sallie, who
Development Councils and
However, Lara, an
has been a tremendous
became a basis for the Area
active member of Foothills
influence in her life.
Development authorization in a
Artists, Inc., and the Morgan
Lara has a real sense of
number of federal acts,
County Governance Project,
whimsy ( her secret fantasy is
including the Appalachian
has other interests outside of
to become a mermaid for a
Regional Development Act and
community development. She
week) but since graduating
the Public Works and
likes to write, though only for
from college she has began to
Economic Development Act,
herself. One day she would
view the world differently,
of 1965.
like to share her writing,
more realistically. "The real
The Program
possibly even write a fictional
world," she says, "is very
Development Office was
book about Appalachia. She
different from the college
established in the Kentucky
likes to be outdoors as well,
world, obviously, and being in
Governor's Office in 1961 to
enjoying activities such as
the real world makes you wake
provide the state role in
walking, gardening or playing
up and take a look around you
working with the state
tennis. She does needlepoint,
and realize that you've got to
established Development
plays the piano, is taking an
stay on your toes, that you
Areas. Today this role is
art class, and plans to take a
can't just float along like you
served by the Department of
photography class. She has a
did in college. The real world
Local Government in the
wide range of interests which
wont be over in four years; it's
Governor's office.
include an obsession with
FOREVER!"
The local-state-federal
Please See KRADD, P4
AmeriCorps Page 3
KRADD (cont)
dealing with all categorical
She has been working with
program areas in Strategic
South Carolina State
partnership was fully realized
Area Development Programs,
University to deal with such
in the federal acts, which then
basic to continuing program
issues as homelessness, low-
made federal designation and
development to meet each
income rental assistance, and
funds available for the final
area's development objectives.
the housing needs of the
establishment of the fifteen
Each ADD provides a
elderly.
Area Development Districts, or
communication link between
Ms. Porter was also
ADDs, in 1967. By executive
local cities, local counties, the
recently recognized by House
order of the Governor, all state
state, and the federal
Representative, Wilber L. Cave
agencies were directed to work
government. Kentucky ADDs
for her concern about available
consistently with the fifteen
assist local governments and
services for HIV positive
areas in local area approaches
communities in the areas of
citizens in her area. In a letter
to programs.
accounting, budgeting,
to her, Representative Cave
The Kentucky River
personnel, and other financial
commended Ms. Porter on her
Area Development District was
or technical services. The
work in the Blackville
incorporated in this final
ADDs assist local communities
community and recognized her
system of Districts in 1968 and
in obtaining state and federal
unique opportunity as an
funded as an Economic
funds from the Economic
AmeriCorps volunteer to "link
Development District under
Development Administration
resources and people."
301B of Title III of the Public
(EDA), the Appalachian
Works and Economic
Regional Commission (ARC),
KCEOC Update:
Development Act of 1965 and
Community Development
under Section 301 of the
Block Grant 9CDBG) and
Life Skill Classes
Appalachian Regional
other state and federal
By: Mona Powell
Development Act of 1965. In
resources. The ADDs of
1972, the Kentucky \General
Kentucky have become centers
When I was first
Assembly provided state
of vast information and data
approached by the Knox
statutory authorization for the
that could be crucial to
County EZ/EC committee to
fifteen ADDs with enactment
progress. Kentucky ADDs
develop a series of life skill
of Kentucky Revised Statute
continuously look for
classes for residents of Knox
147A.050.
processes to help communities
County, I was apprehensive
Kentucky ADDs have
manage an overwhelming array
about the project. I did not
three distinctions, along with
of information, to help people
think that low-income families
their long tenure, which
work together more effectively,
would respond well to the
distinguish them from similar
to apply technology and to
classes. Nothing could have
area organizations, since
serve the changing needs of
been farther for the truth! In
utilized in most other states--
Kentuckians.
my original Site Objective I
the fifteen Kentucky ADDs
felt that we would have a great
provide a system of complete
AmeriCorps Updates
response if we reached 15 to
coverage to all 120 counties;
20 families. As of June 1,
Kentucky ADDs provide
1995, I have conducted classes
systematic linkage between
From South Carolina
for 45 families and have two
area leadership and the
Recently, Jacqueline
sets of classes which have not
Governor's Office and other
Porter sent me some materials
began.
state and federal agencies and
regarding her work in
As an AmeriCorps
private organizations; and
Blackville, South Carolina.
member, it is extremely
Kentucky ADDs treat more
Jacqueline has been addressing
gratifying to see that I have
than economic development by
the housing issue in Blackville.
Please See CLASSES, p5
AmeriCorps Page 4
CLASSES (cont.)
obtained her GED and is
lived in Virginia, and have
made a difference in my
applying to Eastern Kentucky
lived in Dryden for seventeen
community. The people in my
University for the fall term.
years. My parents are still
classes are very economically
This lady has two small sons
married after 26 years, they
disadvantaged. Most are on
and is a single parent. After
have disagreements of course
welfare and other forms of
class last week she said that
by they still love each other.
public assistance. These
had she not taken my classes
My mom and I have a
people are extremely interested
she did not think that she
wonderful relationship. We
in how they can break the
would have had the courage to
are more like friends most of
vicious cycle of welfare. They
take her GED test and apply
the time. My dad is pretty
ask questions about how to
for college. She believes that
quiet and likes to have his
finance an education, how to
she can now make a difference
way. My brother is just like
seek better employment, how
in her lifestyle that will also
dad. We all get along and
to manage the little money that
influence her sons to work
have a very healthy family
they do get, and how to protect
hard to do their best. This is
relationship. I don't think that
their children from falling in
just one example of how
any one person has had much
the welfare trap.
AmeriCorps members can
influence over me. I think that
It is sad to think that
make a difference in
my whole family has made the
some people feel that my
communities! How lucky we
biggest impact on me. We
students do not care enough to
are to have the opportunity to
have a rather large family so I
"do something" about their
do so!
have had the opportunity to
situation. It is not that they do
watch and learn from my
not care; they have never been
Doing More
cousins' trials and errors.
taught the skills necessary to
By: Paula Bailey
My favorite hobby is
pull themselves up to a better
oil painting. I find it very
way of life. Some of my
relaxing and enjoyable, and I
students have grown up on the
am actually pretty good at it. I
welfare rolls and thought that
always thought it would be fun
the only way for people in this
to paint, so my last semester of
area to survive was on welfare.
college I took a course in basic
Many of my students
oil painting. I have been
have been laid off when
painting ever since. I also
businesses have closed or
play the piano a little. I try to
moved out of the area. When
be completely honest with
we are growing up, we do not
people without hurting heir
imagine that we will work for
feelings. I really try to be
a company for 15 years and
considerate of other people
then have to start all over
because that is how I would
again. There is a shock and
Paula Bailey with Matt Hall
like to be treated. I also try to
numbness that goes with this
and Michele Humfleet
focus on positive things in my
traumatic experience that can
life, and not to dwell upon
not be explained to someone
I was born in Norton,
failure or disappointments. I
that has not experienced the
Virginia in Park Avenue
have a few close personal
situation.
friends, but I usually don't
Hospital where my father
There is a spirit among
open up very often. My
my students that is extremely
worked. My family lived there
for five years. When I was
philosophy of life is that you
rewarding for me. One of the
can only do what is possible.
students in the GED class that
five, we moved to Dryden,
Every person has limits of
I visit with has recently
Virginia close to my paternal
Please See MORE, рб
grandparents. I have always
AmeriCorps Page 5
MORE (cont)
everyone. Most of the jobs
application, and took part in
achievement, but they must be
available in this part of
having the home repaired."
tested in order to know that
Virginia require a specialized
Being able to know that you
you have done all that can be
college degree or some type of
have made a difference in
done. "What will be will be,"
experience. I didn't think it
people's lives makes you feel
one person can only do so
would be this hard to find a
good about yourself. No one
much alone. United any
good job. I realize now more
experience has been more
people (AmeriCorps) can make
than ever that I will return to
important to me than another.
a difference.
college to improve my
All of the projects I have
I attended a church
education.
worked with have had an
school for two years, then I
I have worked in a
impact on me. Working with
went to Dryden Elementary
video store which proved to be
each low income family makes
School and High School until I
the easiest job I have ever had.
me realize how lucky I am to
was in the 11th grade. Five
I worked at a grocery store
have the opportunity to go on
schools in our area combined
while I went to college. Some
and further my education.
to create Lee High School
people were very nice, but
Usually I stay very
where I graduated in 1990. I
others were very hateful. I
busy. My duties include all
went to college at Clinch
realized that I needed a job
angles of the application
Valley College in Wise,
where I would be making a
precess. I also do some
Virginia. The college is a
difference, or where what I did
outreach so people will know
branch of the University of
really mattered. [My service
about our program. I am also
Virginia. I graduated with a
with AmeriCorps] has given
involved in the writing of the
major in Chemistry in May of
me a feeling of importance.
repair specification, the loan
1994. I have applied to
approval process, inspections
pharmacy school, and still
on the work being completed,
have not heard whether or not
and the loan closing process. I
I will be accepted. If I do not
never realized that the need for
get into pharmacy school, I
better housing in Lee County
will either work toward getting
was so great. Many people do
a Master's in Chemistry or
not have indoor baths, or
enter the Sonography/
plumbing. i have also learned
Ultrasound program.
how important it is to make
No matter which path I
sure that the repairs on the
choose to follow, AmeriCorps
homes are done correctly. I
will help me by providing me
have also learned how to work
with a way to help pay for my
The educational award was
with the others in my office, as
education. I think that
also a big incentive.
a team working toward a
everyone's personal fantasy
Furthermore, this job promised
common goal.
would be to have complete
the meaningful work that I had
I realize now more than
financial security and a career
hoped for. Anyone can check
ever that people in our
which you enjoy. This fantasy
out groceries, I want to do
community need help, and
is somewhat realistic. I am
more.
need to be educated about the
trying to get realistic goals so
Working with a team
help that is available. I have
that I will not be disappointed
and being able to really help
also come to realize that a
later.
people is a truly rewarding
quality education and
Being out in the
experience for me. I like to be
experience in the real world
work-force has made me
able to go back and say, "I
are both essential to a
realize just how important a
told this person about our
successful career later in life.
good quality education is to
program, helped her fill out an
AmeriCorps Page 6
Get Yourself
MacIntosh computer. By
computers. In fact, I couldn't
running tutorials and
Connected: User
live without my personal
experimentation, I managed to
computer. I also think I have
Friendly
learn just enough to be able to
some aptitude for computers.
By: Laura Duncan
word process my papers in
After all, I am almost
graduate school instead of
completely self-taught, except
typing. I was then, and am
for an occasional question I
now, one of the world's worst
may have asked my
typists. I use the hunt and
colleagues. On the whole, I
peck method. I type very
learned by trial and error. I
slowly and make numerous
am still learning.
errors, but I discovered
My advise to the
something while using the
potential computer student is
LIME
Mac--you can make as many
this: if you can afford it, buy
YOU
mistakes as you want because
your own computer. There are
editing on a computer is
two reasons I suggest this.
simple.
First of all, you can learn at
After graduate school, I
your leisure and without
never used a Mac again. I
distractions. Secondly, you
never used a computer at all
can choose a computer to suit
again until I became a faculty
you personal needs. If you
member at Southeast
can't afford to buy a computer,
Community College. There, I
make time to learn to use one
*Note: While this article is
did the impossible; I taught
at the office or at a local
not specifically about the
myself WordPerfect 5.0 on a
college. Next, identify
Internet, I think you might find
dinosaur IBM PC. Unlike
programs that will be useful to
its contents useful in any area
with the Mac I used in
you. At the very least, learn to
of computer usage.
graduate school, this old PC
use a good word processing
It's a simple fact:
required the user to learn and
program. Run tutorials, if they
computers make your life
manipulate Function Keys
are available, to introduce you
easier. I never would have
instead of the relatively
to the computer you are using
believed how much a computer
simplicity of a mouse.
and its applications.
would simplify my life before
Don't be afraid to use
I started using one. In fact, I
resources--people resources
used to be afraid of computers.
and manuals, books or
I thought they were too
magazines about computer
complex. I thought that I
usage. If you have a friend
would have to learn
who is computer proficient,
incomprehensible, complicated
ask questions when you don't
terminology. I managed to
understand something. If you
complete my Bachelor's degree
don't have someone who can
without touching a computer.
assist you, consult written
I finished my Master's degree,
My knowledge of
materials for answers.
also without taking one
computers is not extensive, but
Don't be afraid to make
computer course. I had,
I consider myself proficient.
mistakes. We learn from our
however, in graduate school
My greatest strength as a
mistakes, and often with the
learned the very basics of
computer user is my
computer, making a mistake
using Microsoft Word, my first
willingness to learn. I am no
leads to knowledge of a new
word processing program, on a
longer intimidated by
Please See FRIENDLY, p7
AmeriCorps Page 7
FRIENDLY (cont.)
or better way to do things.
Don't give up. At first,
learning a new program, or
even basic knowledge about a
computer, can be frustrating
but stick with it and your
efforts will be rewarded.
Don't be intimidated.
In most cases, there is very
little you can do to harm a
computer or its programs.
Usually beginners do not have
the skills required to destroy a
program or any part of it. It is
very difficult to alter a
computer or its function by
accident. You usually have to
know what you are doing to
accomplish this, and even if
you do change a setting, it
usually is simple to reset it.
If you are open and
willing to invest a little time,
you can learn more about
computers and I think that you,
like I have, will find the
rewards well worth your
efforts. No matter how limited
Happy
Birthday
your present knowledge of the
computer, you can learn to use
a computer if you want to, and
no matter how extensive your
Matthew Hall
knowledge of computers, there
is always more to learn.
WAIT.
April 28
AmeriCorps Page 8
X
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY E.O.C. and
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD and
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Will Conduct A
LOW-INCOME FIRST-TIME
HOME BUYERS WORKSHOP
Where:
Mississippi County Community College
Osceola, Arkansas
When:
Mondays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 1995
Time: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Facilitators:
Sandra Smith
Missco E.O.C. Housing Counselor
and
Johnnie Campbell
Americorps/Recds Member (Formerly FmHA)
Eligible participants will receive help with their down payment and
closing cost up to $3,000 (FREE!!)
Also valuable information on how to purchase a house. Financing,
Mortgage Rules, Insurance and Taxes, plus how to budget your finances.
Who is eligible TO participate? The families that attend these workshop
Those families that meet the income limits:
1 PERSON
$15,000
5 PERSONS
$23,150
2 PERSO
$17,150
6 PERSONS
$24,850
3 PERSONS
$19,300
7 PERSONS
$26,600
4 PERSON
$21,450
8 PERSONS
$28300
If you and your family meet these income limits please attend
this FREE HOME BUYERS WORKSHOP!
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
AmeriCorps Teams In Tennessee
Cluster 1:
Carissa Hayes
Adriann Glover
Nonya Mackey
Mike Milholland
Amanda Poyner
Cluster 2:
Cheryl Moore
Kelli Smith
Jamie Travis
Toya Walker
Volume 1, Issue 7
Cluster 3:
Amy Crumley
Cassandra Sheaffer
Sharon Smith
Katherine Thompson
Betty Wilson
Jeremy Williams
From
News,
NAL NATIONAL AMERICORPS PERIVIDE
Corps
There are three AmeriCorps cluster sites in
Tennessee busy "Getting things done".
All the cluster sites have many goals to
accomplish this year. In this newsletter,
you will see some of the projects that the
AmeriCorps in Tennessee are working on.
AmeriCorps is about leadership, teamwork,
and service to our communities. We have
Spring, 1996
all enjoyed the great opportunities
AmeriCorps has offered. We hope our
service will contribute to helping people all
across Tennessee.
MAINE USDA AMERICORPS
NEWSLETTER
ILAN SERVICE M CRICOPS
OCTOBER, 1995
WELCOME TO AMERICORPS!!
and it is urgent, here is a list of what each
As new AmeriCorps members, you no
NRCS employee handles. You may call the
doubt have many questions about the
NRCS employees, but please remember,
AmeriCorps program. This newsletter will be
these people have their real jobs to do
sent to you monthly to keep you up to date on
and any AmeriCorps work they do is
everything that is happening in AmeriCorps
additional.
(We hope!) and answer any questions you
may have. This edition of the newsletter will
Darci Edgecomb:
serve as an orientation to the program, the
-health insurance
USDA staff, the other AmeriCorps members,
-child care
and everything else.
-USDA worker's compensation
My name is Karen Malley and I am the
-loans & educational award
AmeriCorps Leader for the Maine USDA
AmeriCorps program. I am here to answer any
Patty Clark:
questions you have that cannot be answered
-time sheets
by your supervisor. My phone number
-travel vouchers
at the NRCS state office is
866-7241. I am usually in the
Elaine Tremble:
office from 7:00 a.m. until
-general inquiries
4:00 P.M.. If you can't
-dealing with Corporation
reach me at the office,
for National Service
please do not hesitate
and NRCS
to call me at home
Headquarters.
(945-5874). On the
SERVICE
-mileage
following page is an
reimbursement
organizational diagram
for the Maine USDA
If you are unable to
program. As you may
contact Patty, you
know, within the USDA,
can call Kyle Bolduc
there are many organizations.
about travel and Roger
The Maine USDA AmeriCorps
Ashe about time sheets.
program includes only the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
FSA EMPLOYEES
and the Farm Services Agency (FSA). Twenty
members in the program are at NRCS sites,
For those of you who are at FSA
and five are at FSA sites. Hence, there is our
sites, things will differ slightly. If you are
FSA State Executive Director, Arnold
having problems with health insurance, living
Roach and our NRCS State Conservationist,
expense, or time sheets, etc., you can talk to
Dave Musselman. There are also two program
your site supervisor ( who is also the project
directors, Richard Baird from NRCS and Mike
supervisor in all cases) and they will help you
Tardy from FSA. As I said before, I am the
resolve them. I am also here to help!
AmeriCorps Leader. Cluster Coordinators ,
site supervisors, and project supervisors will
ROLES OF CLUSTER
vary.
COORDINATORS, SITE
NRCS EMPLOYEES
SUPERVISORS, AND PROJECT
SUPERVISORS
I am your contact person. Any questions that
you have about anything should come to me.
If you are unable to reach me
When so many people are involved with
a program, there is often confusion about
duties and roles. Here is a brief synopsis of
AMERICORPS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STATE CONSERVATIONIST
PROGRAM MANAGERS
AMERICORPS LEADER
CLUSTER COORDINATORS
SITE LEADERS
PROJECT SUPERVISORS
AMERICORPS MEMBER
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
Roles (con't)
supervisor, and the project supervisor.
All AmeriCorps members will be paid for
Cluster coordinator:
nine federal holidays which they will not have
The cluster coordinator is in charge of
to work. However, depending on which group
all cluster functions. These include scheduling
you started with, your holidays will vary.
a meeting during any month when there is not
If you started on or around October 2 with the
a training, setting the agenda for that meeting,
first group of participants, then October 9,
and providing a facility in which to have the
Columbus Day will be one of your nine. If
meeting. Cluster coordinators will sometimes
you started on or around October 10 with the
be responsible for informing the site
second group, then September 2, 1996, Labor
supervisors, project supervisors, and members
Day, will be one of your nine. The following
of some information.
are federal holidays for all AmeriCorps
participants:
Site supervisor
IN 1995
Site supervisors are the main NRCS
Veterans Day- Nov. 10
contact with the project and in some
Thanksgiving-Nov. 23
cases will be the same person as
Christmas-Dec. 25
the cluster coordinator. They
IN 1996:
are responsible for overseeing
New Years Day-Jan 1
the work plan, and handling
Martin Luther King
any problems that may arise
Day-Jan. 15
between the site supervisor
President's Day
and the member. Site
Feb. 19
supervisors must have
Memorial Day- May 27
biweekly contact with the
NA
Independence Day-
members if the members
July 4
are not operating out of the
NRCS site. If this is not
IMPORTANT
possible, then they must arrange
The following is a brief
with the cluster coordinator or
description of the
another site supervisor to have
AmeriCorps program. This
this biweekly contact.
must be in press releases, fact sheets,
brochures, or flyers describing AmeriCorps
Project supervisor
Programs. ( These paragraphs must be
This may be the same person as the
included in any materials related to USDA
site supervisor and cluster coordinator. The
AmeriCorps projects!) The statement about
site supervisor is responsible for day to day
Equal Opportunity Employment must be
supervision of the AmeriCorps member.
treated likewise All that this means is that
They are responsible for seeing that the
you must submit this to the press as part of
member gets all reports in on time and that the
any written material. Press have the right to
work plan objectives are being accomplished.
edit what you give them and most likely will
The project supervisor should sit down with the
edit this out (for short newspaper articles,
member at the start of the program to establish
commercials, etc.). However, we are legally
any strong points or interests of the member
required to submit it! The EO statement must
and adjust the work plan slightly according to
also go on the bottom of any letters to anyone
those.
outside of the USDA AmeriCorps program!
AMERICORPS BLURB
AmeriCorps is President Clinton's national
service program, passed with bi-partisan
support from Congress, that engages 20,000
here is what to do. First, if the injury is
Americans of diverse backgrounds in
serious--go get treatment!! If the injury is not
performing service that meets critical
serious, we would like you to get in touch with
community needs in return for an educational
us before getting the injury treated. In the
award, which may be used to pay for college,
case of an emergency, you should contact
job training, or graduate school, or to pay back
your supervisor, contact the AmeriCorps
student loans. The majority of AmeriCorps
Leader (leave a message if I am not here), and
members are working in partnerships with
then go receive treatment. If the injury is
states, local governments, and non-profit
serious, get treatment, contact you supervisor
organizations.
(site and project), and then contact me, at
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is
home if necessary. If you cannot reach me,
running three types of AmeriCorps teams in 38
contact Richard Baird or Mike Tardy
states, composed of approximately 1,200
(depending on which program you are in) and
members: an Anti-Hunger Team, a Public
leave a message. This scenario would be the
Lands and Environment team, and a Rural
same for any occurrence which would cause
Development Team. Many of AmeriCorps
you to miss work for an extended period of
projects are sponsored by community-based
time.
organizations and all projects are designed to
get things done while boosting community,
TRAINING
opportunity, and
M
INE
You already know about our first
responsibility.
training on October 29, 30, and 31. This
I am aware that
training will be held at the Sunday River ski
this is a poorly written
resort in Maine and will be a statewide
statement. However,
training. This will give you the opportunity to
we must include it in
become familiar
everything!
MERICORPS
with the other
EO STATEMENT
AmeriCorps
The United
groups in Maine.
States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
TEAM USDA
Fortunately, this
year we will not
discrimination in its programs on the basis of
have to attend
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
statewide
disability, political beliefs and marital or
trainings as a program unless we feel that
familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
they will benefit our members. In addition, a
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who
training on Integrated Crop Management,
require alternative means for communication of
Farm*A*Syst, and Home *Syst has been
program information (braille, large print,
planned for November 6 and 7. All members
audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA
are encouraged to attend and site and project
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881,
supervisors are welcome as well. This will
(voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).
entail staying overnight for some of you and I
will have more information on that as the date
To file a complaint, write the Secretary
of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
approaches. Trainings in First Aid which
Washington, D.C. 20252, or call (202) 720-
includes training in CPR have also been
panned for each cluster. We do not have
7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). The
dates on these yet, but the Southern and
USDA is an equal employment opportunity
Aroostook clusters will be trained one day in
employer.
the week of October 23-27, and the Down east
cluster will be trained either Nov 1, 2, or 3.
EMERGENCIES
All trainings are required for all members!!
We hope that this does not happen, but if you
do have an emergency at work (i.e. injury),
COMPLE
SWEARING IN CEREMONY
OCTOBER 12, 1995
Maine Commision for Community Service
&
AmeriCorps Programs
AmeriCorps Works for Maine--Portland
College Conservation Corps of Maine
Downeast Rural Health TEam--Lubec
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
Migrant & Seasonal Farm Workers--Ellsworth
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
8:00
WELCOME
SERVICE SITES
8:15-12:00
SERVICE PROJECTS
SERVICE SITES
12:00-1:00
CLEAN UP AND LUNCH
AUGUSTA
1:30-2:15
SWEARING IN
BLAINE HOUSE
2:15-2:30
WRAP UP
BLAINE HOUSE
printed September 21, 1995
Calling All PALS!*
Maine National Service
Orientation Conference
LRICORY
October 29-31, 1995
Sunday River, Bethel
sponsored by
Maine Commission for Community Service
*PALS are Partners in AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve!
(including AmeriCorps*VISTA)
Program Directors
Supervisors VISTAs
AmeriCorps Members
Learn & Serve Project Directors
This program was designed by the pioneers in 1994/95 AmeriCarps F ograms as the eir legacy and
based on their review of the trailblazing year.
Start the new service year by meeting your colleagues across the state learning skills you will
need in the first few months developing the unique "mission" of this National Service Class
becoming a member of Maine's national and community service net. ork.
Fee: $20/day total for VISTAs and other non-AmeriCorps members
AmeriCorps members attend courtesy of ME Commission
Registration - October 29 at 4:30 pm Departure - October 3 1a: 2:30 pm
To Sign Up - VISTA Volunteers and Supervisors register directly by calling the Commission at
624-601 1; Learn & Serve contact Caroline Allam at 767-9696; AmeriCorps supervisors and
members contact your program director.
Deadline for sign up is October 16! Please let us know about peci il needs. Rooms are double
hell
Time frame
Sunday, Oct. 29
Monday, Oct. 30
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Breakfast
7:30 -- Breakfast with
7:30 -- Breakfast
Activities
PALS; after eating sort
"On the Wall" items
Early AM
8:30 -- CNS 101: what is
8:30 -- 10:30
under the umbrella of
Conflict Resolution
National Service
(half of participants)
Lisette Nieves
John Forssen
Diversity in Maine
(50% of attendance)
Mid AM
9:30 -- 3 simul. workshops
10:30-12:30
(1) Cultivating the ethic
Sessions repeat but
of service when you're
participants swap
not in school [supervisors];
topics
Break @ 10:30
(2) Meeting Learn &
Serve challenges with
success [L&S directors]
(3) Orientation for New
AmeriCorps [non-VISTA]
members -- based on
handbook
Lurch
Meal and Speaker: "The
Meal and speaker:
12PM-1:30
Power of Individuals:
"Lighting Fires:
Changing Our World"
Service as a vehicle
Business: Recruit volunteers
of change"
to draft "Class Mission" and
design closing ceremony
Early PM
1:30 - 4:15pm Choose 1
1 PM -- Mission
Mobilizing Communities
committee presents
aka "Getting things done
draft; group
when you're from away"
consideration and
Liz Crockett
adoption;
Marketing 102: No
Press Releases, Please!
2 PM -- Closing
ceremony as
Is Your Program User-
designed by
Friendly? aka Sharing
participant committee
Power, Building Ownership
in Customers and Members
Ray Cook
2:30 - Departure
printed August 25, 1995
Mid-PM
4:30 - Registration and
4:30 -- Corps, VISTA, &
check in at training site
Learn/Serve meetings to
share applications
developed during
afternoon workshops
Dinner
5:30 -- Buffet with
5:00 -- Reception Hosted
welcome and outline of
by ME Commission
night's activities + news
5:30 -- Dinner; PALS
catch up on day's events
Evening
6:30 -- Event Opening --
6:30 - Prisms and Links
norms, expectations,
aka solidifying membership in
commitments.
Maine's National Service
Setting up PALS; "Why
Corps through activity and
fun!
Bill Michaud
are you serving?"
TRICK
OR
©IO
TREAT!
University of Maine
Cooperative Extension
Connection
A Series of Extension Programs
Over Interactive Television
September 14, 21, & 28 Fall Gardening Tips
Session 1
Barbara Murphy "Garden Season Extension"
Available Sites
Session 2
Rick Kersbergen "Putting the Garden to Bed"
Ellsworth Center
Session 3
Marjorie Hundhammer "Composting from A-Z"
Houlton Center
October 5 & 12 Habitat for Wildlife: In Backyards and
Sanford Center
Woodlots
Madawaska HS
Cathy Elliott
Session 1
"An Introduction to Wildlife Ecology, Biology,
Guilford HS
and Habitat"
Mt. Blue HS (Farmington)
Session 2
"Creating Wildlife Habitat in Backyards and
Telstar HS (Bethel)
Woodlots"
Mt. View HS (Thorndike)
October 19 & 26 Cattle Management Shortcourse
L/A College (Lewiston)
Stacey Gunter and Cal Walker
Extension Office Skowhegan
Session 1
"Cattle Health: The Pros and Cons of Grazing"
Session 2
"Feeding Cattle Economically"
207 Shibles Hall, University
November 9 & 16 Food Safety for the Holidays
of Maine, Orono
Mahmoud El-Begearmi
(broadcast site)
Session 1
"Planning and Purchasing Food for the
Holidays"
Session 2
"Proper Food Handling for a Safe Holiday"
November 30 Home Water Quality
All programs are on Thursdays,
John Jemison "Do You Know If Your Water is
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You are
Safe?"
welcome to attend any or all
programs at any location.
December 14 & 21 Crop Nutrient Management Shortcourse
Tim Griffin and John Jemison
Admission is FREE! Contact
Session 1
"Nutrients-How Much is Too Much?"
your local Cooperative Extension
Session 2
"Striking a Balance"
office or Cal Walker at 1-800-287-
7170 for a registration form.
Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 20, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Vaughn H. Holyoke, Director for the
University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension provides equal
opportunities in programs and employment.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of pluralism, the University of Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University
provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Questions and complaints about discrimination in any areas of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, Suzanne Estler, 318 Alumni Hall, 581-1226.
Inquiries about discrimination may also be referred to the Maine Human Rights Commission, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office for Civil Rights of the U.S.
Department of Education. or other appropriate federal or state agencies.
In order to insure that any training we provide (statewide
AMP IN IN A ERICORP
or otherwise) is useful, I would like to conduct a survey to see
UNITED
what you would like to be trained in. I have listed a few
STATES
suggestions that I heard from people last year and from returning
DEPARTMENT
members this year. Please feel free to suggest anything else you
OF AGRICULTURE
feel would be useful. Please circle or otherwise indicate the skills
you would like to be trained in.
TRAINING SURVEY
PUBLIC SPEAKING
PRESENTATION SKILLS-ESPECIALLY PRESENTING TO CHILDREN
HOW TO PLAN FUNCTIONS
HOW TO NETWORK
RESUME WRITING/ INTERVIEW SKILLS
GRANT WRITING AND FUND RAISING
CAREER PANEL
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
Quarterly Reports and Daily Log
Quarterly reports, although sometimes tedious, are a very important part of what we
do. Not only do these give you the opportunity to improve your writing skills, they also keep
everyone else informed of how successful we are at completing our objectives. If
AmeriCorps is going to continue, the costs must be outweighed by the benefits and
quarterly reports are a good way of expressing those benefits. Since we are using quarterly
reports to justify the costs of the AmeriCorps program, they must be very_numbers oriented.
Included in this newsletter, you will find two examples of well written, numbers oriented
quarterly reports, and a project assessment form that the USDA uses. These should give you
an idea of what you must cover in your report. This doesn't mean that you cannot have fun
and express the more human side of your project. One way to handle this is to have a
summary section at the end of each report listing the numbers for that quarter and for the
year (Example 1). I cannot stress how important these reports are! Please, please take your
time and make these reports good! When we send in a poorly written quarterly report with
spelling errors and grammatical mistakes it reflects back on our program as a whole!
In order to provide correct numbers on your quarterly reports, it would be a good idea
to keep a daily log of what you do, how many hours you do it for, how many people you do
it with, and how many people you effect by doing it. We know that some of these things
are hard to put numbers on, but we must try! You must also keep track of any time that any
volunteers donate to your program and any volunteer time you donate to your program or
any other organizations!
No.
2
PROGRAM CLOTHING
Sometime this year you will be provided with national AmeriCorps clothing. You will receive
two t-shirts, one sweatshirt, one hat, one pin, and two patches. We hope that all of the clothing will
be here by October 4 so that we may distribute it at the administrative update. You will receive at
least one t-shirt and two patches at the meeting. Last year, in addition to national AmeriCorps
clothing, program clothing was ordered. Some of the items were not well received so this year we
are soliciting suggestions on program specific clothing. Do you want it? What do you want? Three
ideas have been voiced to me, they are:
1. A program sweatshirt in black or green with the Maine USDA AmeriCorps logo on the back.
I
heard no hood on this one since the national sweatshirt is hooded--what do you think??
2. A jacket. Maybe a black nylon jacket with a light lining that slips over the head, a zipper
that goes 1/3 of the way down, and a hood. This would have the "A" emblem on the back and the
program logo on the front breast.
3. The gray golf shirts from last year to provide a semi-dressy alternative.
We need feedback!! Tell me what you think of these ideas and tell me about any ideas you
have. We are also looking into ordering a lapel pin for each of you. These are slightly nicer than the
buttons and can be worn with dress clothing.
AMERICORPS PARAPHERNALIA
As you heard during the Administrative Orientation, you must wear a piece of AmeriCorps
clothing while you are working. This does not mean that if you are SCUBA diving, you must put your
pin on your wetsuit. Nor does it mean that if you are sitting at home doing work, you have to wear
your sweatshirt. AmeriCorps paraphernalia should be worn whenever you are interacting with the
public. Use your judgement on this one!
WEEK #15
Topic: WEEKLY NEWS NOTES FROM THE NORTHEASTERN AREA
To: S&PF, Washington, D.C.
From: The Northeastern Area
Date: April 22, 1996
"Bringing Forestry to The People"
Provide Multiple Benefits for People
CHICAGO GOES WILD: On April 10, over 30 environmentally conscious
organizations committed their support to protecting, managing and restoring the
unique plant and animal communities native to the Chicago area. Partners
include world class educational and cultural institutions (Field Museum, Morton
Arboretum, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, John G. Shedd Aquarium - to
name a few), Federal, state, and local government agencies, non-profits,
research and land management organizations.
At the well-attended, kick-off press conference at the Field Museum of Natural
History, Under Secretary of Agriculture James R. Lyons, described the national
significance of this project and the importance of managing natural resources
in urban areas. Amidst a shower of flash bulbs, Mr. Lyons presented a check of
$700,000 from the Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry to the Chair of
Chicago Wilderness as seed money for this initiative. Mr. Lyons urged all
partners to work hard to match the generous contribution provided by the Forest
Service. Immediately following the press conference, members of the press and
the partnership loaded onto buses and toured sites that best illustrate the
goals and objectives of Chicago Wilderness. Dave Lothner (NCFES), John Dwyer
(NCFES), and Larry Stritch (R-9), participated on the tours as representatives
of the Forest Service. Members of the Volunteer Stewardship Network (5,000
members strong in NE Illinois!) provided onsite demonstrations of ecological
restoration - including prairie burns and oak rescue. In addition, the
volunteer stewards described the importance of the tall grass prairie and oak
woodland ecosystems, and identified species listed as threatened or endangered
in Illinois. (181 species listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois are
found in the Chicago metropolitan area.)
Look for more exciting events from this partnership - 35 projects have been
endorsed by Chicago Wilderness and planning for future events is currently
underway. For more information about Chicago Wilderness, please contact Gina
Childs (NA-SPFO), at 847-866-9311, ext. 14.
AMERICORPS TEAM WINS PARTNERSHIP MINNESOTA COOPERATIVE PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD:
In August 1994, a collaborative effort between the Minnesota DNR, the Minnesota
Department of Trade and Economic Development, and the USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area was started to implement an AmeriCorps Program in Minnesota.
The focus of this AmeriCorps Rural Development Team was to enhance economic
opportunities, improve environmental quality, and encourage healthy,
sustainable communities. Nine non-profit organizations were identified as
partners. These organizations included RC&D Councils, Environmental Learning
Centers, and regional community and economic development organizations. Forest
Service leadership was provided by Al Steele of the Northeastern Area's
Economic Action Program. AmeriCorps Team members worked to identify priority
local needs and then worked with their sponsoring organization to address those
needs. In addition to their regular work activities, AmeriCorps members
developed and implemented many public service projects.
2.
AmeriCorps members took the AmeriCorps motto of "getting things done" to heart.
Their efforts formed well over 100 specific partnerships to "get things done."
Partnership Minnesota exists to promote cooperative working relationships
between Federal and Minnesota State and local government agencies to benefit
the public. The Cooperative Public Service Award provides public recognition
to outstanding examples of innovative intergovernmental and civic cooperative
efforts. The award will be presented by the Governor during the Partnership
Minnesota conference at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute in May.
Congratulations to Al Steele and the members of the Minnesota AmeriCorps Team.
THREE NEW PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE: Three new pesticide related publications
produced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State
University are currently available through Michigan State University Extension.
The authors are Roseann Kachadoorian, and Jane Cummings-Carlson of the
Wisconsin DNR; and Deborah McCullough and Doug Lantagne of MSU. Funding to
develop the bulletins was provided in part by a Focus Fund grant from the
Forest Service, NA State & Private Forestry. The cost of each is $2.50.
Pesticides for Use in Forest and Seed Tree Orchards in the North Central
Region, Extension Bulletin E-2592, December 1995, 38pp.
Pesticides for Use in Conifer Nursery Production in the North Central
Region, Extension Bulletin E-2539, December 1995, 41pp.
Pesticides for Use in Christmas Tree Production in the North Central
Region, Extension Bulletin E-2595, 52pp.
To obtain copies contact:
Bulletin Office
10 B Agricultural Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
For additional information contact:
Steve Katovich (612) 649-5264
ILLINOIS AND TAX: During the latter part of February and the first part of
March, Lloyd Casey assisted the Illinois Division of Forestry with 6 sessions
on Timber Tax. The sessions were held at local colleges located in various
locations throughout the State. The majority of the participants were new to
the services of the Division and learned about the sessions through news
releases.
In addition to tax, the landowners were exposed to the idea of forming a
state-wide Forest Landowners Association in order to create a voice with the
State Legislature and Congress. The Illinois Forest Resource Plan was also
discussed as a precursor to the development of a new plan. Participants
requested that future sessions address Estate Planning for forest landowners.
LET'S GO CAMPING: Chuck Coole and Susan DeLost, of the Morgantown Field
Office's Civil Rights Committee, and Vicki Watkins, Recreation Planner in FRM,
have successfully recruited 16 students from the local area to attend West
Virginia conservation camps this summer. The CRC is providing scholarships for
the kids to attend the camps. A big thanks to Vicki, Chuck, and Susan for
their efforts!!
3.
GYPSES MARCHES ON: In late March, Amy Onken, (FHP-Morgantown) delivered the
GypsES system to the Ohio Department of Agriculture and conducted a training
session for Department personnel. Some of the important features that GypsES
will provide our cooperator are: 1) a fully functional GIS system; 2) GPS file
handling where GypsES can draw flight lines or create pheromone trap survey
designs; and 3) research products such as defoliation models, a phenology
model, and a spray deposit model. Currently the Ohio Department of Agriculture
is using the system for digitizing all of their treatment blocks and importing
these blocks into the AGNAV GPS system that will be used by their aerial
application contractor. GypsES is unique in that it was developed to integrate
information and technology into a decision-support system and is now actually
being used operationally for gypsy moth management.
DGPS TRAINING: During the 1995 gypsy moth suppression and eradication project
review meeting at Cacapon State Park in July, several state and Federal
cooperators expressed the need for DGPS software training. With a cooperative
effort between Amy Onken (FHP-Morgantown) and Dee Dee Sellers (FHP-Asheville,
NC), the Forest Service sponsored a DGPS software training session on both the
SATLOC and AGNAV software. The meeting was well attended with representatives
from seven State agencies (OH, WV, PA, VA, MD, MI, and NC), and two Federal
agencies (FS-Regions 8 and 9, and NPS). Individuals were given a copy of the
software in order to receive "hands on training." This training was a great
opportunity to get all the answers to those mind-boggling questions about DGPS
in preparation for the 1996 suppression season.
ANOTHER PLT/WILD WORKSHOP IN MORGANTOWN: The Morgantown Field Office recently
sponsored its second joint Project Learning Tree/Project WILD workshop of the
Spring. This session was attended by 49 people, while the earlier workshop had
43 in attendance. The attendees were introduced to both programs, the
purposes, and origins, and then had the opportunity to participate in several
educational activities. The session was coordinated by Dan Kincaid and Vicki
Watkins of the Morgantown office. The class included people from various
Federal and statee agencies and school teachers from 6 counties in WV and PA.
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
HO
2
Maine USDA AmeriCorps Newsletter
November, 1995
Griffin from Cooperative Extension gave the
Two new members!
training, which took place on November 6 and
7. GREAT JOB, GUYS! THANKS! Mr. Bagel.
Two new members have joined the
Shaw's and Shop N' Save also donated lunch
Maine USDA AmeriCorps team since we last
and breakfast during this training--more
met. Joel Stetson has filled the China Lakes
thanks!
Watershed Water Quality Coordinator position
All the members also received training
and Sherman Hoyt is the new St. George
in First Aid and CPR during October. Our
River Estuary / Penobscot Bay Water Quality
thanks to the Red Cross for all of their help!
Coordinator! Both new members will be in the
southern cluster so all of you in the southern
cluster will get the opportunity to meet them at
your first cluster meeting on December 6.
Everyone else can give them a call (numbers
are on the lists in the last pages of this
newsletter) if they want to introduce
themselves. Welcome to the team--we hope
you have a great year!
"Water good.
Clean water
Training
better. Maine
USDA
Just as the training whirlwind is settling
AmeriCorps be.
down -- news about more training!! Don't
thing seen sinc
worry, this one is not right away. In fact, it is
Skywalker!"
not until February! That's right, the next
-Yoda on
statewide training is not until the middle or end
AmeriCorps
of February. We are not sure on dates yet, so
please do not schedule any major vacations in
February (I know that the living expense is
burning a hole in your pocket!).
Although formal training for most of you
ended after the first statewide training, the
FSA AmeriCorps members and a few others
have been getting trained in Farm*A*Syst,
Home*A*Syst, Integrated Crop Management,
and record keeping. John Jemison and Tim
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
AMP PINCE
HO
2
Maine USDA AmeriCorps Newsletter
December, 1995
Quarterly reports
Plans of Work
As you know, the deadline for
important things you have
quarterly reports is drawing
gotten done during the first
ATTENTION!! All plans
near ( ugh! ). The good news
quarter. Please relate your
of work are due! If you are not
is that your quarterly reports
quarterly report to your plan of
currently working on yours --
only need to be one
work. Also remember to
get your rear in gear. I need
paragraph long. This
include how many volunteers
to have all plans of work
paragraph should briefly
you have worked with and the
before I get your quarterly
explain the three to five most
number of hours they have
reports ( or at least at the
donated to your project.
same time! ) If you have any
questions, give me a call. I
would be glad to help.
Seasons
Treetings
Practical Farm Training
A practical on the farm
University of Maine
training will take place on
Cooperative Extension plans
January 4 from 9:00 AM until
to take members out to one of
3:00 PM and will be open to
the University's dairy farms to
any interested AmeriCorps
review daily farm operations.
members. Tim Griffen from
Members will spend half of the
day with the dairy farm
manager. An additional one
Training Update
day intensive training on crop
and weed identification will
The dates of the February training have been decided! The
take lace this spring. IF you
training will start at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 27 and end at 1:00
PM on Thursday, February 29. The actual training portion of the
plan on attending the January
session will end at noon on February 29 and then lunch will be offered
training, let me know as soon
to those who wish to stay. Training will be held in Orono at the Black
as possible so that I can let
Bear Inn and Conference Center. Please let me know if you do not plan
Tim know how many are
to stay overnight or if you have a roommate preference.
coming.
From: Office of the Lt. Governor To: Ms. Diana Algra
Date: 4/7/95 Time: 17:00:13
Page 1 of 1
The Missouri Community Service Commission Bulletin
A weekly update on national and community service in Missouri.
April 7, 1995
Volume 1, Number 8
SENATE AGREES TO RESCISSION PACKAGE
$105 MILLION CUT FROM NATIONAL SERVICE
The senate agreed late last night to a compromise between proposed amendments by Senators Dole (R-KS) and
Daschle (D-SD) that would shrink the proposed rescission amount passed by the Senate Appropriations
Committee two weeks ago from $210 million to $105 million. The compromise demonstrates the support that
national service has in Washington and across the nation, despite the current political climate. The deal was
made after Dole introduced a second-degree amendment that would have put national service program cuts at
$416 million, the amount approved by the House three weeks ago. Dole's amendment came in response to an
amendment by Senator Daschle that would have restored full funding for national service and several other
programs. The package passed the Senate by a vote of 99 to 0, and the bill will go to conference committee after
the Easter recess. Proponents of national service warn that AmeriCorps and other service programs are still in
danger, as the distance between the Senate and House figures is substantial. Cuts could be raised to higher levels
through the conference committee.
CORPS MEMBER TRAINING TO TAKE PLACE IN ST. LOUIS
AmeriCorps members from the East side of the state will gather in St. Louis for a one day workshop on
community development next Monday and Tuesday. AmeriCorps members from national direct and state-funded
projects will spend the day learning about assessing community needs and developing action strategies for
solving problems and building the future. Corps members will also learn about the activities of other projects and
have an opportunity to share successes and challenges. Training is being provided in cooperation with University
Extension and is part of the Commission's strategy for program development, assistance, and training.
COMMISSION TO REVIEW NEW AND RENEWAL PROPOSALS
The Missouri Community Service Commission will meet on Wednesday, April 26, in Jefferson City to review
new and renewal AmeriCorps proposals. To mark the occasion and recognize Commission members'
involvement and dedication, Lt. Governor Roger B. Wilson, chairman of the Commission, will recognize the
members on behalf of Governor Mel Carnahan by introducing them to the state senate during the legislative
session that day. "We just want to show our appreciation for all the work they are doing, especially during these
difficult times," Wilson said. "This program has lots of local support, and you can see it in the dedication of
these Commission members." The programs selected by the Commission will be submitted to the Corporation
for consideration for funding this Fall. Whether the projects are implemented and given the opportunity to
accomplish something for Missouri communities ultimately depends on Congress' decision on the rescission bill.
Speaking of Getting Things Done.
AMERICORPS MEMBERS WILL BE BUSY ON NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE
On April 25, 1995, national service programs across the country will engage in special service projects to
celebrate service and demonstrate its power to "get things done." In Missouri, projects are scheduled at
individual sites across the state. In Kansas City, a "national concentration site" for service activities that day,
AmeriCorps members from the Youth Volunteer Corps of America are coordinating a recognition ceremony and
service event with other national service projects from Kansas and Missouri. Service participants will be
matched with projects across the metropolitan area. Anyone needing more information should contact YVCA at
(913) 432-9822.
USDA/AmeriCorps
Natural Resources Conservation Service
760 South Broadway
Salina, KS 67401-4642
(913) 823-4500
FAX (913) 823-4540
Contact: Jim Meisenheimer
NEWSLETTER
December 5, 1995
MR. "GIGGLES" IS BURP NOVEMBER WORKMATE OF THE MONTH
Dale Sparks was selected to be the Workmate for November by the AmeriCorps
members of the Hays, Big Creek Urban Renovation Project (BURP). Dale's BIO
includes:
Hometown:
Lexington, Kentucky
Area of Interest:
Wildlife biology
Turn ons:
Roadkill cats, cinnamon chili,
pizza delivery
Turn offs:
Leaky wadders, FSHU Tigers
Favorite Tool:
Grappling hook
Hobbies:
Netting bats, stuffing live
possums into mailboxes
Best Anecdote:
"You could use a good slap with a
wet squirrel"
A trait Dale's teammates did not list is giggling. As demonstrated by his demeanor
at the defensive training class in Salina, Dale has a propensity to find humor in
mundane things. His tittering, often contagious to other teammates, turns into
chortling and howls of laughter. It has been reported that his convulsions have
often caused those around him to "roll on the ground in stitches."
When the team is not convulsing in laughter they are providing service to the City of
Hays and Fort Hays State University. During November they renovated 1/2 mile of
woodlands, hauled 47 dump truck loads of brush collected along 10 miles of stream
bank, and made presentations to 40 high students.
Milford Team Forms
Every team will go into and out of the stages of forming, storming, norming, and
performing. The Milford team reports that their team, of three men and two
women, has successfully completed the norming stage. Team Leader Jeff Goeckler
has led his team consisting of Kerry Kitchner, Rick Henry, Paula Meek, and Linda
Johnson. Kerry is refuted to be "on the level when tipped in the right or left
direction, or whichever the bubble goes." Rick Henry is their expert on greyhound
dogs, and the "types of creatures that lurk out in the sticks," Paula Meeks is
described as the team's "True AmeriCorps Member Who Gets Things Done." Linda
Johnson finished her Hunter Safety Course just in time for bird season.
Some of Milford activities include: removing fallen trees from roadways, creating
marshes in their wildlife area and with the Corps of Engineers at Tuttle Creek,
getting the wildlife area ready for hunting season, and sacking sunflower seed to be
given to farmers for birds.
SECOND SESSION OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASS TO BE HELD
The second session for the defensive driving session is scheduled for December 18.
The class begins at 8:30 a.m. and will last until 5:00 p.m. Members will be
expected to eat at the site, cost for lunch is $3.20. All members who have not
taken the class are expected to attend.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial
status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA
Office of Communications at (202) 720-2791.
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TTD). USDA is an equal employment
opportunity employer.
Topeka Team Leads Shunganunga Clean UP
The members of the Topeka team lead the Kansas USDA/AmeriCorps teams in
media coverage. Due to the media market and nature of their service in Topeka,
these members have represented the corps very well on television and in the local
paper. Like the other USDA teams the members of this team are from various
schools and states.
Larry Ballou has degrees from Cloud County Community College and Kansas State
University. He has been an assistant track coach at Cloud County Community
College and has done agricultural research at Kansas State.
Bree Enderle, one of two Kansas University alumni on the team, has a degree in
systematics and ecology. She sees serving in AmeriCorps as an opportunity to gain
useful knowledge of environmental development and protection.
Jenny Halstead, the other University of Kansas graduate, on the team also has a
degree in systematics and ecology. She completed an internship at a wildlife
rehabilitation clinic in September. Jenny, like Faye Yoder of the Kanopolis team,
enjoys working with horses.
Gary Larson is one of the team's Washburn University graduates. He has a
degree in biology and hopes to attend graduate school. When not in school
Gary was active in the construction industry in and around Topeka.
Milton Nokes has degrees from Washburn University and Emporia State
University. He has seven year of experience as a psychologist, counselor,
and mental health technician. He will join with Shana Martin, from the
Cheney State Park team, and Jim Meisenheimer to give members the
training on conflict resolution in February.
Kimberly Rose is the team's Oklahoma representative. She has a B.S.
degree in biology and botany from Northeastern State University in
Tahlequah. She also has two broken toes as a result of a cement block
falling on her foot. Before the accident, she represented the team and
USDA/AmeriCorps on a television interview.
Cody Lind, one of two second year members, has a B.S. in wildlife biology
from Kansas State University. He has been able to use his previous year's
experience with AmeriCorps to help the other members understand the
Corps goals and requirements. He is the newly engaged member of the
team.
Nathan Sexton, another of the returning members, is an Emporia State
University graduate with a major in environmental biology. Nathan, along
with Kimberly an unlike Cody, has an interest in zoos.
Judy Logsback joined the team in December 7 after having worked as a
research assistant for the Nature Conservancy in Fallon, Nevada. She has a
degrees from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Ryan Tompkin, word has just been received that Ryan, after one year with
Kansas USDA/AmeriCorps and part of this year, will be leaving the team and
returning to Nebraska on December 22. Those who have served and
worked with Ryan will miss him. We all wish he and his family the best.
Cheney Team Leads Corps In Extra Community Service Activities
The members of the Cheney team are: Carolyn Wooten, Kari Hacker, Scott
VanGieson, Shana Martin, and Gary Hanson. Like the members of the other
teams, each member at Cheney is unique and special. The team used their
November 10 holiday to meet and help veterans at the Veteran's Hospital in
Wichita. Activities of that day included escorting ill and disabled veterans to
a ceremony in the hospital's auditorium, and to distribute cards and
veteran's greeting to those who could not leave their rooms to attend the
ceremony. While distributing the cards, the members thanked the veterans
for their service to America.
A highlight of the day for the members was to meet and speak with Bob
Watson, a 100 year old WWI veteran and past regional director of the
American Red Cross. Mr. Watson, still mentally and physically fit, continues
to drive his car in and around Wichita.
Kanopolis Team
Kurt Grimm, Faye Yoder, Jim Talley, Diane Howard Spear, Kathy Oberle,
and Aimee Tabor make up the Kanopolis team. This team has been active
in trail maintenance, tree planting, refuge clean up, and fish netting. Team
leader Kurt Grimm is a second year member. Kurt is the team's rattle snake
expert. Faye Yoder, the mother of two, likes the outdoors and horses. She
is an "expert" in the care of equines. Jim Talley, a student at Kansas
Wesleyan University, is the father of one and soon to be two. Diane
Howard Spear is the corps most recent newly wed. While Diane is our most
recently married, Kathy Oberle is one of the newer members of our parks'
team. Aimee Tabor is the team's "pixie." The one with the squeaky voice
and playful mischievous demeanor.
Southeast Kansas FSA/AmeriCorps Member
Katrina Hine is currently the lone member of the Southeast Kansas Ag. In
The Classroom Education Project. Katrina, the mother of three, is an expert
on gerontology. She is also becoming well versed on farm safety and water
pollution. In the next few weeks she will be presenting programs to farm
groups, volunteer fire departments, and students on farms safety. Included
in her presentation will be the use of life like dummies which will graphically
depict the human heart beat and loss of extremities when individuals
become entangled in power take offs, bailers, and other farm equipment.
GLEN ELDER TEAM REPRESENTS A GOOD MIX OF MEMBERS
The Glen Elder/Webster team members demonstrate a diversity of values
and education. Jennifer Rima likes to listen to the music of Motley Crew
and Queen while Julie Grauerholz enjoys the notes of Mozart and New
Orleans jazz. Jerri Senger has worked at Glen Elder as a naturalists and has
discovered what it is like to take part in green submarine races on the 4th of
July. Green submarines are watermelons cover with lard and thrown into
the water for retrieval. Jerri was able to cool off while participating in those
races on the 4th. Rick Moore is the senior member of the team and is very
productive in rebuilding signs for the park. Team leader Tony Ifland, like
Diane Howard Spear at Kanopolis, was recently married.
PERRY TEAM TAKES USDA/AMERICORPS NATIONAL DIRECTOR TO
SWEET SHOP
The Perry team members entertained USDA/National AmeriCorps Director
Joel Berg at an old fashion soda fountain in Valley Falls, Kansas, during a
recent visit. Joel met the members at noon time in a nearby field cutting
trees and removing debris. The members had intended to take Berg to the
Roadkill Cafe, but after finding that it was closed, settled on the soda shop.
Joel was heard to exclaim that the malt shake he ordered was "one of the
best he ever had drank."
The Perry team could really be called, "Betty and the guys, plus one." Betty
Mills, the mother of two adult sons, is the lone female on the team. After
helping her husband raise and educate two sons she is looking forward to
the AmeriCorps award that can only be used for her. Travis Crickenberger,
an ex-coast guard member, may be the Corps cartoonist for this year. Jeff
Araiza, the quiet one with the infectious smile, is from Topeka. Dan Green,
another Topekan, has worked at various jobs before joining AmeriCorps.
Dan likes the outdoors and what the team is doing. T.J. Wahlmeier and
Rick Linneman are the two returning members of the teams. T.J. and Rick
are members of the Army National Guard and Naval Reserve, respectively.
T.J. has heard and endured Rick's singing before, something the other
members have yet to fully endure. Rick's dog, MeriCorps accompanies he
and the team whenever feasible when he is at the wildlife area. Betty and
the guys, plus one!
KICKAPOO TEAM
Chaline Owings and Kristen Mitchell are the members of the Kickapoo team.
Chaline is, a mother of three and is well versed in Native American culture.
Kristen, a graduate of Emporia State, is a biologist. Projects that Kristen and
Chaline are helping with include the development fields of wildfowlers and in
reestablishing native grasses on the reservation. The members will also
work with recycling and adolescence health.
EX-AMERICORPS MEMBER RETURNS AFTER SERVICE IN THE VIRGIN
ISLANDS
Ryan Webster, a member of the 1995 Milford team, returned to Kansas
after having spent 30 days in the Virgin Islands helping repair damage
caused by Hurricane Marilyn. Along with 19 other USDA AmeriCorps
members and four leaders, they completed 103 projects. During a visit to
Salina, Ryan said that residual effects of the trip were the friends he made
and the people they helped. Sammy, an African American, from Chicago is
an example of the friends he made. Ryan said, I had never really met and
mixed with people from other races before." Ryan and Sammy have called
each other since coming home shortly before Thanksgiving and are making
plans to visit each other's home towns. Other memories include:
How appreciative the people were for the help of the members. Thankful
homeowners furnished members with sodas, and on occasion offered to
provide them with transportation to tour the island.
The high humidity caused his jeans to always be damp. Ryan often wore
the same pair two or three days before sending them to the laundry, which
cost $16.00 a load.
The humidity coupled with the heat and mosquitos were things he did not
like.
He spent on the average $35.00 a day for food.
At first they had electricity for only two hours in the morning and two
hours in the evening.
Anyone, not wearing an official badge, caught on the streets after the
curfew of 10:00 p.m., spent a day in jail for every hour in which the
curfew was violated.
Tap water could not be used for drinking or for brushing teeth.
He saw few stop signs, and few citizens recognize them when they were
there. Driving English style bothered him while he was there and when he
returned home, he had to readjust.
Ryan is very proud of the service he and his companions performed. He
welcomed the opportunity to represent the members of the Kansas Corps.
The experience proved that AmeriCorps Members are good at GETTING
THINGS DONE!
Internal Prend
NEW RIVER-HIGHLANDS RESOURCE
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
FORESTRY COMMITTEE
NEWSLETTER
About this Newsletter
Welcome to the New River Highlands
Resource Conservation and Development
(RC&D) Forestry Committee
Newsletter! This new quarterly
publication will function as a
Jerry McReynolds
communication "bridge" between the
forest industry (wood products users and
Jerry McReynolds, Chairperson of the
producers) and local municipalities,
New River Highlands Resource
governments and economic development
Conservation and Development (RC&D)
boards. It will share information about
Forestry Committee, is originally from
current projects so that interested parties
Tazewell where he grew up and
will know how to become involved. This
graduated high school in 1958. During
newsletter will provide local forestry
his twenty year assignment in the US
information that directly impacts
Army, Jerry served as an aviator in
Southwest Virginia, and it will
Vietnam and ultimately retired as a
summarize events important to towns
major. While in the military, he earned a
and counties in this RC&D Area.
bachelor's degree in business
Overall, the newsletter is to help inform
administration from Embry Riddle
all recipients of forestry related events
Aeronautical University in Daytona
and topics.
Beach. He then went to work for
Coleman Altizer Corporation and served
Enclosed, you will find a survey asking
four years as General Manager and four
your opinion about this newsletter.
years as Vice President. In 1986, Jerry
Please take a few minutes to complete
and his brother Buddy bought Coleman
and return this survey so that we can
Altizer and changed the name to C&A
tailor the newsletter to the needs of the
Wood Products which now consists of
readers. Thank you and we look forward
two sawmills and produces 10 million
to hearing from you!
board feet a year. Jerry's on-the-job
training in the forest industry since 1978
has mixed with his enthusiasm to make a
better future for his home county and its
residents. As a result, he is heavily
involved with forest related activities
small loggers and sawmillers out of
such as serving as chairperson of the
business. He thinks the best thing
Forestry Committee; participating as a
Southwest Virginia can do is increase the
member of CHIPS (see Loggers'
use of proper forest management in our
Committees), the self-insurance board,
area because it is a renewable resource
Forest Products of Virginia Board,
and the supply of coal is finite and going
Chamber of Commerce, and Log a Load
fast. To do so he believes we need to
for Kids Committee; and he participates
make education the first priority.
in Christmas parades and county fairs.
He spends all of this time to make his
To improve forestry operations in
hometown and Southwest Virginia a
Southwest Virginia Jerry believes there
better place to live for his three children
should be more emphasis on adding value
and three grandchildren.
to products rather than exporting logs.
This would provide more jobs, add to the
Jerry thinks the role of the RC&D is to
tax base and lower the need for social
fill in the gaps between the private sector
services. He thinks that log
and the government by bringing in
concentration yards are detrimental
volunteers from the community because
because they encourage poor forest
they know what needs to be done. As
harvesting practices. Log yards only buy
chairperson, he presides over the
premium logs, causing loggers to cut
meetings and gives them direction. He
only the best trees and leave a forest of
motivates members to volunteer and go
less quality. Landowners lose because
the extra mile. Jerry notes that the
they do not sell as much wood and this
Council has been very active since its
practice leaves undesirable trees.
inception.
Therefore, concentration yards need to
be more concerned with the future forest
As chairperson, Jerry believes this
and not leave a poor forest that will be
newsletter should serve the needs of the
harder to sell. They set the standards for
Forestry Committee to get out
logging practices and it will get worse if
educational and informative news about
they don't begin to broaden the limits of
events to come so that people can plan to
what they will accept.
be involved. He sees it as telling what
will happen in the future rather than
reporting too much of what has already
past. He wants to see the newsletter
going somewhere more than showing
what has been done.
Jerry thinks that the biggest thing
Becker Joins RC&D
affecting business today is the
compensation issue (see Self Insurance).
Charlie Becker is the new Forester for
Accompanying that issue is health
the Virginia Department of Forestry,
insurance. Also he is weary of calls to
headquartered in the New River-
regulate forestry, which would require
Highlands Resource Conservation and
permits, engineer studies and pre-
Development (RC&D) Area. A native
harvesting plans; all of which would cost
Virginian, Charlie began his career
so much they would drive many of the
working for the Forest Service and TVA,
evaluations will determine eligibility for
then spent the last seven years as area
the lower rates. Four of the board
forester for Wythe and Bland Counties.
members will be Southwest Virginia
loggers. This ensures that local loggers
Charlie earned a master's degree in
will be making decisions for fellow
forestry from the University of Tennessee
loggers. Another bonus will be Loss
and a bachelor's degree in forestry and
Control Engineers (LCE's), who will
wildlife from Virginia Tech. His previous
have a background in both the forest
involvement with the New River
industry and insurance. These LCE's
Highlands RC&D Forestry Committee
will aid loggers with their practical, on-
will be a valuable addition to his
the-job experience by visiting the logging
experience and education while working
sites to point out safety problems,
with the RC&D Areas. Charlie's goal is
educate loggers about solutions for these
the improvement of the quality of life in
problems, and encourage the speedy
Virginia through promotion of proper
return to work of an injured employee.
forest management in all of the RC&D
They will be the most important element
Areas in our state. His responsibilities
to ensure success since they will reduce
include developing logger training
accident rates by improving safety
workshops and demonstrations,
measures.
promotion of better use of wood waste,
and arranging educational seminars.
Applications for self-insurance will be
Charlie will also supervise three
accepted after January 1, 1995. Anyone
AmeriCorps positions for their one year
interested should contact Bill Rilee at
term, and he is a forest firefighter.
Chesapeake Corporation in West Point
(804-843-5370), Jerry McReynolds at
Charlie's hobbies include the renovation
C&A Wood Products in Tazewell (703-
of his old farm house when he has time.
988-2711), the Virginia Forestry
He took the Forester position in July
Association in Richmond (804-741-0836
after it was vacated by Rob Morgan, who
or 1-800-421-TREE [8733]), or Bob
is now a Private Forest Consultant.
Shaffer at Virginia Tech (703-231-7671).
Self Insurance
Loggers' Committees
The Virginia Forestry Association plans
to join with loggers from Southwest and
When loggers need to join together to
Eastern Virginia, with the help of Manry
accomplish a political, educational,
Rawls Insurance, to combat rising
informational or any goal, they should
compensation rates for the industry. Self
consider forming a county loggers'
insurance will require a nine member
committee to present a strong, unified
board of 75% premium payers to set
voice. Because of educational
standards for the evaluation of
opportunities and the importance of
companies on their work record and
bringing individual loggers together, the
attitude toward safety. These
Virginia Forestry Association has
endorsed and sponsored these
as the City of Norton, will pull together
committees. With 15 to 18 committees
with planning and conservation districts
in the state, three are in Southwest
to decide what problems face the area
Virginia. TREES (Timber Resources
and tackle them as a team. The four
Economic Environmental Society), which
main issues are likely to be (1) water
represents Buchanan County, meets
quality, (2) alternative agriculture
every third Monday at the Rainbow
products/markets, (3) tourism (Eco-
Restaurant in Grundy at 6:00 p.m. for the
tourism/Agri-tourism such as nature
meal and 7:00 p.m. for the meeting.
trails) and (4) environmental education.
CHIPS (Citizens Harvesting Important
Products Society), which represents
The RC&D Area's first long range work
Tazewell and Bland Counties, meets
plan will be developed 1995 and they will
every second Tuesday at the Fincastle
appreciate any input. They plan to fill
Restaurant at the same times. The third
the gaps and not duplicate any efforts of
group, Tri-County Loggers Association,
other organizations.
is newly formed and represents Lee,
Wise and Scott counties. The relatively
The Black Diamond RC&D Coordinator
low dues are based on production and
is Blaine Delaney. His degree from Penn
number of employees. Anyone interested
State is in agriculture engineering. He
should contact Jerry McReynolds at
was District Conservationist for five
C&A Wood Products (703-988-2711),
years in Tappahannock and Coordinator
Bill Rilee at Chesapeake Corporation in
for the North Central Washington RC&D
West Point (804 843-5370), the Virginia
for the past two years. Blaine can be
Forestry Association in Richmond (804-
reached at (703) 889-1150.
741-0836 or 1-800-TREE [8733]), or
Bob Shaffer at Virginia Tech in
Blacksburg (703-231-7671).
A
SERVICE
VIRGINIA
AmeriCorps
A new RC&D for Virginia
The New River-Highlands RC&D has
hired five AmeriCorps members to work
with Rural Development in Southwest
Six of the Southwestern Virginia
Virginia. The members will receive a
counties have come together to form the
living stipend provided by a grant from
new Black Diamond Resource
the Corporation for National and
Conservation & Development (RC&D)
Community Service. Three of the
Area, a result of much encouragement
positions are with the USDA Forest
from the current chairperson, Ralph
Service and all five will be a great asset
Miner, and vice-chairperson, William
to the Committee this year. (See page 5.)
Kimbler. Lee, Wise, Scott, Buchanan,
Dickenson and Russell Counties, as well
(AmeriCorps, continued from page 4.)
specialty forest products in Southwest
Delton Alderman, Forest Engineer, will
Virginia, explore and develop potential
design and construct portable, low-cost,
markets, give demonstrations, and
stress laminated timber bridges for
expand the use of established products.
logging, and possibly design a permanent
He will also contribute to the Riverwalk
residential stress laminated bridge. He
development. James earned two
will also assist volunteer fire departments
bachelor's degrees from Virginia Tech;
with grants for and the installation of dry
one in communication studies and one in
hydrants in the New River-Highlands
english.
RC&D Area. As part of an AmeriCorps
group project, Delton will develop the
Two of the AmeriCorps positions were
technical information for the dendrology
allocated to the Natural Resource
guide used as a teaching aid in the
Conservation Service. Audrey Biggs is
outdoor classroom along the Riverwalk
the Outreach Coordinator and Mindy
in Marion. His bachelor's degree is in
Clark is the Landscape Architect.
forestry and wildlife management with a
concentration in industrial forestry
operations from Virginia Tech. Delton
brings the experience of ten years as a
Private Forestry Consultant to the
AmeriCorps Team.
Adrienne Perkins, Forest Economic
Specialist, will promote the value of
proper forest use and management to the
local economy. She will present forest
growth and harvest statistics to each
Calendar of Events
county economic development board to
encourage an increase in forest
February 14, 1995 CHIPS Meeting
utilization. Adrienne will gather
information for articles and edit this
February 20, 1995 TREES Meeting
newsletter, as well as lead a Jefferson
National Forest videography project.
February 23, 1995 New River Highlands
She will also assist with public relations
RC&D Forestry
for the Riverwalk. Adrienne earned her
Committee
bachelor's degree in communication
Meeting
studies with a concentration in public
relations from Virginia Tech.
June 23-24, 1995 Appalachian Hard-
wood Expo
James Pratt, Forest Products Marketing
Specialist, will locate and promote
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808.
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call (202)
720-7327 (voice) or (202) 690-1538 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
???QUESTIONNAIRE???
Please take a few minutes to tell us what you think about our newsletter. We will use this
information to improve the future issues. All comments, whether positive or negative, are
welcome and necessary for this newsletter to be successful. Please return this
questionnaire to: New River-Highlands Resource Conservation and Development
Forestry Committee Newsletter, 110 West Spiller Street, Suite C, Wytheville, Virginia
24382-1929. Thank you!
1. Do you like the format? (Graphics, columns, is it easy to read, pleasant to the eye?)
2. What information would you like to see in future issues ? How often would you like to
see it published (Quarterly)?
3. Does this newsletter accomplish its goal? (To be a communication bridge between
governments, wood industry and economic professionals?)
Other comments:
New River-Highlands
Resource Conservation and Development
Forestry Committee Newsletter
110 West Spiller Street, Suite C
Wytheville, Virginia 24382-1929
(703) 228-2879
Internal
OR
USDA/AmeriCorps
newsletter
Natural Resources Conservation Service
A
760 South Broadway
*
Salina, KS 67401-4642
SERVICE
(913) 823-4500
FAX (913) 823-4540
Contact: Jim Meisenheimer
NEWSLETTER
March 6, 1995
WEBSTER TEAM DEMONSTRATES "GETTING THINGS DONE"
The Environmental team at Webster Reservoir consisting of Ciny Ochs, Vicky
Owens, Bill Plante, and John Rosendale show the citizens of Rooks county that
AmeriCorps Members are good at "Getting Things Done."
When the Members discovered that a shelter at Rooks State Fishing Lake had been
trashed by vandals, they went to work cleaning up the debris, fixing the burnt
picnic table, and removing the graffiti from the shelter's limestone walls.
A week was spent cleaning the walls and fixing the picnic table. Due to the fear
of damaging the shelter's limestone walls, hand brushes instead of a sandblaster
were used in the cleanup. Vicky Owens said, "We could not imagine what kind
of people could be so destructive." After all of the work repairing and cleaning up
the area, John Rosendale said, "It is rather frustrating to think this could happen
again."
ALL IS SAFE IN DODGE CITY
Emporia State University graduate Mike Houck is the team leader of the Dodge
City wetlands team. Mike has been the sole AmeriCorps/USDA Member, off and
on, at Dodge City since November. His former sidekick Jason Vajnar accepted a
position with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. Like other wetlands
team members Mike has found himself spending more time working in a county
office than originally expected. Community activities have included teaching
hunter safety classes and working with the Finney County Sheriff's Auxiliary
Patrol.
In January, Mike was involved in teaching a Kansas Hunters Education course at
the Garden City Community College. After some intense law enforcement training
with the Finney County Sheriff's Department, he will be on patrol with the
Auxiliary at fairs and other events. Other community endeavors will include
planting trees and building nesting structures at Ford County Lake.
MILFORD AMERICORPS MEMBER WELL TRAVELLED
Doris Hankins, a member of the Milford State Park Environmental Team, has lived
in various states from Alabama to Washington with stops in Ohio,
West Virginia, Michigan and Kansas. Doris has three children and two
grandchildren. She likes singing and enjoys participating in her church choir. She
also likes the serenity of Milford State Park where she has been able to enjoy
observing bald eagles and other wildlife while she works to restore the lake area to
pre-1993 flood conditions.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).
USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
2
Doris will use her educational award to pay off college loans and to pay for future
educational expenses.
WETLAND VIDEO BEING DISCUSSED
The Hays AmeriCorps wetland and riparian team consisting of Tracy Beach, Kami
Legere, Craig Curtis and Lance Hocket have finished their work in Rooks county and
have moved to Ellis county. Lance completed 75 riparian transects in Rooks County.
The team is reported to be discussing plans for an educational yet "provocative" and
still to be rated wetland video. The video, it is hoped, will blend the intelligence of
The Discovery Channel with the dynamics of an "Up With People" performance. The
plan is to put together an informative video that shows the public exactly what is
seen on the slide compared to what is seen in the field. The video would provide a
look at a wetland compared to nonwetland in terms of soil, hydrology, and plants.
Hopefully the video will be used at upcoming information meetings.
HUTCHINSON TEAM IS BUSY
On January 6, AmeriCorps Members Dean Krehbeil and Scott Allen, accompanied by
Randy Clark, Biologist, presented a talk to Lyons Middle School on endangered,
threatened, extinct species and how they coincide with wetlands.
Scott talked about AmeriCorps and the procedures used for wetland inventory in
Kansas. Dean talked about the importance of conserving and preserving wetlands,
and the impact wetlands have. Additional community service work has included
constructing fish habitat by sinking discarded fur trees in Cheney Lake Reservoir.
CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER
On February 3, Jennifer Krehbeil presented her husband, Dean, an AmeriCorps
Member, with a son, they named Colter. In reference to his new role in life, Dean
said, "Everyone ought to have the experience at least once."
WETLANDS TEAMS ON THE MOVE
Wetland and Riparian teams at Dodge City, Topeka, Emporia, Hays and Hutchinson
have completed work at their initial sites and have moved. Two of the teams are
returning to the counties of their Area Offices: Topeka team to Shawnee county and
the Hays team, Ellis county. The Emporia team has moved to work in Chase
county, the Hutchinson team is now in Harvey county, and the Dodge team is now
working in Meade county.
DEADLINE FOR APRIL NEWSLETTER
AmeriCorps Members are reminded that the deadline for each team to submit stories
for the April newsletter is March 30.
File
Newslettes
The Server
"Working Together to Serve America"
Vol. 1 No. 1
Spring 1994
IN THIS ISSUE
Introducing the National Cooperative/Clearinghouse
by Rob Shumer
Introducing the National
Cooperative/Clearinghouse
NSLC Director
page 1
It's a national service-learning coopera-
country, as well as a national calendar
Technical Assistance
tive. It's a K-12 clearinghouse for ser-
on trainings and conferences related to
page 3
vice-learning. It's a cooperative and a
service-learning. In addition, the
clearinghouse.
National Center is developing a nation-
The NSLC Partners Page
al electronic bulletin board which will
page 4
As a Cooperative, this new entity is a
be accessible through the Internet for
collaborative effort between thirteen
practitioners and researchers to post
Individuals with Disabilities Can
organizations, centered at the National
and receive information on a continu-
Contribute to Service-Learning
Youth Leadership Council and the
ous basis. The Center also maintains an
page 5
University of Minnesota, designed to
active 800 telephone number (1-800-
provide technical assistance to Serve-
808-SERVE) to answer any and all ques-
Program Profile
America grantees and others as an arm
tions about K-12 service-learning in
page 6
of the Corporation for National and
general.
Community Service. These regional
The Database
partners, from California to Massa-
While the National Cooperative has
page 6
chusetts and from
technically been in exis-
Michigan to Arkansas,
Information collected and
tence since May, it really
The Information Corner
are working together,
did not get under way
page 7
providing information
developed flows out to the
until October. Since that
about the field to the
field for use by practitioners.
time, staff have been
Upcoming Events
National Center at the
hired, equipment
page 8
University of Minnesota
ordered and purchased,
and also offering training and capacity
and partners convened to develop spe-
building to states and grantees, helping
cific plans for implementation of this
them develop and improve their pro-
rather large and complex project.
grams. In this part of the Cooperative,
information collected and developed
A lot has already been accomplished.
flows out to the field for use by practi-
Regional meetings have been held in
tioners.
almost all sections of the country. In
each meeting, service-learning leaders
As a Clearinghouse, the partners assist
in the regions met to discuss technical
in collecting data and information and
Published by:
assistance plans and possibilities for
relay it to the National Information
The National Service-Learning
trainings within the localized areas. As
Center, located in the College of
Clearinghouse
a result, special trainings are planned
Education at the University of
R-290 VoTech Ed. Bldg.
for all regions between February and
1954 Buford Ave.
Minnesota. There it is processed and
April 1994.
organized and made available to all
University of Minnesota
interested parties. The Center is also
The national database is in its final
St. Paul, MN 55108
charged with developing a database on
stages of development. The computer
1-800-808-SERVE
K-12 service-learning programs, organi-
zations, and consultants around the
-continued on page 2
2
-from page 1
Middle School Students Learn
Disabilities, from page 5
program is written and the system is
by Doing
being tested. Data are already being
too low as by setting them
entered. The database will be opera-
too high. Negative expecta-
"Hello, this is the National Service-
tions will bring negative
tional by early March.
Learning Clearinghouse. How may I
results. Program facilitators
help you?"
Design of the electronic bulletin
need to be aware that adapt-
board is still proceeding. Our
ing activities students with
If the voice at the other end of our
research shows there are many sys-
special needs should not
toll-free number sounds rather
tems already available, so the deci-
water down the experience,
young to you, that's because you've
sion is whether to work with an
only make it accessible and
come across one of the middle school
existing bulletin board or create a
rewarding to all participants
student interns at the Clearinghouse.
new one. We will do both, at least
based on their unique abili-
Five students from Chiron Middle
ties.
for the first year.
School have been spending 4 hours
If you are concerned or
each week as part of a service-learn-
uncertain about how to
The Cooperative/Clearinghouse is
ing project at the Clearinghouse.
include someone with a dis-
just beginning to take shape. As with
any new project, it takes time,
ability in an activity, ask that
The students learned about writing
patience, and thought. We believe
person's advice. That person
business letters as they wrote letters
the time and thought put into this
is the expert, knows his or
to other middle schools to find out
her limitations and abilities,
new system for service-learning will
the types of service-learning activi-
benefit all of us for years to come.
and has developed tech-
ties found elsewhere. In addition to
niques for overcoming barri-
polishing their keyboarding skills,
ers.
Join the NSLC Mailing List
the students help the Clearinghouse
Adapting an environment to
staff fill requests for information that
accommodate the specific
You can have the NSLC newsletter,
come in via the toll-free telephone
needs of a learner often isn't
number.
The Server, mailed to you if you are
very difficult if approached
on our mailing list. In addition, we
creatively.
will send you notices of other ser-
When asked why he enjoyed work-
Finally, be aware of legal
vices or information as they become
ing at the Clearinghouse, Donald
requirements and guaran-
available.
Williams, grade 7, stated, "I love to
tees. The Americans with
learn new things and help people
Disabilities Act might cover
out."
To get on the NSLC Mailing List,
volunteer activities as well as
call 1-800-808-SERVE or send a mes-
paid employment.
sage via Internet to:
[email protected]
There are a number of national and
local resources on disabilities that
can assist you in learning about and
working with persons with disabili-
The Server
ties in service programs. Contact
your state's Council on Disabilities
Co-Editors:
Rob Shumer
for more information on resources in
Kathi Gorak
your area.
Circulation Manager: Lindy Howe
The NSLC will have a Service
Resource Guide on this subject avail-
Staff Writers:
Brad Belbas
able in May.
Chas. Boudreaux
Kathi Gorak
Joel Longie
[left] Donald Williams, a middle school
Jane Maland
Robin Vue-Benson
student intern at the Clearinghouse, drew
©1994 National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
HEllo CAN HEIP you?
his idea of an Information Specialist at the
Clearinghouse.
3
Technical Assistance
by Joel Longie
NSLC Technical Assistance Director
What comes to mind when you hear
The Clearinghouse has deployed a
house. These include Stanford
the word clearinghouse? Most of us
decentralized model with Regional
University in California; University
would envision a physical space that
Technical Assistance Centers located
of Massachu-setts at Amherst, and
houses a repository of articles and
in geographical regions throughout
the University of Minnesota which
information on a given topic area.
the states. There are currently ten
serves as the National Information
Call a toll-free telephone number and
Regional Technical Assistance
Center. Also included in this leader-
you can receive cutting edge informa-
Centers who serve as "ready
ship network are national specialists
tion on the topic area of your choice.
response" centers, taking technical
in tribal programs, the National
Yes, this is the premise of the
assistance referrals from the National
Indian Youth Leadership Project;
National K - 12 Serve America Clear-
Center's toll-free hot line, as well as
and the Arkansas Division of
inghouse operated by the National
promoting their services within the
Volunteerism, a specialist for com-
Youth Leadership Council and the
region. The Regional Technical
munity collaborations.
University of Minnesota. A caller can
Assistance Centers include the
access various types of
Arkansas Depart-
Our motto, "Working Together to
community service
The Clearinghouse has
ment of Education in
Serve America," best exemplifies the
and service-learning
deployed a decentralized
Little Rock; Close-Up
collatorative model of our Clearing-
information by calling
model with Regional Technical
Foundation in
house effort. Future articles for this
1-800-808-SERVE and
Assistance Centers located in
Washington, D.C.;
column will identify various techni-
relaying their need or
Community Service-
cal assistance efforts and outcomes
interest to one of the
geographical regions through-
Learning Center in
as we proceed with our develop-
Clearinghouse staff.
out the states.
Spring-field, Massa-
ment of the national network.
However, this Clear-
chusetts; Constitu-
inghouse has taken this idea a step
tional Rights Foundation in Los
further by developing a partnership
Angeles; East Bay Conservation
and national network of key organi-
Corps in Oakland; Michigan K - 12
Peer Consultant Network
zations in service-learning who can
Service-Learning Center in East
Stipends Available
provide technical assistance by phone
Lansing; National Drop-Out
or, in some cases, a site visit.
Prevention Center in Clemson, South
The National Technical Assistance
Carolina; Pennsylvania Institute on
component of the Clearinghouse is
The target audiences of the K - 12
Environ-mental and Community
now offering paid incentives for
Serve-America Clearinghouse consist
Service-Learning in Philadelphia,
peer consultants to provide direct
primarily of teachers and others in
Project Service Leadership in
help to individuals. Currently
the field of service-learning who have
Vancouver, Washington; and the
$100 stipends are available for con-
not had access to information, curric-
National Youth Leadership Council
sultants who arrange face-to-face
ular materials, technical assistance,
which serves as the National Center.
meetings with those requesting
training, or a direct link to their
The Technical Assistance Centers
assistance.
peers. Conventional approaches to a
also identify the network of peer con-
clearinghouse design could not pro-
sultants available for direct technical
Meetings can occur on the consul-
vide this flexibility of response. For
assistance.
tant's site, or the consultant can
this reason, the Clearinghouse estab-
meet the requesters at their loca-
lished regional technical assistance
Also contributing to the technical
tion. In either case, the goal is to
networks that are collecting and dis-
assistance network are three univer-
connect experienced service-learn-
seminating quality service-learning
sities that serve as Regional
ing practitioners with those who
curricula, developing a network of
Information Centers. The Infor-
are just beginning the process. For
peer consultants who can provide
mation Centers collect and process
further information, contact the
direct technical assistance, and work-
data and pertinent information on
National Clearinghouse or one of
ing with state leaders in their respec-
service-learning and share this infor-
our regional partners for more
tive regions to help build capacity for
mation with the other Regional
details.
ServeAmerica grant recipients.
Centers and with the main Clearing-
4
The NSLC Partners Page
Focuses on:
The Regional Information Center at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Located at the University of Massa-
Accessing Community Service-Learning:
chusetts at Amherst campus in the
Inside and Outside Perspectives
Connecticut River valley of western
Massachusetts, the Regional Infor-
by Martha A. Potyrala & Charlotte M. Steen
mation Center (RIC) offers people in
Regional Information Center Project Assistants
the eastern part of the United States
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
a personal connection for accessing
information about community ser-
The Regional Information Center
ily concerned about having access to
vice-learning (CSL) projects. The
(RIC), located at the University of
a national database. These educators
RIC is part of the National Service-
Massachusetts at Amherst, conduct-
defined the top priorities for the
Learning Clearinghouse and is cur-
ed four surveys this year in order to
National Clearinghouse as:
rently affiliated with the Community
ask practitioners about community
1. to provide access to CSL prac-
Service Learning Center, Inc. in
service-learning (CSL). The purpose
tices and curricula,
Springfield, MA. The RIC supports
of these surveys was to find out what
2. to identify critical needs and
the Clearinghouse's creation of a
practitioners think CSL is and to
issues for CSL, and
national CSL database and will use it
determine the best ways for practi-
3. to build awareness of K-12 ser-
to assist regional and national
tioners to learn more about CSL.
vice activities as a national
requests for information. Our priori-
Using two telephone surveys and
education priority.
ty, as an RIC, is to ensure that the
two written questionnaires, the RIC
For these teachers, face-to-face inter-
developing CSL database and CSL
has gained insights about the range
action with RIC staff was a priority.
networks are accessible to all current
of interests and concerns people have
For them, it would be most signifi-
and potential CSL practitioners.
about CSL and the National Service-
cant if we were to build relationships
Learning Clearinghouse.
and connect needs and questions to
Staffed by graduate students and fac-
practitioners and answers within the
ulty from the School of Education at
The RIC surveyed local community
region. Human interaction-and sup-
the University of Massachusetts, the
leaders and middle school educators
port is more important than access to
RIC is working to create a strong
to represent the outsiders' perspec-
electronic information.
relationship between the School of
tive of the CSL network. Outsiders
Education and the RIC. Currently
do not connect their work to the con-
Communication through Internet
the School of Education and Contin-
cept of community service-learning.
looks like a future goal rather than
uing Education host a nationally
an immediate reality for most teach-
acclaimed tutoring program,
The telephone surveys revealed a
ers. If the teachers do have access to
TEAMS, that involves over 100 col-
general interest in CSL among the
computers and Internet, they still do
lege students and thousands of com-
local community workers. However,
not know how to use them. Many
munity youth during a semester.
most of those not already involved in
schools, of course, do not have
TEAMS is a student directed and
the CSL network found many terms,
Internet connections and some do
taught program that includes a 6
such as democratic values and public
not have computers with Internet
hour per seek tutoring commitment,
service, vague and inaccessible.
capabilities. The RIC will need to
as well as a weekly 3 hour reflection
Community workers prioritized lan-
develop different ways for practi-
seminar for tutors. In addition to
guage sensitivity and a willingness
tioners to connect to the RIC, the
supporting the TEAMS project, the
for the National Service-Learning
national database, and to regional
RIC is working to integrate CSL into
Clearinghouse to offer training and
support services.
the teacher education programs here
support.
at the University. The RIC is inter-
The RIC questioned ServeAmerica
ested in the School of Education in-
Middle school educators are interest-
grantees and the participants of the
corporating CSL into the practicum
ed in the Clearinghouse as a creator
1993 New England Regional
experiences for students throughout
of a national movement of knowl-
their tenure in the program.
edge about CSL, but are not necessar-
-continued on page 5
5
Individuals with Disabilities Can Contribute
CSL and a wide variety of informa-
to Service-Learning
tion they want to access.
by Robin Vue-Benson
The ServeAmerica grantees were
Everyone can be a resource to others
general population with non-dis-
generally interested in reaching out
in some unique way. Persons with
abled persons as the recipients of
to other programs around the United
disabilities, however, often get over-
the service. There are fewer exam-
States. They want specific informa-
looked as a resource because of a
ples of this kind of service in the lit-
tion, not vague, overgeneralized aca-
false perception of them as always
erature, since it usually takes place
demic articles. They wanted a useful
means of sorting the information
being recipients of service and inca-
in "mainstream" service programs.
Such inclusion, perhaps, has the
they think the Clearinghouse will be
pable of giving service to others. The
greatest potential for changing atti-
offering them.
inclusion of persons with disabilities
in service-learning activities is not
tudes about who can be a service
provider. Persons with disabilities
Although the CSL Conference partic-
only feasible, but may also provide
another level of learning for partici-
have the opportunity to demon-
ipants reported that while most
strate their abilities to themselves
aspects of CSL were equally impor-
pants with and without disabilities.
and to others.
tant, two stood out: "active, experi-
ential learning" and "student aware-
One means of categorizing these
Here are some general guidelines
ness of future responsibilities as pro-
activities is by distinguishing
between the contexts in which the
for facilitating the service-learning
ductive citizens." The seeming
service takes place. Many persons
experience for people with disabili-
divergence in these two choices
with disabilities serve as volunteers
ties:
poses a question: Where does interest
within the disabled community. In
When recruiting participants
in CSL really lie? "Active learning"
for your service-learning pro-
promotes student-centered class-
gram, invite everyone. The
rooms. "Focusing on the develop-
The inclusion of persons with
biggest barrier to inclusion is
ment of productive citizens" pro-
disabilities in service-learning
not asking a potential partici-
motes teachers showing students
activities is not only feasible, but
how to behave as citizens, creating
pant.
may also provide another level
Inclusion in a service-learning
teacher-centered learning. The most
of learning for participants with
activity means everyone par-
effective method of getting people
ticipates - there should be no
involved in CSL is to not limit per-
and without disabilities.
bystanders.
spectives.
Every participant has a vari-
the offices of many advocacy groups
ety of abilities and disabilities.
The most compelling aspect about
or service agencies working with
Be aware of how a specific
the four surveys is the complemen-
persons with disabilities, volunteers
type of disability affects what
tary responses. All respondents are
with disabilities provide essential
can and should be expected of
looking for clear information and
services by helping with office work,
a participant.
precise direction for CSL practices.
lobbying, providing community edu-
The service-learning experi-
They also expressed a desire to focus
cation, and working with disabled
ence for an individual with a
on developing personal contacts
clients. In addition, differently-abled
disability is undermined as
among CSL practitioners over an
persons have unique gifts which they
much by setting expectations
electronic contact. The range of
use to assist each other in indepen-
-continued on page 2
needs and interests of everyone sur-
dent living. There are a variety of
veyed suggests that the collaborative
mentoring relationships pairing per-
approaches with multiple focal
sons successfully living with disabili-
points should be a primary goal.
ties with newly disabled or younger
Specific activities to develop the
continued from page 4
disabled persons. Though these
National Service-Learning Clearing-
activities occur all the time, they may
house should vary over time and
Community Service-Learning
not be recognized as service.
place, depending on which aspects
Conference in order to gain the insid-
seem most relevant and urgent to
ers view of the CSL network.
Service-learning by people with dis-
potential and current CSL practition-
Insiders have diverse backgrounds in
ers at that time.
abilities also takes place within the
6
Program Profile:
The Database
Leadership for Empowerment
Program (LEP)
by Jane Maland
Begun in October 1991, LEP is an
effort to offer service-learning to
The National Service-Learning
invite all individuals, programs and
middle school-aged youth with and
Cooperative offers a national elec-
organizations with service-learning
without severe developmental dis-
tronic database of service-learning
experience to help us build a com-
abilities. The LEP curriculum is
related programs, organizations,
prehensive service-learning data-
based on a partnership between a
library/media resources, people and
base. Call our toll-free number and
events. The information on this data-
middle school and a YMCA or other
request the appropriate form, or sim-
local community agency.
base is accessible by calling 1-800-
ply provide us with information over
808-SERVE and via the Internet on a
the telephone. Contact Jane Maland
After a program site is established,
Gopher Server located at the
at NSLC if you have any specific
the school determines the most
University of Minnesota.
questions regarding the database.
appropriate program format,
whether an after school club or an
The National Service-Learning
We plan to distribute the NSLC data-
activity during the school day itself.
Clearinghouse began database devel-
base software to interested individu-
In addition, the school recruits a bal-
opment in September 1993. The
als. We are presently looking for
Database contains information relat-
anced ratio of youth to enhance pos-
beta-testing sites so that the program
sible friendship-building among
ed to service-learning activities and
will serve a wide variety of needs.
youth with and without disabilities.
resources around the country.
After beta-testing is completed,
Cooperative partners, Learn and
NSLC will distribute the software
The community agency proceeds
with programming, which includes
Serve America supported grantees
free of charge to those interested in
youth servicing the community in a
and sub-grantees, other established
using it. It will be available for both
variety of ways, including environ-
service-learning organizations and
IBM-Windows and Macintosh users.
mentally, creatively, and education-
programs, and interested individuals
The database program is being
ally. Youth are then referred to
provided the information used to
developed using FoxPro.
construct the NSLC database. We
other existing programs as they
advance to high school. The pro-
gram is flexible and capable of being
adjusted to meet the needs of the
participants and the collaborating
Information in the Clearinghouse Database
agencies.
Information
For more information about LEP,
Received
contact the NSLC.
500
Goal by
Name the Database and the
400
Year End
(April 1994)
Gopher Server
300
The National Service-Learning
200
Clearinghouse is nearing operating
status with its database and its
100
Internet Gopher Server. Help us
name them. We are looking for
0
names that are much shorter than
Organizations
Resources
People
Programs
Events
ours (the National Information
Category
Clearinghouse) and that are related
to service-learning.
This graph shows how much information has already been received and our goals for
Call us at 1-800-808-SERVE by April
each category in the database.
1 to offer your suggestions.
The Information Corner
by Brad Belbas
NSLC Information Specialist
Serving the Field:
tions, and individuals.
and 2) organization descriptions 3)
What We Have Learned in the
The Clearinghouse is working to
calendar of events, 4) library/multi-
First Six Months
enhance its ability to provide net-
media materials, and 5) speakers/
working services and information to
consultants/peer consultants.
the field by the most accessible
We reached the benchmark of three-
means. Our computer database will
Complementary to the resources of
hundred requests for information on
make its debut at the National
the database is the National
February 22, 1994. As the staff at the
Service-Learning Conference in
Technical Assistance effort, directed
Clearinghouse reflects on what we
Albuquerque, NM on March 4th and
by Dr. Joel Longie. Along with our
have learned, certain trends are
5th.
Cooperative Partners and the
beginning to form.
Corporation for National and
While we are still waiting to receive
Community Service, Joel is working
We have received a variety of calls
the bulk of data from the requests we
to develop regional networks of peo-
ranging from a gentleman who
have sent to the field, we have
ple with experience in service-learn-
hoped we could "service" his den-
received a number of responses
ing who can provide technical assis-
tures, to teachers wanting to develop
which are entered in the database.
tance. A focus of this plan is to pro-
service-learning in their schools, to
Although some in the field have
vide face-to-face contacts with peo-
foundations seeking data to justify
expressed concerns regarding the
ple qualified to assist with the tasks
funding service-learning efforts. The
accessibility of this data, everything
at hand.
majority of these calls, however, are
in the database will be available to
from practitioners at various stages
anyone who calls an Information
If you have information that you
of implementing service-learning
Specialist at our 1-800 number or
think would be helpful to us or oth-
programs.
who has access to the Internet. The
ers or if you have questions related
categories of information available
to the field of service-learning, please
In response to these requests, we
from the database are: 1) program
call us at 1-800-808-SERVE (7378).
developed a packet of written mate-
rials (available free of
charge), which provide
information about the
Number of Calls by Month
National Service-Learning
Cooperative, its services,
160
and its resources.
Additionally, we provide
information on regional
120
contact people and organi-
zations who can act as local
resources for information
and technical support. The
Number of Calls
80
core of support for our
referrals is our network of
40
thirteen regional
Cooperative Partners, the
Corporation for National
and Community Service,
Oct. 93
Nov. 93
Dec. 93
Jan. 94
Feb. 94
state service-learning coor-
dinators, and a variety of
The number of calls per month to the Clearinghouse has increased greatly since October.
other programs, organiza-
8
Upcoming Service-Learning Events
Contribute to the National
Clearinghouse Database
March 3-5
National Service-Learning Conference: "Leadership for Community
Renewal." Albuquerque, NM. Hosted by the National Indian
The National Clearinghouse needs
Youth Leadership Project. Sponsored by the National Youth
information:
Leadership Council.
Is your organization interested or
March 6-9
National Dropout Prevention Conference. San Jose, CA.
involved in service-learning?
Sponsored by Educational Options and the National Dropout
Do you have a service-learning
Prevention Center.
program?
Do you have or know of reference
April 14-17
Tenth National Conference on Student Community Service.
materials in the area of service-
Boston, Massachusetts. Hosted by the University of Massachusetts
learning?
at Boston, City Year, and a Coalition of Boston Colleges and
Have you developed or partici-
Universities. Sponsored by COOL (Campus Outreach Opportunity
pated in a service-learning pro-
League).
gram?
April 17
The National and Community Service Career Fair. Hynes
Do you have expertise in service-
Convention Center, Boston, MA. Co-sponsored by ACCESS and
learning that you are willing to
COOL.
share with others?
April 19
National Youth Service Day. Washington, D.C.
If the answer to any of these ques-
tions is "Yes," NSLC would like to
April 21-23
SuperConference '94. The Marriott Crystal Gateway, Washington,
hear from you. Call 1-800-808-SERVE
D.C. A joint venture of Youth Serve America, City Year, Points of
to request the database forms for
Light Foundation, Lutheran Brotherhood, United Way of America,
and Youth Engaged in Service.
organizations, programs, library
materials, and/or peer consultants/
June 18-25
Summer Service Learning Institute. Alexandria, VA. Sponsored by
speakers/consultants.
ACT (Active Citizenship Today).
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
R-290 VoTech Ed Bldg.
1954 Buford Avenue
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108
Call: 1-800-808-SERVE
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
Second Quarter Issue, 1996
STAR
Evaluation Assistance for: AmeriCorps
National and State Programs, Learn and
Serve: Higher Education
STAR, 411 Borel Avenue, STE 402
San Mateo, CA 94402
SUPPORT & TRAINING FOR ASSESSING RESULTS
1-800-548-3656 FAX 415-345-3648
internet:[email protected]
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
WA
STAR Collaborates
MT
with AmeriCorps
OR
Network Northwest
Project STAR has joined in the collaboration with Northwest Regional Educational
Laboratory (NWREL) and the State Executive Directors from Idaho, Montana,
Oregon, and Washington to develop an evaluation plan model for AmeriCorps programs
across the four states and for all AmeriCorps programs in the four state region.
ID NATIONAL AMERICORPS CREWCE
What is AmeriCorps Network Northwest?
Collaboration with STAR
AmeriCorps Network Northwest is a four-state
In collaborating with NWREL and the AmeriCorps
consortium developed to share resources and provide
Network Northwest, STAR's primary goal is to develop
assistance to AmeriCorps programs in Idaho, Montana,
instruments to measure member development and commu-
Oregon, and Washington. One of the many benefits of the
nity building. NWREL's task will be to analyze and report
collaboration is combining resources so as not to "re-invent
the data generated from these instruments. Ken Terao,
the wheel." The process of building an evaluation model
Senior Evaluation Specialist with STAR, and STAR Evalua-
across the four states utilizing the priority areas of the
tion Coaches Susan Hyatt, Carolyn Cohen, and Kim
Corporation for National Service (CNS) in education,
Powleson recently met with Oregon AmeriCorps Program
invironment, human needs, and public safety, is an attempt
Directors in Portland Oregon, and with Idaho, Montana,
to create a model that may have use to all AmeriCorps
and Washington Program Directors in Spokane, Washington.
programs. Activities of AmeriCorps Network Northwest are
The purpose of these meetings was to obtain feedback from
guided by the State Executive Directors of the Commissions
Project Directors to gain information in the development of
for National and Community Service of each participating
instruments. STAR's Evaluation Coaches also provided
state: Kelly Houston, Idaho; Mary Blake, Montana; Marlis
training to Project Directors in developing evaluation plans
Miller, Oregon; and Bill Basl, Washington.
for evaluating community service activities.
The Northwest Regional Educational
STAR is excited to join in collaboration with an
Laboratory (NWREL)
already ongoing successful team. The AmeriCorps Network
Northwest is a model for AmeriCorps programs every-
The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
(NWREL) is an independent, nonprofit, educational
where, and one that the Corporation for National Service
has their eye on!
research and development institution. NWREL was selected
by the State Executive Directors to facilitate the operation of
the AmeriCorps Network Northwest. NWREL has been the
Inside:
communication link between the State Commissions and
STAR on the Internet
STAR. Careful evaluation and documentation of the process
STAR and Learn & Serve
will determine if this new regional approach might have
applications in other parts of the country.
STAR and Senior Corps
Call STAR for help with objectives.
Conservation
USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service
News
Stillwater, Oklahoma
November 1995
Calendar
Message From Our State
November
Conservationist
On October 30 and 31, I attended a South Central Region
strategic planning session in Fort Worth, Texas. LeRoy Tull,
Assistant State Conservationist (SI), Mason Mungle, Executive
Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and Buddy
National American Indian
Cranford, President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation
Heritage Month
Districts, also attended from Oklahoma.
2: Area 4 OACD Meeting -
Along with representatives from Arkansas, Louisiana,
Ft. Cobb
Texas, and the regional staff, we began identifying key issues and
strategies for the region. Each state will also develop action goals
8: Area 5 OACD Meeting -
Poteau
to meet individual state needs, and develop a state strategic plan.
10: Veterans Day - Holiday
As we have always known, we need to know our
destination before we start off on a journey. That process will map
11: Area 3 OACD Meeting -
out our journey for the future.
Afton
Many of you will become involved in this process in the
14: Area 1 OACD Meeting - Enid
coming year, and we will keep everyone informed.
14: Great Plains RC&D Tour
Pan Call
14-16: Grant Workshop - Elk
City
Ronnie L. Clark
15: Area 2 OACD Meeting -
Blackwell
3: Thanksgiving Day - Holiday
December
What's Inside
From The Field
2
Earth Team
3
FYI
2
Human Resources Update
4
RC&D News
3
AmeriCorp
4
25: Christmas Day - Holiday
Retiree News
3
TQM Update
5
1
From the Field
Booth at Durant expo a
for tourists and local residents.
division will compete at the OACD
big success
Area 3 meeting scheduled in Black-
The Cherokee Nation recently erected
well on November 15.
NRCS, CFSA and the Bryan
two large information signs east and
County Conservation District jointly
west on I-40 in Sequoyah County.
The "Earth Bus" from the Omniplex
sponsored a conservation informa-
Science Museum in Oklahoma City,
tion booth at the Second Annual
The Sequoyah County Conservation
is scheduled to be in Ponca City at
Bryan Agriculture Industry Exposi-
Team is working with the Cherokee
St. Mary's School for two days.
tion in Durant.
Nation in promoting the Harmony
Approximately 470 fourth, fifth, and
theme by displaying posters and
sixth grade students from seven
Many landusers, business people
brochures about the conservation
schools are expected to visit the
and individuals visited the booth and
effort. "This will be an ongoing
hands-on ecology and environmental
several bulletins and various infor-
process where we will continue to
exhibits.
mation pamphlets were handed out.
provide information and promote the
conservation movement with the help
El Reno staff talks
of the Cherokee Nation," said Andy
Inman, District Conservationist,
FYI
to community
Sallisaw Field Office.
college students
Both Duane Crider, District Conser-
McAlester Field Office
Build Your Brain Power
vationist, and Tony Wright, Techni-
assists with expo center
cian Trainee, El Reno Field Office,
Everyone knows that if you exercise
spoke recently to a class at the
The McAlester Field Office recently
your muscles they become strong.
Redlands Community College. The
assisted with the installation of a
The same is true for your brain. The
class consisted of approximately 25
subsurface drainage system for the
more you exercise it, the more power
Redland's agriculture orientation
new Expo Center Building at the
you will have.
students.
Pittsburg County Fairgrounds. The
system, designed by Tim Miller,
Here are several ideas:
The two presented topics such as
Area Engineer, involved 1,350 feet
Figure calculations in your
land and water management. Career
of 15" ID corrugated metal pipe.
opportunities in agriculture, and
The pipe was connected to the
head. Try not to always rely on
downspouts on the building. The
calculators and adding machines.
student interests were discussed.
Crider and Wright also spoke of
runoff from the roof had caused
Learn how to play a musical
opportunities within the NRCS. A
considerable erosion problems as
instrument. If you already play one,
demonstration on the laser level was
well as problems inside the building.
learn how to play a musical piece
also shown to the class.
The roof area of the center has a
from memory.
surface area of two acres. This
Sallisaw works with
project was a combined effort of the
When you are faced with a
Cherokee Nation
Pittsburg County Conservation
problem, spend five minutes brain-
District, Fairgrounds Authority, the
storming possible solutions.
The Sequoyah County Conservation
City of McAlester and the First
District and the NRCS is working
National Bank of McAlester. The
Play a sport, write, or draw
with the Cherokee Nation Tourist
project was an associated measure
with your nondominant hand.
Information Center and the Cherokee
with the Ouachita Mountains RC&D
Nation Courthouse in promoting
project.
Pursue new hobbies.
conservation activities.
The Cherokee Courthouse has been a
Kay County busy with
Associate with interesting and
long-standing museum in the area
activities
stimulating people.
and recently they have taken on the
Kay County Conservation District
additional role of providing informa-
held its first countywide speech
Source: NRCS Health & Safety, July
tion about Cherokee Nation activities
contest recently. Winners in each
1995 Issue, Chillicothe, MO
2
RC&D News
Great Plains RC&D
District sponsored the teachers'
located at Upper Elk Creek
attendance.
Watershed Site 23B, north of Elk
Grant writing workshop. A grant
City. A committee consisting of
writing workshop is scheduled for
Solid waste grant awarded. The
representatives from ten of the
November 14-16 in Elk City. Grant's
Council has been awarded a $71,000
Link, Inc. of Missouri will be con-
surrounding schools, conservation
RECD Solid Waste Technical
district directors and individual
ducting the workshop. For more
Assistance grant to develop a four-
citizens is being formed to develop a
information, contact the Great Plains
county regional solid waste manage-
RC&D office.
site plan. Funding sources will be
ment plan for Roger Mills, Beckham,
identified and administered by the
Washita and Custer counties. The
Tree planting. The American
RC&D.
RC&D will coordinate county task
Forests Global Releaf
forces for data collection and work
will provide $3,500
with a private consultant to analyze
Retiree News
towards planting trees in
the data and formulate a plan for the
riparian areas at the
region. This grant also provides
Black Kettle National
coordination assistance with each of
Walter F. Wilson, former Supervi-
Grasslands in Roger Mills
the county task forces in Jackson,
sory Construction Inspector at the
County and similar areas around Elk
Greer, Kiowa and Harmon Counties.
Davis Watershed Office, passed
Lake in Beckham County. The Great
away October 12. Mr. Wilson served
Plains RC&D is working with
National Envirothon Contest.
in the Army Air Force during World
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Nelda Tucker, Sayre High School
War II, but spent the majority of his
Service Forester, Tom Murray, the
Science teacher, recently attended the
career with the SCS. He retired in
City of Elk City, USDA Forest
National Envirothon Contest held at
1980. Mr. Wilson is survived by his
Service, and the Upper Washita
Harriman State Park and Rexburg's
wife, Lorene, and two sons including
County Conservation District to get
Ricks College campus in Idaho.
Tom Wilson, Soil Conservationist at
the trees planted this spring.
More than 30 state winning teams
the Hobart Field Office.
participated from across the United
Tree inventory grant awarded. The
States and Canada. Ms. Tucker's trip
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
was sponsored in part by the Upper
Earth Team
Urban Forestry Council has awarded
Washita Conservation District and
two grants totaling $16,750. The
the Great Plains RC&D Council. As
grants will be used to conduct a tree
a result of Ms. Tucker's trip, she will
inventory on the Northfork Conserva-
Two hundred and eight Earth
be assisting the RC&D and conser-
tion District outdoor classroom, and
Team members worked
vation districts in western Oklahoma
hire an environmental education
9,441 hours in FY95. Forty-
to develop a Regional Envirothon
specialist to conduct urban forestry
eight NRCS offices utilized
Competition for the area schools.
programs at the site and in area
the skills and knowledge of volunteers
The Envirothon helps students
schools.
during the year.
become more educated about con-
Environmental Education Confer-
serving our resources and develop
Special recognition and thanks goes to
ence. Teachers from Clinton, Sayre,
problem solving skills while having
Earth Team members Marcus Scott,
Elk City and Merritt schools and
fun at learning.
Beaver Field Office, who worked 1,680
Tamra Mach, Secretary, East
hours, Larry Spurgeon, Mangum Field
Outdoor
Canadian County Conservation
Office, who worked 1,404 hours, and
environmental
District, attended the EPA Region VI
Winnie Jaques, who worked 594 hours
education center.
Environmental Education Conference
during the year.
The North Fork of
in Dallas. Workshops covered topics
the Red River Conservation District
New Earth Team Volunteers include
about outdoor classrooms, recycling,
has requested the assistance of the
grants and fund-raising. The Great
Mary Ellen Tidwell, Talihina Field
RC&D in coordinating the
Plains RC&D, Custer County
Office, Amber Easter, Watonga Field
development of an outdoor
Conservation District and East
Office, and Jason Johnson and Chris
environmental education center
Canadian County Conservation
Gomez, both of El Reno Field Office.
Welcome!
3
Conservation day awards
Human Resources Update
October 2 was the 38th
Annual Oklahoma
Conservation Day at the
Promotion
Stillwater SO to GS-14 Deputy State
Tulsa State Fair. Those
Conservationist, Auburn, AL
Charles M. Willmon, from GS-11
receiving awards were:
Design Engineer, Stillwater SO to
Susan R. Sebert, from GS-6
Outstanding District Cooperator
GS-12 Environmental Engineer,
Secretary, Ecosystem Based Plan-
Gerald Waner, Lincoln County
Lakewood, CO
ning Staff, Stillwater SO to GS-6/7
Conservation District
Program Assistant, Stillwater SO
Ray C. Riley, from GS-12 Envi-
Outstanding District Director
ronmental Engineer/Hydrologist,
Garland Phillips, Cherokee County
Stillwater SO to GS-13/14 Interdis-
Resignation
Conservation District
ciplinary Watershed Sciences
Larry D. Burdine, GS-4 Soil
Institute, Raleigh, NC
Conservation Technician, Purcell FO
Outstanding Conservation District
Nowata County Conservation
Letitia F. Toomer, from GS-11
Sonjia Y. Richey, GS-03 Soil
District
Agricultural Economist, Chickasha
Conservation Aid, El Reno FO
Planning Staff, Chickasha, OK to
Congratulations goes out to the
GS-12 Agricultural Economist,
Gregory V. Evans, GS-03 Soil
winners for their dedication and hard
Water Quality Institute, Richmond,
Conservation Aid, Okemah FO
work towards conserving our
VA
nation's natural resources.
Travis Zachery, GS-03 Soil Con-
Terry D. Costner, from GS-11
servation Aid, Holdenville FO
Hydraulic Engineer, Chickasha
EPA permit received
Planning Staff, Chickasha, OK to
Alonzo L. Batson, GS-03 Soil
Conservation Aid, Tulsa FO
Oklahoma City received their Non-
GS-12 Hydraulic Engineer, Wet-
point Discharge Elimination System
lands and Riparian Area Team,
Bozeman, MT
(NPDES) permit from EPA effective
Termination - Expiration
September 1, 1995. The Oklahoma
Rena I. Conner, from GS-11
of Appointment
City Field Office, district staff and
Contract Specialist, Stillwater SO
Jody Stringer, Environmental Engi-
Dustin Camp, AmeriCorp Member,
to GS-12/13 Realty and Property
neer, Tulsa, are working with Gary
Mangum, FO
Specialist, Lincoln, NE
Shockley, NPDES Coordinator, to
implement the permit. The main
Z. Keith Vaughan, from GS-12
Termination -
focus now is on education of the
Agronomist, Stillwater SO to GS-
Abandonment
permit requirements and how to plan,
13 Remote Training Specialist,
install and maintain an effective
Stillwater SO
Jodie Lloyd, GS-04, Student
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Trainee (Soil Conservationist),
Plan.
Eddie L. Kephart, from GS-12
Ardmore FO
Resource Conservationist, Colum-
bia, SC to GS-13 Assistant State
Second year of AmeriCorp begins
submitted by LeRoy Tull
Conservationist, Stillwater SO
ENERICORES
This marks the second year of the USDA-NRCS AmeriCorp Environ-
A
mental teams in Oklahoma. Members located at Claremore,
Conversion to Term
Woodward, Cheyenne, and Sentinel began serving their term October
23.
Appointment - NTE
Merrie S. Reeder, GS-04 Biologi-
Each location has a five-member team. Services will range from renovating and
cal Aid, Stillwater SO
restoring shelterbelts/windbreaks in the western part of the state, to developing
conservation education sites in the northeast part of the state.
Reassignment
The AmeriCorp kickoff celebration and swearing in ceremonies was October 26 at
Robert N. Jones, from GS-14
the State Capitol.
Deputy State Conservationist,
Last year's environmental teams were recognized as one of the best AmeriCorp
programs within USDA. Congratulations goes out to the 95-96 teams!
4
TQM Update
submitted by Les Conner
What is the future of Total Quality Management in Oklahoma? I am continually confronted with this
TQM
question as I travel the state to meet with NRCS and district employees to discuss TQM concerns.
Significant progress in addressing quality concerns identified during Quality Awareness training has
created a strong movement for more changes in the work environment.
Successful implementation of concerns such as upgrading technicians, documentation for time and
attendance records, and hundreds of area concerns have made the implementation of the quality management process into
our daily work environment a huge success. The most successful change initiated through the quality management process
has been the creation of a consistent forum for employee involvement.
Employee meetings, area and state quality steering teams, and work improvement groups have created a forum for
employees to make quality improvement suggestions, and to be actively involved in formulating changes. State staff has
made a commitment to involve employees in the process of formulating changes to their work environment. Two recent
examples of this commitment are: district conservationists serving on a task force to develop Oklahoma's field office
staffing plan, and district and NRCS employees serving on a joint task force to merge the district's annual plan of work
and the field office annual plan of operations into one document.
A tremendous amount of time and energy has been invested in the process of resolving the concerns identified during and
after Quality Awareness training. This investment has affected change, but the job is not finished. The task of creating a
quality work environment will require the continued investment of time and energy for our entire workforce. The state
management team fully supports this important process.
As important as the process of solving quality concerns is, it is important to remember that it is just one stem in the
Quality Process. The primary goal of Quality Management is for each of us to strive toward meeting our customer's
expectations 100% of the time. It is imperative that we focus on Quality Management as a process and not as a program
to solve all of our concerns. Ultimately, the success of TQM hinges on a response centered on, "How can I meet your
expectations?", and not on, "How are you going to meet my expectations?". Treating others with respect and actively
participating in forums to create positive change takes commitment.
In talking to employees across the state, I have found deep commitment and tremendous pride in efforts to treat customers
with respect, and to meet customer's expectations. I have seen this commitment in the attitudes and work ethics of many
employees. Because of this commitment, my answer to the question, "What is the future of TQM in Oklahoma?" is an
easy one. Quality Management in Oklahoma is alive and well! Oklahoma's workforce and work environment will con-
tinue to improve as we embrace the TQM process.
Cut on dotted line and place on calendar
Wishing you and
REMINDER
REMINDER
your family a safe
REMINDER
Articles for the December
issue of Conservation
and Happy
News are due to Public
Affairs by November 15.
Be sure to include any
Thanksgiving
upcoming events
(December & January) you
would like to have
on the calendar.
5
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
100 USDA SUITE 203
STILLWATER, OK 74074-2655
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
AmeriCorps Teams In Tennessee
Cluster 1:
Carissa Hayes
Adriann Glover
Nonya Mackey
Mike Milholland
Amanda Poyner
Cluster 2:
Cheryl Moore
Kelli Smith
Jamie Travis
Volume 1, Issue 7 nessee
Toya Walker
Cluster 3:
Amy Crumley
Cassandra Sheaffer
Sharon Smith
Katherine Thompson
Betty Wilson
Jeremy Williams
From
News
AND MERICORPS PERMIDE
There are three AmeriCorps cluster sites in
Tennessee busy "Getting things done".
All the cluster sites have many goals to
accomplish this year. In this newsletter,
you will see some of the projects that the
AmeriCorps in Tennessee are working on.
AmeriCorps is about leadership, teamwork,
and service to our communities. We have
Spring, 1996
all enjoyed the great opportunities
AmeriCorps has offered. We hope our
service will contribute to helping people all
across Tennessee.
Trail Talk
December 1995 News from Humphreys Soil Conservation District
Volume 1 Issue 4
Annual Banquet Honors Area
Locals Tour
Residents
Europe
Forty-six local residents partici-
pated in an eleven day trip to Europe
Three individuals were recently recognized by the Humphreys Soil
over the summer. The group visited
Conservation District for their conservation efforts. David Hatcher was
the countries of Belgium, England,
honored as "Conservationist of the Year" for 1995. Mr. Hatcher was
France, Germany, Luxembourg, and
selected for his promotion of conservation practices both locally and
Switzerland. The tour group visited
many sites of historical interest, agri-
throughout the state. He serves on many county and state committees
cultural lands, and manufacturing fa-
and has served as Humphreys Soil Conservation District Director since
cilities.
1978. Mr. Hatcher was also recognized for his variety of conservation
practices on his own cattle farm on Deer Creek north of Waverly.
Jim and Helen Brasfield were also honored as "Volunteers of the
Year" at the annual banquet. Both are RC&D directors and have
participated in "Celebrate the Earth" days and the area wide Envirothon
for several years. The Brasfields were recognized not only for their
conservation efforts but also for their wide array of community service.
Christmas Trees
Thank you Mr. Hatcher and Mr. and Mrs. Brasfield for your ongoing
efforts to improve our community and our world.
Pine, fir, and spruce are varieties
of popular Christmas tree species.
Successful Christmas tree plantations
require:
AmeriCorps Program Continues in
*
Planting new trees each spring to
produce sustainable crops year after
Humphreys County
year
*
Pruning trees annually until they
are harvested
AmeriCorps National Service Program unites a diverse group of
*
Controlling grass and weeds, and
Americans with a common goal of meeting environmental and human
minimizing rodent damage
needs through a partnership with communities. The project promotes an
*
Harvesting and marketing your
ethic of service, citizenship, and responsibility with each of its members.
trees in November and December of
The AmeriCorps program was initiated by President Clinton as a way
each year.
for individuals to provide service to their community while earning
These trees may provide a high
educational grants.
return on marginal land if a strong and
AmeriCorps members Mike Milholland and Adriann Glover are
accessible market exists. Check with
working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of the
your state forester or Christmas tree
Rural Development Team.
association about the market in your
area before planting.
Page 2
Household Hazardous
Conservation District Provides
Waste Collection
Funding
The county's first
Household Hazardous Waste
Approximately $26,000.00 of cost share assistance was provided
Collection Event was held at
to local landowners in 1995. Funds were provided for conservation
the Agriculture Center in
practices such as ponds, winter corn crops, no-till planting, and
September. The project was
pasture improvement.
A limited amount of funds is still available for spring conservation
sponsored by Humphreys
practices. Contact the Soil Conservation District for more
County and the Tennessee
information.
Department of Environment
and Conservation with
PRIME FARMLAND
assistance from Sanitation
Department personnel, the Soil
Conservation District, and
If you think the energy crisis is having an effect on your life, just
wait until the food crisis! We will have to change our eating habits
AmeriCorps
members.
drastically unless we STOP the abuse and loss of America's
Approximately 994 pounds of
farmlands. Only about 2% of the land in Tennessee and about 1.5%
household waste were collected
of Humphreys County is prime agricultural land and there is not
in the form of waste oil,
enough to waste. HELP US CONSERVE IT!
aerosols, latex and non-latex
paints, poisonous material and
flammable liquids. Twenty-six
Nature Center
households participated with
fifteen of them being from
Waverly. Many participants
Several Nature Center projects were completed during the
summer such as
would like for this to be an
annual event.
*
An overlook near the beginning of the trails
Our thanks to all who
*
Water and electricity at the pavilion
planned, organized, aided, and
*
Refurbishing of the main trail with wood chips
participated in this important
project.
Approximately 2000 visitors toured the Blue Creek
Nature Center during the past year. Anyone interested in
a nature tour contact Mike or Adriann at 296-3442.
Recycling Grant
A grant has been received for an Oil Recycling Center to
be used to heat the Ag Pavilion. More information will be
forthcoming as the project develops.
Page 3
Season's
Greetings
Ray May
Joe Adams
Odell Poyner
Eric Mayberry
Adriann
Mike Milholland
Cheryl
Glover
Patterson
Margaret
Forrester
David Hatcher
Sam
Reynolds
Page 4
Upcoming Events
December 12 - Soil District Annual Chili Dinner
11:00 - 1:00
District Board Meeting - December 14
8:30AM
Office Closed - December 25, January 1 and 15
District Board Meeting - - January 11
8:30 AM
All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are
Trail Talk is made possible through a grant
offered and are available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race,
from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture,
color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap.
Non-Point Source Funds.
Trail Talk
Humphreys Soil Conservation District
115 West Blue Creek Road
Waverly, Tennessee 37185
Banquet Awards, European Trip, AmeriCorps
Page 1
inside
Hazardous Waste Collection, Nature Center, Tid-Bits
Page 2
Holiday Greetings
Page 3
Upcoming Events
Page 4
Trail Talk
February 1996 News from the Humphreys Soil Conservation District Volume 2 Issue 1
Christmas Tree
Recycling Big
Success
Humphreys County Soil Conservation District
The Christmas Tree recycling
project was a huge success this
year. A total of 111 trees were
Local Soil Conservation
collected and chipped at the
Nature Center for use on the
District to be Spotlighted
trails. Adding collection sites
to New Johnsonville and
McEwen proved to be a worth-
while venture. 12 trees were
Humphreys County and the Humphreys County Soil
colleced from New John-
Conservation District will be spotlighted at the annual
sonville, 39 from McEwen, and
Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts
60 from Waverly.
convention in Memphis February 25-27. SCD
The Soil Conservation Dis-
trict's AmeriCorps members
Supervisors David Hatcher, Ray May, Sam Reynolds,
along with the Humphreys
Eric Mayberry, Margaret Forrester, District Secretary
County Recycling Committee
Cheryl Patterson, and District Conservationist Odell
would like to thank all those
Poyner will represent Humphreys County at the 10:00
who helped organize and carry
AM General Sessions on Tuesday morning when they
out this important project.
will bring to life the District and Blue Creek Nature
Center with a narrated slide program presentation
centered on the county, the Nature Center, and the
residents who have made it all possible through hard
work and determination. The "District Spotlight" is a
new feature of the convention and Humphreys SCD is
honored to be chosen as the first.
"The plain truth is that Americans, as a people, have never learned to love the land and to
regard it as an enduring resource. They have seen it only as a field for exploitation and a
source of immediate financial return."
Page 2
Used Oil Recyling Center to be Functional by End of March
Do-it- yourselfers: Blue Creek Nature Center is adding a used oil recycling center to its facilities.
Petroleum based or synthetic motor oils ( hydraulic oil, transmission oil, power steering oil, crank
case oil. etc..) may be recycled and will be accepted at our recycling center. We will not accept oil
filters, anti-freeze, or any non-oil based liquids. The used oil recycling center will be located on the
west side ( left-hand side as you drive up the hill ) of the Exhibit Building, which is located behind
our office building here at the Agriculture Center / Fairgrounds. The used used oil will be used in 3
heaters, one for the big room at the back of our office building and 2 for our Exhibit Building,
allowing us the flexibility to host events during the cold weather season and do it inexpensively.
The used oil recycling center and the 3 used oil heaters were purchased through a state grant.
This project is a part of our on-going program of environmental based projects and education at
Blue Creek Nature Center.
Recycling your used oil is a simple process: Pour the oil into a clean, leakproof container that
has a screw-on top. Original motor oil containers, as well as many household containers, are
suitable. Never use containers that held household chemicals such as bleach. Make sure the
container is made spill-proof with a secure lid. There are containers specifically designed for
carrying used motor oil that may be purchased at automotive supply stores.
If you are not taking your used oil immediately to a recycling center, never temporarily store it in a
container that previously held beverages, food, or chemicals. Be sure that the container used,
regardless of the type, is clean and clearly labeled as used oil. Keep out of reach of children and
pets.
Boating / Water Safety
Workshop the First of
What's New at the Nature Center
Many to be Held at
Blue Creek Nature
The winter months have still been busy months at the
Center
nature center. Many improvements have been made
and plans are underway for more projects. Come out
There will be a boating and water safety
any time for a visit!
workshop conducted by TWRA agent
Robert Dougherty on February 22nd at
6:30 PM. The workshop will offer
5 bluebird houses were built and placed on the premises
valuable information concerning boating
3 bat houses were built and placed at the edge of the
and water safety. The workshop is an
woods
ideal introduction to boating safety for
children who will be spending time on
New stakes for tree and understory identification plates
rivers and lakes this summer.
were made and the old ones were replaced
Several other workshops are being
planned at this time. There will be a Used
Plans are underway for a new trail that will meander along
Oil Recyling workshop in March as well
Bear Branch
as a flower gardening/landscaping
workshop. Polly Rooker with TWRA will
Plans are underway for a new rest area / study area to
be conducting a Birding workshop in
spotlight the "space tree"
May. Keep your eyes open for other
things that are in the making.
Page 3
First AmeriCorps Cluster Meeting Held
at Blue Creek Nature Center
The first AmeriCorps cluster meeting for Cluster #1 was held on
January 17th. The cluster consist of AmeriCorps members of the
SCD Office Personnel
Chickasaw-Shiloh RC&D region based in Jackson, Tennessee, a
member from the Hickman County SCD, and the two AmeriCorps
District Conservationist
members based here in Humphreys County. Many plans were
Odell Poyner
made for combined efforts in all three areas. Members will help
with environmental activities and are planning several city
Office Manager
beautification projects, which will begin in Humphreys County.
Cheryl Patterson
A highlight of the day was a visit from John T. Harris, state
coordinator for the AmeriCorps program. Mr. Harris brought T-
AmeriCorps Naturalists
shirts, sweat shirts, and caps for the 5 AmeriCorps members and
Adriann Glover
ate lunch with the group at the pavilion. A quarterly AmeriCorps
Mike Milholland
newsletter is in the making that will alternately spotlight each of
the state's 3 cluster groups. This area's group will be the first to
Soil Conservationist
be highlighted. The newsletter will contain profiles of each
Joe Adams
member and the work that has been and will be done in each
area.
Board of Supervisors
David Hatcher, Chairperson
A debt of service is due from every man to his country
Margaret Forrester
proportioned to the bounties which nature and fortune
Ray May
measured to him."
Eric Mayberry
Cost- share funds are still available
TN Division of Forestry to Host Annual Arbor Day
for pasture seeding and livestock
The Tennessee Division of Forestry will once again be hosting their annual
exclusions. Pasture seeding dates
Arbor Day celebration by giving away trees at Blue Creek Nature Center.
are February 20 th thru April 1.
Arbor Day is a national day ( each state has its own unique day ) that recog-
You may sign up at any time. For
nizes the need and importance of trees to all forms of life.
more information contact the Soil
Conservation office at 296-3442.
Controlling
air pollution
$50
Controlling
VALUE
Anyone wanting to
$75
erosion and
PER
purchase a balled and
YEAR
storm water
burlapped dogwood ( $20
$73
$75
) should contact the Soil
Conservation Office at
100mlumm SYWOMS
296-3442 by February
Air conditioning
8th.
Wildlife shelter
Annual Values of a Strategically-Planted Shade Tree
Page 4
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 8 - District Board Meeting 8:30 AM
February 15 - Contractor Workshop 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
February 19 - Office Closed for Presidents Day
February 22 - Boating/Water Safety Workshop 6:30 PM
March 1 - Arbor Day
March 14 - District Board Meeting 8:30 AM
March - Used Oil Recycling Workshop
April 22-28 National Volunteer Week
April 23 - "Celebrate the Earth"
April 24 - "Conservation Camp"
All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation
Trail Talk is made possible through a grant from the
Service are offered and are available on a nondiscriminatory basis
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Non-Point Source
without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital
Funds.
status, or handicap.
Trail Talk
Humphreys Soil Conservation District
115 West Blue Creek Road
Waverly, Tennessee 37185
inside
TACD Convention; Christmas Tree Recycling
page 1
Used Oil Recycling Center; Nature Center News
page 2
Arbor Day Information; AmeriCorps Clusters; Tid-Bits
page 3
Upcoming Events
page 4
USDA/AmeriCorps
Natural Resources Conservation Service
A
760 South Broadway
Salina, KS 67401-4642
SERVICE
(913) 823-4500
FAX (913) 823-4540
Contact: Jim Meisenheimer
NEWSLETTER
July 1, 1996
Winding Down
The AmeriCorps class year of 1995/96 is quickly coming to an end as many
members near completion of their hours. Graduation events are set for August 6
and 7 at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Nature Center, Wichita.
Significant Corps and Team Events Since April
Since April 1 there have been two significant all corps events: April 23,
Remembering the Oklahoma Bombing Victims, and May 20-23, the Southeast
Kansas Signature Project. Significant team events include: Cheney - entertaining
members from the Technical Evaluation Center of Hutchinson (TECH); Kanopolis
lead in moving 10,000 potted trees; Glen Elder - member helping at Adult Education
Center; Milford - helping with an outdoor classroom; Perry's ⑉ controlled burning;
Hays - members attack on Big Creek; Topeka - pollution patrol; and Southeast
Kansas - lead with the signature project.
Cheney Team Keeps On Going
Neither rain, drought, hot or cold weather stops the members of this team from
completing their service. Carolyn, Scott, Kari, Gary, and Shana are not deterred
from the elements of weather as exemplified by their toil in bitterly cold of January
and stifling heat of June. It has been learned that Kari, Shana, and Carolyn suffered
from the heat when carrying railroad ties uphill and digging holes at Sandhills State
Park in near 100-degree temperatures on June 20. Like all of you, this team
perseveres in all kinds of weather. When it rains, they just keep going until forced
to stop. There is a saying in the Army that it rains "on" the Army. The same can
be said of the Cheney team, "It rains on them."
June 7 was a special day as they entertained guests from The Training and
Evaluation Center of Hutchinson Inc. (TECH). TECH is a place where children and
adults can move beyond the limitations of their disabilities. A place where the
restrictions that inhibit independence, self-confidence and fulfillment are overcome
with the assistance of a compassionate and supportive community. TECH serves
both adults and children with disabilities. TECH serves adults ages 16 through
retirement. Due to publicity in the Hutchinson News about the Cheney team's
service at the Hadley Day Center, Hutchinson, the team was contacted by TECH
officials. After a team visit to see and meet with the TECH facilities, citizens, and
staff, the adult citizens of TECH were invited for a day at Cheney State Park.
On June 7 twenty-two adult TECH citizens and four staff members arrived in three
vans and were greeted by the AmeriCorps team, Sara Hacker, Cheney State Park
Seasonal Employee, Larry Miles and Jim Meisenheimer. Carolyn, Kari, Shana, Scott,
and Gary spent a considerable time getting ready to take their guests fishing and to
help them pick up cans. Yes! There are members of TECH who like to pick up cans!.
The AmeriCorps members worked with Alan Stark, Kansas Department of Wildlife
and Park Regional Supervisor, to get loaner fishing poles from the Wichita Nature
Center, and to get fishing tackle and printed fishing material which was donated to
TECH. Cheney State Park Employees, Duane Panek and Phil Wooten volunteered to
The United Sales Department of A griculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its program on the basis ofrace, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability. political beliefs and marial or familial
status. (Not all prohibited buses apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, Large print, audiotape, etc.) should conad the USDA
Office of Communications at (202) 720-2791.
To file a complaint, write the Secretary ofAgriculture, U.S. Department oCAgriculare, Washington, D.C. 20250, or all (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TTD). USDA is an equal employment
opportunity employer.
haul and place five picnic tables for lunch. Gambinos of Cheney agreed to provide
pizzas, and Knowles Short Stop to provide soft drinks.
As soon as the guests arrived, each was given a name tag and an AmeriCorps lapel
pin. Each of the guests, plus Sara Hacker was made an honorary Cheney State Park
member. Later at the insistence of two of the TECH female citizens, Duane Panek
and Phil Wooten were also made honorary Cheney State Park members. The guests
were excited about fishing, yet one could not wait to pick up cans.
The AmeriCorps ensemble helped each of the able guests bait hooks with worms,
throw lines into the lake, and untangle lines from trees and other fishing poles.
Three fish were caught creating instant excitement. AmeriCorps Project Director
Larry Miles worked diligently with one of the severely autistic TECH citizens who
caught the largest fish of the day. Larry used hand signals to have the citizen reel in
his catch. After Larry and Shana worked to unhook the catch, they asked the guest
through hand gestures if he wanted to touch the fish. The guest, showing emotion
for the first and only time of the day, stepped forward and gently touched his catch.
Everyone who witnessed the guest's touching of the fish was exuberant.
Other special moments were when the members and Sara distributed pizza and soda
to their guests, and made sure their needs were met. Each of the AmeriCorps
members, the Cheney State Park employees, and those who contributed to the
event deserve a great deal of credit for the undertaking. Carolyn Wooten said, "I do
believe everyone had a great time."
Glen Elder Team Reports
Reconstructing one of the most damaged Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
and Wildlife areas of the 1993 flood has been a big chore for Tony Ifland, Julie
Grauerholz, and Rick Moore. Cleaning up more than 150 acres of flood debris has
been part of their tasks in the third quarter.
Extra service by a team member is exemplified by Julie as a volunteer tutor for the
Adult Education Center in Osborne, Kansas. Julie has had to adapt literature based
on teaching English as a second language for two German speaking ladies. Susan
Applegate, Director Adult Education Center writes, "Julie is a great asset to our
program."
Kanopolis Team Members Involved In Teaching And Tree Transportation
Kurt Grimm, Kathy Oberlee, and Diane Spear have been involved in teaching classes
on jet ski safety, basic first aid training in Claflin, and an interpretative program. In
addition, they were the lead team with the transportation of 10,000 potted trees.
Using Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks materials, classes on "Tracks" have
been given to several groups of students. Kurt Grimm introduces the class by telling
students about AmeriCorps and what his team does at Kanopolis State Park. After a
question and answer session, the members help students imprint animal tracks on
the students t-shirts. The team members have a kit with several molds of animal
and fowl feet ranging from: ducks, turkeys, raccoons, beavers, to bobcats.
Members also provide paint and paint brushes. Children ranging from age 3 years to
12 enjoy picking out, applying various colors of paint to the chosen mold, and
imprinting them on their t-shirts. Some of the students print the name of the animal
or bird beneath the track on their t-shirts. The excited faces of the children and their
questions and attention gives this team a great deal of personal satisfaction.
Kanopolis AmeriCorps team led members from Cheney, Milford, Topeka, and Perry in
a joint effort with The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDW&P), the
Lindsborg Regional Tree Growing Out Station, and the Kansas Department of
Corrections, to move 10,000 potted Austrian Pines.
When the prison honor camp decided to get out of the tree business, KWD&P agreed
to take the trees for replacement in state parks that were devastated during the
floods of 1993 and 1995. KDW&P needed a site to nurture the seedlings until they
are big enough to replant. The citizens of Lindsborg offered their Regional Tree
Growing Station, approximately 110 miles from the honor camp in El Dorado.
USDA AmeriCorps agreed to help pot, transport, load and unload the seedlings.
AmeriCorps members served beside honor prison inmates at the honor farm in
potting and loading the seedlings. KDW&P officials wanted AmeriCorps members to
serve as role models to the inmates. An inmate, after one day of serving beside
AmeriCorps members potting seedlings and loading trucks and trailers exclaimed,
"This is harder than we normally work."
Potting and loading the seedlings may have been the easy part for the Kanopolis
team. On three of their many 220 mile round trips, the vehicles they were driving
and/or the trailers they were pulling had tires fail. On one occasion, a truck lost a
water pump and the driver and his passenger were rescued by a passing U.S.
Federal Marshall. The tree transportation project again proved how AmeriCorps
members join forces to Get Things Done.
One Old And One New Friend Join And Rejoin The Kanopolis Team
Tigger the camp tom cat disappeared during the winter months and AmeriCorps
members and park personnel assumed that a bob cat had finally gotten him. Early
this spring Tigger reappeared as if he had never left. Later in the spring Tigger was
joined by a mixed female puppy that someone had dumped in the park. The two
have come friends and pets of the AmeriCorps members and park staff.
Milford Team Busy In Repairing Wildlife Area And In Assisting Others
Jeff Goeckler, Paula Meeks, and Rick Henry has spent the past few months burning
1500 acres, cutting 1500 cedar trees, planting 600 trees and 100 sandhill plums,
spraying 800 acres, building fence, and removing tons of debris from the Milford
State Park.
Others items of service included participating in the Oklahoma bombing memorial,
the El Dorado tree potting exercise, and the Southeast Kansas special project.
Paula has proven that she can keep up with Rick and Jeff. She found three
abandoned pheasant eggs, placed them under a heat lamp and hatched them. In
order to keep the camp cat from finding the chicks, she placed them in a covered
cage on saw horses. Paula plans to set the birds free once they are old enough to
function on their own.
Paula has also proven to Jeff that she can get a carp without resorting to a bow and
arrow or fishing pole. When bait was needed to bait a raccoon trap, she found a
shallow stream, took off her shoes and socks, and plunged into the steam. The
water was deeper than she thought, almost waist deep. Paula was not deterred and
with the use of a stick got her fish.
However, in playful manner, it is said that Jeff tested Paula's reaction to snakes.
One day while she was sitting in a pickup, Jeff is refuted to have picked up a live
three-foot bull snake and unexpectedly placed it beside her. Paula it is said,
demonstrated her quickness by making a quick egress out of a side window.
Controlled Burning Not Always Controlled At Perry
During their burn season the Perry members realized that controlled burning is not
always what it implies. Team leader Rick Linneman reports that there have been a
few "hair raising" out of control experiences. It started when the water truck that
Betty was driving got stuck among the flames causing Rick's adrenalin to flow and
he quickly pushed it out. On another occasion, Rick was cutting down burning trees
when falling embers burnt a hole in his hat and singed some of his hair. This time
Betty saved Rick by watching his back and warning him of pending harm.
Like the team members at Topeka and Hays, Perry members have been battling
beavers. Perry members report that every morning, "we run out and open the
waterways on two of our marshes, and every night they run out and dam them up
again. We will fight this until we win!" The Hays and Topeka teams have used
chicken wire and electric fences in their respective efforts to control beavers who
have feasted on newly planted willow poles.
Betty Mills has had the experience of serving with the fisheries biologist shocking
fish. It is reported that she is having a difficult time distinguishing which ones to
net as she says, They all look the same belly up."
Last but not least in importance is the day the team spent at Topeka remembering
the Oklahoma victims on April 23, 1996. Rick and T.J. told Betty they remembered
April 19, 1995, as they were with the other Kansas USDA AmeriCorps members,
Kansas Learn and Serve students, and Kansas Commission AmeriCorps members
observing a national day of celebration when Pat Kells, Executive Director for the
Kansas Commission on National and Community Service, relayed the tragic news of
the bombing.
The membership of the Perry team has increased by one. Edmond Cron of Smith
Center, has joined Betty, T.J., and Rick. Edmond likes camp mascot MeriCorps and
to use the all terrain vehicle to travel throughout the wildlife and area.
Hays Daily News Headlines Read, "AmeriCorps Crew Attacks Erosion on Big Creek"
Adele Shaver, Hays Daily News, May 30, 1996, writes, "What kind of tree can you
cut into posts, stab in some mud and expect to root down and leaf out? Willow
poles will." Shaver reported to the newspaper's readers that "willow poles are just
one of the strategies being used by the team along dangerously eroding banks on Big
Creek as it curves through Hays near the Fort Hays State University campus.
Erosion was undercutting a bank along highway U.S. 183 Alternate posing a danger
to traffic. The sheer drop plunged 10 feet to the water. Shaver reports that second
year AmeriCorps member Tracy Beech called the drop, "a cliff." In addition to
planting willows to control erosion, members hauled in truckloads of soil to rebuild
the bank, and laid fabric cover around American plum and chokeberry bushes; crib
walls, "resembling latticed retaining walls made of boards," were built out recycled
plastic; lunker boxes have been placed in the water to serve as foundation for the
rebuilt banks. "The lunker boxes are open to the water side, so they will provide
fish habitat," said Ken Urban, Natural Resources Conservation Service District
Conservationist and AmeriCorps Site Director. At another area along the creek the
members stablized the bank by having three large semi-trailer trucks dump large 200
to 300 lbs. rocks down the bank to the water's edge. Many of the rocks had to be
moved by hand in 90 degree plus temperatures. Lisa Mermis and others ended up
with pinched and blackened appendages of their hands.
The team reported that using Bioengineering techniques it took," 72 cubic yards of
dirt, with only shovels and a lot of sweat, plus 265 willow posts, 250 shrubs, and 3
rolls of weed barrier to stabilize the area where the crib walls were built."
Other service given by the team includes: aiding Hays elementary schools in
preparing outdoor learning areas emphasizing both wildlife and gardening,
participating in the Kansas Special Olympic Basketball Tournament, joining forces
with the Fort Hays State University Students in Service to Community AmeriCorps
members to clean up a playground, paint a shed, and make a garden for the children
of the Russell Head Start Program.
Two of the work-mates of the month for the Hays team include:
Kevin Pritchard:
Hometown: Nevada, Missouri (Ne-VA-duh)
Education: MS Soil and Water Science, University of Arizona
Area of Interest: Baseball
Hobbies: Andrew and Patrick (2 sons) and Gail (1 wife)
Turn ons: Peanut-butter crackers, bananas, National Public Radio
Turnoffs: Chipper, Rush Limbaugh, UCLA
**Note: It has been reported by respective team mates that, Kevin Pritchard and
Judy Logback, Topeka while serving in their respective areas found, $40.00 and
$20.00 in cash that no one claimed. It is reported that Kevin spent the money on
his mother-in-law, and Judy has, so far, failed to buy lunch for her fellow team
mates.
Neil Bass:
Hometown: Lakeland, Florida
Education: MS Biology, Fort Hays State University
Area of Interest: Appalachian Trail
Hobbies: Eating beaver (Castor canadensis), home brew, rancid food consumption
Turn ons: Dyed black hair, combat boots, buffets, gallon of milk and 2 lbs. of Oreos
Turn offs: Overpopulation, littering, Florida tourists, hernias
Best anecdote: Because I want to, that's why
Topeka Team Garners Front Page Story In The "Topkea Captiol"
On June 11 a large colored photo appeared on the front page of the "Topeka Capitol
Journal." The photo shows Jennifer Halstead and Bree Enderle with long poles in
their hands, standing in chest high water, slogging their way up Shunganunga Creek
with a flat bottom boat between them. The caption on the bottom of the picture is
entitle, "Pollution patrol." The team has gathered tons of debris from the creek.
Personnel from Dillons Grocery Stores, Topeka, were interested in the 19 shopping
carts they have found.
In addition to cleaning Shunganunga Creek and its banks, the team has been active
in the construction of a 350' retaining wall consisting of two tons of guard-rail
timbers and 48 tons of Vera-Lock bricks along Shunga Creek which prevents
sediment from washing down onto the sidewalk that runs along Shunga Trail, and a
100' cedar tree revetment along a branch of the Wakarusa River. Willow poles have
been planted at several locations in Shawnee County. Seventeen thousand trees and
shrubs were planted by the members on farmland surrounding Banner Creek
Reservoir. Like the Hays team, and somewhat like the Perry team, beavers have
wreaked havoc on team activities, especially willow poles. The Topeka members
resorted to the use of an electric fence, while the Hays members used chicken wire
to protect the willows from the genus Castor.
The Topeka members led the April 23 remembrance of Oklahoma City bombing
victims with Judy Logback giving the address on behalf of the AmeriCorps
members. Larry Ballou has been instrumental in making and fixing: the team's
garbage scowl (the boat used on pollution patrol), electric winch; for the Topeka
Parks and Recreation, trailer ramps. Other members have helped fix and repair
soccer goals. Other activities the members have helped with are: Helping Hands
Humane Shelter, Shawnee County Health Agency, Wild Care, Kansas Aids quilt
exhibit, and Tire Amnesty, and helping with the Shawnee County Conservation
District's nonpoint source pollution display and EnviroScape and stream bank trailer
on Earth Day which were viewed by approximately 3,000 students.
Cody Lind, like Tisa McNee Stewart, was married recently. It is reported that Cody
returned from their honeymoon with the flu and was unable to meet the team in Elk
Falls at the USDA-Signature Project. Cody, we all understand!! This is the third
known marriage of an USDA-AmeriCorps member this term, the first being Diane
Howard Spear. Congratulations and best wishes to each newly married members
and spouses!
Southeast Kansas Team Led Signature Project In Elk Falls And Sedan
Tisha McNee Stewart and Katrina Hine organized and coordinated the USDA-
AmeriCorps signature project in Elk and Chautauqua counties. On May 20, 1996
Tisha and Katrina met the first contingent of the 25 volunteer AmeriCorps members
who would sleep in tents, church camp dormitories, cars, and on the ground while
giving four days of service to Elk Falls population 130 and Sedan population 1,300.
Tisha and Katrina had to make sure that tools, food, and bathing facilities were in
place for the members. During the members' stay they provided liquids to quench
the thirst of the members who were toiling in 80 degree temperatures. Tisha and
Katrina acted as bridges between the members and the local citizens. The citizens
of both Elk Falls and Sedan went out of their way to make the members stay
memorable.
In Elk Falls, the green monster, a concrete gym turned civic center with peeling,
faded green paint, had to be stripped and painted. The visitor center needed to be
primed and painted after the tar paper and old nails were removed. An iron bridge,
on the list of historical landmarks, needed to have 60 feet of wooden flooring
removed and replaced. Several of the tombstones at the cemetery, especially those
of the Buffalo Soldiers, had to be set upright and cleaned. Other vintage
tombstones needed cleaning and a tool shed needed painting.
USDA-AmeriCorps members were joined by Meillyn Kreusser, Barbara Scott, Linda
Dailing, and Gloria Jenkins, Bridges Across The Heartland, Kansas City, Missouri;
Mellinda Owens, Kansas Health and Safety Extension Corps, Hutchinson; and
volunteers from the respective teams.
The biggest surprises of the project turned out to be the difficulty and length of time
it took to repair the sixty foot of flooring on the iron bridge, the heavy rocks for the
path way in Sedan, and the hospitality of the citizens of Elk Falls and Sedan.
Members only had to take out and replace planks on the remaining unrepaired floor
of the bridge. The task was filled with risk as there was no net to catch anyone
who might fall from the bridge to the stream, approximately fifty feet. The members
soon learned that the asphalt on the boards had to be removed with sledge
hammers, picks and spades. As the temperatures rose the asphalt tended to
become fluid and would not break easily.
Kerry Kitchener, Milford team, volunteered to lead the initial group of Mellinda
Owens, Brock Rogers, Neil Bass, Tracy Beach, and Brian Johnston to fix the bridge.
After a morning of sweat and hard labor they were joined by Judy Logback, Bree
Enderle, and Jennifer Halstead. The group soon split into separate teams as the first
group then concentrated on removing the old rotten boards and replacing them with
semi deteriorated boards that had to be cut with a chain saw and pieced into the
flooring.
Judy, Mellinda, Neil, Tracy, Jennifer, and Bree soon took charge of removing the
remaining 30 foot of asphalt. What originally was considered a male task became a
unisex exercise. Judy, Jennifer, Bree, and Mellinda took turns with Neil and Tracy in
wielding the 12 pound sledge hammers. Brock Rogers said, "I have never worked so
hard."
Food and entertainment were never a problem for the volunteers. On the first night,
many of the town's citizens met the members at a pot luck dinner. The dinner
included a pot of Neil Bass's homemade turtle soup which he enjoined any and all to
partake of. Besides providing meals at Ed's Sunnyside Cafe, and the Cape Cod
restaurant, the citizens of Elk Falls entertained the members by hauling them on a
hayrack pulled by mules to local points of interest within the community. Jennifer
and Bree followed on two saddled mules. Dale showed his prowess to model a
Heisman trophy pose by flying off the end of the hayrack. Dale and Krista took an
active role in Barry McQuire's magic show on May 21. The only problem the
members had with the night of the 21st was their walk back to their living area in
darkness as the mule drawn hayrack had left. Elk Falls does not have street lights.
The mules had left a trail of odorous reminders that they too had provided service by
pulling and hauling members around the town, the then pedestrian members had to
be careful in the moonlight not to step in the odorous droppings.
The members, if they wanted to shower, had to go a mile down a dirt road to a
rustic but unique bed and shower facility located within the fences of a petting zoo.
A livestock gate had to be opened and closed when entering and leaving the facility
in order to keep the animals from leaving. On one occasion an armadillo was seen
parading behind the fence causing some anxious moments for some members.
Comments that summarize the feelings of most of the members about their stay in
Elk Falls included: Aimee and Shana agreed, "everyone worked hard and the
experience was better than we ever imagined it to be;" Larry Ballou told Katrina, "If I
get fat because of the good food, it is your fault; and Milton Nokes' remark of,
going to Elk Falls was like going to friend house."
Each person who participated in the Elk Falls project was given a document entitled,
"Residentus Absentus, Certificate of Honorary Citizenship of Elk Falls, Kansas."
Conditions of citizenship include: agreeing to never move to Elk Falls, and unlimited
visiting privileges as long, "they don't stay too long."
The stay at Sedan was a gratifying and as memorable as that in Elk Falls. Members
quickly recognized the contributions of the citizenry, especially Don Armstrong, to
the development of The Hollow. The Hollow is a beautiful park created out of an old
city dump by volunteers and contributors. AmeriCorps members helped in the
project by weeding the flower beds and in the moving and laying of large rock for
pathways. Mr. Armstrong said, "The citizens of Sedan are overwhelmed by the
AmeriCorps members presence." In his gratitude for the members presence, he
gave each member present on May 23 a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of The
Hollow.
Memorable moments at Sedan included: the fish fry and jazz concert put on by The
Hollow's benefactors, the good food, the hospitable reception of the citizens, and
the activities at the church camp where the members spent one night. Included in
the night at the camp was a net-less volleyball game between several members.
All of the members will remember the beans served at every meal and their
interaction with local citizens and members of different teams. Kurt Grimm,
Kanopolis team leader said, "Every AmeriCorps member should have an experience
like this." With the planning and organization of Katrina, and Tisha, coupled with
the cooperation of local citizens and the spirit and enthusiasm of AmeriCorps
members, the slogan of "Getting Things Done" was demonstrated.
Elk Falls Special Project
Painting The Green Monster (gym) White
Larry Ballou
Kurt Grimm
Gary Larson
Painting The Elk Falls Visitor Center
Rick Henry
Dale Sparks
Paula Meek
Images Of The Elk Falls/Sedan Special Project
A KANSAS ALTERNATIVE
POR FOOD STAMPS.
VILLAGE of
IN THE HEART
askalls
of the
Kansas Ozarks
WORTH Going OUT of YouR
AMERICORES
WAY FoR!
-QUOTED FROM HERBERT HaVER
"CAUGHTME
N His 1931 SPEECH TO THE
A ROAD KILL!
SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION
THEYLL BE
À INVING amar PEN
OF EXAGGERATION IN TOURST
GOOD BATIN'
AN....CANI
BROCKURES.
T'NIGHT!
GET IT
~BRING A CAMERA.
PHOTOGRAPH THESE GREAT SIGNTS
TANNED
BY
TONIGHT
?
ABUNDANT FREE PARKING.
SPORTSMAN'S PARADiSE.
by Meillyn Kreusser's, Bridges Across the Heartland, Kansas City,
Missouri
Official Photographer
Krista Dome
Members at The Hollow
GITTING
THINGS DONE
Riding Mules
Barry McQuire's cat Groucho
The Techniques Of Removing Asphalt On Bridge at Elk Falls
Brock Rogers showing Neil Bass and Judy Logback
how to fill a wheel borrow
Judy Logback demonstrating use
Neil Bass
of a sledge hammer
Cheney Team's Day With TECH Members
Scott VanGieson demonstrating fishing technique
Amerit orps
National Service
1
Shana Martin helping bait a hook
THANK YOU:
Spring Pizza
a
State Park
STAFF
Members thank you to sponsors
Shana Martin removing a hook
Look what I found Near Big Creek!
Planting On Big Creek In Hays
Plantin' time
Lisa Mermis (in foreground) and Melody Meek (in background)
planting
Andy Burr and a bull snake
Aids Quilt Exhibit in Topeka
Pollution Control
++
EDDIE
SKITH
703
THE
CARLORAN
FROM THE
JAMES JAINA
CHILDREZ
DEC11195
NOV 7 194
Kimberly Rose and members of Bridges Across the Heartland
Jennifer Halstead and Bree Enderle
In Memory Of The Oklahoma Bombing Victims
IN MEMORY OF
OKL AHOMA CITY VICTIMS
Oklahoma City memorial
Scott VanGieson securing a park bench
Judy Logback speaking for the corps
Helping With Habitat For Humanity In Topeka
Perry Team Members Pouring Concrete
Betty Mills and T.J. Wahlmeier
T.J. Wahlmeier, Perry team
Service At Hadley Day Care Center, Hutchinson
Shana Martin
Bad River
Water Quality Project
Newsletter
Spring
1996
Phase II Concludes
Dam Repairs
Phase II of the Bad River Water Quality Project was
completed in April of 1995. Major emphasis for
The spring snows of 1995 damaged numerous dams
erosion control was placed on the Plum Creek
in Stanley County. Upwards of 150 dams breached
Watershed in Stanley County. Sources of funding
or were severely damaged by the storms. The
allowed us to treat areas of the Bad River Watershed
Stanley County Conservation District initiated action
of Stanley County that were outside the Plum Creek
to secure financial assistance for dam repair. They
Watershed.
requested ECP funding through the CFSA program.
CFSA funds have paid for 64% of the cost of
Best Management Practices (BMP's) were applied to
approved repairs in the county. The Stanley County
the land with cost-share and incentive payments to
Conservation District is paying an additional 11% of
the cooperators funded by:
the cost on those approved dams that are in the Bad
River Water Quality Project area. This practice will
Environmental Protection Agency
continue until ECP funding is exhausted.
Nat'l. Resc. Cons. Serv.
USDA CFSA
Riparian Demo Project
WQSP-Water Quality Sprecial Project
The Stanley County Conservation District has
WQIP-Water Quality Incentive Project
received an AGRO-FORESTRY Grant. It will be
ACP-Agriculture Conservation Prog.
used to establish two riparian demonstration sites
SD Dept. of Env. & Nat'l. Resc.
with commonly planted tree species, using
SD Dept. of Ag., Div. of Resc. Cons. &
different vegetation control methods.
Forestry
SD Dept. of Game, Fish & Parks
The sites will be located on Willow Creek with one
SD Wheat Growers
site along Bad River Road on the Shanard Husted
Ranch and the other along Highway 14-34 on the
A summary of the BMP's applied under Phase II in
Bunn Cattle Co. Ranch. The sites will be established
the Bad River Watershed of Stanley County are:
this spring with signs erected to identify the sites
Practice
Amount
Conservation Tillage Demo
Planned Grazing Systems
5,511 Ac.
Many of your were aware of the Conservation Tillage
Proper Grazing Use
72,794 Ac.
Demonstration Project we completed in cooperation
Deferred Grazing
7,397 Ac.
with Rex and Leon Haskins. It demonstrated
Cross Fencing
48,787 Ft.
Wells
8 Ea.
maintaining a minimum of thirty percent old crop
residue after planting a new crop. It also involved
Pipelines
218,480 Ft.
four different crop rotation scenarios. The crop
Tanks
64 Ea.
rotations selected were the same as some that
Livestock Ponds
7 Ea.
showed promise in SDSU Test Plot Trials.
Livestock Windbreak St.
15 Ea.
210 Ac.
Unfortunately, we were not able to duplicate their
Range Seedings
economic success in our field trials which contained
Riparian Revegetation
2 Ea.
individual plots in excess of eight acres each.
Water Spreaders
3 Ea.
Canadian Thistle control became a concern as we
Eros. Cont. Structures
16 Ea,
were not able to control them to the extent we
Farmstead & Feedlot W.B.
1,589 RR
desired. The winter wheat / fallow rotation was the
Wildlife Habitat Development
10,191 Ac.
best rotation we had in the plots. The continuous
Stripcropping
4,113 Ac.
cropping rotations did not fare well for us at all. The
Grassed Waterways
3 Ac.
400 Ac.
weather conditions of the past three years were not
Cropland Windstrips
favorable to the milo we had in our rotation or for the
Conservation Tillage
16,878 Ac.
CRP
22,169 Ac.
safflower in another rotation. Hopefully SDSU can
Conservation Compliance
76,641 Ac.
show you were we went wrong. As an operator you
should carefully consider any new rotations.
Increased residue in a winter wheat / fallow rotation
The efforts of you the Cooperators have resulted in a
significant reduction in sediment delivered and
can work if one is observant of potential weed and
disease problems that can occur.
measured at the mouth of Plum Creek.
(cont. from prev. col.)
Center, various projects in
coordination with the SD
Dept. of Game, Fish &
Parks, and projects working
with Pierre and Fort Pierre
city governments along with
their duties with the
regional Natural Resources
Conservation Service (SCS)
office in Pierre.
The Americorp Team will
be in the Pierre / Ft, Pierre
area until the fall of 1996.
The Bad River Project may
assign them to some
activities on your property if
we have a contract with
you on that property.
Pictured left to right: Joe Nichols - Pierre, John Neff - Claremont,
Matt Blumer - Pierre, Paula Hoerner - Aberdeen,
Pat Buscher - Pierre
conserve
your
AMERICORPS
JOINS
New Bad River Project
The Stanley County Conservation District
BAD RIVER
submitted an application for a new 4 year EPA 319
grant that would allow for continuation of erosion
control work on the Bad River Watershed in
PROJECT
Stanley County. The District was notified in
December of 1995 that the grant was approved.
This Spring and Summer the residents of Pierre/
The target area for Phase III is all of the lands
Ft. Pierre area may see the Americorps team
draining into the Bad River from Ft. Pierre to
providing assistance on the Bad River Water
Willow Creek along the North and from Antelope
Quality Project. The Ft. Pierre Americorps is a
Creek to War Creek along the South.
five-person team of college graduates providing
their time and energy to community organizations.
The Phase III Project began implementation in
The teams office is at the Bad River Water Quality
May of 1995. All initial funding for the project has
Project Office in Ft. Pierre (223-2253).
been obligated to date. Additional funding may
become available as an appropriation from the
On the Bad River this coming Spring, the
state legislature. If this happens, ranchers and
Americorps members will devote their time and
farmers in the target area who have not signed a
talents planting trees, constructing fence,
contract and have expressed an interest in the
conducting rangeland inventories, and helping in
project will be contacted by project personnel.
the construction of low-cost sediment retention
structures. The establishment of new woody
Practices applied to date are:
vegetation, sediment retaining structures and the
1 well
development of deferred grazing riparian pastures
17434 ft. of pipeline
will ultimately reduce the delivery of sediment to
9 water tanks
the mouth of the Bad River.
3 new rangeland dams
22 rebuilt dams
Currently the Americorps are involved in many
71,065 ft. riparian fencing
projects throughout the surrounding communities.
9 stream crossings
Members are organizing an in-school stream table
5000 ac. riparian deferred grazing
demonstration for area schools and teachers that
8377 ac. planned grazing systems
will show the need for proper land management
14 livestock windbreak structures
practices within the Bad River Watershed. Other
2 farmstead & feedlot windbreaks
projects include: asistance with the Oahe Wildlife
(cont. next column)
This makes for good start. Keep it up!
WALL IN ONAL CERNICE
HO
2
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
January, 1995
Member Updates
Forestry / Water Quality Coordinator Jane Lamson has been
working cooperatively with Michelle Grant, Washington County
Watersheds Coordinator, on the Washington County High
School Environmental Newsletter. The first newsletter was
published in December and will affect 1500 students at nine
area high schools. Jane has also compiled an Environmental
Education Resource Directory in cooperation with Diane Collar
at the Hancock County Soil and Water
District. This directory will be
published bi-monthly and will reach 71
schools.
Cranberry Water Quality
Coordinator Charlie Armstrong has
started gathering the materials ( and
Jane Lamson at the Downeast RC&D
insects! ) for a cranberry-specific weed
and insect collection. Charlie is also in the process of building a library of resources
for cranberry growers including a listing of cranberry diseases and descriptions of
cranberry specific weeds. These resources will aid the 26 area cranberry farmers in
using BMP's including Integrated Pest Management.
Camp Road Water Quality Coordinator Andy Reid has already performed a full
evaluation on one camp road surrounding Sand Pond in Litchfield, ME and devised a
plan to deal with erosion. Andy has also edited the "Camp Road Manual" and added
Charlie Armstrong
two additional sections.
China Lakes Water Quality Coordinator Joel Stetson is preparing a database for all
of the volunteer watershed surveys done in the past on China Lake, Webber Pond,
and Three Mile Pond. He is also preparing educational materials for the community and school groups.
Elizabeth Frederic has returned as the MACD Conservation Education Coordinator and has taught 100
fifth graders at the University of Maine at Orono Water Festival, 80 fourth graders at Bates College, and 15
sixth graders at Sebago Elementary School. Liz also helped to plan an Interactive television broadcast from
University of Maine at Augusta that addressed the MACD Poster Contest theme 'How People Live in
Harmony with the Land".
The newly titled Washington County Watersheds Coordinator Michelle Grant has begun compiling a library
Vashington County dealing with economic development through agriculture. Michelle has also been
king on the Downeast Regional ENVIROTHON and currently setting up a pre-event workshop for the
ENVIROTHON.
In Houlton, the Water Quality / Rural Development Coordinator Heidi Nelson has completed an evaluation
of water quality, crop, and soil benefits from farm based demonstration soil samples. Heidi has also
organized four workshops for science teachers that will take place in January and affect 170-200 teachers
and 3200 students indirectly. Heidi has compiled two directories; a district code
enforcement officer and plumbing inspector directory and a district science
teacher directory.Damariscotta River Watershed Coordinator Alecia Damon has
designed a display board which will be built and placed in seven town offices in the
watershed. General summaries and inspection reports have been carried out for
two conservation easements in conjunction with the Damariscotta River
Association. Alecia has also given a presentation about AmeriCorps and Water
Quality to 22 students and their teacher.
The Environmental Education Circuit Rider position has been filled by returning
member Holly Sheehan, and WOW has she
been busy! Holly has educated 1218
students, 78 teachers, and 30 volunteers
about
Holly Sheehan
various environmental topics including Adopt-
A-Stream, the food chain, Project Wild!
lessons, forestry and, of course, water quality.
Holly has also been actively pursuing schools who have not participated
in ENVIROTHON and trying to get them to participate this year. She
thinks she has had success with two already!
Casco Bay Watershed Coordinator I alias Wayne Davis has been
networking all over Casco Bay! Wayne, with Martin Kraemer -
AmeriCorps, has organized a facilitated meeting between the 36 water
quality organizations in the Casco Bay Watershed to discuss the
feasibility of a central lab. Wayne has also helped 10 miles of stream
improve one class in the "State Water Quality Classification Standard".
Martin Kraemer
The Sebago Lake Water Quality Coordinator a.k.a. Casco Bay
Watershed Coordinator II a.k.a. Martin Kraemer is working with two
elementary schools and one high school to create outdoor classrooms. This project directly involves 110
students and 9 teachers but will affect 600 students once completed. Martin has also organized a Project
WET ( Water Education for Teachers) workshop for 25 teachers.
Kate Sullivan and Desiree Bethune are both Mid-Coast Fisheries Coordinators, although neither is located
on the mid-coast. Desiree has been providing technical assistance to twelve groups in Southern and
mid-coast Maine. She and Kate, along with Sherman Hoyt - AmeriCorps, helped organize a Clam
Management conference that affected approximately 170 harvesters, water quality monitoring volunteers,
fisheries managers, and others. Kate and Desiree also presented water quality curriculum at the Maine
Children's Water Festival in Orono to 116 students and 19 adults.
Penobscot Bay / St. George Estuary Coordinator Sherman Hoyt helped organize the statewide Clam
Management Conference and helped coordinate 8 working groups, comprised of 75 people, that were formed
at this conference. Sherman has also been facilitating weekly meetings with the 5 towns, represented by
approximately 75 people, sharing the Georges River and helped launch the Georges River Clammers
Association on 1/16/96. In addition to all this, Sherman initiated LD 1717, an act that allows towns to form
regional shellfish committees.
In Northern Aroostook county, Amanda Smith-Hatch, the Fish River Lakes Water Quality Coordinator has
been busy! Amanda has developed 10 environmental classroom programs and has already educated 65
students. Amanda has also organized one workshop and scheduled four schools for her programs.
Even further north, Gary Marquis, Caribou Trails Coordinator, has rip rapped 105 culverts, redecked 7
unsafe timber bridges, put up 35 gates to keep vehicular traffic off the trails. Gary has also recruited 40
volunteers who have built 3 timber bridges, made and placed countless signs, and donated a total of 180
hours to Gary's project.
The four Marine / Shellfish Education Coordinators, Mark Chellis, Rob Klimas, Denise Michaud, and
Teresa Simeone, have given presentations to 50 students, job-shadowing tours to these same 50 students
and 6 others, and involved 22 additional students in hatchery operations.
-2-
The Beals crew continues to help the
Jonesport-Beals High students with their
water quality testing efforts as well as carrying
out everyday hatchery functions.
Robin Brown, Water Quality Management
Coordinator for Somerset County, has
interested 4 farmers in Integrated Crop
Management and two families in the
Farm*A*Syst farm water quality assessment
program. She has also given a presentation
to 30 students and is planning to do many
more!
Rob Campbell, the Water Quality
Management Coordinator in Androscoggin
County, has helped 7 farmers with issues
The Hatchery Crew
such as soil analysis, waste storage, and
dairy cattle nutrition. He has cunducted the Safe H2Home program with four individuals and the Farm*A*Syst
proram with one. In addition, Rob has given a presentation about Farm*A*Syst to 60 indiviuals and sent out
newsletters to 560!
Michael Johnston, Hancock county's hard working Water Quality Management Coordinator, has been
working with 11 farmers and has convinced them all to sign up for Integrated Crop Management. This is a
total of 402.3 acres in the Bagaduce Narrows and Orland River watersheds that will be managed in a more
environmentally and economically sound manner!
The Water Quality Management Coordinator in Aroostook County, Denise Perry, has recruited 20 farmers
to participate in the ICM program. Nine of these farmers are already collecting ICM data and have also
participated in the Farm*A*Syst program. Denise has also identified other needs in the farming community
and is responding to them. She has provided information on silage, nutrition requirements, licensing for
pesticide application, and livestock ration balancing.
Oxford County has its own Water Quality
Management Coordinator, Anne Wilson.
Anne has visited 13 farms, taken 10 soil
samples, and completed one forage test.
Anne has also made plans with a local
school to teach on a weekly basis in a
community garden.
HALSEY
In addition, 494 volunteers donated their
time to Maine USDA AmeriCorps
projects
during the first quarter.
Water Quality Managers Anne Wilson and Rob Campbell at the Ag Trade Show in Augusta
-3-
M
A
INE
MERICORPS
TEAM USDA
MAINE
Dinner is Served!! Charlie Armstrong and Wayne Davis
Karen
Malley
learning
to spin wool
at the Ag Trade Show
NA. AMERICORPS IN
UNITED
STATES
DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
Southern Cluster L to R Front: Desiree Bethune, Alecia Damon, Liz Frederic, Holly Sheehan, Robin
Brown, Anne Wilson. Back: Andy Reid, Sherman Hoyt, Joel Stetson, Martin Kraemer, Forrest Bell,
Wayne Davis, Wayne Munroe (cluster coordinator) and Rob Campbell.
-4-
IN
MEMORY
ELVIS PRESLEY
2
ave,
CENTER
Martin Kraemer, Elvis, Karen
Malley, and Desiree Bethune
L to R: Andy Reid, Sherman
Hoyt, and Desiree Bethune
listen avidly to Joel Berg
during the conference call
on January 11.
Aroostook Cluster Lto R: Heidi Nelson, Denise Perry, Gary Marquis, Amanda Smith-Hatch, and Dana
Wright, cluster coordinator.
-5-
TRAINING UPDATE
For USDA members,
amount of time that they
the training will start at 1:00
donate! One of the main
THE FEBRUARY
TRAINING SESSION HAS
on the afternoon of Monday,
arguments against
NOT BEEN CANCELLED!!!
February 26. Each member
AmeriCorps is that it
Some of you may have heard
should prepare a five minute
discourages volunteerism.
that this training was
speech on what they have
We find that having an
cancelled, and for a while, it
been up to since they
AmeriCorps member in a
started. These speeches
Community to coordinate
was. Here is the story: Every
year, the State Commission for
will be given to the rest of
volunteer efforts actually
the USDA group on Monday
increases the number of
Community Service staff
afternoon starting at 1:00
volunteers! However, we
(Maryalice Croften and Anne
Schink) have to apply for
and ending at about 5:00
need numbers to document
training money from the
P.M.. Monday evening is
this! Included in the pages of
Corporation for National
free, but we will put
this newsletter is a volunteer
Service. This money is
everyone up a the Black
log to help you keep track of
referred to as P-DAT money
Bear Inn so that they can
volunteers and their time (you
and a portion is specifically set
attend a breakfast with Mike
should already have these, but
aside for AmeriCorps training.
Tardy and Richard Baird at
I included it just in case).
8:00 am on the morning of
Also, you should submit
This year, because of the
Tuesday the 27. This
these figures quarterly so
government shutdown, the
Corporation was behind in
breakfast will be an
we can calculate a grand
total of volunteers and hours
approving the P-DAT
opportunity for members to
applications and the
voice any concerns they have
for each quarter! If you did
commission staff did not think
to the two program directors.
not do this in your first
we would be able to have the
quarterly report, don't worry!
Just remember to include the
training. However, the
IMPORTANT
Corporation employees have
numbers in your second
REMINDER!!!
been working hard to get the
quarterly report. Please also
It is very important that
record the figures per quarter.
applications approved and
each AmeriCorps member
they have succeeded! Hence,
keep track of the number of
the money for the training is
Maine USDA
Volunteers from the
available and the training will
community who donate time to
AmeriCorps Exemplifies
go on as originally planned!
AmeriCorps projects and the
Community based
service!
Maine USDA AmeriCorps Participates in Conference
By Richard Baird
Call with Joel Berg
After participating
On January 11, the members of Maine USDA AmeriCorps participated
in the multi-state
in a teleconference with Joel Berg, Director of USDA AmeriCorps. The
conference call, I was
states of Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Virginia also joined Joel. Joel gave
reminded of the
an inspiring pep talk then each state described their program briefly. Joel
uniqueness and
also gave some good advice to the members, telling them that they should
diversity of Maine's
prepare a one sentence explanation of their project to make things easier
USDA AmeriCorps
for themselves when they are called upon to explain their service work.
program. Maine is
Richard Baird and Mike Tardy, Program Directors for Maine, urged the
one of the only
members to write one sentence describing their individual project and
states to have
one sentence describing the effects that their project will have on the
members
community. In addition, the two directors would like the members to
spread all across the
have these ready for the February training where they will, no doubt,
state often as the
use them.
only AmeriCorps
Maine unique continued from page 6
member at a site! Members
are backed by a support staff
"Ironically, the
Quarterly Reports
Yes, more information
from the community they are
same people in
about Quarterly reports!
placed in and are able to
Congress who talk of
Some of you may have
address specific community
needs as identified by
empowering
received a fax from Joel Berg
stating that the format for
members of that community!
Americans at the local
quarterly reports has now
Members also receive the
and state level are
changed. Well, it has.
AmeriCorps link by
willing to end
However, Joel states in his fax
participating in regional
that quarterly reports for the
clusters made up of a cluster
AmeriCorps - which is
first quarter have to be
coordinator and AmeriCorps
all about hands-on
redone--DO NOT DO THIS! I
members in the region.
Maine USDA
community
will re-format the quarterly
reports that everyone has
AmeriCorps is also unique
empowerment"
already sent to me and
because of the number of
-Lansing State Journal, Michigan.
forward them to Joel to save
community partnerships and
everyone time and hassle!
the amount of community
We have not received word on
support it receives. Listed on
-RC&D Tourism committee,
what the new format will be
Cherryfield.
the next page are only some
-Salmon Habitat and River
like, but I will pass it along as
of the community partners
Enhancement
soon as I hear because the
involved with Maine USDA
-St. Georges River Association
new format will be the format
AmeriCorps.
-Town of China
you will use for the rest of your
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
-University of Maine Cooperative
quarterly reports! Please
Extension
Community Partners:
remember that no matter what
-University of Maine-Entomology
-Army Corps of Engineers
Department, Orono.
format your quarterly report
-Beals Island Regional Shellfish
-University of Maine at Machias
takes, you must include your
Hatchery, Beals.
-The 16 Soil and Water
numbers for volunteers! The
-Blueberry Committee
Conservation Districts
-Caribou Recreation Department
due dates for all quarterly
-and hundreds of schools,
-Casco Bay Estuary Project
snowmobile and ATV clubs,
reports will be the same and
-China Lakes Alliance
volunteer Water Quality
are as follows:
-City of Caribou
Monitoring associations, and
Second: April 2, 1996
-Cranberry Growers Association
private citizens.
-Damariscotta River Association
Third: July 2, 1996
Although I am sure that
-Department of Environmental
Final: September 30, 1996
all of the members realize
Protection
-Department of Marine Resources
what an extraordinary program
"AmeriCorps'
-Fish River Lakes Water Quality
we have here in Maine, I
budget amounts to
Association, Presque Isle
wanted to refresh everyone's
-Inland Fish and Wildlife Service
about one-thirtieth of
memories as the conference
-Maine Forest Service
call refreshed mine.
1% of the nation's &1.6
-Planning Alliance of the
Damariscotta River Estuary
trillion budget. For
-Pleasant River Salmon Hatchery,
Columbia Falls.
-Pleasant River Fish and Game
M
those who question the
value of the national
Club, Columbia Falls.
-Portland Water District
service program, let
-RC&D Cranberry Committee,
them come to
Cherryfield.
-RC&D Forestry Committee,
Portland."
Cherryfield.
The Portland Press Herald regarding
'AmeriCorps works for ME"
-7-
Announcing The Maine Event
AmeriCorps MidWinter Training
brought to you by
The AmeriCorps Training Planners
NATIONAL * ERICORP A CERTICE
MAINE
COMMISSION
&
SERVICE FOR COMMUNITY
The Maine Commission for Community Service
February 27 - 29, 1996
Black Bear Inn & Conference Center
Orono, Maine
Calling all AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps crew
Members, Supervisors, and Program Directors!
Register by February 19
Workshop capacities are limited SO be sure to indicate your preferences clearly.
All rooms are double occupancy.
Anyone with special dietary or accomodation needs, please let us know SO we can make
your participation enjoyable.
Conference registration fee: Waived.
Underwritten by the Maine Commission for Community Service with a grant from the Corporation for National Service.
To register: Complete the attached form and return to your coordinator
(Steve Niles, CCC* AmeriCorps; Josh Bissett, VISTA; Maureen Hanley, Downeast HealthCorps; Suwan
Blaisdell, AmeriCorps Works for ME; Karen Malley, USDA* AmeriCorps; Anne Schink @ MCCS for
Youthbuild* AmeriCorps)
Daily Schedule
Tues.,
General Activities
Option A
Option B
Option C
Feb. 27
(Title and Location)
(Title and Location)
(Title and Location)
9-10 am
Registration
Lobby, Black Bear
Welcome, Orientation
10-10:30 am
Blue Rm, Black Bear
Presenting to Children
Navigation in USDA
10:30-12
Workshop Session 1
Blue Rm, Black Bear
Conference Rm 'til 5:30
Noon
Lunch
Blue Rm, Black Bear
Public Speaking
AIDS Awareness
1-3 pm
Workshop Session 2
Blue Rm, Black Bear
Fam. Rm.
Break
3-3:30
and Munch
Mediation/Conflict
Proposal Writing
3:30-5:30
Workshop Session 3
Resolution, Blue Rm
Fam. Rm.
6:00
Dinner, Black Bear
Evening
Free Time to Network
Wed.,
Feb. 28
General Activities
Option A
Option B
Option C
(Title and Location)
(Title and Location)
(Title and Location
Breakfast
7 am
Blue Rm, Black Bear
Facilitation 'til 3pm
Planning Events
Job Seeking Post-AmeriCorps
8:30 - 10 am
Workshop Session 4
Pink Rm B
Blue Rm B
Pink Rm people A
on
10-10:30
Morning Break
Grassroots Fundraising,
Internet
10:30 12
Workshop Session 5
Pink B
UMO Campus
Lunch
Noon
Black Bear, Blue Rm
Media Interaction
Internet
1 - 3 pm
Workshop Session 6
Pink Rm B
UMO Campus
Break
3-3:30
and Munch
Round Table Corps
3:30-5:30
Workshop Session 7
Networking
6 pm
Dinner, Blue Rm A
Evening
Free Time
Thurs.
Feb. 29
General Activities
Option A
Option B
Option C
Leap Day!!
(Time and Location)
(Time and Location)
(Time and Location)
7 am
Breakfast
Community Building
Natural Science Wrkshp
Working with At-risk Youth,
8:30 - 11:30
Workshop Session 7
Pink Rm A
Pink Rm B
Blue Rm B
11:30 12
Wrap Up & Eval.
Noon - 1
Lunch!
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
NA AMP A II FIONALSE
HO
2
Maine USDA AmeriCorps Newsletter
February, 1996
Twenty-one groups collaborating
to form central water quality lab
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
for a central lab. Both did
members Wayne Davis and
great jobs speaking -- what
Martin Kraemer have been
naturals! Next, the group
spearheading a community
compiled a list of community
effort to form a central lab for
needs that the presence of a
water quality analysis and data
central lab would fulfill. They
storage in the Casco Bay
also compiled lists of helping
watershed. On January 26,
and hindering factors to the
1996, thirty people representing
establishment of a lab. Yet
twenty-one groups met in
another list was made of what
Gorham to discuss the viability of
resources the separate groups
a central laboratory. Mark Hews,
could offer to the central lab.
Coordinator of the Threshold to
The list was quite impressive
Community
Maine Resource Conservation
and included money,
and Development Office
volunteers, space, boats, in
needs fulfilled
facilitated the meeting. Martin
kind support, equipment, and
and Wayne opened the meeting
technical support. All the
by explaining the results of their
by a central
survey inquiring about the need
Continued on Page 3
lab
Reliable, well-organized data
Watershed-wide coalition
Public Access
Meets Quality Control /
Quality Assurance objectives
Training resource
Pooled equipment and staff
Public awareness and
education
Data interpretation
Documentation that supports
protection efforts (BMP's)
Coordination
Mentoring of
Wayne Davis and Martin Kraemer speak to the Casco Bay
students, scientists, and adult
Community Lab Coalition. Background: Mark Hews.
volunteers
NA AMERICORPS AP -IONALSER
HO
2
Maine USDA AmeriCorps Newsletter
March, 1996
the year of the
AmeriCorps
Camp Road. For
those of you from
expands
away, a camp road
is a road that is
horizons
owned and
maintained by the
AmeriCorps members
landowners whose
Desiree Bethune and Kate
houses it leads to.
Sullivan had the pleasure of
The China Lakes
presenting at "Expanding Your
Association began
Horizons", a one-day conference
in response to the
that focuses on acquainting young
massive algae
women with opportunities in math
blooms that
and science. The two members
occurred in China
spoke about career opportunities
Lake in the 1980's.
Continued on page 7
Algae needs both
nitrogen and
phosphorus to grow
and reproduce. In
a pure ecosystem,
phosphorus is in
limited supply and
thus regulates the
algal growth. The
massive blooms in
China Lake were
caused by an
Andrew Reid identifies common camp road
overload of
erosion problems.
phosphorus that
had been building
Year of the
up for many years. Since the
start of the Association , 80% of
Camp Road??
the pollution sources that
Desiree Bethune
contributed to the blooms
have been remediated.
You may have heard of
The one major source
Inside
the year of the dog, rabbit, or pig,
but the year of the Camp Road?
Mid Winter Training, a pictorial essay 3
Yes, the China Lakes
Continued on page 2
Casco Bay Coalition
2
Association has declared 1996
-1-
Camp Road Con't
Changes in China Lake
property prices for 1 meter
that has not been addressed is
change in water clarity
the camp road.
In order to kick off the year
Average minimum clarity
1.9m
of the camp road, the Association
Improving price for 1m
$81/ft
invited Andrew Reid, AmeriCorps
Degrading price for 1m
$141/ft
Camp Road Coordinator who is
Mean foot frontage/lot
129 ft.
sponsored by the Kennebec
County Soil and Water
Conservation District, to speak.
Total change in property prices
Andy spoke about camp road
Improving
gain $10,449
maintenance that reduces
Degrading
loss $18,189
erosion and thus reduces
Source: Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment
phosphorus loading into the
Station, miscellaneous report 398, Feb. 1996
lakes. He also impressed upon
the camp owners that algal blooms
The China Region Lakes Alliance
in their lakes reduce their property
has played an integral part in the
Mark Hews of the Threshold to
value, whereas good water quality
remediation of pollution sources in
Maine RC &D facilitates the
increases property value (see
the China Lakes region and may
group discussion.
chart). Andy explained and showed
be the most exhaustive lake clean
slides of good and bad practices
up project in the country, according
and offered remedies to common
to George Lord, Project Director.
erosion problems. He also offered
The Alliance was first started by
Casco Bay Coalition
to work with any of the road owners
the town of China in response to
Meets Again
who needed help.
the algal bloom. Later, the towns of
Joel Stetson, AmeriCorps
Three Mile and Webber joined the
The Casco Bay Coalition
member sponsored by the China
already successful Alliance and
met for the second time March 1,
Region Lakes Alliance, also
the Alliance became a non-profit
1996. The group came to the
attended the presentation and
organization. Good luck to them in
conclusion that a central lab,
offered to help the landowners.
their Year of the Camp Road!
although it is a possible benefit to
their programs, may not be the
solution with the greatest benefit
for everyone involved. Hence, as
the reader may have noticed, the
Coalition is now called the Casco
Bay Coalition as opposed to the
Casco Bay Central Lab Coalition.
The group also decided that they
needed more input from other
volunteer water quality monitoring
groups before they could come to
any conclusion on what would
even be a benefit! Thus, a task
force was appointed to visit with
volunteer groups in the
watershed and identify their
needs and limiting factors. The
five members of the task force
agreed to meet with the groups
and have results in two months
AmeriCorps member Joel Stetson speaks with a camp road
time. A list of monitoring groups
and resources will also be made
owner.
to facilitate data exchange.
-2-
INE
A
MERICORPS
TEAM USDA
Andy Reid and Joel Stetson
Maine USDA
AmeriCorps
Pre-MidWinter
Training
February 26-27
Black Bear Inn
Orono, Maine
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
members navigate "The Electric
Maze".
-3-
AmeriCorps MidWinter Training
February 27 - 29, 1996
Black Bear Inn & Conference Center
Orono, Maine
Charlie Armstrong, Maine USDA
AmeriCorps member relaxes in between
Sergeant Jared Smith conducts a workshop on
workshops in the lobby of the Black
navigating by compass. Participants commented
Bear Inn.
that = it was the best workshop I have ever been to",
and = Sgt. Smith was a great speaker!".
Chris Olson, presenter, interviews members of the
College Conservation Corps of Maine in the media
interaction workshop. Participants were given tips on
dealing with the media and how to attract the media, in
addition to the practice sessions.
Maryalice Crofton, Acting Director of
the Maine Commission for Community
Service and MidWinter training
planner.
-4-
Martin Kraemer uses humor
while practicing facilitation in the
facilitation workshop. Members
learned how to effectively facilitate a
group discussion and then each
member had the chance to practice
their skills. Foreground: Desiree
Bethune.
Ed Needham, AmeriCorps
member at AmeriCorps Works for ME,
leads the session on public speaking.
Holly Sheehan and Elizabeth Frederic,
Maine USDA AmeriCorps members, give a
workshop on how to present to children.
Great Job Holly and Liz!
BLACK
* NA If R
Members brainstorm about
community fund-raising during
the fund-raising session.
Members were given ideas and
suggestions regarding fund-
raising and then asked to fund-
raise for an event, real or
imagined.
-5-
Andrea Walker (L), AIDS Awareness presenter
and member of Lubec Community Health Corps,
reflects on the training at the closing session. Her
husband, Christopher Walker also an AmeriCorps
member, their daughter, and fellow Corps member
Debora Lavalley stand to the right of her.
Gary Marquis and Alecia Damon, Maine USDA
AmeriCorps members, display AmeriCorps
camaraderie in between sessions
Training planners Josh Bisset, VISTA, and
Maureen Hanley, Lubec Community Health Corps on
the last day of training . Tired, guys??
Robin Brown and Anne
Wilson, Maine USDA
AmeriCorps members reflect on
the training session at the
closing.
MANE COMMISSION
SERVICE FOR COMMUNITY
-6-
Site Visits
Horizons from page 1
It is already time to make
second quarter site visits! If you
have anything interesting planned
in marine science, as well as
about water quality. They
during March or early April,
sharing their personal stories of
reached 134 students and 228
please let me know so that I can
how they became interested in
adults in the first quarter alone!
visit on that day!
science, to 25 seventh, eighth,
After explaining their positions
and ninth graders. Both Desiree
and history, they performed a
and Kate are AmeriCorps
dissolved oxygen test, which is
members sponsored by
one of the parameters that is
Cluster Meetings
University of Maine Cooperative
measured by volunteer water
Everyone should already
Extension. Their objective is to
monitoring groups. A few of the
know that you will be meeting in
give technical training to, and
girls were recruited to help with
your clusters during the month of
coordinate the efforts of,
the test to demonstrate that
March. The southern cluster is
volunteer water quality
everyone has the skills
having their meeting at the Water
monitoring groups from Kittery to
necessary to do science. The
Festival on March 26. Wayne
Calais. In addition to this, both
girls received a wonderful
Munroe, cluster coordinator, will
members are involved in other
presentation that will no doubt
be sending you all sheets so that
community efforts to improve
spark their interest in Marine
you can sign up for an activity
water quality, such as the Casco
science, thanks to Kate and
that day. The Down East cluster
Bay Coalition, and the Clam
Desiree! Great job you two!
has already met ( March 7). The
Conference. Kate and Desiree
Aroostook cluster will be meeting
also teach students and adults
on March 29 and will be going to
tour Shakaree Red Deer Farm
outside of Houlton.
Soil Samples
Anne Wilson, Water
Quality Management Coordinator
in South Paris needs your help!
Apparently, Anne will be helping
every farmer in western Maine
and their brothers take their soil
samples this spring! This will
total somewhere around
1,238,748,482,970,492 soil
samples that all have to be taken
in three hours! OK., you caught
me, I am exaggerating slightly,
but Anne does need your help! I
would like to coordinate our
efforts so that we are all there on
the same day to help (great
picture and media opportunity!).
Student volunteers help with a dissolved
Please call Anne and arrange a
oxygen test
time with her if you want to help!
-7-
Get Well, Rob!
AmeriCorps member hospitalized!
Rob Campbell, Water Quality Management Coordinator in
Lewiston has had his appendix removed! Rob had severe pains
the night he returned from the training and found out it was his
appendix. Rob is at home now and should be feeling better every
day. If anyone wants to send Rob a get well card, here is his work
address:
Rob Campbell
Farm Services Agency
27 Westminster Street
Lewiston, Maine 04240
-8-
NAT * AMERICORP 00 A
Maine USDA AmeriCorps
5 Godfrey Drive
Orono, Maine 04473
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
Welcome to
The Maine Event
AmeriCorps MidWinter Training
brought to you by
The AmeriCorps Training Planners
NATIONAL * S ERICORP A CERTICE OR
&
COMMISSION MANINE SERVICE FOR
The Maine Commission for Community Service
February 27 - 29, 1996
Black Bear Inn & Conference Center
Orono, Maine
Calling all AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps crew
Members, Supervisors, and Program Directors!
Navigating through the conference. This flyer has the schedule of workshops and presenters. Please
note, the USDA conference room is across the street in another building. To determine which workshops you
are registered to attend, consult the list of names in this packet. A "master copy" of the registration will be
posted at the conference check-in table.
Please honor the fact some presenters have placed limits on how many people attend!
Messages. Any calls or messages or changes in schedule will be posted at the conference check-in table.
Please be sure to stop by and scan the center for items left for you.
Have Fun! Info. on events and happenings in the Bangor/Orono area will be at the check-in center.
ranberry
Preparation Phase
1st Year: Construction
Jan.
Planning & Design of beds:
Gather Cranberry Information:
A consultant or contractor can assist you in these areas:
Visit the major cranberry production areas
Engineering drawings, surveying and designing
PRODUCTION
Visit current cranberry growers in Maine
Development of a more thorough time schedule
Locate sources of funding for which you may be eligible
Feb.
for the various phases of construction
Planning the layout of your beds, including size
Talk to cranberry handlers and processors
and orientation for best management
Obtain cranberry manuals (such as the Cranberry
Sediment and erosion control plan
Grower's Guide from the Maine Dept. of Agriculture)
Help with completing any unfinished permit applications
Mar.
ime
Consider joining the Maine Cranberry Growers Association
Number of acres you have for potentiallly growing
Check out and borrow VCR tapes of past cranberry
cranberries (often limited by water supply)
workshops and pest management trainings (see back)
Where and how to develop water sources
Attend Cranberry meetings and on-site workshops
April
Solidly built, erosion-resistant dikes that supply and maintain
Start a business plan, including such things as:
water levels are very important. During and shortly after bog
cost of bed establishment, where to market your
and dike contrustion is when the cranberry operation is most
berries, who to be in production with you, condition
susceptible to the ravages of erosion.
of equipment, etc.
ine
May
Bog and Dike Construction:
Site Assessment:
Consider hiring a contractor to aid in the following:
Try to organize a team from the following organizations to
Removal of surface vegetation
simultaneously visit your site:
Creation of erosion and sediment control structures, such as:
A general, month by month,
June
Siltation fencing - Culverts - Rocked waterways
(NRCS) Contact your District Conservationist for a
guide for establishing a
- Staking haybales - Drop structure - Sediment catch basins
preliminary site investigation. Site review will include
information on factors such as water availability, soils, slope
Permanent and temporary mulches
cranberry bed in the
and land cover considerations. Note: If interested in
Leveling of soil surface and bed area
Compacting subsoil
State of Maine
receiving or being eligible for USDA benefits, a certified
Formation of ditches and recovery pond
wetlands determination must be requested.
July
Permanent & Temporary Seedings:
(DEP) to determine if application for permits
Start in July (no later than August 1st)
will be required. Bangor office: (207) 942-4570
Plant seedings on all bare ground, using the
(Corps of Engineers) to determine if you will need
Aug.
recommended amounts of seed, fertilizer and lime
Federal permits. Manchester office: (207) 623-8367
Note: From experience, experts agree that it is
(Local) Call code enforcement officer to determine if
best to clear and level the land and excavate
local town ordinances will apply. And know your neighbors
Sept.
the drainage ditches the year before the vines
and what their concerns might be.
are planted.
Permit Applications:
Maintaining water quality is important.
Based on the outcome of your site assessment, obtain
Oct.
the appropriate permit application form(s).
Ask someone from DEP about available pre-application
forms.
Produced by:
Nov.
Continue Attending Cranberry Committee
Down East Resource
meetings and any scheduled workshops
Conservation & Development (RC&D)
in cooperation with the Maine
Order your cranberry vines, which are
Dec.
available from Massachusetts.
Department of Agriculture and
Natural Resources Conservation Service
2nd Year: Vine Estabishment
People, workshops, resources
Down East RC&D Cranberry Committee:
This brochure was constructed (using
and organizations:
Meets monthly at the Down East RC&D office in
Canvas 2.0) by Charles Armstrong, Cran-
Cherryfield. In attendance are key people in Maine's
Jan.
berry Water Quality Coordinator with the
cranberry industry, including growers and representa-
District Conservationists:
tives from the Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Univ. of
USDA AmeriCorps Program, positioned
More workshops,
Washington County SWCD, P. O. Box 121
Maine Coop. Ext. Service, and the Natural Resources
at the Down East Resource Conservation
grower meetings, Ag Trade Show, etc.
Machias, ME 04654 tel: (207) 255-4659
Conservation Service. Meetings are structured to
and Development office. It is not to be viewed
Feb
-
Re-examine your financial situation and
Hancock County SWCD, RFD #5, Box 508W
address growers' needs. All are welcome. Contact
as though there is no other correct way of
Ellsworth, ME 04605 tel: (207) 667-8663
Down East RC&D, Rt. 182, P. O. Box 210, Cherry-
establishing a cranberry bed in Maine, but
predict and prepare for upcoming expenses
field, ME 04622; tel: (207) 546-2368.
rather is simply a set of highly recommended
Final Site Preparions:
Maine Cranberry Growers Association:
guidelines based on personal experience from
Workshops and seminars held: Quarterly
Resource Guides:
Mar.
both growers and experts in the field.
Watch for uneven settling of cut and fill
newsletter available; Contact the Executive
"Cranberry Agriculture in Maine: Grower's
DOWN EAST RC&D
areas that may have occurred within beds
Make any necessary repairs or improve-
Director at 1-800-566-4664
Guide." Contents include: cranberry industry
P O Box 210
overview, business planning, permitting process,
Cherryfield ME 04622
April
ments in your planting equipment
Cape Cod Cranberry Grower's Association:
site engineering, vine establishment, pest manage-
Phone: (207) 546-2368
Identify low spots and regrade bed elevations as needed
Established in 1888; sponsors publications
ment, and sources of assistance. Copies available:
FAX: (207) 546-2369
contact Down East RC&D, Rt. 182, P. O. Box 210,
May
Establish irrigation system
on topics such as wildlife habitat enhance-
Cherryfield, ME, 04622 tel: (207) 546-2368 or
Test pH (Ideal range: 4.2 5.5): lower with sulfur
ment, Best Management Practices, and
Maine Dept. of Ag. Food and Rural Resources,
Apply and incorporate phosphate into the soil
abutting landowner relations; Contact:
State House Station #28, Augusta, ME 04333; tel:
M
Install sand growing medium
C.C.G.A., Box 730, E. Wareham, MA
(207) 287-7620 or fax: 207-287-7548.
UNITED
02538; tel: (508) 295-4895
"Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Note-
STATES
Plant Vines (May 1st June 6th)
book." Contents include: IPM definition, scouting
DEPARTMENT
June
You must plant по later than June 6th.
Maine Cranberry Educational Workshops:
techniques, insect, weed and disease control, plant
OF AGRICULTURE
Sponsored by Univ. of Maine Cooperative
nutrition, and water management. Contact the Cran-
Ground Cover Maintenance:
Extension: topics are determined by Maine
berry Experiment Station, Univ. of Ma., E. Wareham,
Apply proper rate of Nitrogen fertilizers every 2 weeks
cranberry growers, occur on-site, and bring
MA 02568; tel: (508) 295-2212.
July
Enroll in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program;
in leading experts from major cranberry-
Training/Instructional Videos:
Americorps is President Clinton's national service
contact Down East RC&D office for details: (207)
producing states: Contact: The Univ. of Maine
There are various videotapes available covering such
program, passed with bi-partisan support from Congress,
546-2368
Cooperative Extension's Small Fruit Specialist:
events as the Cranberry School from the Cranberry
that engages 20,000 Americans of diverse backgrounds
Conduct soil and leaf tissue samples in subsequent years
tel: (207) 581-2923, or 1-800-870-7270, or Down
Experiment Station, Univ. of Mass. in East Wareham.
in performing service that meets critical community
needs in return for an educational award. which may
Aug.
Manage your weeds:
East RC&D, Rt. 182, P. O. Box 210, Cherryfield,
Ma. This program focuses on advanced topics in
be used to pay for college, job training, or graduate
Perennials (pull)
cranberry culture, such as the underlying mechanisms
school, or to pay back student loans. The majority of
ME 04622; tel: (207) 546-2368
Herbacious (pull or cut before going to seed)
of cranberry production and how these relate to
AmeriCorps members are working in partnerships with
states. local governments, and non-profit organizations.
Grasses (herbicide)
successful disease, insect and weed management as
Massachusetts Cranberry School and
Rushes & sedges (pull/herbicide)
well as to one's fertilizer program. Videos of the annual
The U.S. Deparment of Agriculture is running three types
Sept.
Research Update Seminars: Offered
of AmeriCorps teams in 38 states, composed of approx-
Note: It is wise to draw a weed map to document the type
Cranberry Research and Extension Update are also
imately 1,200 members: an Anti-Hunger Team, a Public
through the Univ. of Mass. Coop. Ext. Service
and extent of your weed problem (for future reference).
available. Additionally, there are several videos
Lands and Environment Team. and a Rural Development
in E. Wareham. Ma. Sessions include beginner (or
available documenting on-site pest management
Team. Many of AmeriCorps projects are sponsored by
Manage your insects in subsequent years:
review and more advanced topics in Integrated
community-based organizations and all projects are
techniques during four visits by an experienced cranberry
Oct.
Obtain a sweepnet and scout for various pests:
designed to get things done while boosting community,
Pest Management (IPM) and plant nutrition
entomologist from Massachusetts (1995).
opportunity, and responsibility.
Use threshold tables and other resources found
conducted by experts (from the state that leads
All of these videos are highly recommended and
in your Grower's Guide: Save unknown specimens
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibit
the world in cranberry production). For more
may be signed out. Contact Down East RC&D. Rt.
discrimination in its programs on the basis of race. color,
for i.d. by an entomologist
information, contact the Cranberry Experiment
182. P. O. Box 210, Cherryfield, ME 04622: tel:
national origin, sex. religion. age, disability, political beliefs.
Station. Univ. of Mass.. E. Wareham. MA 02538
and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
Nov.
(207) 546-2368 or the Univ. of Maine Cooperative
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alter-
or your local cooperative extension office.
Extension offices in Orono. Ellsworth. or Machias.
native means for communication of program information
Cranberry Committee meetings
(braille. large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881, (voice) or (202
720-7808 (TDD).
Dec.
Flooding of your bed(s)
AMERICORPS 1 SERVICE
UNITED
DOWN EAST RC&D
STATES
P 0 Box 210
DEPARTMENT
Cherryfield ME 04622
OF AGRICULTURE
Phone: (207) 546-2368
FAX: (207) 546-2369
23 February 1996
Dear Cranberry Grower,
This year promises to be an exciting time for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in
Maine's cranberry beds. But without your involvement, the success of the program will suffer.
I encourage you to take advantage of my unique position here at the Down East Resource
Conservation and Development (RC&D) office in Cherryfield by joining forces with many other
cranberry growers and participating in the IPM program. As I wrote in the latest issue of the
Maine Cranberry Growers Association newsletter, "There is nothing to lose except lots of insects
and weeds." That is indeed true! And there is the potential for a lot to be gained; namely, the
ability to learn yourself how to manage your beds in an integrated fashion long after my year or
two with the USDA AmeriCorps program has ended. You will also be able to sharpen your pest
identification skills of both insects and weeds. My Master's Degree education and training has
been in the former of these two - entomology - but I have taken many plant courses as well and
have retained. much of what I learned about weeds through my past work as an IPM scout and
assistant for Cornell University. I hope to be able to put my skills to good use for you this season
and possibly next season as well, so once again, I invite you to sign up for this program.
The program will consist, at the very least, of a weekly scouting visit from myself and
possibly, on occasion, Don Mairs, an experienced and well-known entomologist with the Maine
Department of Agriculture in Augusta. He will be available to me as a means of verifying insect
identification, as well as answering any questions that I may have. And in case you would like to
review some of what IPM is all about, I am enclosing a separate page of overview material for
your benefit.
To join the IPM program, simply return this form to me as soon as you can, and no later
than April 15ᵗʰ, just to allow adequate planning and preparation work. The cutoff date is rather
arbitrary, so if you are REALLY eager to join and the deadline has gone by, don't panic! Just
give me a call and I'll try to accommodate you.
Yes, I would like to join the IPM program, and would like to enroll
field(s) to be
scouted, with the understanding that the resulting data will be based on a confidential
code/numbering system.
No, I would prefer not to get involved in the IPM program this year.
Your Name:
Your Address:
Phone:
Return to:
Charlie Armstrong
Please mail before April 15ᵗʰ.
Thank
Down East RC&D
you.
Rt. 182 PO Box 210
Cherryfield, ME 04622
Charlie armstrong
(USDA) prombits discrimination in its programa on the Dasis of race,color, national onqin. sex. religion. aqe, disability, political bewere and mental or status. (Not all pronibited bases apply
to - programs). Persons with disabilities who require siternative means for communication of program information (brewe, large print. audiotape. etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communica-
tione of (202) 720-5881. (VOICe) or (202) 720-7808 (TOD).
To two . complaint. who the Secretary of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington. D.C., 20250. or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TOO). USDA is an equal employment
opportunity employer.
AmeriCorps is President Clinton's national service program. passed with bi-partisan support from
Congress. that engages 20.000 Americans of diverse backgrounds in performing service that meets critical
community needs in return for an educationaí award. which may be used to pay for college, job training, or
graduate school, or to pay back student loans. The majority of AmeriCorps members are working in partnerships
with states, local governments. and non-profit organizations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is running three types of AmeriCorps teams in 38 states, composed of
approximately 1,200 members: an Anti-Hunger Team, a Public Lands and Environment Team. and a Rural
Development Team. Many of AmeriCorps projects are sponsored by community-based organizations and all
to ger things done while boosting community, opportunity, and responsibility.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to agriculture that balances
economic, environmental, and social issues.
Integrated means that many techniques and methods are united in the solution of
a pest problem.
Pests - organisms that adversely affect crop production - could be bacteria, fungi,
viruses, insects, mites, nematodes, weeds, or vertebrates.
Management is the process of keeping pests from causing economic damage.
The cornerstones of Integrated Pest Management are:
monitoring (scouting), which includes detecting, identifying, and sampling pest
populations on a timely basis;
forecasting with available weather data and other information to predict when
specific pests will be most problematic;
using thresholds (pest population levels) to determine when pest populations
have reached a level that could cause economic damage; and
choosing appropriate management strategies to control pests; biological,
chemical, cultural, genetic, and physical controls.
The goal of the Cranberry IPM Program:
The goal of the Maine Cranberry IPM Program is to reduce the use of chemical
pesticides whenever possible to the minimum level necessary to produce high
quality cranberries and cranberry products that will be competitive in the
marketplace, while at the same time protecting human health and water quality.
Cranberry IPM Objectives:
Minimize crop losses caused by pests
Make the best use of cultural controls, biological pest controls, and
resistant varieties
Maximize the effectiveness of pesticides when they must be used
Reduce pest management costs
Minimize the potential for pesticide resistance
Minimize harmful environmental effects of pest control
Educate the grower SO that he/she may continue to practice IPM in the future
Fact sheet prepared by Charles Armstrong, USDA AmeriCorps Member - Feb. 23, 1996.
Dear
,
Thank you for enrolling in the IPM program! It is so nice to see individuals looking to improve
the quality of both the environment and their cranberry crop. While it is true that significant
money is often saved in the process, I trust that the biggest reason for your interest is simply to
develop an even closer understanding and relationship with the land you have transformed. There
are countless inter-relationships at work in the environment, especially between insects and their
natural enemies. The weather plays a major role, too, as you know. Hopefully you will
understand some of these relationships better by the end of the IPM program and will remember
them for years to come.
Another positive aspect of IPM is the way in which it is viewed by consumers, as this latest
article from "IPM Monitor" demonstrates. Rightfully, cranberries taken from growers practicing
IPM should go for a higher price. This is something I feel we should raise our voices about. IPM
is not equal to "organic," but it frequently uses organic practices. At the very least, it appears that
any time you work with me to sharpen your net-sweeping skills and insect and weed
identification skills, you can acquire some pesticide recertification - one or more credits.
I look forward to working with you. Please take the time to fill out the "Cranberry Management
Practices" form for EACH of the fields you have enlisted in the program. This form should be the
last thing you will need to mail back to me for a month or two. One of our restrictions here is that
we cannot include return postage, much to my dismay. Just think how much more valueable your
RC&D stamps are compared to the ones you have to use on bills. There is little I hate more than
having to waste a stamp on top of a bill that I don't really want to pay anyway!
Lastly, I did not include any space for management of diseases. If you had problems with any
diseases this past season, please mention that in the "General problems/Comments" section or on
a separate piece of paper, as well as any management step(s) you may have taken. Thank you
very much!
Sincerely,
Charlie armotrong
Charlie Armstrong
Cranberry Water Quality Coordinator
USDA AmeriCorps Member
CRANBERRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (1995-96)
Name:
Phone (optional):
Address:
Box #/Street
Town
State
Zip
Common field name:
Acres =
AMOUNT
DATE
PRACTICE
TYPE
ACREAGE
PER ACRE
Year 1st planted:
Planting
19
Variety:
Weed Control
Herbicide:
Herbicide:
Herbicide:
month:
Problem weed(s):
month:
Problem weed(s):
month:
Problem weed(s):
Hand-pull:
Cultivation:
Cut/clipping:
Other:
Insect Control
Insecticide:
Insecticide:
Sanding:
Flooding:
Other:
month:
Problem insect(s):
month:
Problem insect(s):
month:
Problem insect(s):
DATE
Fertilizer (type)
Formulation
METHOD
AMOUNT PER ACRE
DATE
PRACTICE
TYPE
METHOD
ACREAGE
YIELD
Harvesting
DATE
PRACTICE
Juice?
Fresh produce?
Processing
DATE
PRACTICE
Hours water left on?
Specific Purpose
Flooding
roughly:
Flooding
roughly:
DATE
PRACTICE
Depth of sand?
Specific Purpose
Sanding
roughly:
SOIL pH:
Month measured:
Any adjustment made?
General problems/Comments:
Field Map (including sources of water):
Weed map for 1995 (and miscellaneous):
Down East Resource Conservation and Development Council's
Vacationland Resources Committee
presents
The Second Annual
ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE
(Resource Responsible Tourism)
"DEFINING OUR ROLES"
To be held at:
White Birches - Hancock, Maine
April 9, 1996
10 A. M. to 4 P.M.
Karen, I designed this
cover For the Vacation land
Resources Committee (saved them
a lot of money and spent about
20 hrs. of my time). I just
don't know what code, etc. I
should use, if any, for the
NVIRONMENT
quarterly report. I'll leave it to
your discretion to see if it's
3
worth including somehow ???
Charlie
5801
TOURISM
Recycle the Resource
ReMAINE Sound
VISION STATEMENT: To preserve and protect the environment (resource)
and the experience (jobs, tourism, quality of life) through cooperation,
proper planning and management of our resources for generations to come.
Gearing up for IPM
Speaking of insects and weeds, while
conducting my IPM work this year, I
by Charlie Armstrong,
will be simultaneously collecting weed
USDA AmeriCorps
and insect specimens from cranberry
(Cranberry Water Quality Coordinator)
beds to press and pin. respectively, so
that there might be a long-lasting
"There is nothing to lose
resource. i.e. collection. that anybody
could use for a variety of reasons;
except lots of insects and
namely, for identifying an unknown
weeds."
weed or insect or for learning how to
best control it. I may be able to supply
a small collection of at least the insects
I have noticed lately that it is no
for each grower in addition to the main
longer totally dark at 5:00 p.m. And I
collection that will be kept here at the
am sure many of you have made the
Down East RC&D office in Cherryfield.
very same observation. I agree with
the man I heard on the radio the other
So, not only will I do the best job I can
day who said, "I don't care WHAT the
with implementing IPM for cran-
groundhog did or did not see. All I
berries this year, but I will also serve
know is that the sun is coming up a bit
as a good, chemical-free, cost-free,
earlier and going down a bit later each
even fat-free, pest-control agent
day, and that's good enough for me."
MYSELF while working to build the
Indeed. Spring is knocking on the
insect and weed collections.
door, and I am "gearing up" my plans
for what I hope to be a really success-
If you have any questions about the
ful Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
upcoming program, please don't hesi-
program this year. I have created a
tate to write or call me: Down East
two-page cranberry management form
RC&D, Rt. 182 Box 210, Cherryfield. ME
that will help bring me up-to-date on
04622 (tel: 207/546-2368, or fax -2369).
the past year's history of each field
that comes into the program. Such
information will also prove useful at
the end of the season when looking for
causes behind pest problems (or the
lack of pest problems). For current. or
"brand new" plantings, however. there
will be little to report for the previous
year. obviously, but the pests are sure
to move in and attempt to become
permanent residents.
This went out in the
I will soon be sending out a form to
latest newsletter of
every grower (or potential grower) on
our mailing list that will serve as an
the Maine Cranberry
invitation to join the IPM program this
Growers Association.
year. For those who wish to join, I will
follow up with the cranberry manage-
we haven't gotten it
ment form that will need to be filled
yet.
out for each cranberry bed coming
into the program. So far as I know.
there is no cost to join. and nothing to
lose except lots of insects and weeds.
February 1996
Photo Courtesy of Wells Reserve
¥
Environmental Washington County
Newsletter
7
On February 10th, we
the meeting. DMR had sent
attended a meeting at the
this information to the
Milbridge Town Hall
Milbridge Town Office where
concerning the quality of
it was posted on the door.
the clam flats and water of
One would hope that the
the surrounding areas.
town officials would know
Approximately fifteen
their own state of affairs
diggers from Washington
well enough to realize that
County attended, and, as
clam diggers rarely, if
you can imagine, tempers
ever, go to the town
flared. The diggers argued
office. This crucial
that there simply weren't
information should have
enough harvestable flats
been sent to a local
open to them and something
newspaper or post office.
more should be done. Dave
Matters such as these
Dennison of the Department
cannot be taken lightly.
of Marine Resources (DMR)
Taking away clam flats is
stated, rather effectively,
as devastating as taking
that they were doing all
money from someone's pocket
that they possibly could.
or food from their table;
Although we agree that
and homeowners are as much
in some areas more could be
at fault as officials.
done to further the clam
Defective or aging septic
industry, Dennison and DMR
systems are the major cause
are not at fault. Due to
of clam flat closure. Many
dysfunctional or outdated
people are aware of the
sewer systems on nearby
problem, but take no action
waterfront property,
toward improvement, for
surrounding clam flats are
reasons of money or
being closed. Since DMR
personal inconvenience.
has absolutely no
But lack of money is hardly
enforcement rights, and
an arguement, since the
much less enforcement
town of Milbridge has
capacity, only suggestions
offered to pay 90% of a new
can be made to town
septic system and sometimes
officials. We believe that
more in cases of extreme
both Dennison and DMR are
hardship. Reluctant
doing all that they
homeowners should think of
possibly can to improve
what an inconvenience it
flat quality by water
would be to have their jobs
sampling, research and
taken away. Having a new
public action.
septic system put in would
However, we do not
be a pleasure compared to
think that town managers
that.
and local residents have
In short, we realize
played their part in
that there are extenuating
improving Maine's water
circumstances in all cases
quality. For instance, a
and much is being done to
certain section of clam
benefit the diggers, but
flats in Milbridge has been
some events are unknowingly
open since September of
hindering them, too.
1995, but local clam
diggers did not receive
Amy Kennedy/Josh Paul
word of the opening until
URCHINS
A game warden's job today is very
concerned with environmental issues.
Sea urchins, once an
Most people think that all wardens do is
annoying waste product for
ride around all day when, in fact, they
lobstermen, have become big
must keep the woods and rivers safe from
business here in Maine.
poachers. Everyday they put their lives
Two years ago, sea urchins
on the line by approaching people who
were second only to
are potentially dangerous. A college
lobsters as a valuable
admissions person said that the job of
catch. The declining
being a warden is one of the most
number of sea urchins sold
dangerous in the field of criminal
has caused a fear that
justice. These facts alone show that
they're being overfished.
you must be very tough and very strong
As a result,
mentally and physically to handle such a
legislators, divers, and
job. These men and women are also
dragger captains have
protecting you along with the animals,
gotten together to propose
so if you see one of them, you should
laws to protect the fishery
take the time to thank them for the hard
from being wiped out. Some
work they put in every day of the week.
measures proposed include a
closed season, size limits,
and restrictions on the
-Lester Look
number of people allowed to
enter the fishery.
--Anonymous
MAN IN THE MOON
ZOOPLANKTON
The man in the moon
watches Earth mother
Zooplankton are
generally weird-shaped
He sees the exploitations
little animals. These
that we've evoked
creatures must stay in the
uppermost part of the sea,
He cries for his sibling
because that is where they
while her skin decays
need to be in order to
obtain food. In the
Leaving her children unprotected.
plankton group there are
the larvae of sponges,
corals, worms, mollusks,
The man in the moon
echinoderms, fishes, and
watches Earth mother
many other smaller and
lesser known groups.
He sees the destruction
that we've caused
The permanent plankton
that live in the sea
He cries for his sibling
consist of free living
while we cut into her skin
protozoans. The permanent
plankton which seem to be
Taking all that she provides.
very large in number, are
the principle food source
for larger fish, even
The man in the moon
whales.
no longer watches
He no longer cries for his sibling
--Sunshine
For no longer is she there.
Bonnie D.
Fish of the Gulf of Maine
In 1816, Abraham Lurvey
of MDI invented the
mackerel jig, and this way
of fishing spread like
wildfire for 50 years. The
jiggers and elegant
mackerel schooners, with
The geomorphology, or
their two galf-rigged
shape of the bottom of the
topsails lightened the bays
Gulf of Maine, is its most
of Maine in a silver age of
outstanding feature. The
fishing.
Gulf of Maine is 36,000
square miles of backwater
The most common way to
from the North Atlantic
fish for herring was
Ocean. The bottom is
torching. When herring
irregular and shallow,
would move into coves at
averaging 35 fathoms over
night, they were attracted
its great width. Nearer
to light, which was
shore, there are numerous
provided by burning
banks and ledges.
kerosene torches. Once
Together, these aspects
they were "herded"
provide an incredibly
together, they were simply
varied habitat for fish,
scooped out of the water
such as cod, herring,
with nets. Fish traps and
haddock, and hake, to
weirs were also used to
thrive.
catch herring, but these
methods were not quite as
Fish egg survival is
popular. With more
greatly affected by this
advanced technology,
enclosed area since the
herring could also be
salinity is high. Reduced
spotted from the air and
salinity makes fish eggs
fished accordingly.
and larvae grow more
prosperously, so common
Lobstering began merely
breeding grounds lie in
as a pastime for those too
estuaries where fresh water
young and too old or weak
mixes with salt water.
to fish for groundfish
offshore, but today it is
In the Gulf of Maine,
the most lucrative fishing
schooling fish such as
industry in Maine. It is
mackerel, pogy, and herring
rumored that the market for
are more common than
lobsters began in Casco Bay
ground-dwelling fish such
in the 1840's, but many
as flounder. Schooling
other areas make a similar
fish feed on masses of
claim. From then on,
floating vegetable life and
pounds began springing up
on small animals, but each
everywhere, and after a
species of fish utilizes
decade, declining catches
different foods. Pogies
were painfully evident.
strain diatoms through
The Lobsterman's National
filters in their mouth,
Protective Association was
while mackerel and herring
forced to pass a law
feed on copepods.
against the taking of short
lobsters.
Eventually, we were
overfishing all fish in the
area. Biologists made
Ground Fishing
their case, and the cod
quotas were set in 1978.
Ground fishing has been a great
Although these restrictions
business for many people in the past,
are helping, people can
but now, due to vast fishing, some areas
only speculate on future
have lost their abundance of fish. Two
population levels. Some
years ago, fishermen off the shores of
say the pressure is getting
Jonesport were bringing in an average of
so great, that fishermen
3,000 to 5,000 pounds of fish per day.
are throwing in their
But this past summer, most boats were
"poles" and heading inland.
averaging 500 to 700 pounds per day, a
major difference.
Resources
A lot of studies have been started
because of this major drop. Some areas
Apollonio, Spencer. The
have been shut down. Research is still
Gulf of Maine, Courier of
going on, so there could be even more
Maine Books 1979.
shut-downs and many more changes.
Some people think of this as a bad
Conckling, Philip W.
move, but I feel it is good. If
Islands in Time, Downeast
something isn't done now to let the fish
Enterprise, Inc. 1981.
build up, there might not be any ground
fishing anywhere in the years to come.
-Tim Tabbutt
--Angela Fletcher
Rob Worcester
Jared Look
To Whom it May Concern:
"Apocalypse"
Up in the sky, high above your head
In today's society, we
The sky turns a shade of deep blood red
should stop relying on
Down in the valley, the valley so low
the government to solve
Time stands still and the winds cease to blow
our problems. We only
The sun beats down
make our situation worse
Hard and hot upon the dry ground
by depending upon the
The match sparks and the fires rage
government and the tax
On the open prairie
payer's money to bail
us out each time we have
Consuming the sage
The vegetation withers and dries
a difficult problem in
our lives. We should
While animals starve, whimper, and cry
The waters recede
rely on ourselves and the
While mothers plead
power we have to make a
better future for our-
For a drop of rain
To quench the thirsts and heal the pain
selves. It's really not
as hard as people say.
Disease and famine plague the land
While pestilence consumes every man
If you work hard, people
will see it and you will
One by one
be the one to move ahead.
They fall to their knees
This is how I feel.
And pray to a god
That has forgotten their pleas
Throughout the inferno the four horsemen ride
Sincerely,
And laugh at those who in vain have died
James Kneeland
As the earth continues to shrivel
As the sun continues to burn
As a man falls prey to foolish ambition
The gods stamp out a fearful mission
--Marilyn Ortega
Recently, Mrs. Lynn
ATTENTION ALL READERS!!!
Alley, a science teacher at
Jonesport-Beals High School
was invited to become a
At this time I would
member of the Beals Island
like to correct a statement
Regional Shellfish Hatchery
that I made in the Winter
Board of Directors. In a
edition of the Washington
subsequent vote, Mrs. Alley
County Environmental
was elected Assistant
Newsletter. The statement
Chairman by her fellow
read: "Contrary to popular
board members. Her job
DMR belief
can be
will be to assist the
largely attributed to J-B
chairman as requested in
water testing results." If
preparation for meetings
ever there was a more
and chair the meetings in
misleading and incorrect
the absence of the
statement, I have yet to see
chairman. The Board will
it. It is common knowledge
meet once a month.
that without the "official"
In other good news from
test that the Department of
the J-BHS Science
Marine Resources performs,
Department, J-BHS has
no reopening of clam flats
received equipment from the
United States Government to
in the Jonesport-Beals area
would be possible. Without
raise salmon in the science
lab. U.S. Fish and
the "OK" from them, the
flats in the Jonesport-Beals
Wildlife is providing an
area would still be closed.
aquarium, chiller, eggs,
By no means was I trying to
and technical assistance;
imply that the work they do
the science potpourri class
is anything but first-rate.
is providing the "people"
They do a commendable job
power. The fish will be
and I am sorry if I have
raised throughout the
caused any misconception
spring and will be released
concerning their work. Once
into the Narraguagus River
again, I would like to
when they are a few inches
long, which will be in a
apoligize for this error.
few months.
Sincerely,
FATE OF THE SEA KING
Leigh R. Woodward
J-B Chem. Student
My world is polluted
By the trash you dump in here.
My land is blackened
And extinction is my current fear
The sharks once so feared by you
Now fall by your hands
Bloody water now red once blue
While oil kills my lands
The whales with their songs
Open House
Now vanish before my eyes.
The sewers pollute my water
While another of my children dies.
Neasant River Atlantic Salmon Fry Hatchery
I see the way you are
And I know it's not right
and Interpretive Education Center
My world is dying now
Will it last another night?
March 29, 1996 in Columbia Falls
- Leo Chandler
50,000Salmon eggs in house
The "Washington County Environmental Newsletter," is a publication
designed by the high school students of Washington County for the publication
of student writing and drawings. This student newsletter began last year
and was founded by Jane Lamson and Karen Bert, two AmeriCorps members serving
in Washington County. This year the newsletter is supported by:
Jane Lamson - USDA AmeriCorps
AMERICORPS
Down East Resource Conservation & Development
*
PO Box 210
Cherryfield, ME 04622
THE
VICE
ELL
Michelle Grant - USDA AmeriCorps
Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District
PO Box 121
Machias, ME 04654
*If you have questions or comments please contact Jane at 546-2368
or Michelle at 255-3995.
-Coming in late February-
Proper road drainage and maintenance protects
"DRAINAGE
roads and water quality. Learn how to make your
roads last longer and cost less to maintain. Help
DRAINAGE
keep sediments from erosion, litter, applied sand
DRAINAGE"
and salt, oils and greases, and other pollutants out
of streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and wetlands.
HBMI as cosponsor of the Meduxnekeag
Watershed Protection Plan with SASWCD and
member of the Meduxnekeag Watershed Coalition
welcomes the opportunity to support this
A SPECIAL WORKSHOP1
workshop.
FOR THOSE IN
THE MEDUXNEKEAG WATERSHED
On
Maliseet Double Curve Design
WHO should attend:
THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE
ON LOCAL ROADS AND WATERS
Landowners who build and maintain private
or
roads including Farmers, Members of Lake
How You Can Protect
Associations etc.,
Roads and Water Quality.
Selectmen,
Town Managers,
Road Commissioners,
Sponsored by the
Public Works Directors, and
Road Foremen and Employees.
HOULTON BAND OF MALISEET INDIANS
There is NO REGISTRATION FEE. The
in cooperation with
instruction, handouts and lunch are free.
Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation
Details on WHEN and WHERE to be announced.
District; Heidi Nelson, AmeriCorp; and the
Meduxnekeag Watershed Coalition
WATCH your mailbox!
developed and presented by
MAINE LOCAL ROADS CENTER
¹This is a required ROADS SCHOLAR workshop
for municipal officials
ERICOR
M
INE
All
UNITED
STATES
A
MERICORPS
SERVICE
DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
TEAM USDA
District Newsletter Article (1)
Jan. 11,1996
The new District AmeriCorps Volunteer Member, Heidi Nelson, has been
busy as Water Quality and Rural Development Coordinator this last quarter. Top
priority has been given to extending the District's involvement with the five
local school systems: SAD#29, SAD#70, SAD#25, CSD#9 and Bridgewater
Elementary. 114 Newsletters and surveys were drafted and sent to the science
teachers, in cooperation with Marc Russell, funded by the 319 Grant. The
purpose of the survey was to establish what sort of assistance might be
requested of our office on the subject of water quality education and
integration into the classroom curriculum. Although this attempt received poor
returns, Heidi followed up with four teacher workshops, three of which were
facilitated by Liz Frederic, the Education Coordinator for the Maine Association
of Conservation Districts. A wide variety of information about District
sponsored events, lesson plans, posters and assorted educational materials
were distributed and are available upon request from your SASWCD office.
Eighty-four educators attended the SAD#29 workshop for elementary
school teachers, thirteen attended the SAD#29 for secondary level, and
seventeen were present at the SAD#70 elementary workshop on Jan. 2, 1996.
Heidi facilitated a workshop alone on Jan. 3 at the SAD#70 high school for their
four science teachers. In addition to these workshops, she has borrowed a
$15,000 watershed model from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in
Halifax, Nova Scotia that has been rotated through most of the District schools
during the month of January and was available for the workshops, as well. The
model visited Houlton High School, Houlton Southside, Sherman Elementary,
Southern Aroostook Community School, Hodgdon High School, Hodgdon
Elementary and may spend a day at the Houlton Elementary School, pending on
time and weather. An estimated 3200 students will potentially benefit from
the combined experience of the model and the workshops.
Another large percentage of AmeriCorps time has been given in assistance
to Matt Williams of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE). Bulk
densities of soil samples and statistical analysis have been determined from
farm based demonstration project plots. Heidi has spent many hours entering
data and devising graphs that will become slides for Matt's presentation at the
Potato Conference Jan. 17-18. Work with UMCE will continue throughout the
year and growing season to promote land base sharing and on farm
demonstrations.
(USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race,color. national origin, sex, religion, age, disability. political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communica-
tions at (202) 720-5881. (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington, D.C., 20250. or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is en equal employment
opportunity employer.
SAVING OUR LAKES
RIVER
LONG OMUD OCROSS
SERVING
THE FISH RIVER
BEISH
LAKES
SQUARE OEAGLE
CHAIN OF LAKES:
SOLDIER POND
OFISH OPORTAGE
FISH RIVER
$ST.FROID
WATER
ST. JOHN RIVER
QUALITY
BOX 745, PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE 04769
(207) 764-4126
FRLWQA Newsletter
Issue # 30 Fall, 1995
NEXT MEETING
WATER QUALITY COORDINATOR
The next FRLWQA Board meeting will be held on
POSITION CHANGES HANDS
JANUARY 3 AT 6:30 PM, at Jim Killarney's camp
(located on Cyr Rd., off of Rt. 161. Call 764-4126 for
After an enormously successful year as
complete directions). Guests and the public are
Coordinator, Nicky Violette has left the
invited.
AmeriCorps program and moved to Boston,
Mass. She has left a legacy of high-quality
THANKS TO DUES PAYERS 8
environmental educational programs,
The Fish River Lakes Water Quality Association would like to
beautifully-crafted newsletters, and well-
thank the following members for their recent payment of dues.
organized public information programs
CAMILLE G.
MIKE ST. PETER
GORDON
BEAULIEU
DALTON WINSLOW
SUMMERVILLE
behind her, all of which have benefitted
WRIGHT-PIERCE
HENRY & MARY WILSON
CARL & JACKIE
hundreds of people here in Aroostook
GUY CORRIVEAU
WILLIAM& THERESA
WEBBER
ATHILL & LUCINDA
CYR
ANN SHAW
County. The enthusiasm and ingenuity she
HEBERT
HAROLD DAIGLE
GILMAN DUMOND
LAUREL R GREEN
GEORGE PUTNAM
THOMAS GRIFFIN
brought to the Coordinator position will be
DWIGHT SEWELL
EDWARD DISY
JAMES ALBERT
hard to match.
PAUL & PRISCILLA
BETSI JANE TAYLOR
MIKE & ELEANOR CYR
NICHOLS
ALBERT STEVENS
RICHARD & CARLENE
Amanda Smith will be taking over Nicky's
RICHARD & LEETA
ELMER & MAYNA
DICK
PELLETIER
HUNTING
ALBERT & LOUANN
responsibilities for the '95-'96 season. Ms.
REYNOLD MARTIN
SANDY C. ST. PETER
WATT
REGINALD FRASER
ROBERT C. SOUCY
T. REGINALD SNOW
Smith is a returning AmeriCorps participant
LENORA T. MARIIN
BETTE MERSEREAU&
VAN BUREN TULSA
who was involved in fisheries issues in the
DAVID & SANDRA
PETER BRIGGS
EBERHARD THIELE
SNYDER
MELVIN & RENA LABBE
PARADIS FAMILY
upper St. John last year. Having worked
LAURINA C. ALBERT
AMANDA BURGOIN
SUPERMARKET
closely with Nicky on environmental
educational programs and public
informational displays, she's familiar with the
FRLWQA's mission to protect Maine's
priceless freshwater resources. She'll be
working out of the St. John-Aroostook RC&D
office in Presque Isle, and can be reached at
764-4126.
"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking
into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."
H.D. Thoreau
AMERICORPS PROGRAM GAINS 2ND-
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND TREATMENT
YEAR MOMENTUM
SYSTEMS (CWTS)
For a second year, the AmeriCorps members are
Natural wetland systems have long provided
providing a work-base across the nation, taking part in a
passive treatment of agricultural runoff, wastewater,
wide variety of community service programs.
acid mine drainage, and other forms of pollution.
AmeriCorps is President Clinton's national service
Constructed wetlands are now being used on a global
program, passed with bi-partisan support from
basis to manage a multitude of environmental
Congress, that engages 20,000 Americans of diverse
concerns, such as municipal wastewater, industrial
backgrounds in performing service that meets critical
discharges, landfill leachate, agricultural and
community needs in return for an educational award,
stormwater runoff. and acid mine drainage, in a cost-
which may be used to pay for college, job training, or
effective manner. The unique physio-chemical and
graduate school, or to pay back student loans. The
biological properties of wetlands have been shown to
majority of AmeriCorps Members are working in
significantly reduce levels of nutrients (nitrogen,
partnerships with states, local governments, and non-
phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen), heavy metals,
profit organizations.
pesticides, and other natural and man-made organic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is running three
chemicals in wastewater. stormwater runoff,
types of Americorps teams in 38 states, composed of
urbanized areas, acid mine drainage, etc.
approximately 1,200 members: an Anti-Hunger Team,
Mechanisms of Contaminant Removal/
a Public Lands and Environment Team, and a Rural
Pollution Abatement
Development Team. Many of the AmeriCorps projects
Wetlands accomplish pollution abatement/
are sponsored by community-based organizations and
renovation through their many naturally occurring
all are projects designed to get things done, while
physical and biogeochemical properties. These
boosting community, opportunity, and responsibility.
include high plant productivity with metabolically
Northern Maine is fortunate to once again be the
induced chemical conversions, large adsorptive
project site for four AmeriCorps positions. Working
surfaces and binding sites on sediments and plant
under the auspices of the U.S.D.A., the participants are
structures (including the vast underground biomass
involved with projects which fall under the broad theme
contained in the roots, rhizomes, and tubers), an
of "Improving and Protecting Water Quality."
aerobic-anaerobic interface, and most importantly,
an active microbial population inherent in all
Phone 728-7570
wetland systems. Microbial populations play a vital
543-6462
role in the biochemical transformation of wastewater
543-6140
constituents, (cont. on next page)
Nadeau Septic Service
Paul J. Gagnon Prop.
A-TEAM ENTERPRISE
Septic Tank Cleaning
Septic Service
U.S. Rt. P.O. Box 151
Portable Toilet Rentals
Professional Vacuum Tank Truck
Upper Frenchville, ME 04784
"Year Round Service"
"Prompt, Courteous Service" Serving the St. John Valley
FRLWQA Annual Tour a Success
Ronald Toussaint, Prop
A-TEAM
Tel.: 444-5595
ENTERFRISE
Gilles Daigle, Prop.
A sincere thanks goes out to all of those individuals
Tel.: 444-4640
Sly Brook Road, Eagle Lake
who helped out with, and participated in, the Fish River
Below: Butch Thibodeau of the Sinclair Sanitary District
accepts a Water Quality Conservation award from FRLWQA
Lake Water Quality Association's Annual Tour. From the
President Phil Soucy.
viewpoint of the Association, it was an especially
successful tour, as it brought camp owners together for a
common cause: the protection of the Fish River Lakes'
quality of water. Resource protection begins with the
people who are directly affecting and affected by the
resource; campowners are the vital link between the lakes
and agencies such as the RC&D, the D.O.T. and the
D.E.P. Without the public's input and participation, the
vital work of resource protection and conservation simply
can't be accomplished.
Thanks especially to Al Cyr, for the use of his camp, and
to all of the presenters who provided such a wealth of vital
information. And, last but definitely not least, thanks to
Nicky Violette, Water Quality Coordinator, who arranged
and organized such a successful, well-run tour.
NEWSLETTER Fall, 1995
Important design/build considerations for
CWTS cont.
CWTS include the following:
the oxidation and mobilization of heavy
*Availability of Land Rule of Thumb
metals, and the decomposition and
for Surface Flow (SF)= = 2.178 sq. ft./gallon.
immobilization of organic compounds,
Example: 100,000 Gallon Per Day would
including some pesticides. Physical removal
require app. 5.0 surface acres. Subsurface
through sedimentation also occurs because
Flow (SSF) = 0.459 sq. ft. per gallon. In this
collection basins are an integral feature of
example only about 1.0 acre is required for
all CWTS. An added benefit of CWTS's is the
the same volume.
significant reduction of treatable volumes
*Environmental Permitting Stream
attributable to high evapotranspiration
discharge requirements, wetland
rates. Some of the more innovative CWTS's
encroachments, known archaeological sites
include zero discharge units which do not
in the impact area, zoning, and others must
require NPDES Discharge permits, and
be considered.
others that use reclaimed water to enhance
*Treatable Volume Important for sizing
existing natural wetlands.
sedimentation basin and treatment cells. Is
It is important to note that conventional
there sufficient land available at a
industrial/wastewater package plants rely
reasonable cost?
on these same physical, chemical, and
*Leachate Chemistry Concentration of
biological principles to achieve treatment
metals, organics, pH, and other physical,
objectives. The difference is CWTS's use of
chemical, and biological characteristics
gravity and the sun to drive the desired
determine design considerations and other
reactions rather than energy consumptive
factors such as substrate and plant species.
mechanical components such as pumps,
*Hydrology and Geological
aerators, batch mixers, blenders, and a host
Assessment Direction and rate of
of others prone to breakdown and high
groundwater flow. Has stormwater runoff
maintenance costs. Realize that most CWTS's
been isolated and diverted, or will it be the
do no even need electricity!
driving force to mobilize degraded water to
New Opportunities for Wetland
the CWTS? The importance of hydraulic
Contractors
residence time has been addresses.
Global problems being successfully managed
*Substrate Considerations Wetland
through the use of CWTS's include landfill
treatment substrates range from mine
leachate, industrial discharges, municipal
spoils, clay-based soils, ground pine needles,
wastewater, mine tailings wastes, and acid
various hay/topsoil mixtures, limestone, and
mine drainage. Also being managed are
others. Sphagnum and reed-sedge peat have
heavy metals contamination (lead, mercury,
proven to be particularly useful for
zinc, selenium, and others), as well as pcb
applications such as landfill leachate. Some
and pesticide contamination at Dept. of
advocate the use of only gravel/stone
Defense Installations.
substrate systems.
How Do They Differ From Other
*Plant Species Selection Numerous
Wetlands?
emergent and free-floating plant species
First, a CWTS is an artificial structure
have excellent pollutant-uptake capabilities.
designed to last only a decade or two, the time
These include the various species of Typha
typically required to capture and treat
(cattail), Scirpus validus (soft-stem
leachate from an older, unlined landfill
bulrush), several Pontederia species,
under a closure plan, or perhaps to treat
including P. cordata and P. lancifola, water¹
wastewater in a rapidly developing Third
hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes), Lemna and
World rural village until long range plans
Spirodela (duckweeds), reed grass
can be implemented. Other forms of created
(Phragmites communis), and others. Other
wetlands are considered natural systems
botanical considerations such as planting
designed to be permanent features on the
density stems (stock per square meter), stock
landscape. Another distinction is the use of
type (tubers, rhizomes, bare root, et.al.) are
geomembrane liners, diffuser manifolds,
also important decisions.
exotic outlet structures, bottom substrates,
cont. on next page
plant species, and more specific hydraulic
requirements for rectrix. Retention time or
hydraulic residence is an important factor
in the performance of a CWTS. The
biological and physio-chemical
characteristics of the pollutant(s) of
concern and other factors will determine
appropriate retention periods.
NEWSLETTER Fall, 1995
CWTS, cont.
*Inlet/Outlet Structures and Distribution Manifold Critical design features which often
determine how well a CWTS performs. Related to hydraulic residence time and the maintenance of uniform
solute contact with the treatment cell medium (substrate).
Additional factors including length to width ratios, treatment bed slope, piping and valves for maintenance
are also critically important design features.
Significant Cost Savings
CWTS's can be designed, built, and operated for a fraction of traditional industrial/wastewater treatment
systems (usually around 25%). Likewise, Operation and Maintenance costs are nominal (about 10-30% of
conventional), and typically administered by local labor. These natural, passive treatment systems are ideally
suited for retrofitting and augmenting older systems where sufficient land space is available, and municipal
treatment cost options are prohibitive or unavailable. Tremendous cost savings are realized from both a
capitalization and expense operating budget.
For comparative purposes, assume treating leachate from an unlined landfill or perhaps an industrial waste
discharge with a treatable leachate volume of roughly 100,000 GPD. Design/build costs for a CWTS would
range anywhere from $135,000-422,000.00. Maintenance costs would be expected to be around
$10,000.00. In addition, the entire project from conception to completion would take about 3-6 months.
By comparison, a conventional steel and concrete package system would cost around
$750,000-1,500,000, with O&M annual costs exceeding $100,000. Likewise, the timeframe to design,
transport package plant components, complete site work including electric hookup, etc. and complete
construction would require years.
Whirling Disease
by Russell James, Pres., Ecoscience, Inc.
Whirling disease, a parasitic infection so named
because of the erratic, whirling swimming motion
10 "Do's and Don'ts" for your lake's sake
of diseased fish, was introducéd to the United
States from Europe thirty-five years ago. At first
1.DO keep site disturbance to a minimum, especially removal
of natural vegetation and exposure of bare soil.
found only in hatchery stock, it was discovered in
2.DO seed and mulch bare soil within 2 weeks of clearing
the wild in Colorado during the 1980s. Since then,
and install hay bales downslope of cleared areas.
the disease has been reported in nineteen states:
3.DO leave naturally vegetated areas (buffer strips) along
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho,
lake shores, streambeds, road ditches, and intermittent
Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New
streams. Leave at least 25 feet of undisturbed buffer, with
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
more on poor soils or steep slopes.
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, West
4.DO plant deep-rooted, woody vegetation along lake
Virginia, and Wyoming. All Salmonids are
shores, streambeds, and road ditches.
susceptible to the whirling disease parasite, which
5.00 use fertilizer sparingly and in multiple
infects its hosts by invading the gills, or when a
applications, though hay mulch often works almost as well.
fish eats infected tubifex worms. Tubifex worms
6.DO check septic tank sludge level every year. Pump the
tank when the sludge fills one-half of the tank (average)i
are the parasite's intermediate host, and become
every 2-3 years for year-round residents, 5-6 years for
infectious when they consume spores from an
seasonal residents.
infected fish. Fish cannot contract the disease
7.00 conserve water.
directly from other fish, nor can humans contract
8.00 use non-phosphate detergents.
it. The disease results in pinched nerves and severe
9. Structures (houses, decks, sheds) DON'T belong close to
skeletal deformities; at the present time, there is no
the water. All structures must meet the required setback
known cure. Infected salmonids develop a black
from the water
tail, and show whirling behavior--a direct result of
.DON'T build new beaches (new beaches require a DEP
the pinched nerves--at 1 to 1.5 months.
permit). Use temporary docks as an alternative.
--fact sheet, Trout Unlimited
--"For Your Lake's Sake", C.O.L.A.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape. etc.) should contact the USDA Office
of Communications at (202) 720-5881, (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice)
or (202) 690-1538 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Newsletter Fall 1995
ANIMALS of the FISH RIVER LAKES
Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Black bears are generally solitary animals, avoiding or seemingly ignoring each other's presence. The only
social units formed are the mother and her cubs during their first year, and the adult male and female when they
are paired for a month or so in the summer. Several unrelated bears may be drawn to a food source, such as a
dump, but they will avoid each other. Generally the larger bears are most dominant and feed first in these
situations, while the smaller bears may have to wait their turn.
Bears stay within a home range for most of the year, leaving it in the fall only if they are forced to find better
sources of food. The size of their home range varies considerably from 5 to 15 miles in diameter. In general,
home ranges of males are three or more times larger than those of females.
Within their home range there is no particular place to which the bears continually return. Rather, they are
nomadic and wander throughout, moving on well-worn paths that they have created or paths used by a variety ofʳ
animals. Trails may be used by several bears, for their home ranges often overlap. A home range must include
water, for bears drink often and may wallow in muddy shallows, possibly in an attempt to keep insects off. Also
within the home range is the winter den, where the bear hibernates.
There are three things that you may see along bear trails: tracks, scats, and what have been called mark trees.
Mark trees are created when a bear stands on its hind legs in front of a tree and reaches up to scratch and bite the
bark. It also may rub its head and back against the tree, leaving fur and scent. These trees are used by both males
and females, and any one tree may be used by more than one bear. The function of tree-marking is not known, but
since it mostly occurs in midsummer when the bears are courting, it may be a form of communication between the
sexes. Rubbing against trees may also be used to help get rid of excess hair during molting.
Black bears move about during the day and are most active during dawn and dusk. When bears rely on
humans for food, their schedule changes. If they are getting handouts they are most active at midday, and if they
are feeding at dumps or trash cans they become active at night. Temperature also affects their rate of activity; if
it is below freezing or above 90 degrees F, they're less likely to move about.
At various times during the day or night a bear may bed down, usually in a slightly hollowed-out area within
dense brush. A typical bedding area may be about 36 to 30 inches and about a foot deep. Young bears generally
rest during the day in trees.
Food usually determines where bears are, for they need to eat a tremendous amount, especially in fall, when
they have to build up fat reserves. In spring they eat primarily grasses and emerging plants; in summer they eat
shrub fruits and berries, and in fall they consume berries, larger fruits, and nuts such as acorns and beechnuts.
Throughout spring, summer, and fall, bears eat insects, especially the colonial species like ants--licking them
off their paws as they disturb the nest--or wasps and honeybees, eating both the larvae and the adults, and, in the
case of the bees, the stored honey. They also eat grasshoppers in late summer and beetles, either adults or grubs,
that they find in rotted logs.
In June, a male bear may begin to follow a female of its choice, and the two move about, feeding and resting
together for almost a month. During this time other males may challenge the paired male's right to the female.
Most mating occurs in late June and early July. After mating, the male and female go their separate ways.
The egg of the female does not start to develop until about November. Beforehand it remains in a state of
arrested development called delayed implantation. Actual implantation starts in November, and from then on
gestation lasts only about 6 to 8 weeks. The result is that the cubs are born very small, weighing only 6 to 10
ounces and measuring about 8 inches long.
The young are born in January and February, when the mother is still semidormant in her den. It is not known
how aware she is of the birth itself, but she must cut the umbilical cord and clean the cubs by licking. The young
crawl up to the mother's teats, feed on milk, and stay warm in her fur. Their eyes are closed, and they have
practically no hair. The females's first litter will consist of only one cub, but she usually has twins with each
successive litter. There are occasionally 3 cubs and rarely 4 in a litter.
When a black bear enters it S den and becomes dormant, its temperature drops about 8 degrees C, its heart rate
drops from 50 to 15 beats per minute, and its metabolism is reduced by about 50%. Bears do not go into deep
hibernation from which they cannot be roused, like the woodchuck. On the contrary, bears can be roused quite
easily. Even if left undisturbed, they may get up, leave their den for an hour or two, and then return. During
hibernation, bears shed their footpads and also lose about 20% of their weight.
Adult males are the first to emerge in the spring, followed by the females with young. At first they are
sluggish and do not eat much except a grasses and a little bark. They continue to lose weight; in fact, weight loss
occurs at a much faster rate now that they are mobile again. However, as food becomes more abundant and their
digestive systems get back to normal, they quickly recover from the hard winter.
Excerpted from Animal Tracking and Behavior, by Donald & Lillian Stokes
from:
Protecting Your Shorelands
for Better Farming and Ranching, and Healthler Fish Habitat
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Central and Arctic Region
Healthy Shorelands - Why We Need Them
Properly managed,
shorelands can keep
you in fence posts,
timber, firewood, and
native berries. adding
to the value of your
property.
Shorelands protect fish habitat by filtering
The roots of trees, shrub. and grass
sediment from runoff. Shoreland vegetation
growing on shorelands anchor
harbours insects for fish food and shades the
streambanks and pothole margins. They
water for cooler temperatures that many
check cropland erosion by providing a
protective cover against the erosive
species need.
forces of water and ice.
Groundwater
Vegetation, leavès, and twigs trap
One of the unique charcteristics of
sediment and fertilizers, in
shorelands is the presence of
shorelands, keeping them from
groundwater within the root zone
reaching streams and sloughs
of many trees and shrubs. This
where they can pollute water for
allows large trees and many
livestock and household needs.
plants to grow that may not occur
on prairie uplands.
St John
Aroostook
Hungred as
US POSTAGE
RC&D
PAID
MAINI
- - mis 11. "
P.O. Box 745
Presque Isle, Maine 04769
(207) 764-4126
)AY, DECEMBER 20, 1995
PAGE SEVEN
District Court
ar-old
ed on
The following cases were adju-
OUI; license suspended for 90
records; $100 fine.
dicated at 2nd District Court in
of as-
days, $400 fine.
Christopher C. Coffin, 15, of
PIPD,
Presque Isle by Judge David B.
Michael J. Fundalewicz, 37, of
Mars Hill, illegal possession of
ash or
Griffiths for the week of Dec. 7-
Ashland, passing a stopped school
gift deer; $100 fine.
13. Representing the state was As-
bus with lights flashing; $250
Douglas J. Fitzpatrick, 30, of
ar-old
sistant District Attorney Carrie L.
fine.
Houlton, illegal attachment of
Linthicum.
ed on
Kary J. Carney, 27, of Presque
plates; $75 fine.
tele-
Robert W. West Jr., 31, of
Isle, criminal threatening; $200
Bryan Dittmar, 21, of South-
Presque Isle, theft by unautho-
fine. Also, one count of terroriz-
west Harbor, failure to register
:ar-old
rized taking; jail sentence of 48
ing, case dismissed
motor vehicle or operating on a
hours.
to pro-
public way; $70 fine.
Ernest W. Church
et. He
Amanda's article
Brian J. Poitras, 22, of Van By-
ter re-
Presque Isle, operating
ren, failure to register motor vehi-
cense; jail sentence 0
cle or operating on a public way;
Also, one count of Op
$70 fine.
ear-old
der the Influence (OU
tence of 48 hours, li
20 copies
Troy E, McLean, 21, of Fort
led on
Fairfield, Sunday Hunting; $50
al tres-
pended for 90 days, $41
Charles D. Putnan
25 Scarty, already
fine.
PIPD,
Long Brook Trucking, Inc. of
ash or
Mapleton, speeding in
Monticello, inadequate suspen-
35 mph; jail sentence o
ear-old
done copying.
sion; $50 fine.
license suspended for
Demerchants Trailer Park of
ted on
$300 fine.
al tres-
Laurie L. Dyer, 32,
Pretein this pape
Presque Isle, no brake action pre-
ent; $50 fine.
PD and
ton, OUI; jail senten
Benjamin L. Humphrey, 23, of
hours, license suspende
recog-
days, $400 fine.
Id Fort
she needs to keep
anlyton Amanda
Mapleton, furnishing liquor to a
inor; 50 hours of community
Kristi J. Sickles, 33, o
rvice work.
ned for
Isle, OUI; license suspe
origindoof articles
Dustin R. Sprague, 19, of
90 days, $400 fine.
esque Isle, hunting without or
ve from
Jeremy J. Libby, 18, of
ge clothing; $35 fine.
he theft
a truck
usiness.
Water quality protection efforts continue
c stolen
The Fish River Lakes Water
Amanda Smith at 764-4126.
The majority of AmeriCorps
Quality Association is well into
This year, the United States De-
members are working in partner-
another year of active service, pro-
partment of Agriculture/Ameri-
ships with states, local govern-
viding information and education
Corps program is once again pro-
ments, and non-profit organiza-
to camp owners. The association is
viding the Association with a
tions. The U.S. Department of
interested in raising the water qual-
Lakes Coordinator, allowing the
Agriculture is running three types
ity awareness of Aroostook Coun-
message of clean water and
of AmeriCorps teams in 38 states;
ty's citizens; this is accomplished
healthy watersheds to be spread to
composed of approximately 1,200
through a variety of projects, in-
even-more people.
members: an Anti-Hunger Team, a
VO fire-
cluding environmental education
AmeriCorps is a national service
Public Land and Environment
onded.
in local schools, involvement in lo-
program that engages 20,000
Team, and a Rural Development
fighters
cal watershed projects, lake and
Americans of diverse backgrounds
Team.
I to 62
river quality monitoring projects,
in performing service that meets
Many of the AmeriCorps pro-
iving a
and informational talks and dis-
critical community needs in return
jects are sponsored by community-
e in the
plays. If you want to learn more
for an education award, which may
based organizations and all are
about what you can do to help pro-
be used to pay for college, job
projects designed to get things
tect the health and vitality of
training or graduate school, or to
done, while boosting community,
hter and
Maine's lake ecosystems, call
pay back loans.
opportunity and responsibility.
d to a
he Cen-
at G.S
hapman
LEGAL NOTICE
MAPLETON PLANNING BOARD
fighters,
ker re-
The Mapleton Planning Board will
meet at the Municipal Office Building
New Years Tickets
ere was
on January 3, 1996 at 6:30 p.m. On
the agenda are:
at the
1. Discuss Report on Zoning
Implementation Grant
STATE STREET LOFT
2. Report on 911E
Any interested parties are welcome to
attend.
Reserved Tickets Must Be
Per order of the
SAVING OUR LAKES
RIVER
SERVING
THE FISH RIVER
CHAIN OF LAKES:
BEISH
LAKES
OLONG OMUD OCROSS
SQUARE EAGLE
SOLDIER POND
FISH OPORTAGE
FISH RIVER
OST.FROID
WATER
ST. JOHN RIVER
QUALITY
BOX 745, PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE 04769
(207) 764-4126
December 20, 1995
Mr. David Daigle, Town Manager
P.O. Box 106
St. Agatha, ME 04772
Dear Mr. Daigle,
The Fish River Lakes Water Quality Association acts as an
information and advisory resource for camp owners and lake shore
residents, as well as providing educational programming and
community project assistance. We support whole-heartedly those
lakeside communities that choose to implement new and better
strategies for water quality protection and control.
Currently, the major detrimental impact on the Fish River Lakes
is phosphorus overload, which results in algae blooms, water
temperature increases, decreased dissolved oxygen content, and
loss of valuable cold water fisheries. If current usage
practices continue, the watershed could experience a phosphorus
overload of such magnitude that those lakes hit the hardest
will become totally undesirable. One of the primary sources
of these pollutants is effluent from septic systems, and from
straight pipes which dump directly into lakes. Obviously, the
sewage line project which the town of St. Agatha is currently
planning is exactly the sort which is most needed in this
watershed. The fragile ecosystem of Long Lake will benefit
directly from the repair and addition of sewage lines along
3500' of shoreline on Route 162. The number of residences which
are involved (24 residences, 1 commercial facility) is
substantial, and the impact of this project will be visible
immediately in terms of improved water quality.
FRLWQA would like to offer our support and encouragement for
this project plan. Our Water Quality Coordinator will be
available to conduct water quality site tests, if so desired.
Sincerely,
Philip Soucy, President. FRLWOA
other
Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District
R# 3, Box 45 - Houlton, ME 04730 - Phone (207) 532-2087
Attention Science Educators of the SASWCD:
The Southern Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District (SASWCD) strongly
supports and promotes the integration of natural resource education into science
curricula for students K-12. The SASWCD and US AmeriCorps have combined efforts to
further promote and facilitate environmental learning in our schools.
The SASWCD is a legal subdivision of state government, responsible under state law
for conservation work within its boundaries just as townships and counties are responsible
for road and other services and school districts are responsible for education. The
purposes of the district are: to focus attention on land, water, and related resource
problems; to develop programs to solve these problems; to enlist and coordinate help from
all public and private sources that can contribute to accomplishing the district's goals; and
to make all citizens aware of the interrelationship between human activity and the natural
environment.
The US AmeriCorps is President Clinton's national service
program, passed with bi-partisan support from congress that
A
UNITED
STATES
engages 20,000 Americans from diverse backgrounds in
DEPARTMENT
performing service that meets critical community needs in
OF AGRICULTURE
return for educational awards. The majority of AmeriCorps
members are working in partnerships with states, local
governments, and non-profit organizations.
The SASWCD is currently involved in numerous projects or programs that promote
natural resource conservation and education, including:
Agriculture in the Classroom-Teachers Institute
Envirothon
The Natural Resources Institute (Educational Seminar for Science Teachers)
MACD Poster Contest (Theme: Harmony with the Land)
Conservation Education Teacher's Award
Meduxnekeag Watershed Conservation Project
Community Education: water quality, composting, recycling, Best Management Practices
We also have direct access to many other natural resource education programs,
including workshops for educators, lesson plans, classroom activities, and more.
(over)
CONSERVATION - DEVELOPMENT - SELF-GOVERNMENT
The SASWCD is interested in learning how we may help area schools integrate natural
resource education into school curricula. We sincerely hope that you will take a few
moments to fill out the following questionnaire so that we may know which, if any,
educational programs you have used in the past or would like to know more about.
Please note the following dates of upcoming events as they relate to Natural
Resource Education programs that are on-going. The SASWCD would be happy to
provide further information on these programs and any other upcoming events. For more
information, please note the contacts listed at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
UPCOMING !!!
Ag. in the Classroom-Teachers Institute training sessions
Presque Isle (July 24-28)
Auburn (July 22-26)
* Scholarships available for tuition
Project WET
Project WILD
Project LEARNING TREE
Training workshops are being arranged.
Envirothon
Regional:
MSAD #29, Houlton
TBA
State:
Augusta
(May 31, 1996)
National: TBA
(July 29-Aug. 2, 1996)
Natural Resources Institute UM Farmington
(July 22-26, 1996 tentative)
MACD Poster Contest
* Rules and info. enclosed
Conservation Ed. Teachers' Award Nominees due by April 01, 1996
For more information, contact:
Marc Russell, SASWCD Watershed Project Coordinator
RR3 Box 45 Houlton, ME 04730 tel. 532-2087(w) 532-9817(H)
Heidi Nelson, US AmeriCorps, Water Quality & Rural Development Coordinator
RR3 Box 45 Houlton, ME 04730 tel. 532-2087(w) 532-6891 (H)
POSTER CONTEST RULES
1.
Posters must not be larger that 24 X 36 inches.
2.
Posters should be completed by one student.
3.
Any non-electronic media may be use to create the poster (i.e. paint, crayon, colored
pencils, charcoal, paper, and other materials.)
4.
ALL posters must have the following information on the back:
Name (first, middle initial, last):
Home address and phone:
School address, Grade, and phone:
Teacher:
Social Security # (if possible, we will need this for the prizes at the state level.)
5.
Judging will be based on 40% on Educational value and accuracy, 40% for clarity of
content and message, and 20% for general appearance. Winners will be picked in the
following categories: K-1, 2-3,. 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.
6.
Materials must follow the theme of the year. This year the theme is : Ways People Can
Work in Harmony with the Land: Focus on a message that will help educate other
students or the general public on what they can do to work in harmony with the land.
Another approach would be to explore the idea of being in harmony with the land while
still providing for the materials we need to survive.
7.
Disqualifications may result from the following: misspelling, posters too large, theme
not portrayed, incomplete information on the back of the poster.
8.
The District will retain winning and exemplary poster for one year for promotional
purposes. After the year we will return the posters if you so desire.
9.
Deadline of the posters is March 1, 1995 at the Southern Aroostook SWCD office, R3
Box 45, Houlton, ME 04730, 532-2087, in the USDA Building on the North Road.
10.
All participants will be recognized certificates of appreciation. The top three winners in
each category will be recognized at the Annual meeting of Southern Aroostook SWDCD.
Winning poster will be forwarded to the state competition.
To:
All District Science Educators
From: Heidi D. Nelson, AmeriCorps Volunteer, Water Quality & Rural Development Coord.
Marc Russell, Meduxnekeag Watershed Water Quality Coordinator
Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District
R3 Box 45, Houlton, ME 04730
532-2087
CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST FOCUSES ON LIVING IN HARMONY WITH
THE LAND
The Maine Association of Conservation Districts invites students to participate in their
Annual Poster Contest. Each year, thousands of U.S. students in grads K-12 participate in this
local, state and national competition.
The goal of the poster contest is to allow every student to have a meaningful experience,
and to achieve a sense of accomplishment whether or not his/her poster is selected as a winner.
The contest provides students with an opportunity to share their thoughts and creativity about
soil, water and related natural resource issues. The activity is one which helps to integrate
many subjects-science, geography, math, art, reading, writing and language arts. The theme
for this year's contest is HOW PEOPLE LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE LAND.
Posters are first judged by individual conservation districts in the following grade
divisions: K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12. First place winners in each division from each
district are taken judged at the state level; first place state winners proceed to the national
level. Prizes are awarded at each level.
Each of Maine's 16 Soil and Water Conservation Districts has poster contest materials
for distribution--background information on the theme, judging criteria, rules, etc. A video
that addresses the harmony theme is also available on loan at district offices. After the video is
presented in classrooms, students are encouraged to make posters. For additional information,
contact Heidi or Marc.
The future of our planet rests with the children. The Maine Association of Conservation
Districts welcomes assistance from classroom teachers and environmental educators in their
effort to teach environmental responsibility and conservation of our natural resources.
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Do you currently integrate natural resource education into your science curriculum?
yes
no
2. Are you familiar with or have you participated in any of the environmental education
programs listed below? Would you like more information about any of the following?
participated
familiar with
like more info.
The Adopt a Stream Program
Project Wet
Project Wild
Project Learning Tree
Envirothon
The Natural Resources Institute
Harmony Environmental Education
MACD Poster Contest
Conserv. Education Teacher's Award
3. Is there a particular aspect of environmental conservation that you would like to integrate
into your science curriculum?
4. Does your community have any outstanding environmental issues that your students would
benefit from knowing more about?
5. Would you be interested in a workshop for teachers on the subjects of watersheds and
water quality?
yes
no
When would you be most available for such a workshop?
6. Other questions/comments:
Please return questionnaire in the enclosed envelope. Thank you
Published by
605 N.W. 13th, Suite C
The Oklahoma
Company
LeRoy A. Ritter,
Publisher
OKLAHOMA
P.O. Box 1177
Business News
Oklahoma City, OK 73101
405/521-1405
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
REPORT
Volume 26. Report No. 48
Thursday, November 30, 1995
CITIZENS' ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON PROPERTY TAXATION
PANEL ADOPTS subcommittee recommendations, draft report
2
Energy/Environment
Calendar
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD
Monday, December 4
DEQ MAKING three recommendations for statutory changes in 1996
4
OK Conservation Commission
BIOMEDICAL CERTIFICATE of need vote postponed until January
5
9:30 a.m. Conference Room,
FALL FORUM DRAWS variety of environmental issues
8
Department of Agriculture Bldg.,
2800 N Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA WATER RESOURCES BOARD
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Commission
WATER QUALITY implementation designed to protect agriculture
11
9:30 a.m. 1801 N Lincoln, Oklaho-
ma City.
OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Tuesday, December 5
NEW CONSERVATION 'home page' being introduced on the Internet
13
Water Quality Council
1 p.m. Board Room, State Agricul-
OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION
ture Bldg., 2800 N Lincoln,, State
Capitol Complex, Oklahoma City.
GROUPS LOOKING at gas allowable legislation
13
Intended rulemaking action: The
General Permits found in Appendi-
ces A, B and C will expire on June
RED RIVER BOUNDARY COMMISSION
1, 1996. This rule proposes to
KERR TO CHAIR Red River boundary commission
14
reissue the General Permits with an
effective date of July 1, 1996, and
an expiration date of July 1, 2001.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Dept. of Wildlife Conservation
LIHEAP PROGRAM uncertain for this winter
15
7 p.m. Kiamichi Vo-Tech, Hwy 69
By-pass, McAlester. Public hear-
ings to obtain comments from
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
sportsmen on proposed changes to
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION grants awarded
15
hunting seasons for prairie chicken,
quail, and deer.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Wednesday, December 6
AMERICORPS PROJECT enters second year, going strong
17
Dept. of Wildlife Conservation
7 p.m. Lawton Public Library,
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Room 1, 110 SW Fourth, Lawton.
Public hearings to obtain comments
BOSNIAN OFFICIALS CONFER with one, tour OKC bomb site
19
from sportsmen on proposed
changes to hunting seasons for
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
prairie chicken, quail, and deer.
ROTATING GARBANZO beans may lessen wheat expenses
19
(Continued on Next Page)
NSF GRANT HELPING OU acquire environmental supercomputer
20
GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
SHIFT FROM petroleum-based economy not desirable, API study says
21
ENERGY WEEK '96 focuses on technological advancements
22
HANSEN, HORTON JOIN GRI board of directors
23
IOGCC CAPTURES national communication award
24
MID-CONTINENT issues 1995 edition of petroleum facts brochure
24
NEWS OF THE INDUSTRY
APACHE ANNOUNCES third oil discovery in Egypt
24
Permit Status Reports
Supplement Page 1
CITIZENS' ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON PROPERTY TAXATION
PANEL ADOPTS SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS, DRAFT REPORT
Members of the Citizens' Advisory Task Force on Property Taxation Tuesday, Nov. 21, adopted several
recommendations from a subcommittee appointed to consider specific issues, such as broadening Oklahoma's tax
base, and approved a draft report into which the recommendations will be incorporated, but turned down a minority
report.
Eugene Cheatwood, Okemah, Okfuskee County assessor, who serves as task force vice chairman and chairs
the subcommittee, presented the recommendations. The first up for consideration
was a request that the task force submit a recommendation to the legislature that
Energy/Environment
a more precise definition of public service property be developed to reduce
Calendar
uncertainty concerning what constitutes centrally and locally assessed property.
Thursday, December 7
Jeff Spelman, director of the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax
Commission, explained that in general public service property, which is centrally
Radiation Management Advisory
Council
assessed by the State Board of Equalization, includes property owned by utility
10 a.m. St. Francis Hospital,
companies, pipelines, telecommunications companies, transportation companies
Classroom 4, 6161 S Yale, Tulsa.
FORM Rule; amendment to
and similar enterprises. Public service companies are also defined as those
252:400-1-3-5, uniform permitting;
authorized to exercise eminent domain or to use public rights-of-way, streets and
amendment to 252:400-17, uniform
permitting; and agreement State
highways, or go over or under them, in a manner not permitted to the general
Status.
public.
OK Water Resources Board
This recommendation was adopted unanimously on a voice vote.
10 a.m. Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation Auditorium,
1801 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma
Task Force Considers Broadening
City. Intended rulemaking action:
Sales Tax Base By Including Services
Pertaining to mandatory federal
requirements for wastewater pro-
jects funded by the State Revolving
Fund Program.
As explained by Frederick Drummond, a Pawhuska rancher, the second
subcommittee recommendation was to ask the legislature to consider substantially
Dept. of Wildlife Conservation
7 p.m. Northwest Electric Co.,
broadening the sales tax base by including services. In a letter accompanying the
2925 Williams Ave., Woodward and
subcommittee report, Drummond told task force Chairman Don Davis, Lawton,
OSU Extension Annex, 301 N Main,
Guymon. Public hearings to obtain
president of Cameron University, that lawmakers could consider a 2-percent tax
comments from sportsmen on
on most services, and a 1-percent tax on medical and funeral services, to be used
proposed changes to hunting sea-
sons for prairie chicken, quail, and
to fund schools and local government. However, most of the discussion centered
deer.
on just removing the service exemptions from the existing state sales tax.
Friday, December 8
Because we live in such a service-oriented society, Drummond said Tuesday,
it would be foolish not to look at broadening the tax base in this fashion.
Dept. of Wildlife Conservation
7 p.m. Tulsa Technology Center,
"This seems to be the avenue that best solves the problems that we have,"
3420 S Memorial, Tulsa and 1801
said Drummond.
N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City..
Public hearings to obtain comments
Answering a question from Forrest "Butch" Freeman, Oklahoma City,
from sportsmen on proposed
Oklahoma County treasurer, Drummond said that how the funds are ultimately
changes to hunting seasons for
prairie chicken, quail, and deer.
used may depend upon how much can be raised by repealing the exemptions. It
has been estimated that subjecting services to the state sales tax might raise more
than $300 million.
To Davis, Drummond said that either a new levy or removal of exemptions could work, but the latter might be
preferable.
If Services Are Taxed,
Rate Should Be Reduced, Says Moesel
Rodd Moesel, Oklahoma City, policy advisor to Gov. Frank Keating, said he might favor including services in
the sales tax base if the overall tax rate were reduced. Otherwise, he said, merely deleting the exemptions for
services could mean a substantial tax increase for businesses and their customers.
The recommendation was adopted unanimously.
Cheatwood then presented a recommendation that the legislature levy a tax on nonproducing severed minerals.
He said this idea has been before the legislature once or twice, but without success.
--Page 2--
sectors of the area vegetation, soil properties, and
on a number of rural water wells. These wells may be
animal and insect life to look for seasonal changes. The
subject to pollution or contamination from a variety of
area will also be developed into a bird sanctuary by
commercial farming operations including chicken houses,
seeding it with cereal type grains and adding bird houses
dairy farms and hog farms. The community will be able
on posts.
to utilize the middle school science class for annual
Welch Junior and Senior High Schools, Welch (Sally
water well analysis.
A. Fenska teacher) "Connect Three: Environmental
Grant winners will be required to submit a report to
Investigations in Chemistry, Biology and Physics," an
the committee in December of 1996 outlining their
interdisciplinary program of environmental education, will
program. The reports will be available at the Depart-
be funded by the grant. This program is designed to
ment of Environmental Quality as a resource to groups
give students a better understanding of the environmental
interested in duplicating program activities in their
issues that face northeast Oklahoma. Testing kits will be
community.
purchased to allow students to examine soil and water
Funds for the grant program were generated by the
samples for possible pollution from agricultural related
sale of the Environmental Education License Tag. The
run-off and from several abandoned coal mines. The
tags can be purchased through local tag agencies or the
project will provide students with relevant experiences in
Oklahoma Tax Commission. The tags cost $27 and are
approaching an environmental issue from three different
renewable yearly. More information about the tags or the
perspectives.
1995 Environmental Education Grant winners can be
Colcord Middle School, Colcord (Jerry Swank
obtained by calling the Department of Environmental
teacher) A water well testing system will be purchased
Quality, Public Information and Education office at
with grant funds allowing the largely rural student
(405)271-7353. nr
population of the middle school to conduct annual tests
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AMERICORPS PROJECT ENTERS SECOND YEAR, GOING STRONG
Entering its second year, the U.S. Department of
receive.
Agriculture's AmeriCorps program is alive and well,
The vast majority of participants are from the middle
reported Joel Berg, USDA AmeriCorps national director,
class, Berg said. This is defined by the government as
Monday, Nov. 27.
earning above $20,000 per year. And, many are be-
Berg was in Oklahoma City kicking off his of tour of
tween degrees, trying to raise money to help with
the state's USDA AmeriCorps projects. He visited 30
advanced schooling. Within the USDA's projects in
states last year and spent last week in Kansas.
Oklahoma, ages range from 18 to 42, with the majority
"It is critical for policymakers to get out from behind
in their 20s. By law a participant may only spend two
their desks and see how the program is functioning," he
years in the program.
explained.
The projects are community-driven in that they meet
He noted that AmeriCorps has Oklahoma roots, with
a particular need of the area they serve and the program
former U.S. Rep. Dave McCurdy being one of the
is non-regulatory, Berg said.
primary legislative sponsors of the concept of national
"We can truly say we are from the federal govern-
service.
ment and we are here to help you," he explained.
"It is one of the federal programs that stands up well
AmeriCorps is about making hard service pay, Berg
to scrutiny," Berg said of AmeriCorps. "The closer you
said, explaining that the number one motivation given for
look at it the better it appears."
volunteering is a desire to serve the country. Second is
To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be
the desire to receive an education.
at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal resident,
"Last year we had five applicants for each position,"
Berg said. Those accepted into the program are respon-
Berg said of the USDA's AmeriCorps program's populari-
sible for their own food and lodging, but do receive
ty.
$7,945 per year to help offset expenses. Supervisors
may receive $12,000 per year.
AmeriCorps Facing Uncertainty In Third Year Funding
In addition, he said, participants receive a $4,725
education award, which is taxable in the year it is used.
Some rough sledding may still be ahead, Berg said.
This education award may be used at the school of the
While the program is set for its second fiscal year, which
applicant's choice and is in addition to, rather than in lieu
began Oct. 1, both the House and Senate have "zeroed
of, any other educational money the individual may
out" third year funding. However, he said, congressional
--Page 17--
leadership has indicated the issue may be open to
training, and one participant in a USDA project in Kansas
negotiation.
is credited with using this training to save a life.
There are two major means of funding, Berg ex-
Projects must file quarterly reports showing how they
plained. One-third of the funding comes through national
are meeting their goals. Some projects which were not
directs. These are projects sponsored by a federal
meeting objectives were not renewed for the second
agency. Funding comes from the Corporation for
year, Berg said.
National Service and is matched by the sponsoring
A side benefit of the USDA AmeriCorps projects,
agency. Grant funds from the Corporation for National
Berg said, is that they may help slow the "brain drain" in
Service are from the previous year's appropriation.
rural America by moving people to where the need for
Consequently, Berg explained, USDA is using FY 96
service exists and giving them the skills and acquaintanc-
money to match FY 95 funds from the corporation.
es to provide those services. In some cases, he said,
The Corporation for National Service faced a small
program participants may stay in the same area after
budget cut as part of the Budget Reconciliation process,
their AmeriCorps service is completed.
Berg said, but generally retained its funds for grants from
the FY 95 monies. USDA is one of the few federal
USDA Sponsoring Windbreak,
agencies to have received an FY 96 budget, with its
Environmental Education Projects
appropriation bill passing and being signed by the
President, although some of the U.S. Forest Service
USDA has two AmeriCorps projects active in the
money is subject to the appropriation for the U.S.
state. The first involves 15 volunteers helping to restore
Department of the Interior. Consequently, funding for
windbreaks in 23 counties of western Oklahoma. The
USDA's FY 1996 AmeriCorps projects is secure.
volunteers are divided into three five-member teams with
Each project is different, Berg explained. In some
one team each located in Sentinel, Woodward and
cases the corporation supplies 80 percent of the funding
Cheyenne.
and USDA provides a 20 percent match. In other cases
Last year the AmeriCorps volunteers worked on over
USDA may be called on to provide the 80 percent.
40 windbreaks in 10 counties, planting 10,000 trees. In
These projects are very competitive, Berg explained.
addition, the volunteers planted 4,500 trees in community
There is competition between projects as to which ones
shelter belts. The projects cross jurisdictional boundaries
will be included in an agency's grant proposal. For
working cooperatively with the Forestry Division of the
example, Oklahoma had two of eight proposed projects
Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture and the
accepted for the USDA application. Then there is
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
competition between agencies as to which applications
The second USDA project involves a public outreach
receive grant funding from the corporation.
for environmental education, with five team members
The other two-thirds of the federal funding is award-
working at the Nature Reserve at Rogers State College
ed through the states. Part of the money comes through
in Claremore.
formula funding to the states. The rest is based on
In addition to the USDA projects, there are three
competition between projects.
other direct-funded AmeriCorps projects in Oklahoma.
Nancy Deaver, executive director Oklahoma Commu-
The AmeriCorps National Farmer Training and
nity Service Commission, said that in Oklahoma no state
Service Program helps migrant and seasonal
funds are involved. The matching funds are provided
farmworkers reduce their exposure to pesticides and
through the community service commission, a non-profit
access health, education and support services.
organization.
AmeriCorps members become state-certified pesticide
The commission must provide a 20 percent match for
safety trainers and train farmworkers in pesticide safety
administrative funding, which can be services in kind,
as required by the Environmental Protection Agency's
such as donated office space. The commission must
Worker Protection Standards. The project is in conjunc-
also provide a 15 percent match in cash of the actual
tion with the Association of Farmworker Opportunity
cost of supporting a volunteer in the field. On the
Programs.
average it costs $15,000 per year to keep one of these
The National Community AIDS Partnership spon-
volunteers in the program, compared to the average
sors a program through which AmeriCorps volunteers
$18,000 per year cost of keeping a USDA AmeriCorps
provide a range of services including delivering meals,
applicant in the field. However, this may drop some as
providing transportation to medical appointments, educat-
not all members plan to go back to school and use the
ing communities about HIV prevention, feeding and
education award.
diapering HIV positive infants, and offering crisis support
To be considered each project must have objectives
to families experiencing loss from HIV/AIDS. The
on community service, community development--some-
program is based in Tulsa. Four days a week members
thing of value which outlasts the stay of the AmeriCorps
engage in direct services with one day reserved for
volunteers--and member development, such as skills
additional training, personal development and a member
training. Each AmeriCorps volunteer must complete CPR
developed group project.
--Page 18--
The Youth Corps of America is sponsoring an
The American Red Cross/AmeriCorps "Help Can't
AmeriCorps project to help develop service-learning
Wait" program provides education and training to
partnerships and organize, lead and supervise youth
increase public awareness and knowledge of environ-
volunteers in service that emphasizes school readiness
mental emergency prevention, preparedness and re-
and crime prevention.
sponse. AmeriCorps will recruit volunteers who will be
Four other AmeriCorps programs are active through
trained to respond in environmental emergencies as part
competitive funding with assistance from the Oklahoma
of Disaster Action Teams. AmeriCorps members will
Community Service Commission.
also develop community resources that will provide
Through Rural Health Projects Inc. (Oklahoma
environmental emergency support services to communi-
P.A.T.C.H.) AmeriCorps members are improving health
ties with a combined population of more than 2 million.
care in medically underserved areas by providing health
AmeriCorps VISTAs are committed to increasing the
care presentations, promoting health care projects and
capability of low-income people to improve the conditions
school fairs, assisting local health departments, and
of their own lives. Approximately 4,000 AmeriCorps
supporting organizations to help community groups
VISTA members serve in both rural and urban areas
prioritize and address their concerns.
across the nation, providing employment, training, literacy
LEADS (Literacy, Education, Accessibility, Diversity,
services, housing assistance, health education and
Self-Sufficiency) calls on AmeriCorps members to help
neighborhood revitalization.
improve the academic achievement of low-income
Persons seeking more information on AmeriCorps
students through tutoring. LEADS members will increase
activities in the state are asked to contact the Oklahoma
the parenting skills of low-income parents through
Community Services Commission, 1515 N Lincoln,
education and support programs for those parents and
Oklahoma City, OK 73104; phone: 405-235-7278, FAX:
will assist low-income students in achieving their career
405-235-7036. Ikl
goals in school-to-work programs.
*****
PUBLIC UTILITIES
BOSNIAN OFFICIALS CONFER WITH ONE, TOUR OKC BOMB SITE
A group of six Bosnian officials planning reconstruc-
infrastructure in Sarajevo and other Bosnian cities and
tion efforts in Sarajevo and other Bosnian cities met with
the visitors were eager to learn from the Oklahoma City
employees of Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. Monday, Nov.
experience. As utility services are restored to the war-
27, to learn more about natural gas distribution and how
torn country, officials are concerned about restoring
to repair their damaged infrastructure.
natural gas heating in a safe manner. One of the
The meeting included a demonstration of how ONG
concerns is that system leaks be corrected before
employees responded to the bombing of the Oklahoma
service is fully restored so that sparks, such as turning
City federal building and the reconstruction activities
on a light switch, do not cause explosions from natural
ONG undertook to repair its distribution system.
gas leaks.
ONG personnel discussed the impact of that explo-
The Bosnian officials visit with ONG personnel is part
sion on the utility's pipelines and how utility service was
of the group's three week training program in the United
restored. Included in the discussion was the possibility
States at the invitation of the University of Oklahoma,
of using high pressure plastic pipe which can be run
in cooperation with the Washington, D.C.-based Partners
back through the existing line to provide a new system
for International Education and Training and the
that corrects leaks without having to retrench the entire
United States Agency for International Development.
route of the damaged pipeline.
Ikl
Years of civil war have badly damaged the utility
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
(University of Central Oklahoma)
ROTATING GARBANZO BEANS MAY LESSEN WHEAT EXPENSES
Rotating a summer crop of garbanzo beans into the
findings from a research project conducted at the Univer-
same field may provide a less expense way for farmers
sity of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
to fertilize wheat acreage, keep cover on the crop land
The three year study of chickpeas and pigeonpeas,
and better protect the ecosystem, according to initial
generically known as garbanzo beans, was conducted by
--Page 19--
James Bidlack, UCO associate professor of biology.
producing plants S that they fix nitrogen, so when
Bidlack was approached about the research following his
farmers come back in August to plant their wheat. they
move to UCO from lowa State University in 1990.
don't have to fertilize. That is the biggest selling point."
Due to a lack of cropland available at the Edmond
Nitrogen is the most expensive input for wheat
school's campus, Bidlack raised the garbanzo beans on
fertilization and after a three-year cycle of planting,
the roof of the university's science building, Howell Hall.
harvesting the "fruit" and reintroducing the leaves and
The project was joined in 1993 by Oklahoma State
stalk from the plant back into the ground, chickpea and
University and was instrumental in establishing coopera-
pigeonpea plants can provide the minimum amount of
tive agreements between OSU and other universities
nitrogen needed to sustain a winter wheat crop, Bidlack
conducting agricultural research.
said.
"In an era of declining resources, the university
In addition to the benefits gleaned from the plants,
believes that teaming is an efficient way of preventing
UCO reported, the beans can be used to make flour,
duplication of faculty and still accomplishing important
soup or to top a salad.
scientific research," explained OSU's collaborative
The project is now being funded through a $48,000
research proposal.
grant to UCO from the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
The research has shown a better way for farmers to
in which a five-year agreement was formed.
protect their cropland during the summer months, when
"This allows us to share equipment," Bidlack said.
the fields lay bare or with little wheat stubble.
He noted that nitrogen analysis tests from the
"During these months there could be a lot of soil
garbanzo beans are currently under way at the USDA
erosion, which can result in problems to the ecosystem
Grazing Land Research Laboratory in El Reno.
because there's no protection for the animals," Bidlack
UCO is currently processing data gathered from the
said. "And, if a farmer has cattle, there is nothing for
past three years of its roof top research.
them to graze on but the wheat stubble. This type of
"We're looking at what other types of chickpea- and
farming leads to non-use of the soil."
pigeonpea-related research we can do," Bidlack said.
The solution, he said, is planting a cover crop of
"But at the Grazing Land Research Laboratory, our work
chickpeas or pigeonpeas.
has catapulted their research into a wide-spread project
"A cover crop is established immediately," he said.
designed to determine what the application of this is to
"And, the big thing about these three-foot-tall legume
the state." Ikl
(University of Oklahoma)
NSF GRANT HELPING OU ACQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERCOMPUTER
A $580,000 grant from the National Science Foun-
even greater standard of excellence," said OU President
dation and $823,000 in support from the University of
David L. Boren. "The decision of the National Science
Oklahoma is allowing OU to bring a CRAY 190
Foundation to provide a grant to help fund this project is
supercomputer to campus, the school recently an-
a recognition of the national statute of our faculty in
nounced.
these program areas."
Fourteen OU professors representing a variety of
Addition of the supercomputer will allow researchers
disciplines from three OU colleges have joined to create
to link the complex numerical models developed at OU
the Environmental Computing Applications Systems
and, using a variety of data, study environmental phe-
(ECAS), which will utilize the new supercomputer. The
nomena--such as flooding, wind shear, precipitation,
CRAY 190 represents more than a 20-fold increase in
severe storms, vegetation levels and groundwater
computing power over what is currently available on the
migration--on spatial scales from approximately 1/2 to 60
OU campus.
miles and time scales from one hour to several months.
And a private-sector transportation company with a
"We definitely are positioned to make even more
crucial need for the storm-scale, weather-prediction
significant contributions in environmental science re-
model under development at OU is considering a
search and education," said Kevin Droegemeier, princi-
$500,000 grant to the university which would double the
pal investigator of ECAS. Droegemeier is an associate
size of the original CRAY system, the university said.
professor of meteorology and director of the OU Center
The initial CRAY system is expected to be installed at
for Analysis and Predictions of Storms.
There is a major real-world benefit to this research,
OU's Sarkeys Energy Center in December.
Droegemeier pointed out, most notedly in saving lives,
"This new supercomputer will help OU's top-ranked
crops and expensive equipment by improved environmen-
environmental and meteorological programs to reach an
tal forecasting and research.
--Page 20--
THE 1995-90
WINTER
EDITION OF
THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COUNTY
NEWSLETTER
The Water Testing Experience
Our fall water testing experience has come to an end. And
from our first-hand view what an excursion it was! Sure, it was
a great excuse to get out of class and to tromp around the ocean
shore wearing hip-rubbers, but it was also one of the best
hands-on projects we've ever participated in. The Department of
Marine Resources can say what they like, but the work we have
been doing here at Jonesport-Beals has been a great asset to
their work. While they test our flats only a few times, we test
our flats every week during the fall and spring months. Time
after time our resu ts have matched theirs. A few flats have
been opened recently in Jonesport and Beals and contrary to
popular DMR belief, it can be largely attributed to J-B water
testing results. But that is beside the point. The point is
that water testing takes much more hard work and determination
than many may think. After spending almost an hour and a half on
the flats each week, we must process our water samples and test
salinity and dissolved oxygen. The processing of the samples
takes pretty near an entire class period the day after testing.
The following day, our science classes devote our allotted time
to a bacteria count. Higher math tells me that this is the
equivalent of three hours per week taken from our science classes
to test our local clam flats for bacteria. Fortunately, it is
time we, as a community, gladly spend. We have a great deal of
help from the parents of our students. Without them serving as
chaperones, we would not be able to test the number of flats that
we would like. Clifford Johnson is a parent that comes to mind
whenever I think of this. For his third consecutive water
testing season he has not missed a single trip. People like him
make our project a success. I wish that I had a few stories of
major mishaps occurring during our testing that I could tell you
about. Other than walking out too far over my boots on one
occasion, nothing comes to mind. Do not be dismayed, however,
because it just goes to show how well we did controlling
ourselves on our trips. Don't get me wrong, we had our share of
laughs and fun, but when it came to testing, we got serious and
did a job that I feel was accurate and one that we can be proud
of. To show you just how seriously our students took the water
testing project, I have included some of their thoughts in this
article:
"I believe that the water testing process is very
interesting. I think it shows teens, as well as adults who
chaperone, that our water system is only here for a while, so we
had better protect it while it's here. "
-Darek Merchant
"I think water testing is not only good for the students, but
for the community also. Instead of being in a classroom we are
learning and doing something for the community. "
Jeremy Alley
"I think water testing is a very good way to help the
community and skip class at the same time. Water testing gives a
chance for a polluted flat to reopen in a safe way. "
-Frank Alley
"I enjoyed the water quality testing project very much. I
think it is very educational and should continue in the MCSD. "
--Lee Davis
"I thought that the water testing project was very exciting.
I liked being in groups doing our tests. It was hands-on and
that's fun. We learned a lot about oceans.' "
--Tammy Alley
As you can see, water testing is not something we have taken
lightly. We will continue to serve our communities through this
extremely important project. We cannot wait to get back onto the
flats in the spring.
In closing, we here at J-B would like to urge you to help
conserve our rivers, lakes, and oceans. They are one of our most
vital natural resources. Not only do they provide us with
life-sustaining water, but they are a huge source of income for
many of Maine's residents. Even the smallest of efforts really
do make a difference! Please, won't you do your part?
Leigh Woodward
Jonesport-Beals High
Chemistry Student
plastic bottles a year).
We throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour (22 billion
Angela Fletcher
Narraguagus High School
Lobster fishing has been the business for many generations for
people all around the coast. But now there have been so many new
set laws that it is becoming very hard and discouraging to be a
lobster fisherman.
You are now only allowed to have at the most 3500 traps for some who
have owned 5000 or more traps this is a major problem. They now
have 2000 or more traps that they have nothing to do with. It is
hard to sell them because the other people can't afford them or they
would have already had them or they are close to their limit as
well.
Just recently they have added many restrictions on getting your
license renewed. One of the few ways is that you must have held a
lobster fishing license for at least the past 4 years, and have
owned and used your own boat. You must be able to show proof of all
this, including receipts of the pounds you have sold to verify your
sales.
If you can prove this or one of the others you will be passed
and considered for the years licenses.
Out of all of those who have actually have been considered, if
the number is small enough, they all will receive their licenses.
If the number is still high they will take only the most worthy.
Many people are helping to pay for a lawyer to stand up for all
the lobster fisherman in Maine.
I am glad to see that people are standing up for their rights
and the rights of others. This has been the only job that some
people know. If you take it away the unemployment will sky rocket.
A lot of people are making a clean living out of this, if the state
takes it away, this will destroy many lives.
Never Ending Sky
The U.S. creates 19% of the world's
garbage, that's 200 million tons of
* Stalking over our land
municipal garbage every year -
the darkness engulfs
the sky.
3 1/2 pounds per person, per day.
* The earth turns to ice
Thirty percent of the garbage filling up
while the plants and
landfills is packaging.
animals die.
* The air turns to nothingness
Each year Americans landfill 10 to 20
and the angels in the
billion disposable razors, 1.7 billion pens
Heavens cry.
and 45 billion pounds of plastic.
* Our oceans will never
bear a wave
We are exporting 200 million pounds of
and the sun will never shine,
plastic garbage each year - mostly to
for this is what happens when our
Asia, where it gets landfilled.
earth begins to die.
*
E Magazine, July/Aug 1995, Page 28
Slowly becoming specks of dust in a
never ending sky.
Sam Maurais
Narraguagus High
"Lobster Tags"
During the lobster fishing season there are many
controversial issues that come up. One such issue is the
way to keep the number of traps, that every lobster
fisherman has, low. One way to solve this problem, in the
eyes of the government, is to put tags on each trap. The
fisherman would purchase the tags from the Department of
Marine Resources (DMR), for a price that hasn't been
mentioned and fill them out for each trap in which they
own. However, the majority of the fisherman are opposed.
They say that it is too much paperwork to fill out.
Another provision is to enforce a 1,200-trap limit by the
year 2003. One lobsterman says that the tags were "just
the start" of a new plan to force out the independent
lobsterfisherman, discourage younger people from at least
trying to do it, and regulate it so that the big lobster
corporations are they only ones who can afford to stay in
the business. Most people who are fisherman tend to agree
when they say that the federal government wants to control
as much of the industry as is possible.
People in Downeast Maine have differing opinions as
would most people in a small area. I think that the
majority of the people think as lobsterfisherman do
because it is such a big industry along the coast. It is
such an issue because we live right along the coast and
not further inland. This may be one of those problems
that are never solved. You have the one aspect that was
just discussed and you have the other issue of the
fisherman depleting the number of lobster in the ocean.
However the issue is resolved I'm sure the fishing
industry will benefit greatly from it.
Lester Look
Narraguagus High School
OF the billion pounds of pesticides used each year in
the U.S., less than 1 percent reaches a pest
As you drive along Coastal Route 1 through the fishing town of
Milbridge, turn left onto the Wyman Road, the home of Lawrence Ray.
For the last couple of years Lawrence Ray has been cornering the
fishing industry. Mr. Ray has a dive shop , an urchin market, his
own trucking operation and soon to be a "pickle plant" commonly
known as sea cucumbers. Doodie and Lawrence Ray, for the past 1 1/2
years, have been planning their pickle processing plant, there is a
lot of legal procedures you have to go though to start a processing
plant of this size. The innards of the sea cucumbers are very
toxic and hard to dispose of properly. Now experiments have showed
that the insides of the pickle could be used as a dried additive to
salmon food and also they are being used by a company that processes
Shitake mushrooms, and they use it in the compost.
That would be great for Lawrence. He can be making money from
the dried meats and from the Innards. I hope that the Ray's become
very rich on the deal.
By Wade Kearns
Pollution Effect on Climate and Ozone
Surprising new research proves that pollution does, in fact
effect the climate, especially in metropolitan cities like New
York, San Francisco, L.A., etc. In the colder cites like
Chicago, Pittsburgh, etc., it still gets cold enough to snow and
freeze. Pollution makes a slight change in temperature of cities
almost unnoticeable, but technically it's slightly hotter.
Pollution also eats hole in ozone, and the ozone protects us
from about 80%-90% of the UV radiation. If the ozone was totally
gone we would have the global warming effect, and that would kill
life. Already there are holes in the antarctic, and there is not
much life there, is there?
-Zak
WHEN RECYCLING BECOMES
to be recycled. Assuming that
DESTRUCTION
"recycling" meant donating the
books, as they were, to
Recycling has become the
surrounding community
wave of the future that almost
organizations, our class
everybody, from city-dwellers to
dutifully followed to the
country ruralists, is sailing
storage room.
upon. It is a heroic attempt to
What I witnessed next was
neutralize the growth of dumps
atrocious. In an enormous pile
laden with reusable materials as
there lay the torn pages of
well as a crusade against the
desecrated books, their words
pillaging of the earth's
now only fragments of knowledge.
depleting natural resources.
Their bindings were removed
Yet our voracious appetite to
ferociously, and they lay
reuse materials over and over
exposed to the multitude of
again can backfire, resulting in
trampling feet that nonchalantly
the destruction of something
abused the great treasures. We
that is useful in its present
were given orders to gather the
condition. Such has occurred at
books and place them just
Narraguagus High School.
outside the storage room where
Early in the month of
another group was to tear them
November it was decided that a
apart for recycling.
certain storage area, cluttered
I gathered some books in my
with a plenitude of books, was
arms and sent them to their
to be emptied so that other
fate. Dumbstruck, I watched as
fundamentals could be stored
a limited edition volume (only
there. The fate of the books,
1500 copies ever made) was
some which dated as far back as
salvaged within seconds of being
1898, was determined--they were
destroyed. Yet others were not
so lucky and hardly given any
respect for literature, as well
notice as the students crazily
as the tax-payers' money. When
tore apart the books. I
mentioning this treachery to
wondered what the authors of the
some of these tax-payers they
destroyed books would have
were outraged and claimed that
thought if they had witnessed
they were unaware it. Didn't
this tragic episode, and I
they have a right to know how
realized that this was no more
their money, in a sense, was
justified than the German Nazis'
being torn up and cast out?
burning of books during World
There are other solutions
War II.
to the recycling of these books,
What kind of message is
other than mutilation. They
being went to our generation
could've been donated to local
when a school, which is
libraries, which are always
supposedly a safe haven for
eager to collect more books.
books, is transformed and no
There is a recycle shop in
longer retains any respect for
Cherryfield that offers clothing
great works of literature. And
and other necessities to low
how are we supposed to react
income families that gladly
when even the teachers, which
would have accepted the offer.
felt that some of the books
Another solution could've been
could be used in the classroom,
to hold a book fair and use the
were denied the right to rummage
profits to fund class trips or
through the piles and were
other committees--anything but
turned away empty-handed (for it
destroying them, and then
was assumed that the books would
claiming it is recycling!
wind up in the storage room
again)
This is an obvious lack of
--Bonnie D.
WREATH-MAKING IN MAINE
Wreath-making has become one of the most valuable and
popular businesses in Maine. These wreaths are made from
Balsam fir tips, and the demand for them rises each year.
In fact, there is such a demand for them that "wreathers,"
as they are called in Maine, have resided to Canadian
brush sources.
The parts of the balsam fir tree that are used for
wreaths are at the end of the tree limbs (the last 15-20
in.) and are called "tips."
Tipping season begins in Maine in the late fall, after
the needles have "set, " which means the tree has become
dormant and stopped growing for the season. At this time
the tree covers its needles with a waxy coating. If the
tips are gathered before this time, the tips will lose
their leaves a very short time after harvest. This
"setting time" varies every year, and this time depends on
the yearly climate along with the growing year. The
typical times for areas in Maine are: November 10-15 in
Southern Maine, November 7-10 in Eastern Maine, and about
November 1 in northern areas of Maine. The season then
lasts until about mid-December.
As stated above, Maine wreaths are made from Balsam
fir tips. These trees are identified by their dark green,
blunt-ended needles, usually about 1-inch long. Balsam
fir may sometimes get confused with spruce, but the spruce
needles are easy to identify as well, due to the fact that
they are shorter and "prickly" to the touch. Hemlock
trees may also be easily mistaken for the Balsam, but it
can be identified by its short, blunt needles, and the two
unmistakable white stripes on the underside of the needle.
Tips gathered for wreath-makers should be that of top
quality, as this is one of the major factories determining
the quality of the finished wreath. The needles should be
dark green, not yellow or brown; and should be
disease-free.
Tips are usually gathered from the middle of the young
tree as these are usually the best-quality tips. The top
part of the tree has branches with long stems, and the
bottom part of the tree may have branches with needles on
just one side. Both are unsuitable for wreath-making. To
remove tips, the "tipper" grasps the branch between the
thumb and forefinger and snaps it off with a quick
downward motion. Generally 12 to 20 inches of the branch
is removed. The last major set of stems should be left,
as this allows the tree to grow back fully in about 3
years.
Once the tips are gathered, they are then stacked on a
stick, which is a small tree that has been cut down and
stripped of all its branches except the last set, which is
used to stack the tips on. The tips are stacked on these
sticks in a criss-cross manner which keeps them on the
stick for easier transport. A finished stick usually
weighs between 40-75 pounds.
After the tips have been harvested, stacked and
transported to a dealer, they are then ready to be sold.
Individuals can sell these tips to local buyers, which
most people do, who specify the tip length, stacked
method, and quality. The tips are sold by weight. In
1987, the price of tips per pound ranged between 22 to 32
cents per pound.
The people of Maine should feel very fortunate that
they have the natural resources to make these beautiful
crafts. Not everyone is that fortunate.
By Lee Davis
BODY HEAT
You might be surprised at how much energy you can save by dressing
more warmly to retain your own natural body heat. For women, slacks are
warmer than skirts. For men and women, long-sleeved sweaters can add
between 2 and 4 degrees in added warmth; and two lightweight sweaters
Every day the Earth receives
add about 5 degrees in warmth because the air between them serves as
enough solar energy to heat every
insulation to keep in more body heat. During the summer, save on air
conditioning in the same way: Wear short-sleeved shirts and blouses,
home in the world for one year-free
skirts and shorts, and light fabrics.
The science potpourri class at JBHS went tipping Monday,
December 11. The students were able to get a first hand look at the
harvesting of one of Maine's own natural resources. Kathy Nitchske
from the Maine Forest Service accompanied the class on their trip
and informed them of the right and wrong ways to tip. Lee Davis,
one of the participating students said, "We all had a lot of fun.
It was interesting to learn what the wreath companies want and don't
want. I think every science potpourri class should go. It should
be an annual thing." From the brush collected, the science
potpourri class made the wreathes that are hanging in the lobby at
JBHS.
By Jan Beal and Stacey Beal
Physical science students at JBHS recently went on an
"incredible journey", a simulation exercise in which
students "became" water molecules. Following are recaps
of some of their adventures.
MY DAY AS A WATER MOLECULE
I'm floating lazily on a salt molecule, all of a sudden I feel
like I'm on an elevator going up, up, up from the bottom of the
ocean to the top. Then something happens, the elevator keeps going
up through the surface of the water. I kept going up. I was in a
fluffy white bed where I could nap comfortably. I woke up and felt
very cold, I started freezing then I started my rapid descent, down
to the icy glacier below. I started warming up and went down the
slide faster and faster until I was on the river. I tried to grab
the bank, on my second try I succeeded, and I went through the
tunnel to the warm places beyond. I stayed in the soil for a while
to get warmed up then I felt myself sinking in to a place far below
the surface it was the groundwater. From the groundwater I was
filtered into a lake after spending a while in the lake, I hopped
on to one of the plants floating in the water. I was sunbathing
there when the world suddenly became very dark, a giant moose had
swallowed me. This was where my days journey ended.
ARCTIC OCEAN
GREENLAND
--Michelle Alley
ASIA
EUROPE
PACIFIC
NORTH
AMERICA
OCEAN
AFRICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
SOUTH AMERICA
INDIAN OCEAN
DEFORESTATION
AUSTRALIA
PACIFIC
One-quarter of the medicinal drugs
prescribed in the United States today
OCEAN
are derived from natural compounds,
D
many of which are found only in
tropical rain forests.
ANTARCTICA
RAIN FORESTS OF THE WORLD
The Trip of a Molecule
I am a water molecule and I'm going to take you in an
adventure. We will start in the ocean but soon we'll be
invisible to the human eye as we evaporate into the air
and will be floating in the clouds. We are now going to
join other molecules as we drop as rain into the river.
It's getting cold and all of us water molecules are
freezing an forming a glacier. But soon the sun will come
out and we'll melt to form a a lake. An animals coming
straight for us, he tips his head down and starts to
drink. OH, NO! We're inside the animal. Soon the animal
will have to urinate and we will fall to the soil. Now we
are being pulled lower into the ground as we become
groundwater when we join other molecules. Now we'll
finish our journey as we're sucked into a beautiful
flowers roots.
--Misty Alley
YOU CAN'T see the FORESTS OR THE trees
o Between 50 and 100 acres of tropical rain forest-an area the size of
ten city blocks-are destroyed every minute.
© minutes. An area the size of New York's Central Park is destroyed every sixteen
O Every hour 3,000 acres are demolished.
D Every day, an area the size of Philadelphia (74,000 acres) is lost.
. ruined. Every year, an area the size of Pennsytvania (27 million acres) is
. Every ten years, we lose an area the size of the northeastem United
States.
© Every fifty years, we lose an area the size of the United States east of
the Rocky Mountains.
0 At the current rate of deforestation, there will be no intact tropical
forest left within one hundred years.
person in the United States).
We throw away over 200 million tires every year (one for every
A WATER MOLECULES JOURNEY
I am a water molecule who is about to go on a journey. Right
now I am a part of a big chunk of ice in the ocean, a glacier. As
the sun shines, me along with my fellow molecules melt into the
ocean. Now I am a part of a river, and I know I am on the surface
because I can feel the warm sun shining down on me. I can feel
myself and see the other molecules floating up, up and into big
white puffy clouds. I start slowing down and feel many other
molecules grabbing on to me as we fall down to a plant's roots.
WHOA! I think I just got sucked up by the plant's roots. Along
comes a deer! I think he's going to eat the plant along with me.
AHH!! He did! The deer is going to get a drink in the lake and
while he is there he feels he needs to use the bathroom. There I
get dropped into the water. I am down quite far, so it will be a
while until I go for another journey, because I will have to rise to
the surface. GOOD-BYE! Come and share another journey with me soon
around the water cycle.
Nikki Centanni
Grow,Don't Mow
According to Yale University, lawns cover
more than 23 million acres in the U.S.,
The McToxics Campaign
that's equivalent to the size of
Polystyrene plastic cups and food containers from one day's sales at
McDonald's take up 50,000 cubic feet of landfill space.
Pennsylvania. Ten times as many
Styrene plastic is nonrecyclable and nonbiodegradable. Hazardous
wastes are produced during its manufacture, and when it is incinerated, it
chemical pesticides per acre are used on
releases the pollutant carbon monoxide and could release carcinogenic
lawns than on farmland. Add in the
styrene oxide. In almost all cases, paper packages are sufficient substitutes
for styrene plastic.
pollution emitted from a power mower in
Getting McDonald's 10,000 restaurants to stop using plastic burger boxes
just one hour (equal to driving a car 350
could have a stunning domino effect on the rest of the fast food industry.
With this thought in mind, the Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Wastes
miles!) and your yard can become an
(CCHW) launched a national campaign to get McDonald's to "Hold the
Toxics!" Waving signs, posters, and fliers, CCHW supporters picketed various
environmental mess. A free publication
McDonald's outlets to emphasize their demand for all-paper packaging. In
from Gardeners Supply illustrates the many
California, Concemed Neighbors in Action placed orders for McNuggets
and burgers wrapped in paper. When the servers wouldn't oblige, the
benefits of having less lawn and shows how
bulky plastic boxes were left on the counter and people carried away their
food in napkins.
a backyard can become a haven for wildlife.
Based on the public uproar, McDonald's decided to recycle something-
its corrugated cardboard. The company also announced plans to begin a
"Be A Grower, Not A Mower" is available from:
trial recycling program for styrene plastic (which CCHW says can't be done)
Gardener's Supply Company
and launched an educational campaign on waste reduction. But it's still
128 Intervale Road, Dept 1017
serving coffee, burgers, and other meals in plastic. For more information,
Burlington, VT 05401
get the "McFact Pack" ($5.00) from the Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazard-
800-863-1700
ous Wastes, Inc., P.O. Box 926, Arlington, VA 22216. And the next time
McDonald's (or any other fast food restaurant) serves your order in plastic,
leave the packaging on the counter.
"Earth Mother"
Tears are falling rapidly
From the many dark gray eyes.
Mother Earth is crying
As she watches her children die.
They know their turn will come soon
Yet, they can't run & hide.
Animals in danger
Know their time will soon be done.
(Hear the Eagle Mother cry
For her only son?)
All this life is mourning
As the days pass by,
Because they've been forgotten
And soon they all will die.
Their guardians have forgotten
The job they were to do.
They have become too lazy
To care about the land.
So, tears are falling rapidly
From the many dark-gray eyes.
Mother Earth is crying
As she watches her children die.
-Stasha
Mandatory Aeration Systems
In Lobster Pounds
/ think, from what / know
about lobsters, that aeration systems in
lobster pounds would make quite a bit
of difference. When my aunt
purchased her aeration system, she
HOW THE "GREENHOUSE EFFECT" WORKS
said it cut down on kills in the pound.
The air circulating around in the
pound decreases after awhile. With
Space
Ozone layer shields the Earth from
- the sun harmful ultraviolet
each tide change, the water that
radiation
fluctuates in and out of the pounds
About 30 percent of the
becomes "stale". Aeration systems
energy IS reflected back
into space
cause a good circulation of air
Atmosphere
throughout the pound.
Once my aunt bought the system,
she found an immediate change in
Most of the sun's
Together these
Burning of fossil fuels and
energy reaches
gases form a
shipping to other people. The culls do
deforestation increase carbon
the Earth
blanket which
dioxide in the atmosphere Added
traps energy
to this are chiorofluorocarbons
not die as easily and the younger
thus warming the
(man-made gases used in spray cans
Earth
lobsters survive better.
Earth
refrigerants and insulations) and methane
(from landfills farming and swamps)
/ think that if people were made to
put aeration systems in their pounds,
they'd find a difference in the way their
lobsters act and feed.
Colon Haskell
Narraguagus High
WORD SEARCHES
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BUSDRIVERAZS
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WORDS
WORDS
1. LOBSTER
1. LOBSTER
2. BOAT
2. FISH
3. TIDE
3. COD
4. CRAB
4. HADDOCK
5. OCEAN
5. SHRIMP
6. FISH
6. CLAMS
7. MAINE
7. SALTWATER
8. COD
8. MAINE
9. TRAP
9. SCALLOPS
10. VENT
I
ROBBIE WORCESTER
TIM TABBUTT
JARED LOOK
NARRAGUAGUS HIGH SCHOOL
MY JOURNEY AS A WATER MOLECULE
I start my journey as a water molecule in the soil stage.
Gravity suddenly pulls me down below the soil and into the earth
where I join the groundwater. From the groundwater I get sucked
into a plant's roots. Along comes an animal and eats the plant. I
am in the animals stomach. The animals goes to the ocean to get a
drink and has to go to the bathroom. I am urinated into the ocean.
Before I know it I freeze and now I am part of a glacier. I
sublimate and go into the clouds where I come together with other
water molecules to form rain. I drop into a river where I flow into
a lake. Here is where my journey is completed.
I have been through the nine stages of a water molecule. The
soil, groundwater, plant, animal, ocean, glacier, cloud, river, and
finally the lake stage.
Nathaniel Alley
I am a water molecule. I am floating high in the sky with many
other water molecules holding on to me. It's very cold up here. Oh
no! I'm being dropped. I'm falling
falling
I'm on a
huge chunk of ice. I'm a glacier. The sun is shining brightly on
me. I'm loosening up. I'm slipping. Ahh! I'm in the ocean! The
wind is blowing hard now. I'm being slashed around. Up in the air
I go. Now I'm being dumped into a river. The hightide brought me
in. Quickly I'm moving quickly now. Woah, here I go I'm, I'm, I'm
in a lake! The wind is blowing gently. I'm in the soil. I'm
getting sucked in. Gravity is pulling me down. I'm in the ground
water. Wow, this is fun I'm being lifted. I think I'm getting
sucked up! I am. I'm in a plant. It's awfully dark in here. Here
comes a dog. I think he's
yup he did
he ate me. My
journey has ended for awhile.
Lauren Woodward
My Life As a Water Molecule
I started my life as a water molecule in the ocean,
which is where I stayed for a very long time.
As time went by, I found myself being sucked up into the
clouds. I did not stay there as long as I had stayed in the
ocean, because soon there was what the humans call a rain
storm.
I then found myself falling downward onto a very cold
glacier. Soon, I was frozen, and became trapped in the
glacier.
Over time, the glacier melted a little bit-- just enough
so that I could become free.
Soon, I was washed away by a near-by river. Then, that
familiar feeling of being sucked upward came to me again. I
soon found myself to be in another cloud.
After that, another rainstorm occurred. This time, I
landed on the ground, and became trapped in some soil. I
soon became a part of the groundwater below the soil, which
is where I stayed until I moved to a near-by lake. Soon
after this, an animal came and drank the water in the lake,
including me.
Right now, I am still inside of this animal, but I don't
expect I'll stay for long.
Although it seems as though I've been around for a long
time, I am actually still a very young molecule. I am sure
this is far from the end of my journey.
Oceanside
The wind, the weather
The sun, the sea
The breeze, and me
The flowers, the birds
The grass, the trees
The honeybees and me
The hugs, the kisses
The wishes, the fishes
The glee and me
The earth, the world
The universe
The poems, the verse
The rhyme, the time
The key, and me
The world I know
The things I see
Another torn country
Marilyn Ortega
Another burned tree.
Narraguagus High
The sea is dying
The soil is gone
So tell me now
Where have we gone wrong.
The animals are killed
The mother's are crying
The father's are dead
And the children are dying.
The animals are killed
The mother's are crying
The father's are dead
And the children are dying.
I see he reason
For the world to be this way
I see no reason
To live this way.
Why must he live
In so much pain
With burning forests
And acid for rain.
6
E
6
2
s
3
5
h
h
-
-
-
2
ACROSS
1. A hard-shelled arthropod with claws
2. Temperature, etc., in a certain region
3. The condition the atmosphere is in
4. Adjective for ocean
5. Rain, snow, sleet, etc.
6. Sedentary, filter-feeding bivalves; like a clam
DOWN
1. Animal in a hard shell that lives in muddy areas
2. The study of marine life and weather conditions
3. Spiny, small sea animals, delicacy in Asia
4. H₂O
5. The surroundings around us
6. Body of water off the coast of Maine
1
answers are on next page
It takes twenty trees to keep
ACROSS
one baby in disposable
1. lobster
diapers for two years.
2. climate
3. weather
4. marine
5. precipitation
6. blue mussels
DOWN
1. clam
2. marine science
3. sea urchin
4. water
5. environment
6. Gulf of Maine
The "Washington County Environmental Newsletter," is a publication
designed by the high school students of Washington County for the publication
of student writing and drawings. This student newsletter began last year
and was founded by Jane Lamson and Karen Bert, two AmeriCorps members serving
in Washington County. This year the newsletter is supported by:
Jane Lamson USDA AmeriCorps
Down East Resource Conservation & Development
PO Box 210
Cherryfield, ME 04622
THAT * FL CRICORPO A
Michelle Grant - USDA AmeriCorps
Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District
PO Box 121
Machias, ME 04654
*If you have questions or comments please contact Jane at 546-2368
or Michelle at 255-3995.